10.21. Is the driver who is on the left making a right turn correctly?
UAЧи правильно водій, який знаходиться ліворуч, виконує поворот праворуч?
This examination question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe execution of turns at intersections and the driver's ability to correctly interpret road signs. In real traffic, such situations often arise in areas where the traffic organization changes (for example, where one-way traffic ends), and a mistake in choosing the lane before the maneuver can lead to a conflict between vehicles or create an obstacle for other road users.
The question tests the section on Maneuvering Rules, primarily the application of clause 10.4 of the Traffic Rules. The general rule requires that before turning right, the driver must take the far-right lane in advance, but this clause also provides an exception: if the direction of movement at the intersection is determined by road signs or markings, or if movement is possible in only one direction. When sign 4.2 "Right turn only" is present, only one direction is actually permitted, and sign 5.6 "End of one-way road" confirms that both lanes leading to the intersection were in the same direction, so turning right from the left lane is allowed in such a traffic arrangement.
Therefore, the option confirming the correctness of the maneuver is justified: the driver may turn right not only from the far-right position if the lane is also designated for movement in this direction and the signs establish a single permitted route. The alternative option of "incorrect" would only be correct if the direction of movement is not limited by signs/markings and the driver, without reason, turns not from the far-right lane. For the theoretical exam, it is also important to remember the general safety requirements for the maneuver (clause 10.1) and the correct completion of the turn without entering oncoming traffic (clause 10.5).
Clause 10.4
Before turning right or left, including in the direction of the main road, or making a U-turn, the driver must in advance take the appropriate extreme position on the carriageway intended for movement in that direction, except in cases when the turn is made when entering an intersection where a roundabout is organized, the direction of movement is determined by road signs or road markings, or movement is possible only in one direction, established by the configuration of the carriageway, road signs, or markings.
Application: if at the intersection the direction of movement is determined by signs (movement is possible only to the right), the driver may turn right not only from the extreme right position, but also from another lane intended for movement in that direction.
Clause 33.4 — 33 "Road signs", 4 "Mandatory signs", sign 4.2 "Right turn only"
Allows movement only to the right. The effect of the sign does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. The effect of the sign applies to the intersection of carriageways before which it is installed.
Application: the sign obliges both drivers at this intersection to go only to the right, that is, it actually determines the only possible direction of movement through the intersection.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and indicative signs", sign 5.6 "End of one-way road"
Used to indicate the end of a road or carriageway marked with sign 5.5.
Application: confirms that before the intersection, vehicles were moving on a one-way road, and the lanes of this carriageway belong to one direction (which is consistent with the possibility of turning right from the left lane under the conditions defined in clause 10.4).
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: even when turning right from the left lane is allowed by the conditions (signs/traffic organization), the driver must perform the maneuver safely and without creating obstacles for other vehicles.
Clause 10.5
The turn must be performed so that when leaving the intersection of carriageways, the vehicle does not end up in the oncoming traffic lane.
Application: when turning right from the left lane, the driver must complete the maneuver in their own lane/on their own carriageway, without entering oncoming traffic (which is especially important when the traffic organization changes after sign 5.6).
That is, the correct answer is "Correct.", considering that according to clause 10.4, if movement is possible only in one direction as determined by road signs (sign 4.2), turning right is allowed not only from the extreme right position, provided the maneuver is performed safely (clause 10.1) and the turn is completed correctly (clause 10.5).
In this situation, you first need to assess the road signs before the intersection. The sign "End of one-way road" means that up to the intersection, vehicles were moving in one direction on both lanes. At the same time, the mandatory sign "Turn right" obliges all drivers at this intersection to go only to the right; there are no other possible directions of movement.
Next, we apply the requirements of paragraph 10.4 of the Traffic Rules. The general rule is: before turning right, the driver must take the far right lane in advance. However, this same paragraph provides an exception: when the direction of movement at the intersection is determined by road signs or markings, or when movement from this section is possible only in one direction. In our case, this is exactly the situation: the "Turn right" sign establishes the only permitted direction, so turning right is allowed not only from the far right position but also from the lane designated for movement in this direction.
Since the road before the intersection was one-way, both lanes are in the same direction and intended for movement in one direction. Therefore, the driver who is on the left is also moving in the permitted direction and may make a right turn from their lane, provided it is done safely and does not create an obstacle for another vehicle (taking into account the general requirement to ensure the safety of the maneuver).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Correct," since at the intersection the signs establish the only permitted direction of movement to the right, and according to paragraph 10.4, in such a case, the turn can be made not only from the far right position.