10.63. Are you allowed to make a U-turn immediately after passing the oncoming vehicle in the given situation?
UAЧи дозволено Вам виконати розворот одразу після проїзду зустрічного автомобіля в наведеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's ability to assess the safety of maneuvers on road sections with limited visibility. In real traffic, making a U-turn is one of the riskiest changes of direction because it requires sufficient visibility in both directions and enough time to complete the maneuver without endangering other road users.
The question relates to Section 10 "Starting to Move and Changing Direction" and is connected to warning road signs indicating a dangerous curve/turn. It tests knowledge of points 10.1 and 10.7 of the traffic rules, as well as understanding of the terms "limited visibility" and "visibility in the direction of travel" (point 1.10). The key idea for the theoretical exam: even if the oncoming vehicle has just passed, this does not mean the section has become safe for a U-turn, as another vehicle may suddenly appear from behind the curve.
The option "allowed" is incorrect because it relies only on the absence of a vehicle at a particular moment, but ignores visibility limitations. The correct option is "prohibited," since according to point 10.7 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, a U-turn is not performed if road visibility in at least one direction is less than 100 m, and on a curve/turn this is typically the case. In practice, this rule reduces the risk of head-on collisions and sudden braking by other drivers who may not have time to react to a vehicle making a U-turn.
Clause 10.7 (Section 10 "Starting to Move and Changing Direction")
U-turns are prohibited: … g) when road visibility in at least one direction is less than 100 m.
Clause 10.1 (Section 10 "Starting to Move and Changing Direction")
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.
Clause 1.10 (term "Limited visibility")
Limited visibility — visibility of the road in the direction of travel, restricted by the geometric parameters of the road, terrain features, road structures, greenery, vehicles, etc.
Clause 1.10 (term "Visibility in the direction of travel")
Visibility in the direction of travel — the maximum distance from the driver's position at which road elements and objects on it can be seen.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited." Given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a U-turn is prohibited if the visibility of the road in at least one direction is less than 100 m (typically in an area with limited visibility, particularly on a road curve).
In this situation, the key factor is not that an oncoming vehicle has just passed, but the visibility conditions on the section of the road where you plan to make a U-turn. A U-turn is a maneuver that requires sufficient visibility in both directions so that the driver can assess the situation in advance and not create danger for others.
Warning road signs about a dangerous curve and a left turn indicate that there is a section ahead with limited visibility. On such turns, a vehicle approaching from behind the curve may appear suddenly, and the driver making the U-turn will not have enough time and distance to safely complete the maneuver.
According to clause 10.7 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, a U-turn is prohibited if the visibility of the road in at least one direction is less than 100 meters. On a turn marked with warning signs, this is exactly the situation where you cannot be sure that the road is visible for the required distance, even if an oncoming vehicle has just passed.
That is, after the oncoming vehicle passes, the danger does not disappear: another vehicle may be following and will be detected too late due to the curve in the road, and making a U-turn in such a place creates a risk of a head-on collision or sudden braking by other drivers.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since making a U-turn in an area with limited visibility (less than 100 m in at least one direction) is prohibited, and the warning signs indicate exactly such a dangerous section of road.