33.5.18. Which of the depicted road signs is installed at the end of a lane designated only for vehicles operating on established routes in the same direction as the general flow of traffic?
UAЯкий із зображених дорожніх знаків встановлюється в кінці смуги, призначеної тільки для транспортних засобів, що рухаються за встановленими маршрутами попутно із загальним потоком транспортних засобів?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road signs and the organization of traffic on special lanes, particularly for route vehicles. Understanding such markings directly affects road safety: the driver must timely recognize where the special lane regime ends and where the general traffic rules for all road users apply further on.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, specifically informational and directional signs 5.11 and 5.12. The logic is simple: sign 5.11 indicates a lane designated for route vehicles (and also for other categories under the conditions of the Traffic Rules), if the movement is in the same direction as the general traffic flow. Accordingly, the end of this lane in the same direction is indicated by sign 5.12, which is installed at the end of such a lane and cancels the effect of the previous marking.
When analyzing the options in the theoretical exam, it is important to eliminate signs that generally mean the "end" of a certain regime but do not relate to the lane for route vehicles. Also, markings that emphasize the oncoming direction of route vehicles are not suitable, since the key wording in the question is specifically about the same direction as the general flow. Therefore, the correct option is the one corresponding to sign 5.12: it clearly indicates the end of the designated lane for route vehicles in the same direction, after which traffic is organized according to the general rules.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the roadway, marked or unmarked with road markings, and having a width sufficient for the movement of one row of non-rail vehicles.
Clause 1.10 (term "Route vehicle")
Route vehicle — a public transport vehicle (bus, trolleybus, tram, etc.) that operates on a designated route and has specific stops along the route for passenger boarding (alighting).
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and guiding signs", sign 5.11 "Lane for route vehicles"
Sign 5.11 indicates a lane designated for the movement of only vehicles operating on established routes, as well as (under conditions defined by the Traffic Rules) mopeds, motorcycles (except motorcycles with sidecars, motor carriages, three-wheeled vehicles), and cyclists, if movement in this lane is in the same direction as the general flow of vehicles.
Application explanation: it is specifically sign 5.12 that cancels the effect of sign 5.11 (end of such a lane when moving in the same direction).
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and guiding signs", sign 5.12 "End of lane for route vehicles"
Sign 5.12 is installed at the end of a lane designated only for vehicles operating on established routes (as well as other vehicles permitted to use this lane under the conditions of sign 5.11), when this lane is organized in the same direction as the general flow of vehicles.
Application explanation: sign 5.12 cancels the effect of sign 5.11 and indicates the end of the dedicated lane for route vehicles when moving in the same direction.
That is, the correct answer is "Sign 5.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, sign 5.12 (which is shown in the illustration as No. 5) indicates the end of the lane for route vehicles moving in the same direction as the general flow.
The question refers specifically to the end of a lane that was designated only for vehicles operating on established routes, and this lane was moving in the same direction as the general flow of traffic. In other words, it concerns a separate lane for route vehicles that is ending, and drivers need to understand that beyond this point, the special regime of this lane no longer applies.
According to the Traffic Rules (section 33), the end of such a lane is indicated by sign 5.12. It is installed where the effect of the sign that previously marked the lane for route vehicles in the same direction ends. After this point, the road continues without the designated "route" lane, and traffic is organized according to the general rules.
An important feature in the question: in the same direction as the general flow. This means that the correct sign should relate specifically to the same direction, not to a lane for route vehicles moving against the flow. Therefore, options with a sign emphasizing oncoming movement are not suitable, as they describe a different situation.
Among the depicted options, the sign under number 5 corresponds exactly to sign 5.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which is used to indicate the end of a lane designated for route vehicles moving in the same direction as the general flow.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Sign 5.", as it indicates the end of the lane for route vehicles moving in the same direction as the general flow and cancels the designation of this lane.