11.13. May this vehicle move in the far left lane?
UAЧи може даний транспортний засіб рухатися по крайній лівій смузі?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe distribution of traffic flows on a multi-lane road and the prevention of obstacles for faster-moving vehicles. In real conditions, slow vehicles, particularly agricultural machinery, can cause traffic jams and hazardous situations if they occupy the left lanes without necessity. Therefore, the traffic rules specifically regulate where "slow-moving" vehicles must travel and when they are allowed to deviate from keeping to the right.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically point 11.7. If a vehicle displays a recognition sign with "40", this means its speed is limited (more details about the sign itself are given in point 30.3), and therefore the requirement to keep as close as possible to the right edge applies. At the same time, point 11.7 explicitly provides exceptions: moving to the left is allowed not "for convenience," but only for a maneuver—bypassing, overtaking, or early lane change before a left turn or U-turn, which is the essence of the correct answer for the theoretical exam.
Analysis of the options shows the logic of the rule: the statement that such a vehicle can always travel in the left lane contradicts point 11.7 and ignores the restrictions for slow vehicles. The option about a complete prohibition is also incorrect, because the rule to "keep to the right" is not absolute and has clearly defined exceptions for performing maneuvers. Therefore, the correct approach is that being in the far left lane is allowed only as preparation for a left turn or U-turn—this helps students not only pass the exam question, but also act correctly in traffic according to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 11.7
Vehicles whose speed must not exceed 40 km/h or which, for technical reasons, cannot reach such a speed, must move as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, except in cases when overtaking, bypassing, or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn.
Brief application: this clause directly restricts the presence of "slow-moving" vehicles (up to 40 km/h) in the left lanes and allows entry into the far left lane only as an exception — in particular, for changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn (which corresponds to the correct answer).
Clause 30.3 (identification signs), subclause "i"
"Maximum speed limit" — an image of road sign 3.29 indicating the permitted speed (sign diameter — at least 160 mm, border width — 1/10 of the diameter). The sign is placed (applied) at the rear left of motor vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience, heavy and large vehicles, agricultural machinery with a width exceeding 2.6 m, vehicles transporting dangerous goods by road, in cases where a truck is carrying passengers, as well as in cases where the maximum speed of the vehicle according to its technical specifications or specific traffic conditions determined by the National Police authorities is lower than that established in clauses 12.6 and 12.7 of the current Rules.
Brief application: the presence of an identification sign with "40" on the vehicle indicates that this vehicle belongs to the category for which the rule of clause 11.7 regarding movement as close as possible to the right edge (with exceptions) is relevant.
Clause 33.3.29 — 33 "Road signs", 3 "Prohibitory signs", sign 3.29 "Maximum speed limit"
It is prohibited to drive at a speed exceeding that indicated on the sign.
Brief application: this sign is provided in the Traffic Rules as the graphic basis for the identification sign from clause 30.3 (subclause "i") and explains that the number "40" means the maximum permitted (for this vehicle/conditions) speed.
That is, the correct answer is "May move in case of changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, vehicles whose speed must not exceed 40 km/h are required to move as close as possible to the right edge, and entry into the left lanes is allowed only as an exception, in particular when changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn (clause 11.7).
The image shows a tractor with a “40” identification sign on the back. This sign informs other road users that this vehicle has a limited maximum possible speed and is actually classified as a slow-moving vehicle (it must not or cannot travel faster than 40 km/h).
For such vehicles, a special requirement of paragraph 11.7 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine applies: they must travel as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway. The logic of this rule is simple: slow vehicles should not unnecessarily occupy the left lanes so as not to impede faster traffic flow.
At the same time, this same paragraph 11.7 allows moving left of the right edge not always, but only in certain cases. In particular, this is permitted when the driver is performing a maneuver and needs to change lanes for this: bypassing an obstacle, overtaking, or early lane change before turning left or making a U-turn.
Therefore, the tractor may be in the far left lane only when it is preparing to make a left turn or a U-turn (that is, it takes the required position on the carriageway before this maneuver). If the movement is planned to go straight, there are no grounds for such a vehicle to travel in the far left lane.
Thus, the correct answer is “May travel when changing lanes in preparation for a left turn or U-turn,” since according to paragraph 11.7, slow-moving vehicles must keep to the right and may occupy the left lane only for early lane change before a left turn or U-turn.