52.15. Is a bus operating on a designated route allowed to turn right at the intersection shown?
UAЧи дозволено автобусу, який рухається за встановленим маршрутом, повернути праворуч на зображеному перехресті?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns traffic safety at intersections and the correct application of road signs. In real situations, a driver must be able to distinguish between signs that determine priority and those that prohibit certain maneuvers, as well as know the exceptions for specific categories of vehicles. Such situations often occur in cities, where public transport routes pass through areas with restrictions for regular vehicles.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 of the Traffic Rules, particularly the prohibitory sign 3.22 "Right turn prohibited" and its exception for route vehicles. A bus operating on an established route is considered a route vehicle (as defined in point 1.10 of the Traffic Rules), so sign 3.22 does not apply to it. At the same time, the priority sign 2.1 "Give way" does not prohibit the maneuver itself, but only requires yielding to vehicles moving along the intersecting road before turning.
If choosing between the options, the statement about prohibition is correct only for regular drivers, for whom sign 3.22 applies without exceptions. For a bus on a route, a special rule of the Traffic Rules applies, so permission to turn is logical and lawful, provided the requirement to "give way" is fulfilled. Such nuances are often tested in the theoretical exam, as they affect the predictability of traffic and the avoidance of conflicts at intersections.
Clause 1.10 (term “Bus”)
Bus — a motor vehicle with more than nine seats, including the driver’s seat, which by its design and equipment is intended for the carriage of passengers and their luggage, providing the necessary comfort and safety.
Clause 1.10 (term “Route vehicles (public transport vehicles)”)
Route vehicles (public transport vehicles) — buses, minibuses, trolleybuses, trams, and taxis that operate on established routes and have designated places on the road for passenger boarding (alighting).
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road signs”, 3 “Prohibitory signs”, sign 3.22 “No right turn”
Prohibits right turns.
The sign does not apply to route vehicles.
The sign applies to intersections of carriageways and other places where the sign is installed.
Clause 33.2 — 33 “Road signs”, 2 “Priority signs”, sign 2.1 “Yield”
Requires yielding to vehicles moving on the intersected road.
(Application in this question: sign 2.1 establishes the obligation to yield, but by itself does not prohibit making a turn; the question checks specifically the exception to the prohibition of sign 3.22 for route vehicles.)
Therefore, the correct answer is “Allowed.”, considering that sign 3.22 “No right turn” does not apply to route vehicles (in particular, a bus) operating on an established route.
At the intersection, two signs are installed: 2.1 "Give Way" and 3.22 "No Right Turn." Sign 2.1 regulates the order of passage and requires yielding to vehicles on the main road, but by itself does not prohibit the direction of movement. The direction is restricted specifically by sign 3.22.
As a general rule, sign 3.22 prohibits turning right at the location where it is installed, that is, at this intersection. Therefore, ordinary drivers are not allowed to turn right here.
However, Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine regarding sign 3.22 specifically provides an exception: its effect does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. A bus operating on a route belongs to route vehicles, and therefore may make a right turn even if it is prohibited for others.
At the same time, the bus driver is still required to comply with the requirement of sign 2.1 "Give Way," that is, before turning right, to yield to vehicles that have the right of way.
Thus, the correct answer is "Allowed," because the effect of sign 3.22 "No Right Turn" does not apply to route vehicles, which includes a bus operating on an established route.