34.26. Are you allowed to continue driving in the right lane in a passenger car?
UAЧи дозволено Вам у легковому автомобілі продовжити рух по правій смузі?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for using special traffic lanes and the ability to interpret combinations of road signs and horizontal markings. Such situations directly affect road safety: unauthorized entry into a dedicated lane creates conflicts with route vehicles, disrupts their schedule, and increases the risk of accidents during overtaking maneuvers.
The theoretical exam focuses on Section 33 of the Traffic Rules (information and direction signs, in particular sign 5.11 "Lane for route vehicles") and Section 34 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (road markings 1.2 and 1.27). Sign 5.11 together with marking 1.27 (the letter "A") clearly indicate that the right lane is intended for route vehicles (and, in certain cases, for taxis and cyclists), so regular passenger cars are not allowed to drive "straight ahead" in this lane. Additionally, if the lane is separated by a solid wide line 1.2, crossing such a line is prohibited, meaning that even entering the lane is unlawful.
It is incorrect to think that you may use the right lane because of a slow-moving truck or as long as you do not "interfere" with route vehicles. The speed of a truck ahead is not a valid reason to use the public transport lane, and the criterion of "not creating obstacles" applies only to exceptional cases when the rules allow a brief entry into such a lane (for example, to turn right or to pick up/drop off passengers at a place where the lane is separated by a broken line). In this scenario, the question is about continuing to drive in the right lane as a way of overtaking or further movement, which contradicts the requirements of sign 5.11 and marking 1.27 and is therefore prohibited.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and indicative signs”, sign 5.11 “Lane for route vehicles”
“Sign 5.11 ‘Lane for route vehicles’ is used to designate a lane intended only for vehicles operating on established routes, if movement in such a lane is in the same direction as the general traffic flow. The sign applies to the lane above which it is installed. If the sign is installed on the right side of the road, it applies to the rightmost lane. A driver turning right on a road with a route vehicle lane separated by a broken road marking may make the turn from this lane. In such places, it is also allowed to enter this lane when entering the road and for picking up or dropping off passengers at the right edge of the carriageway.”
Application to the situation: if the right lane is marked with sign 5.11 as a lane for route vehicles, a passenger car is not allowed to continue driving in this lane (except for turning right/picking up or dropping off passengers/entering the road at a permitted place).
Clause 34.1 — 34 “Road markings”, 1 “Horizontal markings”, marking 1.27
“Marking 1.27 (in the form of the letter ‘A’) designates a lane intended only for route vehicles. A driver turning right on a road with a route vehicle lane separated by a broken road marking may make the turn from this lane. In such places, it is also allowed to enter this lane when entering the road and for picking up or dropping off passengers at the right edge of the carriageway.”
Application to the situation: the presence of 1.27 confirms that the right lane is a route vehicle lane; therefore, driving a passenger car ‘straight ahead’ in it is prohibited.
Clause 34.1 — 34 “Road markings”, 1 “Horizontal markings”, marking 1.2
Marking 1.2 (wide line) is used to designate the boundary of a lane/edge of the carriageway; if it is solid, crossing such a line is prohibited.
Application to the situation: if the route vehicle lane is separated by a solid wide line 1.2, entry/driving in it by a passenger car is additionally not allowed (including for overtaking).
Thus, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the right lane marked with sign 5.11 and marking 1.27 is a lane for route vehicles, and a passenger car is allowed to enter it only in exceptional cases (right turn/entry when joining the road/pick-up or drop-off) and only in places where this is permitted by the markings.
In this situation, you need to immediately assess what the right lane means. Its purpose is defined by both the road sign installed on the right and the horizontal road markings. Together, they indicate that a special lane begins on the right, which is not a regular lane for all vehicles.
Sign 5.11 indicates a lane for route vehicles. If such a sign is installed to the right of the road, it specifically applies to the right lane. That is, a passenger car is not allowed to drive in this lane as in an ordinary traffic lane (for example, to overtake a slower truck or simply to continue moving further to the right).
This is additionally confirmed by the markings: designation 1.27 (the letter "A") directly indicates that the lane is allocated for route vehicles. And line 1.2, which separates this lane, emphasizes that it is separated from the general flow and is not intended for the constant movement of passenger cars.
The rules allow entry into such a lane for other drivers only in exceptional cases (typically: to make a right turn or to pick up/drop off passengers near the right edge), and only when this is permitted by the type of marking that separates the lane. In our question, it is specifically about continuing to drive in the right lane, that is, about regular movement in it, not about turning or a short entry for picking up/dropping off passengers. Therefore, there are no grounds for a passenger car to drive in this lane.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the right lane is marked with sign 5.11 and marking 1.27 as a lane for route vehicles, and a passenger car is not allowed to continue driving in it.