11.33. When are non-rail vehicles allowed to drive on a tram track in the same direction, located at the same level as the carriageway?
UAКоли нерейковим транспортним засобам дозволено рух по трамвайній колії попутного напрямку, розташованій на одному рівні з проїзною частиною?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning safety in urban conditions, where tram tracks often run alongside traffic lanes. For the driver of a non-rail vehicle, it is important to understand that a tram track is not 'just another lane', but is used only as an exception and under specific conditions. Improper entry onto the rails creates a risk of traffic accidents, forces the tram to brake, and provokes conflicts in the traffic flow.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway and movement on tram tracks (item 11.8 of the PDR). The essence of the rule is as follows: driving on a tram track in the same direction, which is at the same level as the carriageway, is only allowed when it is not prohibited by signs or road markings, and only in situations related to overtaking or bypassing when it is otherwise impossible to perform the maneuver due to insufficient carriageway width. An additional mandatory requirement for all cases from item 11.8 is not to create obstacles for the tram, and this is often key in the theoretical exam.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that the wording 'always' is incorrect: options 1 and 2 ignore prohibitions by signs/markings and the general logic of the exceptional nature of such movement, so they do not comply with the PDR. Likewise, option 4 cannot be correct, as it combines two incorrect statements. The only correct approach within the traffic rules is to simultaneously consider both the absence of prohibitions and the permissible reasons for entering the track (overtaking/forced bypass due to lack of width), which is reflected in the correct answer for this exam question.
Clause 11.8
"Driving on a tram track in the same direction, located at the same level as the carriageway, is allowed for non-rail vehicles provided that it is not prohibited by road signs or road markings, as well as during overtaking, bypassing, when the width of the carriageway is insufficient to perform the maneuver without entering the tram track. At an intersection, it is allowed to enter the tram track in the same direction in the same cases, but only if there are no road signs 5.16 'Directions of movement by lanes', 5.17.1, 5.17.2 'Direction of movement by lanes', 5.18 'Direction of movement by lane', 5.19 'Use of the traffic lane' before the intersection. Left turns or U-turns must be made from the tram track in the same direction, located at the same level as the carriageway for non-rail vehicles, unless another procedure is specified by road signs 5.16 'Directions of movement by lanes', 5.18 'Direction of movement by lane' or marking 1.18. In all cases, no obstacles must be created for the movement of the tram."
This clause directly defines the conditions under which non-rail vehicles are allowed to drive on a tram track in the same direction, located at the same level as the carriageway: if it is not prohibited by signs/markings, as well as in situations of overtaking or bypassing when it is otherwise impossible to perform the maneuver without entering the track (and provided that no obstacles are created for the tram).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Provided that movement is not prohibited by road signs or road markings, as well as during overtaking or bypassing, when the width of the carriageway is insufficient to perform the maneuver without entering the tram track," given that by definition, Clause 11.8 of the Traffic Rules directly allows such movement only under the specified conditions and in the absence of obstacles for the tram.
In the city, tram tracks sometimes run in the middle or next to the traffic lanes. It is important to remember that the track is primarily intended for trams, so for non-rail vehicles (cars, motorcycles, etc.), driving on it is an exception rather than a general rule.
Clause 11.8 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine allows non-rail vehicles to move along a same-direction tram track only under two basic conditions: the track must be at the same level as the carriageway, and entry/driving on it must not be prohibited by road signs or road markings. That is, if you see that markings or signs directly restrict such movement, you cannot drive on the track, even if it seems faster.
The rules separately provide for situations where entering a same-direction tram track is allowed as a forced or auxiliary maneuver. A typical example: on a narrow section of road, there is an obstacle ahead (for example, a parked car or a repair site), and it is physically impossible to bypass it while staying within your lane/carriageway. In this case, during overtaking or bypassing, it is allowed to partially or temporarily use the same-direction track if it is not possible to bypass the obstacle otherwise.
At the same time, the driver must always act so as not to create obstacles for the tram. If entering the track forces the tram to brake or stop, this means the driver has organized the movement incorrectly and has violated the requirement for safe and unobstructed passage of rail transport.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Provided that movement is not prohibited by road signs or road markings, as well as during overtaking or bypassing when the width of the carriageway is insufficient to bypass without entering the tram track," since clause 11.8 of the Traffic Rules allows non-rail vehicles to use a same-direction track at the same level as the carriageway only in the absence of prohibitions by signs/markings and in cases of overtaking or forced bypass due to insufficient carriageway width.