10.27. You are driving a car and while moving you decide to change lanes to the left. When performing such a maneuver, you must:
UAВи керуєте автомобілем і під час руху вирішили перестроїтись ліворуч. Виконуючи такий маневр Ви повинні:
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe changing of lanes and interaction with other road users. Changing lanes to the left is a common situation both in the city and on highways, but it often leads to accidents due to "blind spots," incorrect assessment of distance, and the mistaken belief that turning on the indicator gives the right of way. Therefore, the traffic rules require a clear sequence of actions: warn, check, yield.
The question tests knowledge of Section 9 "Warning Signals" and Section 10 "Starting Off and Changing Direction" (specifically points 9.2, 10.1, and 10.3), which regularly appear on the theoretical exam. The essence of the requirements is as follows: before changing lanes, you must timely signal with the turn indicator, make sure the maneuver is safe using mirrors and checking the "blind spot," and you must yield to vehicles already moving in the lane you intend to enter.
Analysis of the answer options shows that each individual action is necessary but not sufficient on its own. Turning on the left indicator only informs others and does not cancel the obligation to ensure safety and yield; checking the left mirror without controlling the "blind spot" may not reveal a car nearby; "yielding" without a warning signal and prior assessment of the situation also creates a risk of sudden braking or a conflict situation. That is why the correct approach is a comprehensive one: combining signaling, safety checks, and yielding to vehicles in the target lane.
In driving practice, this knowledge means a simple rule: do not change lanes "blindly" and do not force others to change speed or direction because of your maneuver. Mastering this logic helps not only to answer the exam question correctly, but also forms a safe driving habit, which is especially important in heavy traffic and before turning left or making a U-turn.
Clause 9.2 (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
The driver must signal with the appropriate direction indicators before changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn.
Application explanation: before changing lanes to the left, it is necessary to turn on the left turn signal in advance to warn other road users of the intention to change lanes.
Clause 10.1 (Section 10 "Starting to Move and Changing Direction")
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 for other road users.
Application explanation: before changing lanes to the left, the driver must assess the road situation (in particular, using mirrors and checking blind spots) and make sure that the maneuver will not create danger or obstacles.
Clause 10.3 (Section 10 "Starting to Move and Changing Direction")
When changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which he/she intends to move.
Application explanation: when changing lanes to the left, it is necessary to give way (yield) to those vehicles that are already moving in the left lane into which the driver plans to move.
Thus, the correct answer is "Perform all actions specified in answers 1, 2, and 3," given that according to the Traffic Rules, before changing lanes, the driver is required to give the appropriate signal (clause 9.2), make sure the maneuver is safe (clause 10.1), and yield to vehicles in the lane into which he/she is moving (clause 10.3).
When you decide to change lanes to the left while driving, this is considered a lane change, that is, a maneuver that may affect other road users. Therefore, your actions must be consistent and safe.
First, you must notify others in advance of your intention to change lanes by turning on the left turn signal. The signal should be given before starting the maneuver so that drivers behind and beside you have enough time to properly assess your action and react accordingly.
Next, immediately before changing lanes, you need to make sure the maneuver will be safe: assess the situation in your mirrors and check the "blind spot" on the left. For example, there may be a car in the left lane that is only partially visible or not visible at all in the mirror, so it is important not to start changing lanes "blindly."
And the key requirement of paragraph 10.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: when changing lanes, you are required to yield to vehicles already moving in the same direction in the lane you intend to enter. That is, even if you have signaled, this does not give you the right of way — vehicles in the left lane must be able to continue moving without being forced to brake or change direction.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Perform all the actions specified in answers 1, 2, and 3," since when changing lanes to the left, you must signal, make sure the maneuver is safe, and necessarily yield to vehicles in the lane you are moving into.