10.70. In which case is it permitted to make a U-turn while driving in a tunnel?
UAУ якому випадку дозволено виконати розворот під час руху тунелем?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in special driving conditions, where any unpredictable maneuver sharply increases the risk of an accident. A tunnel is an enclosed space with limited visibility and fewer opportunities for maneuvering, so the traffic rules require the driver to behave as predictably as possible and to minimize actions that could block lanes or cause sudden braking of the traffic flow.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules on maneuvering, specifically the requirements of clause 10.7 (subclause “v”), which directly prohibits making a U-turn in tunnels. That is why the correct answer is the option stating that a U-turn in a tunnel is not allowed: the prohibition applies regardless of the width of the carriageway, lighting, the presence of separated traffic flows, or the absence of other vehicles nearby.
Alternative options that allow a U-turn under conditions such as “no traffic” or “the tunnel is wide and well-lit” are incorrect because they substitute the rule of the Traffic Rules with a subjective assessment of safety. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember that the boundaries of a tunnel are defined by road signs, and within this zone, the driver must strictly adhere to the established restrictions; if you have made a mistake with the direction, the correct decision is to continue driving to a place where the maneuver is permitted outside the tunnel.
Clause 10.7 (subclause "v")
U-turns are prohibited: … v) in tunnels.
Brief application: regardless of the width of the carriageway, the presence of a dividing strip, or the organization of oncoming traffic flows, making a U-turn within a tunnel is not allowed.
Therefore, the correct answer is "U-turns in tunnels are prohibited," given that according to the definition in Traffic Rules clause 10.7 (c) directly establishes a prohibition on U-turns in tunnels.
While driving in a tunnel, the driver finds themselves in special conditions: limited space, usually less room for maneuvering, poorer visibility, and more severe consequences for any mistake. That is why an increased safety regime applies in tunnels, and the driver must drive predictably and without sudden changes in direction.
The Traffic Rules explicitly prohibit such a maneuver. According to clause 10.7 (c), making a U-turn is not allowed in tunnels. That is, it does not matter whether the tunnel is wide, whether there is separation of traffic flows, or whether it seems that "no one is in the way"—the very fact of being in a tunnel makes a U-turn inadmissible.
In practice, making a U-turn in a tunnel creates a high risk of an accident: the car is forced to sharply reduce speed, may block lanes, and other drivers have limited time to react. In an enclosed space, this is especially dangerous, as any collision can cause a chain-reaction crash.
The boundaries of a tunnel are marked by road signs, and from the moment you enter this zone, the driver must comply with the requirements established for driving in tunnels. Therefore, if you missed the necessary exit or made a wrong turn, the correct decision is to continue driving to a place where a U-turn is permitted, already outside the tunnel.
Thus, the correct answer is "A U-turn in a tunnel is prohibited," since clause 10.7 (c) of the Traffic Rules directly forbids a U-turn in tunnels to ensure safety in conditions of limited space and increased risk of accidents.