10.17. Is it permitted for this vehicle to make a U-turn in the median opening?
UAЧи дозволено виконати розворот у технологічному розриві цьому транспортному засобу?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of maneuvering on high-speed roads, where any mistake has much more severe consequences due to high speeds and traffic density. The traffic rules for motorways establish a special regime that restricts dangerous driver actions, in particular U-turns and entry into service elements of the road.
The question tests knowledge of Section 10 "Starting and Changing Direction of Movement" (clause 10.7 f)) and Section 27 "Movement on Motorways and Roads for Motor Vehicles" (clause 27.2). Sign 5.1 "Motorway" indicates that this is indeed a motorway, and therefore U-turns are prohibited here except at intersections or places specifically marked with signs 5.29 "U-turn Place" or 5.30 "U-turn Zone." Additionally, the Traffic Rules directly prohibit U-turns and entry into technological gaps in the median strip, as they are not intended for ordinary drivers and are mainly used by service vehicles.
The analysis of answer options comes down to a simple rule for the theoretical exam: if a driver sees a motorway and there are no 5.29/5.30 signs or intersections, "allowed" cannot be the correct answer. In practice, this knowledge helps to avoid common violations: a technological gap is not a "convenient place" to change direction, and attempting a U-turn there creates critical danger for all road users.
Clause 27.2 (27 "Driving on motorways and roads for motor vehicles")
On motorways and roads for motor vehicles, it is prohibited: "… g) to make a U-turn and to enter the technological gaps in the median strip."
Clause 10.7 f) (10 "Starting movement and changing its direction")
U-turns are prohibited: "… d) on motorways, as well as on roads for motor vehicles, except at intersections and places marked with road signs 5.29 'Place for U-turn' or 5.30 'U-turn zone'."
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and direction signs", sign 5.1 "Motorway"
"Sign 5.1 'Motorway' is used to indicate roads on which the relevant traffic regimes are established in accordance with section 27 of these Rules. The sign is installed at the beginning of the motorway."
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that making a U-turn is prohibited on motorways, as well as entering and making a U-turn in technological gaps in the median strip (exceptions — only intersections or places marked with signs 5.29/5.30).
In the image, the vehicle is moving on a motorway, as confirmed by road sign 5.1 "Motorway." Special traffic regulations apply to such roads because speeds are higher, and any dangerous maneuvers can create an accident risk.
The median opening is not a "place for a U-turn" for ordinary drivers. It is a service element of the road, used in exceptional cases (mainly for road maintenance vehicles or emergency services), not for everyday maneuvers by passenger cars.
Clause 10.7 (f) of the Traffic Rules explicitly states: U-turns on motorways are prohibited. Exceptions are possible only at intersections or in places specifically marked with signs 5.29 "U-turn place" or 5.30 "U-turn zone." In the situation described in the question, there are no such markings, so the exception does not apply.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since on a motorway, a U-turn is allowed only in specially designated and marked places, and a median opening is not such a place.