11.28. If the road is divided into traffic lanes by road markings, must the driver always drive exactly within the traffic lane?
UAЯкщо дорога поділена на смуги руху лініями дорожньої розмітки, чи завжди водій повинен рухатися точно по смузі для руху?
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety and driving discipline on multi-lane roads where the lanes are marked with horizontal road markings. Staying within your lane makes the driver's actions predictable for other road users, reduces the risk of side collisions and conflicts during heavy traffic, especially in cities and on high-speed sections.
In the theoretical driving exam, this question tests knowledge of the section on the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically the requirements of point 11.10 of the Traffic Rules. The rule is simple: if the carriageway is divided into lanes by markings, you cannot drive so that your vehicle occupies two lanes at the same time, and crossing a dashed line is only allowed when changing lanes (leaving the occupied lane while maintaining the direction of travel). That is, during normal driving, the driver stays within their lane, and crossing the lane marking is justified only by a lane change maneuver.
That is why the option about "always" is incorrect: the Traffic Rules of Ukraine allow crossing a dashed marking, but only when you are changing lanes. The correct answer reflects real driving practice: overtaking, approaching a turn, or bypassing an obstacle often require a lane change, and each such maneuver is performed as a lane change with a safe interval and signaling. Knowing this requirement helps avoid common mistakes on the road and the risky habit of "driving on the line," occupying two lanes at once.
Clause 11.10
On roads where the carriageway is divided into lanes by road markings, it is prohibited to drive while occupying two lanes at the same time. Crossing broken lane markings is allowed only when changing lanes.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway, marked or unmarked by road markings, which is wide enough for non-rail vehicles to move in a single line.
Clause 1.10 (term "Lane change")
Lane change — leaving the occupied lane or row while maintaining the direction of movement.
Clause 34.1.5 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.5
Line 1.5 (broken) — separates traffic flows of opposite directions on roads with two lanes, and also marks the boundaries of lanes in the same direction; it may be crossed from either side.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yes, except when changing lanes," considering that according to clause 11.10 of the Traffic Rules, movement within a lane is mandatory (it is prohibited to occupy two lanes at the same time), and crossing broken lane markings is allowed only when changing lanes.
When the carriageway is divided into lanes by road markings, each lane is intended for a separate stream of traffic. This is done to maintain order on the road and to make drivers’ actions predictable: other road users must clearly understand exactly where you are driving.
Clause 11.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine states that on such a road, it is not allowed to drive in such a way that the vehicle simultaneously occupies two lanes. That is, during normal driving, you must stay within your lane, not "drift" along the marking line, and not drive partially in the adjacent lane.
Driving onto a broken (dashed) line is only permitted when you are changing lanes, that is, when you are performing a lane change. For example, if you want to move into the left lane to continue driving, you first assess the situation, signal with your turn indicator, and during the lane change, you cross the dashed line. After completing the maneuver, you again drive within the chosen lane. The same applies when you return to your original lane: this is another lane change.
Thus, the correct answer is "Must, except when changing lanes," because according to clause 11.10 you must drive within a single lane, and crossing dashed lines is only allowed during a lane change.