11.35. In which case is it permitted to drive onto a tram track of the same direction at intersections?
UAУ якому випадку дозволено виїжджати на трамвайну колію попутного напрямку на перехрестях?
Question without image
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning road safety in situations where the roadway is shared with rail transport. Entering tram tracks at intersections often leads to conflict situations, so the traffic rules strictly limit when the driver of a non-rail vehicle may occupy a parallel tram track, in order not to obstruct the tram and not to disrupt traffic organization.
The question tests knowledge of the PDR section on the positioning of vehicles on the roadway, specifically paragraph 11.8. Its logic is as follows: at intersections, the same approach applies as between intersections (a parallel tram track, at the same level as the roadway, and there is no prohibition by signs or markings), but a key condition is added for intersections: there must be no signs before the intersection that define lanes and directions of movement (5.16–5.19). That is why the correct wording is "the same cases as outside intersections," in the absence of signs that set directions by lanes — this is a typical attentiveness check for the theoretical exam.
Explanation of answer options: the first option corresponds to p. 11.8, as it directly takes into account the additional condition for intersections regarding the absence of signs 5.16–5.19, which regulate lane movement. The second option is incorrect, since the traffic rules do not establish a complete prohibition — they allow entering parallel tracks under certain conditions. The third option sounds plausible due to the mention of detours/maneuvers and the obligation not to hinder the tram, but it is incomplete: at intersections, the decisive factor is also the presence of signs before the intersection that define directions of movement by lanes, and without this condition, the answer does not meet the requirements of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 11.8
Driving on a tram track in the same direction, located at the same level as the carriageway for non-rail vehicles, is permitted 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 intersections, 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 "Lane directions", 5.17.1 "Lane direction", 5.17.2 "Lane direction", 5.18 "Direction of movement on the 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 provided by road signs 5.16 "Lane directions", 5.18 "Direction of movement on the lane" or marking 1.18.
Brief application: this clause establishes that at an intersection, entering the tram track in the same direction is possible only "in the same cases" as outside intersections, and only in the absence of signs before the intersection that define lanes/directions of movement (5.16–5.19).
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and guidance signs", sign 5.16 "Lane directions"
Sign 5.16 "Lane directions".
Brief application: the presence of this sign before the intersection (according to clause 11.8) excludes the possibility of entering the tram track in the same direction at the intersection "in the general order", since the lane directions are defined by the sign.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and guidance signs", sign 5.17.1 "Lane direction"
Sign 5.17.1 "Lane direction".
Brief application: if installed before the intersection, then (according to clause 11.8) entering the tram tracks in the same direction at the intersection "in the same cases" is not allowed, because the directions/lanes are already defined by the sign.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and guidance signs", sign 5.17.2 "Lane direction"
Sign 5.17.2 "Lane direction".
Brief application: similar to 5.17.1 — the presence before the intersection means that entering the tram track in the same direction at the intersection is limited by the requirement of clause 11.8.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and guidance signs", sign 5.18 "Direction of movement on the lane"
Sign 5.18 "Direction of movement on the lane".
Brief application: if the direction of movement on a specific lane is defined by this sign before the intersection, then according to clause 11.8, entering the tram track in the same direction at the intersection "in the same cases" is not allowed (because the lanes/directions are defined by the sign).
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and guidance signs", sign 5.19 "Use of the traffic lane"
Sign 5.19 "Use of the traffic lane".
Brief application: installation of this sign before the intersection is one of the conditions for prohibiting entry onto the tram tracks in the same direction at the intersection according to clause 11.8, since the mode/use of the lanes is defined by the sign.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.18
Marking 1.18 (arrows indicating lane directions).
Brief application: clause 11.8 directly states that another procedure for movement (in particular for left turn/U-turn from the tram track) may be provided by marking 1.18; that is, it may define the permitted directions by lanes and thus affect the possibility/procedure of entering the tracks at the intersection.
That is, the correct answer is: "In the same cases as outside intersections, if the number of traffic lanes and permitted directions by lanes are not defined by road signs.", given that according to the definition in clause 11.8 of the Traffic Rules, entry onto the tram track in the same direction at the intersection is allowed only in the absence of signs 5.16–5.19 (which define lanes/directions of movement) before the intersection, i.e., when the lanes and permitted directions are not set by these signs.
When there are tram tracks on the road, it is important to understand that for a car, this is not an “extra lane by default.” Clause 11.8 of the Traffic Rules allows entering and driving on a same-direction tram track only under certain conditions: the track must be level with the roadway, and such movement must not be prohibited by road signs or markings.
Outside intersections, you may use a same-direction tram track when it is not prohibited, as well as in situations involving overtaking or bypassing, if it is otherwise impossible to perform the maneuver due to insufficient roadway width. That is, the rule does not apply “always,” but only within the permitted limits and in the absence of prohibitions.
The same principle applies at intersections, but with an important additional condition: before the intersection, there must not be signs that determine the number of lanes and the directions of movement in the lanes (in particular, signs of groups 5.16–5.19). The logic is simple: if the directions by lanes are already set by signs, the driver must follow them and not “change lanes” onto tram tracks to cross the intersection at their own discretion. If there are no such signs, then entering the same-direction tram track at the intersection is allowed in the same cases as on a regular section of the road.
For example, if you are approaching an intersection, the tracks are in the same direction and level with the roadway, the markings do not prohibit driving on them, and there are no signs before the intersection indicating lane directions, then the rules allow you to enter these tracks just as between intersections. However, if there is a “Lane Directions” sign before the intersection, then you must drive in the appropriate lane and entering the track to cross the intersection is no longer allowed.
Therefore, the correct answer is: “In the same cases as outside intersections, if the number of lanes for movement and the permitted directions of movement in the lanes are not determined by road signs,” since clause 11.8 allows entering a same-direction tram track at an intersection only under the general conditions for permitted movement on the tracks and in the absence of signs before the intersection that determine lane movement.