12.3. What is the maximum speed established for passenger cars on a motorway (except for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience)?
UAЯка максимальна швидкість встановлена для руху легкових автомобілів на автомагістралі (крім транспортних засобів, якими керують водії зі стажем до 2-х років)?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of speed limits as one of the key factors in road safety. On high-speed roads, an error in choosing the maximum permitted speed directly affects the distance, braking path, and risk of accidents, which is why this topic often appears on the theoretical exam.
The question belongs to Section 12 of the Traffic Rules "Speed Limits" and is based on clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which sets limits outside populated areas depending on the type of road. It specifically concerns motorways, as defined in clause 1.10 and indicated by sign 5.1 "Motorway", where for passenger cars (in the absence of separate restrictive signs) the highest general limit is provided. It is important that the wording excludes drivers with less than 2 years of experience, as a separate restriction applies to them under clause 12.6 (b) — no more than 70 km/h regardless of the type of road outside populated areas.
For comparison, 80 km/h applies, in particular, to passenger cars with trailers and motorcycles (clause 12.6 a), 90 km/h is the typical limit for "other roads" outside populated areas (clause 12.6 e), 110 km/h applies to roads with separate carriageways divided by a median (clause 12.6 e). For a motorway marked by sign 5.1 "Motorway", the correct maximum limit is 130 km/h (clause 12.6 e), while the driver must always choose a safe speed taking into account the driving conditions, and also remember the special requirements of section 27 for motorways.
Clause 12.6 (subclauses b), g)) — Section 12 “Speed Limits”
“Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.47 ‘Beginning of a Populated Area’, driving is permitted at the following speeds:
…
b) for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience — no more than 70 km/h;
…
e) for other vehicles: on a road marked with road sign 5.1 ‘Motorway’ — no more than 130 km/h, on a road with separate carriageways divided by a median strip — no more than 110 km/h, on other roads — no more than 90 km/h.”
Clause 1.10 (term ‘Motorway’) — Section 1 “General Provisions”
“Motorway — a road that:
is specially constructed and intended for vehicle traffic, not intended for entry to or exit from adjacent territories;
has separate carriageways for each direction of travel, divided by a median strip;
does not intersect at the same level with other roads, railway or tram tracks, pedestrian or bicycle paths, animal crossings, has barriers on the roadsides and the median strip, and is also fenced with mesh;
is marked with road sign 5.1 ‘Motorway’.”
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 “Road Signs”, 5 “Informational and Directional Signs”, sign 5.1 ‘Motorway’
“5.1 ‘Motorway’. A road with special traffic conditions as provided in Section 27 of these Rules.”
Therefore, the correct answer is “130 km/h”, considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the maximum speed for “other vehicles” (including passenger cars) on a road marked with sign 5.1 ‘Motorway’ is set by clause 12.6 e) and is 130 km/h (the exception of 70 km/h for drivers with less than 2 years of experience is explicitly excluded in the question).
A motorway in the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is a specially constructed road for high-speed traffic, marked with sign 5.1 “Motorway.” You can recognize it by the fact that traffic directions are separated and there are no level crossings with other roads or railways.
The maximum speeds outside populated areas are defined in clause 12.6 of the Traffic Rules. For “other vehicles” (which includes a passenger car without special exceptions), subclause 12.6 (e) directly states: on a road marked with sign 5.1, the permitted speed is no more than 130 km/h.
This question specifically notes that it does not concern drivers with less than 2 years of experience. This is important because for them, a separate limit of 70 km/h applies regardless of the type of road outside populated areas. But if the driving experience is more than 2 years, the general rule for motorways applies — 130 km/h.
For example, you are driving a passenger car on a highway, you see sign 5.1 “Motorway,” and your driving experience is more than two years. In this situation, you have the right to drive at speeds up to 130 km/h (unless there are other signs reducing the speed).
Therefore, the correct answer is “130 km/h,” because according to clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules, on a motorway (sign 5.1) for passenger cars, except for drivers with less than 2 years of experience, the maximum permitted speed is 130 km/h.