Every road user must follow the rules, obey signs, traffic lights and the traffic controller, and must not create obstacles or danger for others (Article 36.I). The driver of a mechanical vehicle has extra, more specific duties — they are listed in Article 37 and often come up in the test.
Documents to carry
- The driving licence (if it has been taken away — the special certificate replacing it).
- The vehicle’s registration certificate.
- If the car is not yours — a lease contract, a duly certified power of attorney or a certificate of joint ownership.
- For commercial transport — the permit, the route sheet and the cargo documents.
Compulsory insurance must still be taken out (Law «On compulsory insurance»), but since the amendment of 18 October 2022 the insurance certificate is no longer on the list of documents to carry in Article 37.I.1. Older books still list it.
When a police officer has stopped the car and come up to it, you must hand over these documents for checking and, if required, get out of the car (Article 37.I.2).
Before setting off and on the way
- Before setting off, check that the vehicle is in good order and keep it so on the way — the list of faults is in Annex 1 of the law (37.I.3).
- Choose your speed for the conditions, the vehicle and the load, and never exceed the limit (37.I.4).
- Signal with the indicators when changing lane, turning, overtaking, moving off and stopping; if they do not work, with your arm (37.I.5).
- On a wet or muddy road do not splash pedestrians, buildings or vehicles (37.I.9); keep the number plate clean (37.I.10).
- Take every care for the most vulnerable — children, the elderly, people with disabilities, cyclists. When a blind pedestrian raises a white cane, stop at once (37.I.11).
Vehicles with special signals
When a vehicle with right of way approaches using a flashing red or blue light together with a special sound signal: switch on the right indicator, clear the lane for it or keep as close to the edge as you can, and stop if necessary. Joining an organised convoy escorted by such a vehicle is forbidden (Article 37.I.7).
An ambulance behind you
Problem
You are in the left lane of a two-lane street in Baku. An ambulance with a blue light and siren comes up behind you, and car B is next to you in the right lane. What must you do?
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Solution
2) Let B go ahead (or get ahead of it) and move into the right lane when it is safe, so the ambulance’s lane is clear.
3) If you cannot move over, slow down and stop if necessary — never swerve suddenly.
Article 37.I.7.
Forbidden at the wheel
- moving off with the doors not closed, or opening the doors while moving;
- using a phone held in the hand while moving;
- letting go of the steering wheel while moving, coasting with the engine switched off;
- driving on paved roads with mud on the wheels that dirties the road, or leaking fuel, chemicals or building materials (Article 37.V).
Seat belts, children, alcohol and the duties at a crash are explained in their own lessons in the «Safety and responsibility» module. In urgent cases the police (or medical staff going the same way) may require the driver to provide the car (Article 37.III), and the driver must carry people who need urgent medical help (37.I.15).
Remember
- Carry the licence and the registration certificate; if the car is not yours, a power of attorney, a lease contract or a joint-ownership certificate.
- The police stop signal is a horizontal baton in the right hand, a flashing red/blue light or a special sound signal.
- For a vehicle with light and siren: right indicator, clear the lane, stop if needed; never join its convoy.
- Stop at once for a blind pedestrian raising a white cane.
- Using a hand-held phone, letting go of the wheel and opening doors while moving are forbidden.