27.8. Are drivers of vehicles entering a motorway or a road for motor vehicles required to give way to vehicles already moving on these roads?
UAЧи повинні водії транспортних засобів, які виїжджають на автомагістраль або дорогу для автомобілів, пропускати транспортні засоби, що рухаються по цих дорогах?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe merging into high-speed traffic on a motorway or a road for motor vehicles. On such roads, vehicles move at higher speeds and with shorter intervals, so any entry must be performed predictably and without creating obstacles for those already traveling on the main carriageway. Precisely because of the risk posed by speed differences, “cutting in” without a gap is one of the most typical causes of dangerous situations.
The question tests knowledge of Section 27 of the Traffic Rules (driving on motorways and roads for motor vehicles), specifically the requirement of point 27.1: when entering, the driver must give way to vehicles already moving on this road. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that this rule applies unconditionally: regardless of traffic intensity, the presence of a “free” gap, or your position in the acceleration lane, priority always belongs to vehicles on the motorway or road for motor vehicles.
The analysis of the answer options in this ticket is illustrative: the statement that yielding is not required contradicts the direct provision of the Traffic Rules and ignores the principle of safe entry into the flow. The option about the obligation only in the presence of a “Give Way” sign is also incorrect, because point 27.1 establishes the requirement always, and road signs 5.1 “Motorway” and 5.3 “Road for motor vehicles” only confirm that you are entering a road with special traffic conditions. In practice, this means: accelerate in the acceleration lane, monitor the situation in the mirrors, and change lanes only when you will not force others to change speed or direction.
Clause 27.1
When entering a motorway or a road for motor vehicles, drivers must give way to vehicles already moving on these roads.
Brief application: the requirement always applies when entering (exiting from the acceleration lane/entry ramp) a motorway or a road for motor vehicles — priority is given to vehicles already moving on this road.
Clause 1.10 (term "Motorway")
Motorway — a road specially constructed and intended for the movement of vehicles, not intended for entry to or exit from adjoining territory; has separate carriageways for each direction of movement, separated by a dividing strip; does not cross at the same level with other roads, railway and tram tracks, pedestrian and bicycle paths, animal crossings, has fencing on the roadsides and the dividing strip, as well as fenced with a mesh; marked with road sign 5.1 "Motorway".
Brief application: the definition explains which road is meant in clause 27.1 and indicates that it is identified by sign 5.1.
Clause 1.10 (term "Road for motor vehicles")
Road for motor vehicles — a road marked with road sign 5.3 "Road for motor vehicles".
Brief application: gives the criterion by which a driver understands that they are entering a "road for motor vehicles," and must unconditionally comply with the requirement of clause 27.1.
Clause 1.10 (term "Give way")
Give way — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, not to perform any maneuvers if this may force other road users who have priority to change their direction or speed.
Brief application: reveals the meaning of the obligation to "yield" when entering a motorway/road for motor vehicles — not to create obstacles for vehicles already moving on it.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and direction signs", sign 5.1 "Motorway"
"Motorway" — a road on which special traffic conditions apply, as provided by section 27 of these Rules.
Brief application: the sign marks the beginning of a motorway, and therefore when entering it clause 27.1 applies.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Information and direction signs", sign 5.3 "Road for motor vehicles"
"Road for motor vehicles" — a road on which special traffic conditions apply, as provided by section 27 of these Rules.
Brief application: the sign marks a road for motor vehicles; when entering it, the driver is obliged to comply with clause 27.1.
That is, the correct answer is "Must always.", given that according to the requirement of clause 27.1, when entering a motorway or a road for motor vehicles, the driver is obliged to give way to vehicles already moving on these roads.
The motorway and the road for motor vehicles are designed for fast, uninterrupted movement of vehicles. Traffic on such roads usually moves at a higher speed than on ordinary streets and roads, so any entry onto them must be performed as predictably as possible and without creating obstacles for those already traveling in the main lane.
When you enter a motorway or a road for motor vehicles, you are essentially joining a flow that is already formed and has the right of way. That is why the Rules directly establish the obligation of the driver who is entering to yield to vehicles already moving on this road. This is a requirement of clause 27.1 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, and it does not depend on whether the traffic is heavy or the road seems "clear."
In practice, it looks like this: you move along the acceleration lane, gradually gaining speed, monitoring the situation in your mirrors, and choosing the right moment to merge. If a car is approaching in the lane you plan to enter, it is not required to brake or change lanes to let you in. The responsibility to safely merge into the flow lies with the one who is entering, that is, with you. You cannot "cut into" the flow without a gap; you must wait for a safe interval.
It is important to remember that there are no exceptions to this rule: regardless of the circumstances, the right of way always belongs to those already traveling on the motorway or road for motor vehicles, and the driver who is entering is obliged to yield to them.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Must always," because when entering a motorway or a road for motor vehicles, according to clause 27.1 of the Traffic Rules, the driver is required to yield to vehicles already moving on these roads.