40.29. You are riding a motorcycle that has no turn indicators or they are malfunctioning, and you need to turn left. What should you do?
UAВи рухаєтесь на мотоциклі, у якого відсутні або несправні світлові покажчики поворотів, і Вам необхідно повернути ліворуч. Ваші дії:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvering and communication between road users. When light signals are not working, other drivers cannot anticipate your intentions in advance, so hand signals become critically important to avoid conflicts, especially when turning left, making a U-turn, or changing lanes.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding warning signals, primarily points 9.1–9.3 of the Ukrainian Traffic Rules. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that in the absence or malfunction of turn indicators, the driver is required to give a hand signal in advance and stop it immediately after completing the maneuver. Specifically, point 9.3 defines the permissible gestures for indicating a left turn: either the left arm extended to the side, or the right arm extended to the side and bent at the elbow at a right angle upwards.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that a complete and correct description must include both equivalent methods provided by the traffic rules. The gesture with only the right arm bent upwards is not the only option and is therefore incomplete. The gesture with the left arm bent upwards at the elbow does not correspond at all to the definition in point 9.3 for a left turn, and is therefore incorrect. In practice, it is usually more convenient for motorcyclists to signal with the left hand, since the right hand holds the throttle, but in the theoretical exam, knowledge of the regulatory correct signals is assessed, not just the usual method.
Clause 9.3
In case of absence or malfunction of turn signal lights, signals for starting movement from the right edge of the carriageway, stopping to the left, turning left, making a U-turn, or changing to the left lane are given by extending the left arm to the side, or by extending the right arm to the side and bending it at the elbow at a right angle upwards.
This clause directly specifies which hand gesture is the signal for "left turn" in the absence/malfunction of turn signals (relevant for motorcycles).
Clause 9.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn, the driver must give the appropriate signal in advance using turn signals, and in their absence or malfunction — by hand.
This clause establishes the obligation to give a warning signal and directly allows/requires the use of a hand signal if the turn signals are absent or malfunctioning.
Clause 9.2
The signal should be given in advance before starting the maneuver and stopped immediately after its completion.
This clause clarifies the procedure for using the signal: it must be given before starting the left turn (not during the maneuver).
Thus, the correct answer is "Extend your left arm to the side or extend your right arm to the side and bend it at the elbow at a right angle upwards," given that according to the Traffic Rules, in the absence or malfunction of turn signals, the "left turn" signal is given with this specific hand gesture (clause 9.3), and the signal must be given in advance as a warning (clauses 9.1, 9.2).
When turning left, other road users must be able to understand your intention in advance. Usually, this is done using turn signal lights, but if your motorcycle does not have them or they are not working, the driver is required to give a hand signal.
Clause 9.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly states that in such cases, the left turn signal can be given in two equivalent ways. The first way: extend your left arm to the side. This is the simplest and most common option for a motorcyclist, as the right hand usually holds the throttle control.
The second permitted method from the same clause: extend your right arm to the side and bend it at the elbow at a right angle upwards. This signal also indicates the intention to turn left and is used as an alternative, since the rule establishes unified hand signals for different drivers (in particular, for motorcycles and bicycles). In practice, a motorcyclist more often chooses the left hand, but the Traffic Rules allow both methods.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Extend your left arm to the side or extend your right arm to the side and bend it at the elbow at a right angle upwards," since according to clause 9.3 of the Traffic Rules, if turn signals are faulty or absent, a left turn must be indicated by one of these hand signals.