11.18. Is it allowed for a vehicle, whose speed for technical reasons does not exceed 40 km/h, to drive in the far left lane?
UAЧи дозволено транспортному засобу, швидкість руху якого з технічних причин не перевищує 40 км/год., рухатися по крайній лівій смузі?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of safe distribution of traffic flows on multi-lane roads. Slow or technically limited vehicles create a speed difference, which increases the risks of sudden maneuvers, dangerous overtaking, and traffic jams. That is why the traffic rules establish separate requirements for them regarding lane selection and positioning on the carriageway.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules about the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway and lane selection, and specifically tests knowledge of clause 11.7. In the theoretical exam, it is important to remember the principle: if a vehicle must not or cannot reach 40 km/h, it must keep as close as possible to the right edge, and moving into the left lanes is allowed only in clearly defined exceptions. Such exceptions include overtaking, bypassing an obstacle, or early lane change for a left turn or U-turn.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that the statement about “always” driving on the right is too categorical and contradicts the exceptions explicitly stated in clause 11.7. The option about being able to take the left lane “when other lanes are occupied” also does not meet the requirements of the Traffic Rules, because lane occupancy is not a reason for a slow vehicle to move left without the need for a maneuver. Instead, the correct approach is that the left lanes for such vehicles are allowed only for the time needed to bypass an obstacle or prepare for a left turn or U-turn, after which one should return to the right to avoid hindering faster traffic.
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 an obstacle, or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn."
That is, the correct answer is "Permitted for bypassing an obstacle or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, such vehicles must move as close as possible to the right edge, and entering/moving in the far left lane is allowed only in specifically provided exceptions (overtaking, bypassing an obstacle, or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn).
When a vehicle, due to its design or technical condition, is unable to move faster than 40 km/h, it becomes a slower element in the traffic flow and may hinder other drivers. That is why the Traffic Rules require such vehicles to keep as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, meaning they should not occupy lanes intended for faster movement.
The far left lane is usually used for more intensive traffic and maneuvers, and a slow vehicle in this lane without necessity creates delays and increases the risk of dangerous situations. Therefore, continuous movement in the far left lane for such a vehicle is not allowed.
At the same time, clause 11.7 of the Traffic Rules provides exceptions when moving into the left lane is justified and necessary. These are situations when the driver is bypassing an obstacle, or when it is necessary to change lanes in advance before turning left or making a U-turn. For example, if there is an obstacle ahead in the right lane that needs to be bypassed, or if a left turn is planned in 100–200 meters, the driver has the right to occupy the left lane to prepare for the maneuver, even if the vehicle is slow.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Permitted for bypassing or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn," since vehicles that cannot reach 40 km/h must keep as far to the right as possible, and the far left lane is allowed for them only in cases of bypassing or preparing for a left turn or U-turn.