10.11. You are the driver of the grey car and have decided to change lanes to the right. What are your actions?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests one of the basic skills of safe driving: proper lane changing in traffic and yielding the right of way when changing lanes. Such situations most often create accident risks due to "blind spots," incorrect assessment of the speed of other vehicles, and the mistaken belief in having the "right of way" simply because of being on a one-way road.
In content, this theoretical exam question belongs to Section 10 of the Traffic Rules, "Starting to move and changing direction," and directly checks the application of points 10.1 and 10.3 of the Traffic Rules. The key logic is as follows: the initiator of the maneuver is required to ensure safety (check mirrors and "blind spots," choose the right moment, signal the turn in advance) and yield to vehicles already moving in the lane into which the lane change is planned. Road sign 5.5 only clarifies that the traffic is one-way, but does not change the rules for yielding when changing lanes.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the concept of "yielding" (point 1.10) and the rule from point 10.3: the vehicle in the right lane has priority because it is moving without changing direction, so starting to change lanes "because it is a one-way road" or "because you have priority" is a mistake. The correct action for a driver changing lanes to the right is to yield to vehicles in the target lane and perform the maneuver only when it will not force another driver to brake or change trajectory, which directly corresponds to the requirements of Section 10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in the direction of movement, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Application: before changing lanes to the right, the driver of the grey car is obliged to assess the situation (mirrors/"blind spots", distances, and speeds) so that the maneuver does not create obstacles or danger.
Clause 10.3
When changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which he intends to move. If vehicles moving in the same direction change lanes simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
Application: the grey car, when changing to the right lane, must "yield" to the white car that is already moving in this lane in the same direction.
Clause 9.2
Turn signals must be given in advance before starting the maneuver and must be turned off immediately after it is completed (signaling does not give the driver priority and does not relieve him of the obligation to take precautions).
Application: before changing lanes to the right, the driver must give an advance signal with the right turn indicator; at the same time, the signal itself does not cancel the obligation to "yield" and to make sure the maneuver is safe.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield")
Yield — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, or not to perform any maneuvers, if this may force other road users who have priority to change direction or speed.
Application: the grey car does not have the right to start changing lanes in such a way that the white car would be forced to brake or change its trajectory.
Clause 33.5.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and direction signs", sign 5.5 "One-way road"
Indicates a road or a separated carriageway on which vehicle movement is carried out in only one direction across the entire width.
Application: clarifies the traffic conditions on the road (one-way traffic), but the procedure for safe lane changing and yielding is determined by clauses 10.1 and 10.3.
Thus, the correct answer is: "You will yield to the driver of the white car and, making sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users, you will perform the maneuver," taking into account that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when changing lanes, you must yield to vehicles in the lane you intend to move into (clause 10.3), and perform any maneuver only after making sure it is safe and does not create obstacles/danger (clause 10.1).
In this situation, you are driving the gray car and plan to change lanes to the right, into a lane already occupied by the white car. Changing lanes is considered a change in direction, so the requirements of Section 10 of the Traffic Rules apply.
Before any lane change, the driver is required to first make sure that the maneuver will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger for other road users. This means: assessing the situation in advance, signaling with the right turn indicator, checking mirrors and blind spots, and determining the distance and speed of the vehicle in the right lane.
The rule of right-of-way during lane changes then applies. According to clause 10.3 of the Traffic Rules, the driver who is changing lanes must yield to vehicles already moving in the lane into which they intend to move. The white car is moving in its lane without changing direction, so it has the right of way, and you, as the initiator of the maneuver, must let it pass.
In practice, this may mean that you either reduce your speed and let the white car go ahead, or, if the situation allows, complete the maneuver only when there is a sufficient safe gap. It is important that your lane change does not force the driver of the white car to brake sharply or change trajectory.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Yield to the driver of the white car and, after making sure it is safe and will not create obstacles or danger for other road users, perform the maneuver," because when changing lanes you are required to yield to the vehicle in the lane you are moving into (clause 10.3), and only perform the maneuver after checking its safety (Section 10 requirement regarding the safety of changing direction).