48.50. Is transit traffic of a goods vehicle with a maximum permitted weight of less than 3.5 t allowed straight ahead?
UAЧи дозволено транзитний рух вантажного автомобіля з дозволеною максимальною масою менш ніж 3,5 т прямо?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) that tests the driver's ability to correctly apply prohibitory road signs and understand which vehicles the restrictions apply to. In practice, such situations directly affect road safety and the legality of driving through restricted areas, especially when it comes to the transit of freight transport in populated areas.
The question belongs to the topic of road signs, specifically Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Road Signs," prohibitory signs, sign 3.3 "No entry for trucks." It checks a key nuance: sign 3.3, as a general rule, restricts the movement of trucks not "all indiscriminately," but only those whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 3.5 tons (unless another value is indicated on the sign). Therefore, to answer correctly, it is important to focus on the term "permitted maximum mass" from the traffic rules, not on the external appearance of the vehicle or assumptions about its load.
The option about the possibility of movement is correct because a truck with a permitted maximum mass of less than 3.5 tons is not subject to the prohibition of sign 3.3 and may continue to move in the permitted direction, including straight ahead, even if the movement is transit. On the other hand, the statement about prohibition would only be correct for trucks with a figure exceeding 3.5 tons (or greater than the mass indicated on the sign), so within the scope of this theoretical exam, it is incorrect.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road Signs”, 3 “Prohibitory Signs”, sign 3.3 “Movement of trucks is prohibited”
“Sign 3.3 ‘Movement of trucks is prohibited’ prohibits the movement of trucks and vehicle combinations with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t (unless a different mass is indicated on the sign) or with a mass 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 the 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 an inclined 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 areas to the road or at intersections (junctions) with field, forest, or other unpaved roads where no priority signs are installed beforehand.”
(Application to the question: the prohibition under sign 3.3 applies only to trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t; if the mass is less, the sign does not apply to such a truck.)
Clause 1.10 (term “Permitted maximum mass”)
Permitted maximum mass — the mass of an equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, established by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable.
(Application to the question: this is the indicator compared to the 3.5 t threshold in sign 3.3.)
Clause 1.10 (term “Truck”)
Truck — a vehicle that, by its design and equipment, is intended for the transportation of cargo.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Allowed.”, considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, sign 3.3 prohibits the movement of trucks only with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, and the condition states a mass of less than 3.5 t, so the prohibition does not apply to this vehicle.
In this situation, it is necessary to correctly interpret the meaning of the prohibitory sign 3.3 "No entry for trucks" (section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) and relate it to the mass of the specific vehicle.
Sign 3.3 restricts the movement not of all trucks without exception, but only those for which the permitted maximum mass exceeds 3.5 tons (unless another value is indicated on the sign). That is, the decisive factor is the indicator "over 3.5 tons".
The question clearly states that the truck has a permitted maximum mass of less than 3.5 tons. Therefore, it does not fall under the restriction established by sign 3.3 and may continue to move in the allowed direction, including straight ahead, even if the movement is transit.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed," since sign 3.3 prohibits the movement of trucks only with a permitted maximum mass of more than 3.5 tons, and in this case the mass is less than 3.5 tons.