11.31. How must a vehicle, whose speed must not exceed 40 km/h or which, for technical reasons, cannot reach such speed, move?
UAЯк повинен рухатися транспортний засіб, швидкість руху якого не повинна перевищувати 40 км/год. або який з технічних причин не може розвивати таку швидкість?
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe organization of traffic flow when slow-moving vehicles appear on the road. Such vehicles, tractors, or special machinery can cause delays and provoke dangerous maneuvers by other drivers, so the traffic rules establish a clear requirement for their positioning on the carriageway.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically point 11.7. The essence of the rule is as follows: if a vehicle's speed must not exceed 40 km/h or it is technically unable to reach such a speed, the driver must keep as close as possible to the right edge (on a multi-lane road, this is usually the right lane). At the same time, there are exceptions when it is allowed to temporarily deviate from the right edge: during overtaking, bypassing an obstacle, or in advance of changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn, which is important to remember for the theoretical exam.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that the first and second options separately state only parts of a single requirement from point 11.7: the first mentions exceptions for bypassing and overtaking, while the second adds the exception for changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn. The statement about the possibility of driving in any lane contradicts the rule about the obligation to keep to the right, so it is incorrect. Therefore, the correct option within this exam question is the one that combines both parts of the rule to fully comply with 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 travel 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.
Explanation of application: this clause establishes the obligation for "slow-moving" (by virtue of speed) vehicles to keep to the right edge of the carriageway and at the same time defines exceptions when deviation from this obligation is allowed (for overtaking, bypassing, or timely lane changing before turning left or making a U-turn).
That is, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 11.7 simultaneously requires moving as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway and allows exceptions only during overtaking, bypassing, or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn.
When a vehicle, due to its operating conditions or technical state, must not travel faster than 40 km/h or is physically unable to reach such a speed, it becomes a slower participant in the flow and may impede the movement of others. That is why the Traffic Rules establish a clear rule for its positioning on the carriageway.
According to clause 11.7 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, such a vehicle must keep as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway. In practice, this means that on a road with several lanes, it mainly occupies the right lane so as not to create obstacles for faster vehicles.
At the same time, this rule is not absolute. If the driver needs to overtake, bypass an obstacle, or change lanes in advance for a left turn or U-turn, they may temporarily move away from the right edge and occupy another lane, provided they comply with general safety requirements and maneuvering rules.
Therefore, among the answer options, the correct one is the one that simultaneously covers both parts of the requirement: the obligation to drive as far to the right as possible, and the list of exceptions when it is allowed to deviate from this rule.
Thus, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," since according to clause 11.7, such vehicles move as close as possible to the right edge, but may deviate from this when overtaking, bypassing, or changing lanes before a left turn or U-turn.