12.5. What is the maximum permitted speed for passenger cars on roads with separate carriageways divided by a median strip (except for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience)?
UAЗ якою максимальною швидкістю допускається рух легкових автомобілів на дорогах з окремими проїзними частинами, що відокремлені одна від одної розділювальною смугою (крім транспортних засобів, якими керують водії зі стажем до 2-х років)?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe choice of speed on rural roads and the ability to identify the type of road by its features. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that the speed limit depends not only on whether you are in a populated area, but also on the design of the road: the presence of a median strip separating opposing traffic flows significantly reduces the risk of head-on collisions, which is why the traffic rules allow a higher speed.
The question tests knowledge of Section 12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Speed Limits," specifically clause 12.6, which sets maximum speeds outside populated areas. The key feature here is separate carriageways divided by a median strip: for such roads, the general speed limit for passenger cars is higher. It is also important that the restriction for drivers with less than 2 years of experience does not apply in the wording, so it is not considered when choosing the correct answer.
If we analyze the options, 80 km/h is not the standard general limit for this type of road and usually appears only if there are corresponding speed limit signs. 90 km/h corresponds to the typical limit on ordinary rural roads without a median strip, where opposing traffic moves on the same carriageway. 130 km/h is allowed only on motorways, which must be marked with sign 5.1 and meet other requirements; if this is not specified, the rule for roads with a median strip applies. That is why the correct reference in this task is the limit for such roads as defined in the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 12.6 (subclause b) of Section 12 "Speed Limits"
Outside populated areas, it is permitted to drive at a speed: on highways with separate carriageways divided by a median strip — no more than 110 km/h.
Brief application: the question describes precisely a road with two separate carriageways divided by a median strip, so for a passenger car (according to the general rule outside populated areas), the limit is 110 km/h.
Clause 12.6 (subclause g) of Section 12 "Speed Limits"
Vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience are allowed to travel at a speed of no more than 70 km/h.
Brief application: this is a special restriction for "novice" drivers, but the question specifically states the exception ("except for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience"), so it does not affect the answer of 110 km/h for other drivers.
Clause 1.10 (term "Carriageway")
Carriageway — an element of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Brief application: the question uses the concept of "separate carriageways," i.e., two separated carriageways for opposite directions of traffic.
Clause 1.10 (term "Median strip")
Median strip — a structurally designated element of a highway that separates adjacent carriageways.
Brief application: the presence of a median strip between two carriageways is the sign of a road for which clause 12.6 (b) sets the maximum speed of 110 km/h outside populated areas.
Thus, the correct answer is "110 km/h," given that according to clause 12.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules, outside populated areas on a highway with separate carriageways divided by a median strip, the maximum permitted speed is 110 km/h (and the 70 km/h restriction for drivers with less than 2 years of experience is directly excluded in the question).
When determining the permitted speed outside a populated area, you first need to correctly “identify” the type of road. The key feature in this question is: the road has separate carriageways for different directions, and they are divided by a median strip. That is, the opposing traffic flows are physically separated, not moving side by side on the same carriageway.
It is for this type of road that the Traffic Rules set an increased speed limit. According to clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, for passenger cars outside populated areas on roads with separate carriageways divided by a median strip, the maximum speed is 110 km/h. The logic of the rule is simple: the median strip reduces the risk of head-on collisions, so the permitted speed here is higher than on a regular two-way road without separated traffic flows.
It is important not to confuse this situation with a motorway: a speed of 130 km/h is allowed only on a motorway, which is marked by sign 5.1 and has other distinguishing features. In our question, only the presence of a median strip between carriageways is mentioned, so the 110 km/h rule applies. The question also specifically states that vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience are not considered, so the restrictions for “beginners” do not apply here.
Therefore, the correct answer is "110 km/h," because for passenger cars outside populated areas on a road with two separate carriageways divided by a median strip, clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules sets the maximum speed at 110 km/h.