16.2.63. What is the order of passage at this intersection?
UAЯка черговість проїзду даного перехрестя?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe passage of uncontrolled intersections with organized roundabouts. Such intersections often cause mistakes due to the incorrect application of the “right-hand rule,” which increases the risk of side collisions when entering the roundabout. Understanding the priority on a roundabout directly affects both real safety and confident completion of the “Intersection Passage” topic on the theoretical exam.
The task tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules regarding intersection passage (points 16.11–16.12) and the application of road sign 4.10 “Roundabout.” The key provision here is that at an uncontrolled intersection with a roundabout, priority is given to vehicles already moving in the circle (point 16.12). At the same time, point 16.11 explicitly makes an exception: for intersections where a roundabout is organized, the “right-hand obstacle” rule as an approach to determining priority does not apply.
Therefore, the correct option is the one where the vehicle already on the roundabout passes first: the other driver, when entering, must “give way” and not create obstacles (a term from point 1.10), that is, not force the vehicle on the roundabout to change speed or trajectory. The incorrect option is usually based on the mistaken idea of “equality” of approaches to the roundabout and the expectation of priority by the right-hand rule, but specifically for roundabouts, the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establish a separate priority: first the movement in the circle, then entry.
Clause 16.12
Priority at uncontrolled intersections with organized roundabouts, marked with road sign 4.10 "Roundabout", is given to vehicles already moving in the circle.
Application explanation: when entering a roundabout, the driver must yield to vehicles already moving in the circle, regardless of the "right-hand rule".
Clause 16.11
At intersections of roads of equal significance, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to vehicles approaching from the right, except at intersections with organized roundabouts. This rule must also be followed by tram drivers among themselves. At any uncontrolled intersection, a tram, regardless of its further direction, has priority over non-rail vehicles approaching it on a road of equal significance, except at intersections with organized roundabouts.
Application explanation: this clause directly states that the "right-hand rule" for roads of equal significance does not apply at intersections with organized roundabouts — there, the special rule of clause 16.12 applies.
Clause 33.4 — 33 "Road Signs", 4 "Mandatory Signs", sign 4.10 "Roundabout"
Sign 4.10 "Roundabout" introduces movement at a roundabout in the direction indicated by the arrows on the sign.
Application explanation: the presence of sign 4.10 is a condition for applying clause 16.12 regarding the priority of vehicles already moving in the circle.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield (do not create obstacles)")
Yield (do not create obstacles) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, nor to make any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have priority to change their direction or speed.
Application explanation: a driver entering the circle must "yield" to those already moving in the circle, i.e., not force them to change speed or direction.
That is, the correct answer is "Grey, green car.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, priority at an uncontrolled roundabout (sign 4.10) is given to vehicles already moving in the circle, and those entering must yield to them.
In front of us is an uncontrolled intersection with an organized roundabout, which is indicated by sign 4.10 "Roundabout." A special priority rule applies to such intersections: priority is given to vehicles already moving within the roundabout.
In a typical situation on roads of equal status, drivers follow the "give way to the right" rule, as stated in paragraph 16.11 of the Traffic Rules. However, this paragraph explicitly makes an exception for intersections where a roundabout is organized. That is, on a roundabout, the rule "the one on the right has priority" among vehicles entering the circle does not apply as the main rule for determining the order of passage.
Therefore, when one vehicle is already on the roundabout and another is just approaching the entrance, the driver entering must yield to the one already moving within the roundabout. In this situation, the gray car is already moving around the circle, so it has priority over the green car, which is just entering the intersection.
After the gray car passes, the green car can continue and enter the roundabout without creating an obstacle.
Thus, the correct answer is "Gray, green car," because at a roundabout, the vehicle already moving within the circle has priority, and the one entering must yield.