40.15. When must a motorcycle driver stop signaling with the direction indicator while performing a maneuver?
UAКоли водієві мотоцикла необхідно припинити подавання сигналу світловим покажчиком повороту, виконуючи маневр?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and proper communication between road users through warning signals. For a motorcyclist, timely switching on and off of the turn indicator is especially important, as drivers react worse to two-wheeled vehicles, and a mistaken or "forgotten" signal can provoke dangerous maneuvers from others.
The question tests knowledge of Section 9 of the Traffic Rules, specifically paragraphs 9.2 and 9.4 regarding the procedure for signaling when starting to move, changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn. According to paragraph 9.4, the turn indicator signal should be given in advance, taking into account speed and road conditions, and should be stopped immediately after completing the maneuver. This is exactly what is required in the theoretical exam: the signal must warn of the intention and should not last longer than necessary.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the logic of using the signal. Stopping the signal immediately before the maneuver is a mistake, as other drivers and pedestrians lose the cue about your intention at the most critical moment. The option "during the maneuver" is also incorrect, since the indicator should accompany the action until it is actually completed, when the vehicle has taken the required position on the road. The correct answer is to stop the signal immediately after completing the maneuver: leaving the indicator on confuses others and may create a false expectation of another turn or further lane change.
Clause 9.4 (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
The signal with turn indicators or by hand should be given in advance before starting the maneuver (taking into account the speed of movement) and must be stopped immediately after its completion.
Application: during any maneuver (including on a motorcycle), the turn indicator signal is turned off immediately after the actual completion of the maneuver, so as not to mislead other road users.
Clause 9.2 (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning or making a U-turn, or stopping, the driver must give the appropriate signal with the turn indicators, and in case of their absence or malfunction — by hand.
Application: this clause defines the obligation to give a signal when performing maneuvers, and clause 9.4 clarifies the moment it should be stopped.
That is, the correct answer is "Immediately after completing the maneuver," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the signal with turn indicators must be stopped immediately after completing the maneuver (clause 9.4).
By giving a signal with the turn indicator, the motorcycle rider informs other road users of their intention to change direction: to turn, make a U-turn, change lanes, or pull out from a stop. According to the requirements of paragraph 9.4 of the Traffic Rules, the signal is turned on in advance so that other drivers and pedestrians have time to correctly assess the situation.
When the maneuver has already been completed, the need for a warning disappears, and a turn indicator left on begins to mislead others. For example, if after completing a right turn the indicator continues to blink, drivers behind may decide that you are going to turn again or pull over to the roadside, and may act based on this false signal. The same applies after changing lanes: if the signal is not turned off, others may expect further movement into the adjacent lane, even though you are already driving straight.
Therefore, the rule is simple: the signal should accompany the maneuver itself and not continue longer than necessary to inform others. As soon as the maneuver is completed and the vehicle has taken the required position on the road and continues moving in the new direction, the turn indicator should be turned off immediately.
Thus, the correct answer is "Immediately after completing the maneuver," because after the action is performed, the signal no longer serves as a warning and may disorient other road users, so it must be turned off immediately.