11.39. What should the driver of a non-rail vehicle primarily be guided by to determine the number of lanes on the carriageway?
UAЧим у першу чергу повинен керуватися водій нерейкового транспортного засобу для визначення кількості смуг на проїзній частині?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's ability to correctly “read” the organization of traffic on the carriageway. Understanding the number of lanes directly affects safety: it determines proper lane changes, choice of position before an intersection, and avoidance of conflicts during overtaking or passing. In the theoretical exam, such questions help assess whether the driver navigates not “by eye,” but according to official means of traffic organization.
The question pertains to Section 11 of the Traffic Rules, specifically to point 11.1 “Positioning of vehicles on the carriageway.” The rule establishes a priority: the number of lanes for non-rail vehicles is primarily determined by road markings or informational-direction signs 5.16 “Lane directions” and 5.17.1, 5.17.2 “Direction of movement in the lane.” Only if there are neither markings nor these signs (for example, if the markings are worn out or covered with snow), the driver must determine the lanes independently, taking into account the width of the carriageway, the dimensions of the vehicle, and safe intervals.
The analysis of the answer options shows typical pitfalls: mentioning “horizontal and vertical markings” is incorrect, because vertical markings are used for orientation on structures and do not divide the carriageway into lanes. The option “only horizontal markings” is also wrong, since the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly allow lanes to be determined by road signs 5.16 and 5.17.1/5.17.2. At the same time, the answer “only by signs” narrows the rule, since markings may operate independently or together with signs. That is why the correct wording uses “or”: it corresponds to point 11.1 and reflects the real practice of traffic organization.
Clause 11.1 (Section 11 "Positioning of vehicles on the carriageway")
The number of lanes on the carriageway for non-rail vehicles is determined by road markings or road signs 5.16, 5.17.1, 5.17.2, and in their absence — by the drivers themselves, taking into account the width of the carriageway in the relevant direction, the dimensions of the vehicles, and safe intervals between them.
This clause directly answers the question "what should be used first" — first the markings or signs, and only if they are absent does the driver determine the number of lanes independently.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and guiding signs", sign 5.16 "Directions of movement by lanes"
Sign 5.16 "Directions of movement by lanes" is an informational and guiding sign that shows the permitted directions of movement for each lane.
Application: used to determine (including visual confirmation) the lanes and permitted directions of movement on them, as directly mentioned in clause 11.1.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and guiding signs", sign 5.17.1 "Direction of movement by lane"
Sign 5.17.1 "Direction of movement by lane" is an informational and guiding sign that indicates the permitted direction(s) of movement for a specific lane.
Application: helps determine the organization of movement by lanes on the carriageway (as provided by clause 11.1).
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and guiding signs", sign 5.17.2 "Direction of movement by lane"
Sign 5.17.2 "Direction of movement by lane" is an informational and guiding sign that indicates the permitted direction(s) of movement for a specific lane (a variant of the sign's design).
Application: together with 5.16 and/or markings, it is used to determine the lanes of movement in accordance with clause 11.1.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal lane on the carriageway at least 2.75 m wide, which may be marked or unmarked with road markings and is intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
This term is necessary to correctly understand what is considered a "lane" when determining their number (by markings/signs or under the conditions of clause 11.1).
Thus, the correct answer is "By road markings or road signs ‘Directions of movement by lanes’ and ‘Direction of movement by lane’."
When a driver is moving along the road, they must correctly understand how many lanes are designated for travel in their direction. This should not be done “by eye,” but according to official traffic control means, so that all drivers interpret the roadway in the same way and do not create conflicts during lane changes or when approaching intersections.
Clause 11.1 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a priority approach: first and foremost, the number of lanes is determined by road markings or special informational-directional signs that indicate lane allocation. Markings on the roadway (lines, direction arrows) directly “divide” the road into lanes and show how to use them.
If the markings are worn out, covered with snow, or have not yet been applied, then the driver should rely on the signs “Direction of movement by lanes” and “Direction of movement by lane.” These are most often installed before intersections and clearly show how many lanes there are and where you are allowed to go from each lane. For example, a sign may indicate three lanes: from the left lane only left, from the middle lane straight, from the right lane straight or right — and this simultaneously confirms the number of lanes and their purpose.
Only in the absence of both markings and such signs is the driver forced to determine the lanes independently, taking into account the width of the roadway, the dimensions of vehicles, and safe intervals. But the question is specifically about what to follow first, that is, what has priority.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Road markings or road signs ‘Direction of movement by lanes’ and ‘Direction of movement by lane,’” since these means, according to clause 11.1 of the Traffic Rules, are the first to determine the number of lanes on the roadway for non-rail vehicles.