48.5. Is it permitted for a truck with a maximum authorized mass of less than 3.5 t to proceed straight in the depicted situation?
UAЧи дозволено в зображеній ситуації рух прямо вантажному автомобілю, якщо його дозволена максимальна маса менш ніж 3,5 т?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's ability to correctly “read” mandatory road signs and apply them to a specific type of vehicle. Such tasks are important for road safety, as a mistake in interpreting a sign at an intersection approach can lead to a traffic rules violation and create a dangerous situation.
In terms of content, this question relates to the topic of Road Signs (section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine), specifically to sign 4.11 “Movement of passenger cars.” The theoretical exam checks whether the candidate understands that this sign applies not only to passenger cars, but also to buses, motorcycles, route vehicles, and trucks if their permitted maximum mass does not exceed 3.5 t. That is why, for a truck with a permitted maximum mass of less than 3.5 t, there is no restriction on driving straight ahead (in the absence of other signs or markings).
The analysis of the options in this task is based on the definition of “permitted maximum mass” (clause 1.10) and the obligation to comply with the requirements of signs (clause 1.3). The “prohibited” option would only be correct for a truck whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 3.5 t, since in that case sign 4.11 does not allow it to move on this section. Instead, for a truck up to 3.5 t, the permissive regime of sign 4.11 applies, so the correct answer is that movement in this direction is allowed.
Clause 1.3
Road users are required to know and strictly comply with the requirements of these Rules, traffic control signals, road signs and markings, as well as to follow the instructions of traffic controllers.
Clause 1.10 (term "Permissible maximum mass")
Permissible maximum mass — the mass of an equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, established by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable.
Clause 33.4.11 — 33 "Road signs", 4 "Mandatory signs", sign 4.11 "Movement of passenger cars"
Only passenger cars, buses, motorcycles, route vehicles, and trucks with a permissible maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 t are allowed to proceed.
Explanation of application: if a truck has a permissible maximum mass of less than 3.5 t, sign 4.11 applies to it, therefore movement straight ahead in this situation is not prohibited.
That is, the correct answer is "Allowed.", considering that sign 4.11 permits the movement of trucks with a permissible maximum mass of no more than 3.5 t (including straight ahead).
In the situation shown in the image, regulatory sign 4.11 is installed, which determines which types of vehicles are allowed to move on this section of the road and at the intersection.
According to section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, sign 4.11 applies to passenger cars, buses, motorcycles, route vehicles, as well as to trucks if their permitted maximum mass does not exceed 3.5 t. That is, this sign does not prohibit trucks as such, but only restricts movement for trucks with a higher permitted maximum mass.
In our question, the truck has a permitted maximum mass of less than 3.5 t, so it belongs to the vehicles for which sign 4.11 allows movement. This means that at this intersection, such a truck can move straight ahead just like in other permitted directions, provided there are no other signs or markings that set additional restrictions.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed," since sign 4.11 permits movement for trucks with a permitted maximum mass up to 3.5 t, and in the conditions of the question, the mass is less than 3.5 t.