16.2.9. When driving through this intersection, you must:
UAПроїжджаючи дане перехрестя, Ви повинні:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the basic skill of safely passing uncontrolled intersections, where there are no traffic lights or priority signs. It is at such locations that drivers most often make mistakes, because the main issue is not “who is turning where,” but correctly determining the order of movement to avoid conflicting paths and accidents.
The task belongs to Section 16 of the Traffic Rules (Passing Intersections) and practically tests the application of clause 16.12 regarding intersections of roads with equal status. If the roads are equal, the “obstacle on the right” rule applies: each driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the right. In this situation, the other car has a vehicle to its right (that is, you), so it is the one that must yield, and you do not have to yield according to 16.12.
The analysis of the answer options is simple: the correct option is the one about passing first, because you do not have an obstacle on the right at an uncontrolled intersection of equal roads. The option “yield to the gray car” is incorrect, as it contradicts the priority rule at equal intersections: the gray car, on the contrary, must yield to the vehicle on its right. In the theoretical exam, it is important not to confuse this with the requirements before turning left (clause 16.13), which relate to oncoming vehicles, not those approaching from the left at an intersection of equal roads.
Clause 16.12
At an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to vehicles approaching from the right, except at intersections where a roundabout is organized. This rule must also be followed by tram drivers among themselves. At any uncontrolled intersection, a tram, regardless of its direction of further movement, has priority over non-rail vehicles approaching it on a road of equal importance, except at intersections where a roundabout is organized. At uncontrolled intersections where a roundabout is organized and which are marked with road sign 4.10 "Roundabout", priority is given to vehicles already moving in the circle.
In this task, the intersection is uncontrolled and without priority signs, meaning the roads are of equal importance, so the "right-hand rule" applies: the grey car must yield to the vehicle approaching from its right (that is, to you), so you proceed first.
Clause 16.13
Before turning left or making a U-turn, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to a tram going in the same direction, as well as to vehicles moving straight or to the right on a road of equal importance in the oncoming direction.
This clause in similar tasks checks whether the driver confuses the obligation to "yield to oncoming vehicles when turning left" with the "right-hand rule". In the given situation, clause 16.12 is decisive, because the other car is not oncoming relative to your direction, but is approaching from the left and has you on its right.
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, or perform any maneuvers, if this may force other road users who have priority to change their direction or speed.
It is in this sense that the grey car "yields" to you according to clause 16.12 — it does not start/continue moving through the intersection in a way that would force you to change speed or direction.
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, join, or branch at the same level.
The situation in the illustration is an intersection (a T-junction), so the rules of Section 16 regarding passing intersections apply.
Clause 1.10 (term "Roads of equal importance")
Roads of equal importance — roads that intersect (join each other) and neither is the main road relative to the other.
Since there are no priority road signs or other signs of priority, the roads are considered to be of equal importance, and the order of passage is determined by clause 16.12.
That is, the correct answer is "Proceed through the intersection first," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, at an intersection of roads of equal importance, priority is given to the vehicle to which another vehicle is approaching from the left (because it must yield to those on its right), and in this situation you are the "obstacle on the right" for the grey car.
In front of you is a T-junction without a traffic light and without priority road signs. This means the intersection is uncontrolled, and the roads at it are considered equivalent. In such a situation, the order of passage is determined by the general rule, not by who is turning where.
According to clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, at an intersection of equivalent roads, the driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the right. That is, each driver checks if there is an 'obstacle on the right,' and if there is, yields to it.
In this situation, our car is turning left, and the gray car is going straight. For the gray car, we are on its right, so it must yield to us according to the 'obstacle on the right' rule. At the same time, there are no vehicles on our right, so we do not have to yield under clause 16.12.
It is important not to confuse this with the rule for turning left, when you must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right. Here, the gray car is not oncoming to us in the sense that would require us to yield when turning left; instead, it is obliged to yield to us because we are on its right at an equivalent intersection.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Proceed through the intersection first," since at an uncontrolled intersection of equivalent roads, the gray car must yield to us as the vehicle approaching it from the right (clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules).