10.14. You are the driver of the grey car and have decided to change lanes to the right, while the driver of the white car has simultaneously decided to change lanes to the left. You:
UAВи водій сірого автомобіля, вирішили перестроїтись праворуч, а водій білого автомобіля одночасно з Вами вирішив перестроїтись ліворуч. Ви:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe maneuvering and driver interaction during lane changes. Such situations often occur in dense traffic, and it is precisely mistakes during lane changes that lead to side collisions. For the theoretical exam, it is important not only to remember “who is right,” but also to understand the principle: a maneuver is allowed only when it does not create danger and does not force other road users to sharply change speed or direction.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding starting movement and changing its direction, in particular point 10.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about lane changing and the right-of-way rule during simultaneous lane changes. When two vehicles are moving parallel in the same direction and simultaneously change lanes towards each other, priority is given to the vehicle on the right, and the driver on the left is obliged to yield, that is, to refrain from the maneuver or adjust speed so as not to interfere with the “rightmost” car completing the lane change.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to one key rule. The statement about having priority “because you are on the left” is incorrect: the Traffic Rules of Ukraine apply the opposite logic for simultaneous lane changes. The option stating that on a one-way road you do not have to yield is also incorrect: the sign and mode of one-way traffic do not cancel the requirements of point 10.3 regarding yielding during lane changes. The correct option is the one that states that in the described situation, you must yield to the car on the right, as it is the one that has priority during simultaneous lane changes.
The practical benefit of this topic for traffic rules is obvious: before maneuvering, you should signal in advance with your turn indicator, assess the gaps, and be ready to “let go” of the neighboring car if you are on the left. Such tasks in the theoretical exam form a habit of acting predictably and safely, especially when both drivers intend to change lanes at the same time.
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.
Brief application: in the case of simultaneous lane changes, the vehicle further to the left is obliged to yield to the vehicle further to the right, i.e., the driver of the gray car (on the left) must yield to the white car (on the right).
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield")
Yield — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, nor to make any maneuvers (except for the requirement to vacate the occupied lane), if this may force other road users who have priority to change their direction or speed.
Brief application: the driver of the gray car must not start or continue changing lanes if it would force the driver of the white car to change speed or direction.
Clause 1.10 (term "Priority")
Priority — the right to move first in relation to other road users.
Brief application: in the situation of simultaneous lane changes, priority belongs to the vehicle on the right (the white car), according to clause 10.3.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway at least 2.75 m wide, marked or unmarked by road markings, intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Brief application: the question tests the rule of giving priority specifically during lane changes (changing lanes) between adjacent traffic lanes.
That is, the correct answer is: "You must yield to the driver of the white car because in the case of simultaneous lane changes, the white car has priority," given that according to clause 10.3, in simultaneous lane changes, the driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right, and the terms "yield" and "priority" are defined in clause 1.10.
Let us imagine the situation from the perspective of the driver of the grey car. You are driving in the left lane and plan to change to the right. At the same time, the driver of the white car, who is driving in the right lane, also begins to change lanes, but to the left. Both vehicles are changing lanes at the same moment, which means we have a simultaneous lane change.
According to clause 10.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which they intend to move. However, in our case, the important rule is the one for simultaneous lane changes: the vehicle on the right has priority, and the driver on the left must yield.
In this situation, the grey car is located to the left of the white car. This means that you, as the driver of the grey car, must act in such a way as not to force the driver of the white car to change speed or trajectory. In practice, this means you either reduce your speed and let the white car complete its maneuver, or refrain from changing lanes until it becomes safe.
Therefore, the correct answer is "You must yield to the driver of the white car because in the case of a simultaneous lane change, the white car has priority," since when changing lanes at the same time, priority is given to the vehicle on the right, and the driver on the left is required to yield.