48.79. In which lane is it permitted for goods vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of over 3.5 t, tractors, self-propelled machines, and mechanisms to drive on roads with a central reservation that have four lanes in each direction?
UAУ якій смузі дозволено рух вантажним автомобілям із дозволеною максимальною масою понад 3,5 т, тракторам, самохідним машинам і механізмам на дорогах з розділювальною смугою, що мають по чотири смуги для руху в кожному напрямку?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe and correct choice of lane on multi-lane roads with a median strip. Such rules are especially important for large and slower vehicles, as improper lane occupation increases the risk of conflicts during overtaking, lane changes, and maneuvers in dense traffic, which is often tested in the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically the requirements of clause 11.6. According to this clause, trucks with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 tons, tractors, self-propelled machines, and mechanisms on roads with three or more lanes in one direction are not allowed to use the far left lane for regular straight-ahead driving: entering it is only permitted for turning left or making a U-turn. At the same time, movement in the other lanes (right, second, third) is not restricted, which aligns with the logic of traffic flow organization and does not contradict the Traffic Rules.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that the wording about the possibility of driving "in any lane" is incorrect, as it ignores the special restriction for the far left lane. The option that allows entering the far left lane for overtaking is also incorrect, since clause 11.6 does not grant such a right to the specified vehicles. Separately, the option with the additional condition of stopping on the left for loading/unloading is not suitable, because this possibility in the Traffic Rules is tied to one-way roads in populated areas, while the condition here refers only to a road with a median strip and four lanes in each direction.
Clause 11.6
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 loading or unloading.
This clause directly establishes that on a road with 4 lanes in one direction (i.e., "three or more"), the above vehicles are prohibited from traveling in the far left lane for straight-ahead movement; entering it is allowed only for turning left or making a U-turn (and additionally for stopping on the left — only on one-way roads in populated areas, which is not the case in this question).
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.
This definition is needed to correctly apply the restriction from clause 11.6 specifically to trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway at least 2.75 m wide, marked or unmarked by road markings, intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
This definition clarifies that the question is specifically about choosing a lane within the carriageway in one direction.
Clause 1.10 (term "Median strip")
Median strip — an element of the road that is distinguished structurally or by means of solid road markings 1.2 and separates adjacent carriageways; the median strip is not intended for the movement or parking of vehicles.
This definition explains the feature of the road in the question (“with a median strip”), i.e., the presence of separate carriageways for each direction of movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "In any lane except the far left: entering it is allowed only for turning left or making a U-turn," given that according to the definition in clause 11.6 of the Traffic Rules, the above vehicles are allowed to enter the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes in one direction only for turning left or making a U-turn, and therefore for straight-ahead movement the far left lane is prohibited for them.
Let us imagine a road with a median strip, where there are four lanes in each direction. For trucks with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 tons, as well as for tractors, self-propelled machines, and mechanisms, it is important to choose the correct lane in order not to violate the requirements of the Traffic Rules.
Clause 11.6 of the Traffic Rules establishes a special rule for roads where there are three or more lanes in one direction. On such roads, these vehicles must not drive in the far left lane as a regular lane for straight-ahead movement. For them, the far left lane is an “exceptional” lane, which may be used only when necessary for turning left or making a U-turn.
At the same time, the Traffic Rules do not prohibit such vehicles from moving in other lanes, except for the far left one. That is, on a road with four lanes in one direction, a truck over 3.5 tons may drive in the right lane, the second, or the third. This is also logical because, in order to perform a permitted maneuver (turning left or making a U-turn), the driver will still need to change lanes in advance closer to the left edge of their carriageway, and moving through the intermediate lanes (for example, the third) is not a violation in itself.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "In any lane except the far left one; entering it is allowed only for turning left or making a U-turn," since clause 11.6 of the Traffic Rules allows such vehicles to use all lanes except the far left one, which may be occupied only for turning left or making a U-turn.