48.35. What is the maximum speed established for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t on motor roads with a dividing strip?
UAЯка максимальна швидкість вантажних автомобілів з дозволеною максимальною масою понад 3,5 т встановлена на дорогах для автомобілів з розділювальною смугою?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of speed limits and is directly related to road safety outside populated areas. For trucks, the large mass and longer braking distance make the correct choice of speed critically important, especially on high-speed roads where traffic flows are intense and mistakes have more severe consequences.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning speed limits, specifically to clause 12.6 (subclause g), which sets maximum speeds depending on the type of road. It is important to understand here that a road with a median strip has separate carriageways in each direction, meaning opposing traffic flows are physically or by markings separated (definition of the term "median strip" in p. 1.10). For this type of road, the Traffic Rules provide a limit of 110 km/h for "other vehicles," which in this context includes trucks with a permitted maximum mass over 3.5 t (unless a separate lower limit is set by signs).
Analyzing the answer options helps to avoid confusing road types: 130 km/h applies to motorways (sign 5.1), not just a road with a median strip; 90 km/h is the limit for "other roads" without a median strip; 80 km/h in the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is characteristic for certain categories (for example, a passenger car with a trailer, motorcycle, etc. under p. 12.6 a), but not for this case. Therefore, this question is included in the theoretical exam so that the driver clearly distinguishes: on a road with a median strip, the speed limit is 110 km/h, unless other road signs set a lower limit.
Clause 12.6 (subclause g)
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.47 “Beginning of a populated area”, movement is allowed at the following speeds: e) for other vehicles: on a motorway 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.
Clause 1.10 (term “Median strip”)
Median strip — an element of the road, structurally separated or marked by a solid line of road marking, which divides adjacent carriageways.
Clause 1.10 (term “Truck”)
Truck — a vehicle designed and equipped for the transportation of goods.
Clause 1.10 (term “Permissible maximum mass”)
Permissible maximum mass — the mass of a fully equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, established by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable.
Clause 33.5.3 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and directional signs”, sign 5.3 “Road for automobiles”
“Road for automobiles” — a road intended only for the movement of cars, buses, and motorcycles, where special traffic conditions apply as provided by these Rules.
Thus, the correct answer is “110 km/h”, considering that according to clause 12.6 (e), on a road with separate carriageways divided by a median strip, for trucks (as “other vehicles” not specifically mentioned in subclauses 12.6 a)–v)), the speed limit is set at no more than 110 km/h.
The question concerns trucks with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 tons and a road for automobiles that has a dividing strip. A dividing strip means that opposing traffic flows are physically separated, i.e., this is a road with separate carriageways in each direction.
The required speed limit should be found in clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which defines the permitted speeds outside populated areas (as well as on sections within populated areas marked with the appropriate sign indicating the beginning of a populated area with a “mode as outside a populated area”). In this clause, separate speed limits are set for different types of roads.
For “other vehicles” (which in this situation includes trucks over 3.5 tons, if no separate lower limit is provided for them in this same clause), the Traffic Rules distinguish three options: motorway, road with a dividing strip, and other roads. Specifically, for a road for automobiles with separate carriageways divided by a dividing strip, the limit is set at 110 km/h.
Practical example: if a truck over 3.5 tons is driving outside a populated area on a road where there is a dividing strip between directions (guardrail, lawn, concrete barrier, etc.), its maximum permitted speed according to clause 12.6 (e) is 110 km/h, unless other signs set a lower speed.
Therefore, the correct answer is "110 km/h," since according to clause 12.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules, on a road with a dividing strip, the maximum speed is set at exactly 110 km/h.