48.39. Is a goods vehicle with a maximum authorized mass of less than 3.5 t allowed to drive in the third lane?
UAЧи має право вантажний автомобіль з дозволеною максимальною масою менш ніж 3,5 т рухатися в третій смузі?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the safe distribution of vehicles across lanes on multi-lane roads. The correct choice of lane directly affects visibility, the ability to perform maneuvers without conflicts, and the overall throughput of traffic, which is why this topic regularly appears on the theoretical exam.
The question relates to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically to the requirements of clause 11.6. The key point is that the restriction on entering the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes in one direction applies to trucks only when their permitted maximum mass exceeds 3.5 tons. If a truck's permitted maximum mass is less than 3.5 tons, this special prohibition from clause 11.6 does not apply, and it may use the leftmost (third) lane on general grounds.
Therefore, the statement about the permissibility of driving in the third lane while overtaking is correct for such a vehicle, as is the option of using the third lane to prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn. Each of these options separately describes permitted situations, and the correct conclusion for a student taking the traffic rules exam is that both grounds are possible simultaneously, since the restriction is tied to the permitted maximum mass indicator, not to the mere fact that the vehicle is a truck.
Clause 11.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
On roads with three or more lanes in one direction, trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, tractors, self-propelled machines, and mechanisms are allowed to enter the far left lane only for turning left or making a U-turn, and in populated areas on one-way roads, in addition, — for stopping on the left, in permitted cases, for the purpose of loading or unloading.
This clause verifies that the restriction on entering the far left lane (including the third lane on a three-lane road in one direction) applies only to trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t; for a truck with a mass of less than 3.5 t, such a prohibition is not established.
Clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (term "Truck")
Truck — a motor vehicle that, by its design and equipment, is intended for the carriage of goods.
This definition verifies that the vehicle in the question belongs specifically to the category of "truck," for which special conditions are provided in clause 11.6 (but only according to the mass criterion).
Clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (term "Permitted maximum mass")
Permitted maximum mass — the mass of an equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, which is established by the technical specification of the vehicle as the maximum allowable. The permitted maximum mass of a road train is the sum of the permitted maximum allowable mass of each vehicle that is part of the road train.
This definition verifies that for the application of the restriction from clause 11.6, it is the "permitted maximum mass" according to the technical specification that is taken into account, and since in the condition it is less than 3.5 t, the restriction of clause 11.6 does not apply.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the restriction on entering the far left lane (clause 11.6) is established only for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, and in the condition — less than 3.5 t.
To answer this question, you first need to understand what specific restriction exists for trucks on roads with three or more lanes in one direction.
Clause 11.6 of the Traffic Rules establishes a special rule for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons: such vehicles are allowed to enter the far left lane only in exceptional cases (in particular, for turning left or making a U-turn). That is, this restriction is linked not to the fact that the vehicle is a truck, but specifically to the indicator of the permitted maximum mass, and applies only when it exceeds 3.5 tons.
In our question, it is directly stated that the truck has a permitted maximum mass of less than 3.5 tons. Therefore, the requirements of clause 11.6 regarding the prohibition (or strict limitation) of movement in the left lane do not apply to it. Such a truck, according to this clause, is equated to vehicles for which there is no special prohibition on occupying the third lane.
Therefore, it has the right to move in the third lane both when overtaking and for making a left turn or U-turn, if this is required by the traffic situation and does not contradict other requirements of the Traffic Rules and road signs.
Thus, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," since the restriction of clause 11.6 regarding the third (left) lane applies only to trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons, and if the mass is less than 3.5 tons, movement in the third lane is allowed both for overtaking and for turning left or making a U-turn.