52.17. Is the driver of a bus operating on a designated route allowed to turn right in the situation shown?
UAЧи дозволено водієві автобуса, що рухається за встановленим маршрутом, повернути праворуч у зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests attentiveness to road signs and the correct application of exceptions for certain categories of vehicles when passing through intersections. In practice, such situations have a direct impact on road safety: the driver must not only “see” the sign, but also understand to whom it applies and which maneuvers are permitted without violating the traffic rules.
The topic of the question belongs to section 33 “Road Signs,” specifically regulatory signs, in particular sign 4.1 “Straight Ahead Only” (clause 33.4). As a general rule, this sign allows movement only straight ahead at the intersection where it is installed, meaning that for most drivers, turning right would be prohibited. However, the Traffic Rules explicitly establish an exception: the effect of sign 4.1 does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes; according to the definition in clause 1.10, a bus on a route is a route vehicle, so the “straight ahead only” restriction does not apply to it.
Therefore, the option “Prohibited” is incorrect, as it ignores the exception provided by the rules for route vehicles. Instead, the option “Permitted” is correct: the driver of a route bus may make a right turn at this intersection (provided other safety requirements and maneuvering rules are observed), which is often checked in the theoretical exam as a typical attentiveness trap.
Clause 33.4 — 33 "Road Signs", 4 "Mandatory Signs", sign 4.1 "Straight Ahead Only"
"Sign 4.1 'Straight Ahead Only' allows movement only straight ahead. The sign does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. The sign applies to intersections of carriageways before which it is installed. The sign installed at the beginning of a road or after an intersection applies to the section of the road up to the nearest intersection. The sign does not prohibit turning right into courtyards or other areas adjacent to the road."
Brief application: although sign 4.1 generally requires movement only straight ahead, for route vehicles (a bus on a route) a direct exception is established — the sign does not apply to them, so turning right at the intersection is allowed.
Clause 1.10 (term "Route Vehicles")
"Route vehicles are public transport vehicles (buses, trolleybuses, trams, route taxis) that operate on established routes and have designated places on the route for passenger boarding (alighting)."
Brief application: a bus operating on an established route belongs to route vehicles, to which, according to clause 33.4 (sign 4.1), the exception applies.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the effect of sign 4.1 "Straight Ahead Only" does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes.
In the given situation, a mandatory sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only" is installed before the intersection. For most drivers, this means that only driving straight is allowed at this intersection, and turning left or right is generally prohibited.
However, the Traffic Rules provide an exception: the effect of sign 4.1 does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. A bus running on a regular route belongs to such vehicles, so the "straight ahead only" requirement does not apply to it at this location.
Therefore, the driver of a route bus may make a right turn at this intersection if it is provided for by the route and is performed in compliance with other safety requirements and maneuvering rules.
Thus, the correct answer is "Allowed," since sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only" does not restrict route vehicles, and for a bus operating on an established route, a right turn in this situation is permitted.