10.39. You, as a driver, have decided to make a U-turn on the road outside an intersection. What are you required to do:
UAВи, як водій, вирішили розвернутись на дорозі поза перехрестям. Що Ви обов’язково повинні зробити:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvering outside an intersection, when a driver changes the direction of movement to the opposite. Making a U-turn on a section of road without an intersection requires special attention, as it is often associated with crossing lanes, the appearance of oncoming traffic, and the risk of creating an obstacle for other road users. That is why the theoretical exam checks not just one action, but a set of mandatory steps that make the maneuver predictable and safe.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding starting movement and changing its direction, as well as performing turns and U-turns (in particular, the requirements of point 10.4, combined with the general principle of maneuver safety from point 10.1). Individual answer options describe parts of this algorithm: taking the appropriate extreme position on the carriageway is necessary to prepare for the maneuver in advance and not "cut" the trajectory; yielding to oncoming vehicles is a direct obligation when making a U-turn outside an intersection; making sure that the maneuver will not create danger or obstacles means assessing the situation, visibility, distances, and speeds of other vehicles; and checking signs and markings is necessary because a U-turn may be directly prohibited (for example, by the "U-turn prohibited" sign or a solid line). Therefore, the correct choice in this exam question comes down to performing all the listed actions, not just one or two.
The practical meaning of the topic is simple: even if the driver has taken the correct lane and turned on the turn signal, this does not give them priority and does not cancel the obligation to yield to oncoming traffic and act safely. Knowing this block of traffic rules helps to avoid typical mistakes in the exam and reduces the risk of accidents in real situations when a U-turn is performed on an ordinary section of road, where a mistake often leads to a dangerous conflict with oncoming traffic.
Clause 10.4
Before turning right or left, including in the direction of the main road, or making a U-turn, the driver is required to take the appropriate outermost position on the carriageway designated for movement in that direction in advance, except in cases where the turn occurs when entering an intersection with a roundabout, the direction of movement is determined by road signs or road markings, or movement is possible only in one direction as established by the configuration of the carriageway, road signs, or markings. A driver making a left turn or U-turn outside an intersection from the appropriate outermost position on the carriageway for that direction must yield to oncoming vehicles, and if performing these maneuvers not from the outermost left position on the carriageway, must also yield to vehicles moving in the same direction. A driver turning left must yield to vehicles moving ahead in the same direction that are making a U-turn. If there is a tram track in the middle of the carriageway, a non-rail vehicle driver making a left turn or U-turn outside an intersection must yield to the tram.
This clause in the question checks the obligation to: take the correct (outermost) position for a U-turn in advance and yield to the specified vehicles when making a U-turn outside an intersection.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in direction, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
This clause checks the requirement from the answers about the mandatory verification of the safety of the maneuver and the absence of obstacles/danger to others.
Clause 9.1
Warning signals are given by turn indicators, and in their absence or malfunction, by hand.
This corresponds to the requirement to signal before making a U-turn (turn on the indicator or give a hand signal).
Clause 9.2
The driver must give warning signals: a) before starting to move and stopping; b) before changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn.
This clause directly establishes the obligation to signal specifically before making a U-turn.
Clause 9.4
The signal with turn indicators or by hand (in their absence or malfunction) must be given in advance before starting the maneuver and stopped immediately after its completion.
This clause confirms that the signal must be given in advance (before starting the U-turn), not "in the process".
Clause 9.5
Giving a warning signal does not give the driver priority in traffic and does not relieve them from taking safety measures.
This clause justifies that even with the turn indicator on, the driver is obliged to act safely and yield to those who must be given way.
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, adjoin, or branch at the same level, the boundary of which is the imaginary lines between the start of the rounding of the edges of the carriageway of each road. The place where a road adjoins from adjacent territory is not considered an intersection.
This is needed for the correct qualification of the task condition: the U-turn is performed specifically outside an intersection, so the requirements of clause 10.4 for maneuvers outside an intersection apply.
Clause 1.5
Road users are required to know and strictly comply with the requirements of these Rules.
This clause generally confirms the obligation of the driver to be guided by all the requirements of the Traffic Rules, including signs/markings and rules for performing maneuvers.
Clause 33.3.19 — 33 "Road Signs", 3 "Prohibitory Signs", sign 3.19 "U-turn Prohibited"
Sign 3.19 "U-turn Prohibited" — prohibits making a U-turn.
This checks the requirement from the answers: before making a U-turn, the driver must make sure that the maneuver is not prohibited by road signs.
Clause 34.1.1 — 34 "Road Markings", 1 "Horizontal Markings", marking 1.1
Line 1.1 (narrow solid line) — separates traffic flows of opposite directions (or marks the boundaries of traffic lanes) and, depending on application, marks boundaries that are prohibited to cross.
This checks the requirement from the answers: the driver must consider whether the U-turn is prohibited by road markings (in particular, solid lines that cannot be crossed to enter the oncoming lane).
That is, the correct answer is "Perform the actions specified in answers 1, 2, 3, 4.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when making a U-turn outside an intersection, the driver is required to take the outermost position in advance, give a warning signal, make sure the maneuver is safe, and perform it only if it is not prohibited by signs/markings and by yielding to those participants as required.
When you plan to make a U-turn outside an intersection, this is considered a maneuver of increased complexity because you are essentially crossing traffic lanes and changing direction to the opposite. Therefore, the Traffic Rules require you to act sequentially: properly prepare for the maneuver, warn others, and perform the U-turn in such a way that you do not force anyone to brake or change their trajectory.
First of all, before making a U-turn, you must take the appropriate extreme position on the roadway of your direction in advance. On a road with several lanes, this means moving to the far left lane (or the farthest left position in your direction) so that the U-turn is predictable for other drivers and does not create sudden obstacles.
Next, you are required to signal your intention to perform the maneuver: turn on the left turn indicator (or give a hand signal if the indicator is faulty). The signal must be given in advance so that other road users have time to understand your actions. It is important to remember: the signal itself does not give you the right of way, it only serves as a warning.
After this, when making a U-turn outside an intersection, you must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. And if the U-turn is performed not from the far left position (for example, due to vehicle size or road features), then you must also yield to vehicles moving in the same direction so as not to create an obstacle for them. If there are tram tracks on the road and a tram may move in the area of your maneuver, non-rail vehicles must yield to the tram when making a U-turn outside an intersection.
Additionally, you must make sure that the U-turn is permitted and safe: it is not prohibited by road signs or markings, and it will not create danger or obstacles for other road users. For example, even with the correct signal and being in the left lane, you cannot start a U-turn if it is prohibited by markings (solid line) or a prohibitory sign, or if due to limited visibility you cannot ensure safety.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Perform the actions specified in answers 1, 2, 3, 4," since before making a U-turn outside an intersection you must take the correct position in advance, signal, yield to those who have the right of way, and make sure the maneuver is not prohibited and will be safe and not create obstacles.