33.5.4. Is the driver of the blue vehicle allowed to make a U-turn as shown in the illustration?
UAЧи дозволено водієві синього автомобіля виконати розворот, як показано на малюнку?
This examination question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of how road signs restrict maneuvers and ensure safety in areas with an increased risk of head-on collisions. In real-life situations, making an incorrect choice of direction on a one-way road creates danger for all participants, so in the theoretical exam it is important to clearly distinguish between permitted and prohibited actions depending on the established signs.
In terms of content, it belongs to section 33 of the Traffic Rules (informational and guiding signs), specifically to sign 5.5 "One-way road," and is also related to the basic requirements of clause 1.3 (the obligation to follow the Traffic Rules) and the definition from clause 1.10 regarding one-way traffic. Sign 5.5 means that vehicles across the entire width of the carriageway move only in one direction, and a U-turn actually changes the direction to the opposite and, after completing the maneuver, will force the car to move against the general flow, which contradicts the requirements of this sign.
Therefore, the "prohibited" option is justified: performing a U-turn in such an area violates the traffic rules and creates conflicting movement in the oncoming direction. The "permitted" option is incorrect, because the presence of one-way traffic not only informs but establishes a mandatory direction of movement, which cannot be changed by making a U-turn within this road.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road Signs”, 5 “Informational and Directional Signs”, sign 5.5 “One-way Road”
“One-way road” — used to indicate a road or a separated carriageway on which vehicle traffic is carried out in only one direction across the entire width.
Application to the question: sign 5.5 establishes a one-way direction of movement on this road; after making a U-turn, the driver would actually travel against the established one-way direction.
Clause 1.10 (term “One-way road”)
One-way road — a road on which vehicle traffic across the entire width of the carriageway is carried out in one direction.
Application to the question: this definition explains that movement “in the opposite” direction on such a road contradicts the very regime of one-way traffic.
Clause 1.10 (term “U-turn”)
U-turn — a maneuver during which a vehicle changes its direction of movement to the opposite.
Application to the question: the maneuver shown is exactly a U-turn (change of direction to the opposite), which on a one-way road will result in movement against the general direction.
Clause 11.4
On one-way roads, vehicle movement in the opposite direction is prohibited.
Application to the question: performing a U-turn on a one-way road leads to further movement in the opposite direction, which is directly prohibited.
Clause 1.3
Road users are required to know and strictly comply with the requirements of these Rules.
Application to the question: the driver is required to comply with the requirements, in particular regarding the one-way traffic regime and the prohibition of opposite-direction movement.
Thus, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, sign 5.5 establishes one-way traffic, and a U-turn changes the direction to the opposite and will result in movement in the opposite direction, which is directly prohibited on one-way roads.
In the section of the road shown in the illustration, sign 5.5 "One-way road" is installed. This sign means that vehicle movement across the entire width of the carriageway is allowed only in one direction.
A U-turn by its nature changes the direction of movement to the opposite. That is, after making a U-turn, the car ends up oriented and begins to move in a direction that, for this road, is oncoming relative to the established one-way traffic.
That is why the maneuver shown for the blue car contradicts the requirement of sign 5.5: it effectively leads to movement against the general flow on a one-way road, which is not allowed.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since sign 5.5 establishes one-way traffic, and a U-turn would result in further movement in the oncoming direction.