33.2.9. How will you pass the oncoming vehicle in this situation?
UAЯк ви роз'їдетеся із зустрічним транспортним засобом у даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely pass on narrow sections of the road when meeting oncoming vehicles is complicated by an obstacle. Such situations directly affect road safety: incorrect determination of priority leads to conflicting trajectories, sudden braking, or blocking of passage, which is why theoretical exams often include tasks about priority and "yielding the right of way."
The task belongs to the topic of road signs and priority, specifically section 33 "Road Signs" (priority signs), where sign 2.5 "Priority to oncoming traffic" is considered. Its requirement is as follows: do not enter a narrow section if this may hinder oncoming traffic, and yield to vehicles coming towards you. Additionally, it is important to remember the rule that temporary signs on a yellow background take precedence over permanent ones (point 8.2), so the sign determines the order of passage even when it may intuitively seem that "the obstacle in the oncoming lane" should make the other driver yield.
The analysis of the options in this exam question is straightforward: the statement about passing first is incorrect, because the presence of sign 2.5 means you do not have priority and are obliged to "yield the right of way" as defined by the Traffic Rules (do not continue driving if it would force the oncoming vehicle to change speed or direction). Instead, the option about passing second complies with the traffic rules: you let the oncoming car go first and only then safely occupy the narrow section, which also aligns with the logic of point 13.4 regarding passing when passage is difficult, but in this situation, priority is directly set by the priority sign.
Clause 33.2.5 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.5 "Oncoming Traffic Has Priority"
Sign 2.5 "Oncoming Traffic Has Priority" prohibits entry onto a narrow section of road if this may impede oncoming traffic. The driver must yield to oncoming vehicles that are already on the narrow section. The sign is installed directly before the intersection or the narrow section of the road.
In this task, this sign specifically determines that you do not have the right of way, so you must yield to the oncoming vehicle and proceed second.
Clause 8.2
Road signs take precedence over road markings and may be permanent, temporary, or with variable information. Temporary road signs are placed on portable devices, road equipment, or mounted on a shield with a yellow background and take precedence over permanent road signs.
This clause explains that if sign 2.5 is installed as a temporary sign (on a yellow background), its requirement is a priority and must be strictly observed.
Clause 13.4
If passing oncoming traffic is difficult, the driver whose lane has an obstacle or whose vehicle's dimensions impede oncoming traffic must yield. On road sections marked with signs 1.6 "Steep Ascent" and 1.7 "Steep Descent", if there is an obstacle, the driver of the vehicle descending must yield.
This clause sets the general rule for passing when it is difficult, but in this situation, the order is additionally (and directly) regulated by priority sign 2.5, which obliges you to yield to the oncoming vehicle on the narrow section.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield")
Yield — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, or perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have priority to change direction or speed.
This definition clarifies the meaning of the obligation to "yield," which arises for you under sign 2.5 (i.e., not to enter the narrow section/wait so as not to force the oncoming vehicle to change speed or direction).
Therefore, the correct answer is "You proceed second, not having the right of way," given that under the requirement of sign 2.5 you are obliged to yield to oncoming vehicles on the narrow section (and temporary signs on a yellow background have priority).
In this situation, oncoming passing is complicated: there is a narrow section on the carriageway where two vehicles cannot safely pass each other at the same time. Therefore, the order of passage is determined not by the “general rule about an obstacle,” but by the established priority signs.
In front of you, sign 2.5 “Priority to oncoming traffic” is installed. Its meaning is as follows: the driver is prohibited from entering the narrow section if this may complicate oncoming movement, and is obliged to yield to the oncoming vehicle that is already moving through this section or has the right to enter it first. That is, the sign directly indicates that priority is given to the oncoming vehicle.
Additionally, note that the sign is placed on a yellow background. According to the Traffic Rules, such signs are temporary and take precedence over permanent ones. Therefore, even if under normal conditions you would follow the rule about an obstacle in the other driver’s lane, in this case the decisive factor is the temporary priority sign.
That is why you must stop or slow down and yield to the oncoming vehicle, and only after it passes can you safely drive through the narrow section.
Therefore, the correct answer is “You will go second, without having priority,” since sign 2.5 (temporary, on a yellow background) is installed, which obliges you to yield to the oncoming vehicle at the narrow section.