12.2. What is the maximum speed allowed for a driver with less than two years of driving experience?
UAЗ якою максимальною швидкістю дозволено рух водієві зі стажем менш ніж два роки?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe choice of speed for beginner drivers. Restrictions for those with little driving experience are introduced as an additional safeguard: at higher speeds, it is more difficult to assess the road situation, the braking distance is longer, and mistakes are more costly. That is why the traffic rules set separate speed limits depending on driving experience.
The question tests knowledge of Section 12 "Speed of movement," specifically clause 12.6 b) of the Traffic Rules. According to this provision, outside populated areas, as well as on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area" (blue background, where "urban" rules do not start to apply), a special upper speed limit applies for drivers with less than 2 years of experience. This is an important nuance for the theoretical exam: even if the general limits for other drivers on such a road may be higher, for a beginner they are "overridden" by the provision of clause 12.6 b).
If we analyze the answer options, 70 km/h corresponds to the direct requirement of clause 12.6 b), and is therefore correct. 90 km/h and 80 km/h are typical maximums for other categories/conditions outside populated areas, but not for a driver with up to two years of experience. 60 km/h and 50 km/h are also not suitable: 60 km/h in this same clause refers to other vehicles (for example, mopeds or trucks carrying people in the cargo area), and 50 km/h is the general limit in populated areas with "white" signs, which is not key in this theoretical exam question about speed for a beginner driver.
Clause 12.6 b) (Section 12 "Speed Limits")
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area", driving is permitted at the following speed: … b) for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience — no more than 70 km/h.
Brief application: if the driver's experience is less than two years, then outside populated areas (as well as on road sections passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51), their maximum permitted speed is limited to 70 km/h regardless of higher general limits for other drivers.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area"
Sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area" — the name and beginning of a populated area, in which the requirements of these Rules that define the traffic procedure in populated areas do not apply.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.52 "End of a populated area"
Sign 5.52 "End of a populated area" — the place from which the requirements of these Rules that define the traffic procedure in populated areas begin to apply.
That is, the correct answer is "70 km/h", considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, for drivers with up to 2 years of experience, clause 12.6 b) sets the maximum permitted speed at no more than 70 km/h (in particular, outside populated areas and on sections passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51).
In this question, the key factor is not the type of road or the presence of signs, but the driver’s experience. The rules set a separate speed limit specifically for drivers who do not yet have sufficient practical experience.
According to clause 12.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, outside populated areas (as well as on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area"), vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience are allowed to travel at a speed no greater than 70 km/h. That is, even if a higher speed might be allowed for other drivers on this section, a lower limit applies to a novice driver.
In practice, this means: if you received your driver’s license less than two years ago and are driving outside a populated area, or through a populated area marked with sign 5.51 (blue background), you still do not have the right to exceed 70 km/h, because your restriction is directly specified in clause 12.6 (b).
Therefore, the correct answer is "70 km/h," since for drivers with up to two years of experience, clause 12.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules sets the maximum permitted speed at 70 km/h.