48.24. What is the maximum speed limit established on a motorway for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t with trailers?
UAЯка максимальна швидкість встановлена на автомагістралі для руху вантажних автомобілів з дозволеною максимальною масою понад 3,5 т з причепами?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about speed limits and traffic safety outside populated areas. It helps to understand how speed limits are set on different types of roads and why a separate mode of movement applies on motorways. For drivers of trucks with trailers, this is especially important, as the correct choice of speed affects the controllability of the road train, braking distance, and risks during maneuvering at high speeds.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules on speed, specifically point 12.6, as well as understanding that the motorway regime is determined by the presence of road sign 5.1 "Motorway" (section "Road Signs"). The logic is simple: in point 12.6, subparagraphs "a"–"g" contain special categories of vehicles with reduced limits (for example, buses, mopeds, drivers with less than 2 years of experience). A truck with a permitted maximum mass of more than 3.5 t as part of a road train (that is, with a trailer) does not belong to these exceptions, so it falls under subparagraph "g" as "another vehicle," and for the motorway, the highest general limit is set there.
During the theoretical exam, mistakes are often made by choosing lower values such as 80 or 90 km/h, because they confuse them with the norms for certain categories (for example, a passenger car with a trailer or a bus) or with other types of roads (110 km/h is typical for roads with a dividing strip, but not for a motorway). The practical takeaway for preparation: first, determine the type of road by the signs (whether there is 5.1), then check whether your vehicle belongs to the special subparagraphs "a"–"g," and only then apply the general rule from "g" or the special restriction from road signs.
Clause 12.6
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area", movement is allowed at the following speeds: a) buses (minibuses) transporting organized groups of children, passenger cars with trailers, and motorcycles — no more than 80 km/h; b) vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience — no more than 70 km/h; c) trucks carrying people in the cargo bed, and mopeds — no more than 60 km/h; d) buses (except minibuses) — no more than 90 km/h; e) other vehicles: on a road marked with road sign 5.1 "Motorway" — no more than 130 km/h, on a road with separate carriageways divided by a median strip — no more than 110 km/h, on other roads — no more than 90 km/h.
This clause checks the knowledge that if a vehicle does not belong to the categories directly listed in subclauses "a"–"d", it falls under the rule of subclause "e", in particular on a motorway — 130 km/h.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.1 "Motorway"
Sign 5.1 "Motorway" is used to designate roads on which the relevant traffic regimes are established in accordance with section 27 of these Rules. The sign is installed at the beginning of the motorway.
This checks that the "motorway" regime (and the corresponding speed limits from clause 12.6) applies specifically to the road marked with sign 5.1.
Clause 1.10 (term "Truck")
"Truck — a motor vehicle which, by its design and equipment, is intended for the carriage of goods."
Clause 1.10 (term "Permissible maximum mass")
"Permissible maximum mass — the mass of a fully equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, as established by the vehicle's technical specifications as the maximum allowable. The permissible maximum mass of a road train is the sum of the permissible maximum masses of each vehicle in the road train."
Clause 1.10 (term "Trailer")
"Trailer — a vehicle designed to move only when coupled with another vehicle. This category also includes semi-trailers and dolly trailers."
Clause 1.10 (term "Motorway")
"Motorway — a road that: • is specially constructed and intended for vehicle traffic, not intended for entry to or exit from adjacent areas; • has separate carriageways for each direction of travel, separated by a median strip; • does not intersect at the same level with other roads, railway or tram tracks, pedestrian and bicycle paths, animal crossings, has fencing on the roadsides and median strip, and is also fenced with mesh; • is marked with road sign 5.1 'Motorway'."
That is, the correct answer is "130 km/h," given that according to clause 12.6 (subclause "e") for other vehicles on a road marked with sign 5.1 "Motorway", the speed limit is no more than 130 km/h.
The key in this question is to correctly determine the driving conditions: we are on a motorway (that is, on a road marked with sign 5.1 “Motorway”), and the vehicle is a truck with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 t, moving with a trailer, i.e., as part of a road train.
Clause 12.6 of the Traffic Rules sets maximum speeds outside populated areas depending on the type of vehicle and type of road. This clause separately lists special categories (for example, buses, mopeds, drivers with less than 2 years of experience, etc.), and for all other vehicles, general limits are set depending on the road. For a motorway (sign 5.1), this general limit is 130 km/h.
A truck with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 t with a trailer does not belong to the special categories with reduced limits listed in clause 12.6. Therefore, it falls under the rule for “other vehicles,” and on a motorway, the 130 km/h limit applies to it.
For example, if a truck weighing 7.5 t is towing a trailer and enters a road marked with sign 5.1 “Motorway,” the driver should follow the limit set for motorways in clause 12.6, i.e., not exceed 130 km/h unless otherwise restricted by road signs.
Thus, the correct answer is "130 km/h," because according to clause 12.6 of the Traffic Rules, on a motorway (sign 5.1), for “other vehicles,” which include a truck over 3.5 t with a trailer, the maximum speed is set at 130 km/h.