33.5.15. Which of the depicted road signs indicates the number of lanes at the intersection and the permitted directions of movement for each of them?
UAЯкий із зображених дорожніх знаків показує кількість смуг на перехресті й дозволені напрямки руху на кожній з них?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's ability to read informational and direction road signs and to properly prepare for passing intersections. Understanding how many lanes there are before an intersection and which maneuvers are allowed from each lane directly affects safety: the driver takes the correct position in advance, avoids sudden lane changes, and reduces the risk of conflicts in traffic flow.
The topic belongs to section 33 of the Traffic Rules, group 5 "Informational and direction signs," specifically to sign 5.16 "Directions of movement by lanes." This sign is used before intersections and shows the number of lanes at the intersection and the permitted directions of movement for each lane; an important nuance for the theoretical exam: if a left turn is allowed from the far left lane, then a U-turn is also allowed from this lane unless otherwise specified. The effect of such a sign installed before an intersection applies to the entire intersection, unless additional signs are installed at the intersection that clarify the movement.
Other answer options correspond to signs 5.17.1 and 5.17.2 "Direction of movement by lanes," which have similar names but a different purpose: they are used on roads with three or more lanes when the number of lanes differs in different directions, and with their help, a variable lane usage mode is organized (including reversible traffic). That is, they describe the organization of traffic on a road section, not the scheme of permitted directions specifically at the intersection, so they are not suitable for this exam task.
Clause 33.5.16 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.16 "Directions of Movement by Lanes"
"Indicates the number of lanes at the intersection and the permitted directions of movement for each of them. If the sign allows a left turn from the far left lane, it also allows a U-turn from this lane. The effect of the sign installed before the intersection applies to the entire intersection unless subsequent signs 5.16 or 5.18 'Direction of Movement by Lane' installed at the intersection provide other instructions."
Brief application: this particular sign directly determines the number of lanes specifically at the intersection and the permitted directions of movement from each lane at this intersection (and, if there is a 'left' arrow from the far left lane, it also allows a U-turn from this lane).
Clause 33.5.17.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.17.1 "Directions of Movement by Lanes"
"With the appropriate number of arrows, it is used on roads with three or more lanes, when each direction has a different number of traffic lanes. With the help of this sign with a variable image, reversible traffic is organized."
Brief application: describes the organization of traffic by lanes (in particular for reversible traffic) on road sections, and not specifically the 'number of lanes at the intersection.'
Clause 33.5.17.2 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.17.2 "Directions of Movement by Lanes"
"With the appropriate number of arrows, it is used on roads with three or more lanes, when each direction has a different number of traffic lanes. With the help of this sign with a variable image, reversible traffic is organized."
Brief application: similar to sign 5.17.1, relates to the organization of directions by lanes (including for reversible traffic) on road sections, and not to the determination of lanes and directions specifically 'at the intersection.'
That is, the correct answer is "Sign 1.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, it is sign 5.16 "Directions of Movement by Lanes" that "indicates the number of lanes at the intersection and the permitted directions of movement for each of them."
The key word in the question is intersection. You need to identify the sign that, specifically at the intersection, shows how many lanes there are and in which directions it is allowed to travel from each lane. In section 33 of the Traffic Rules, this refers to informational and guiding signs, which organize traffic in advance and help the driver choose the correct lane.
Sign 1 corresponds to sign 5.16 "Directions of movement by lanes." Its meaning is exactly this: it clearly shows the number of lanes before the intersection and the permitted directions of movement from each lane at this intersection. That is, by looking at the arrows on the sign, the driver understands from which lane it is possible to go straight, from which to turn, and takes the necessary lane in advance before entering the intersection. An important practical point from the Traffic Rules: if the sign allows a left turn from the far left lane, a U-turn is also permitted from this lane.
Signs 5.17.1 and 5.17.2 (in options 2 and 3) have similar names but a different purpose. They are used on roads with three or more lanes, when the number of lanes differs in different directions, and, in particular, they organize the change of directions by lanes (including reversible mode). That is, these signs are more about the mode of lane usage on a section of road, not about the scheme for passing a specific intersection.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Sign 1," because it is sign 5.16 that shows the number of lanes at the intersection and the permitted directions of movement from each lane.