34.16. This road marking in the form of an arrow applied to the traffic lane:
UAДана дорожня розмітка у вигляді стрілки, нанесена на смузі руху:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe intersection crossing and the correct choice of lane according to horizontal road markings. Such arrows on the roadway help the driver to determine the permitted maneuver in advance, avoid sudden lane changes before the intersection, and reduce the risk of conflicts with other road users during the theoretical exam and in real-life situations.
The question tests knowledge of Section 34 of the Traffic Rules (road markings), specifically marking 1.18, which indicates the permitted directions of movement in lanes and can be used together with signs 5.16 and 5.18. An important nuance from the Traffic Rules: if the arrow on the far left lane allows a left turn, it simultaneously allows a U-turn, since a U-turn is performed precisely from the far left position. It is also important to remember the priority rule: if road signs contradict the markings, the signs take precedence (Section 8 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine).
The analysis of the options in this exam question comes down to the fact that the answer "only left turn" is incomplete, because for the far left lane, the permission for a left turn by definition of marking 1.18 also includes the possibility of a U-turn. The option "only U-turn" is also incorrect, since the arrow sets the permitted direction to the left, and the U-turn is an additionally permitted maneuver, not the only one. In conclusion, the correct interpretation of such marking is: from this lane, you may make a left turn or a U-turn, provided there are no prohibitions from signs, traffic signals, or other traffic rules requirements.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.18
"Marking 1.18 indicates the permitted directions of movement at an intersection for each lane. It is used independently or in combination with signs 5.16 'Directions of movement by lanes', 5.18 'Direction of movement by lane'. Marking with a dead-end symbol is applied to indicate that turning onto the nearest carriageway is prohibited. Marking that allows a left turn from the far left lane also permits a U-turn."
Brief application: if a 1.18 "left" arrow is applied to a lane (for the far left lane), then from this lane at the intersection it is allowed to make a left turn as well as a U-turn (as a type of permitted maneuver from this lane).
Clause 8.2 — 8 "Traffic regulation"
"Road signs take precedence over road markings."
Brief application: if the directions indicated by marking 1.18 contradict the installed signs (especially those that determine/limit directions of movement), the driver must primarily follow the road signs.
That is, the correct answer is "Allows you to turn left and make a U-turn," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, marking 1.18 sets the permitted directions of movement by lanes, and marking that allows a left turn from the far left lane also allows a U-turn.
The horizontal marking in the form of an arrow on the traffic lane belongs to marking 1.18 (section 34 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). Its purpose is simple: it shows in which directions it is allowed to drive from this lane at the nearest intersection. That is, the driver must take the correct lane in advance and then perform exactly the maneuver indicated by the arrow.
If an arrow pointing to the left is applied to the far left lane, this means that from this lane it is allowed to move only to the left through the intersection. Accordingly, moving straight from this lane is not allowed by the marking, because the straight direction is not present on the arrow.
An important nuance, directly provided by the description of marking 1.18 in the Traffic Rules: when the marking allows a left turn from the far left lane, it simultaneously allows a U-turn. The logic is as follows: a U-turn is performed from the far left position on the carriageway, and if it is officially allowed to turn left from this lane, then the U-turn maneuver is not prohibited by this marking.
For example: you approach an intersection in the far left lane and see an arrow pointing only to the left. In this situation, you have the right either to turn left or to make a U-turn at the intersection, provided that other requirements of the Traffic Rules (signs, traffic signals, markings, maneuver safety) do not contradict this.
Thus, the correct answer is "Allows you to turn left and make a U-turn," since marking 1.18 on the far left lane sets the direction to the left, and according to the Traffic Rules, permission to turn left from the far left lane simultaneously means permission to make a U-turn.