48.4. In which directions is it permitted for a lorry with a maximum authorized mass of over 3.5 t to proceed in the depicted situation?
UAУ яких напрямках дозволено рух вантажного автомобіля в зображеній ситуації, якщо його дозволена максимальна маса понад 3,5 т?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's attention to road signs and the ability to correctly choose the permitted direction of movement at an intersection. Such tasks are directly related to road safety: incorrect interpretation of mandatory signs or their supplementary plates often leads to entering zones with restrictions for certain categories of vehicles, particularly trucks.
In essence, this question pertains to section 33 of the Traffic Rules (road signs), specifically mandatory sign 4.11 "Movement of passenger cars" and plate 7.3.1 "Direction of action." Sign 4.11 allows movement only for specified vehicles, and for trucks—only if their permitted maximum mass does not exceed 3.5 t. Since the situation involves a truck over 3.5 t, it is prohibited from entering the direction covered by the sign. Plate 7.3.1 clarifies that this prohibition does not apply to all maneuvers, but only to the specific direction indicated by the arrow (in this case, a right turn).
That is why the option "in all directions" is incorrect: one of the directions is blocked by the sign with the plate. The option "only straight ahead" is also incorrect, because the plate does not prohibit other directions except the one indicated, so in the absence of additional restrictions, the U-turn maneuver also remains permitted. This approach corresponds to the logic of the theoretical exam: it is necessary not just to "see the sign," but to understand how it works together with plates and how restrictions depend on the permitted maximum mass of the vehicle.
Clause 1.10 (term "Truck")
"Truck — a vehicle that by its design and equipment is intended for the transportation of goods."
Clause 1.10 (term "Permissible maximum mass")
"Permissible maximum mass — the mass of an equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, as established by the vehicle's technical specification as the maximum allowable."
"Permissible maximum mass of a road train — the sum of the permissible maximum masses of each vehicle that is part of the road train."
Clause 33.4 — 33 "Road signs", 4 "Mandatory signs", sign 4.11 "Movement of passenger cars"
"Allows movement only for passenger cars, buses, motorcycles, route vehicles, and trucks whose permissible maximum mass does not exceed 3.5 t.
The sign does not apply to vehicles serving citizens or belonging to citizens who live or work in the designated area, as well as to vehicles serving enterprises located in this area. In such cases, vehicles must enter and exit the designated area at the nearest intersection to the destination."
Explanation of application: a truck with a permissible maximum mass of more than 3.5 t is prohibited from moving in the direction covered by sign 4.11 (unless it falls under the exceptions specified by the sign).
Clause 33.7 — 33 "Road signs", 7 "Plates to road signs", plate 7.3.1 "Direction of action"
"Indicates the direction of action of signs placed before an intersection, or the direction of movement to designated objects located directly by the road."
Explanation of application: plate 7.3.1 clarifies that sign 4.11 applies only in the direction indicated by the arrow (in this task — when turning right), therefore for a truck over 3.5 t this direction is specifically prohibited, while the others (straight ahead and U-turn) remain allowed in the absence of other prohibitions.
That is, the correct answer is "Straight ahead or U-turn," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, sign 4.11 allows movement for trucks only up to 3.5 t, and plate 7.3.1 limits the effect of this sign to the right turn direction, so for a truck over 3.5 t the right turn is prohibited, while straight ahead and U-turn are allowed.
In this situation, the key factor is the mandatory sign 4.11 "Movement of passenger cars" together with the plate 7.3.1 "Direction of action." First, we determine that the vehicle in question is a truck with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, which means it does not belong to the category of vehicles that sign 4.11 generally allows to proceed.
Sign 4.11 permits movement only for passenger cars, buses, motorcycles, route vehicles, and trucks, but only if their permitted maximum mass does not exceed 3.5 t. Therefore, for a truck with a mass over 3.5 t, entry into the area of effect of this sign is prohibited unless there are special exceptions (such as servicing residents or businesses in this area). In our question, such exceptions are not specified, so we follow the general prohibition.
Next, we take into account the plate 7.3.1, which shows in which specific direction at the intersection the installed sign applies. That is, sign 4.11 with the plate prohibits our truck from moving in the direction indicated by the plate (in this case, turning right). Accordingly, other directions not covered by the sign according to the plate remain permitted.
Therefore, for a truck over 3.5 t at this intersection, turning right is prohibited, while going straight or making a U-turn does not contradict the action of the sign with the plate.
Thus, the correct answer is "Straight or U-turn," since sign 4.11 with plate 7.3.1 restricts the specified direction for trucks over 3.5 t, while the other directions (straight and U-turn) remain permitted.