12.8. What is the maximum speed established for passenger cars on this road outside populated areas (except for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience)?
UAЯка максимальна швидкість встановлена для легкових автомобілів на цій дорозі за межами населених пунктів (крім транспортних засобів, якими керують водії зі стажем до 2-х років)?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe choice of speed outside populated areas. Adhering to speed limits directly affects braking distance, vehicle control, and the risk of head-on collisions on roads with oncoming traffic. That is why the theoretical exam often includes tasks where you need not “guess the number,” but correctly identify the type of road and apply the relevant traffic rule.
The question checks Section 12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, “Speed of Movement,” specifically item 12.6 (sub-item g), which sets the maximum speed for “other vehicles” (which includes passenger cars) depending on the type of road. The logic is as follows: if the road is marked with sign 5.1 “Motorway,” one limit applies; if there are separate carriageways divided by a median strip (definition in item 1.10), another limit applies; if there is neither a motorway nor a median strip, these are “other motor roads,” for which the maximum is set at 90 km/h. The clarification regarding drivers with less than 2 years of experience intentionally excludes a separate restriction from item 12.6 (b) and prompts you to apply the general rule for most drivers.
The analysis of answer options helps avoid typical mistakes on the theoretical exam. 70 km/h applies only to drivers with less than 2 years of experience, but in this task, this case is excluded. 80 km/h is used, for example, for passenger cars with trailers and motorcycles, not for a regular passenger car without additional conditions. 100 km/h and 110 km/h correspond to other types of roads (in particular, 110 km/h is only possible if there is a median strip between carriageways), so for a regular two-way road with a single carriageway, they are not suitable. Thus, the correct application of item 12.6 (e) leads to the norm of 90 km/h, which is what this exam question checks.
Clause 12.6 (subclause g)
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.49 “Beginning of a populated area”, driving is allowed at the following speeds: … g) for other vehicles: on a motorway 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.
This subclause directly establishes the general maximum speed for passenger cars (as “other vehicles”) outside populated areas depending on the type of road; for “other roads” — 90 km/h.
Clause 12.6 (subclause b)
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.49 “Beginning of a populated area”, driving is allowed at the following speeds: … b) for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience — no more than 70 km/h.
This subclause is checked due to the clarification in the question (“except for vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience”), i.e., it defines an exception to the general speed limits.
Clause 1.10 (term “Median strip”)
Median strip — a structurally designated element of a road or one marked with solid road markings 1.1, 1.2, which separates adjacent carriageways. The median strip is not intended for the movement or parking of vehicles. If a sidewalk is present on the median strip, pedestrian movement is allowed on it.
This definition is needed to distinguish a road “with separate carriageways divided by a median strip” (then 110 km/h) from “other roads” (then 90 km/h).
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and indicative signs”, sign 5.1 “Motorway”
5.1 “Motorway”.
The use of this sign is important for selecting the speed limit according to clause 12.6 (subclause g): if the road is marked with sign 5.1, then “other vehicles” are allowed up to 130 km/h; if there is no such sign, another relevant limit applies (110 or 90 depending on the presence of a median strip).
Therefore, the correct answer is “90 km/h”, considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules this is “another road” outside a populated area (not marked with sign 5.1 “Motorway” and without a median strip between opposing traffic flows), and for such roads clause 12.6 (e) sets a maximum of 90 km/h.
The question concerns the movement of a passenger car outside a populated area and the maximum speed allowed on this road. An exception is also immediately specified: we do not take into account the restriction for drivers with less than 2 years of experience, that is, we apply the general rule for the majority of drivers.
Next, it is necessary to determine the type of road based on the features in the image. This is not a motorway, since there is no sign 5.1 "Motorway." Also, this road does not have a dividing strip: the opposing traffic flows are separated only by road markings, not by structurally separated carriageways. Therefore, this is an ordinary road with a single carriageway for two-way traffic.
According to clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, outside populated areas for other vehicles (which includes a passenger car without special conditions), the following limits are set: 130 km/h on a motorway, 110 km/h on a road with a dividing strip, and 90 km/h on other roads. Since in our case there is neither a motorway nor a dividing strip, the 90 km/h rule applies.
Therefore, the correct answer is "90 km/h," since this is an ordinary road outside a populated area without a motorway and without a dividing strip, for which clause 12.6 (e) sets a maximum of 90 km/h.