48.47. Is a right turn permitted for the lorry in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено поворот праворуч вантажному автомобілю в даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's attentiveness to prohibitory road signs and correct decision-making at intersections. In real conditions, mistakes in interpreting signs and plates most often lead to violations during maneuvers, so this topic is directly related to road safety and preparation for the theoretical exam.
The question belongs to section 33 of the Traffic Rules, which covers road signs and their supplementary plates. Here, the key elements are sign 3.3 "Movement of trucks is prohibited" and plate 7.3.1 "Direction of action," which specifies to which direction at the intersection the restriction applies. It is also important to understand the term "truck" from point 1.10 of the Traffic Rules, since it is these vehicles that fall under the effect of sign 3.3 (usually for trucks over 3.5 tons, unless another weight is specified).
The option "allowed" is incorrect, because plate 7.3.1 narrows the effect of the sign to a specific direction, and performing the maneuver in this direction means entering an area where truck movement is prohibited. The option "prohibited" is correct: the situation does not provide grounds for exceptions stipulated for sign 3.3 (servicing businesses/citizens in the area, living/working in it, special markings, or transporting groups of people), so the truck driver must choose another direction of movement.
Clause 1.10 (term “Truck”)
Truck — a vehicle that, by its design and equipment, is intended for the transportation of goods.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road signs”, 3 “Prohibitory signs”, sign 3.3 “Movement of trucks prohibited”
Sign 3.3 “Movement of trucks prohibited” prohibits the movement of trucks and vehicle combinations with a permitted maximum weight of more than 3.5 t (if the sign does not indicate a weight) or with a weight exceeding that indicated on the sign, as well as tractors, self-propelled machines, and mechanisms.
The sign does not apply to: • vehicles serving citizens or belonging to citizens who live or work in this area, as well as vehicles serving enterprises located in the designated area. In such cases, vehicles must enter and exit the designated area at the intersection closest to their destination; • trucks that have a slanted white stripe on the outer side surface or are transporting groups of people.
The area of effect of the sign is from the place of installation to the nearest intersection beyond it, and in populated areas where there are no intersections — to the end of the populated area. The effect of the sign is not interrupted at exits from adjacent territories to the road or at crossings (junctions) with field, forest, and other unpaved roads where no priority signs are installed before them.
Clause 33.7 — 33 “Road signs”, 7 “Plates to road signs”, plate 7.3.1 “Direction of effect”
Plate 7.3.1 “Direction of effect” indicates the direction of effect of signs placed before an intersection, or the direction of movement to designated objects located directly near the road. The plate is placed directly under the signs with which it is used.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, considering that sign 3.3 in combination with plate 7.3.1 extends the prohibition of truck movement to the right, and the given truck does not fall under the exceptions explicitly specified for the effect of sign 3.3.
In this situation, a prohibitory sign 3.3 “No entry for trucks” is installed before the intersection, together with plate 7.3.1 “Direction of action.” For the exam, it is important to remember that, according to the Traffic Rules, a truck is a vehicle designed for the carriage of goods, and it is precisely such vehicles that are subject to the restrictions of this sign.
Sign 3.3 prohibits the movement of trucks (usually with a maximum permitted weight of over 3.5 tons, unless a different weight is specified on the sign). That is, entry of a truck onto the section of road covered by the sign is a violation.
Plate 7.3.1 clarifies in which direction the prohibition applies before the intersection. If the arrow on the plate points to the right, this means that the prohibition applies specifically to the right turn at the intersection. Accordingly, making a right turn means entering an area where truck movement is prohibited.
Exceptions to sign 3.3 are possible only in cases defined by the Traffic Rules (for example, when the truck is servicing businesses or residents in this area, or belongs to/serves those who live or work there, and enters/exits at the nearest intersection). In the given situation, no such grounds are specified, so there is no reason to consider that the truck has the right to turn right.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Prohibited,” since sign 3.3 with plate 7.3.1 prohibits a truck from moving to the right at this intersection, and no grounds for exception are provided.