52.4. What is the maximum permitted speed for the red bus on a motorway?
UAЗ якою максимальною швидкістю дозволено рух червоному автобусу на автомагістралі?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe choice of speed and special restrictions for different categories of vehicles outside populated areas. On high-speed roads, drivers often rely on the 'general' limits, but separate rules apply to buses, which are important to know for the theoretical exam and for real passenger transport safety.
The question checks the section of the Traffic Rules regarding speed limits, specifically point 12.6, as well as understanding the terms 'bus' and 'motorway' and the role of sign 5.1 'Motorway'. The logic is simple: even if the motorway allows higher speeds for most vehicles, there is a special restriction for buses (except minibuses), which takes precedence over the general road regime.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to comparing with the norms of point 12.6: 70 km/h applies to drivers with less than 2 years of experience, 80 km/h applies to buses/minibuses transporting organized groups of children (as well as to cars with trailers and motorcycles), 100 km/h and 130 km/h are not limits for buses on the motorway, because 130 km/h in this point refers to 'other vehicles'. For buses, the correct limit is defined separately in subparagraph 'g' of point 12.6, so this is the correct answer for this exam question.
In practice, this means that on the motorway a passenger car may travel faster within the permitted limit, but the bus driver must adhere to the lower maximum set by the traffic rules. Understanding such exceptions helps to pass the theoretical exam without typical mistakes and to correctly apply the Traffic Rules of Ukraine under different road conditions and signs.
Clause 12.6
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 "Beginning of a populated area", movement is permitted at the following speeds: a) buses (minibuses) transporting organized groups of children, passenger cars with trailers, and motorcycles — no more than 80 km/h; b) vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience — no more than 70 km/h; c) trucks carrying people in the cargo bed, and mopeds — no more than 60 km/h; d) buses (except minibuses) — no more than 90 km/h; e) other vehicles: on a road marked with road sign 5.1 "Motorway" — no more than 130 km/h, on a road with separate carriageways divided by a median strip — no more than 110 km/h, on other roads — no more than 90 km/h.
This clause directly establishes the maximum speed for buses (except minibuses) outside populated areas, including on motorways: 90 km/h (subclause "d").
Clause 1.10 (term "Bus")
Bus — a vehicle with more than nine seats, including the driver's seat, which by its design and equipment is intended for transporting passengers and their luggage with the necessary comfort and safety.
This definition confirms that the "red bus" in the question belongs to the "bus" category, for which a special speed limit from clause 12.6 "d" applies.
Clause 1.10 (term "Motorway")
Motorway — a road that: • is specially constructed and intended for vehicle traffic, not intended for entry to or exit from adjacent territory; • has separate carriageways for each direction of traffic, divided by a median strip; • does not intersect at the same level with other roads, railways and tram tracks, pedestrian and bicycle paths, animal crossings, has barriers on the roadsides and the median strip, and is also fenced with a mesh; • is marked with road sign 5.1 "Motorway".
This definition links the "on a motorway" mode with the presence of sign 5.1 and allows the correct application of the speed limit for the relevant vehicle category.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Information and Direction Signs", sign 5.1 "Motorway"
"Motorway" — indicates a road on which the corresponding traffic regimes are established according to the Rules.
This sign is used to identify a road as a motorway, but for a bus the maximum speed is determined specifically by the special provision of clause 12.6 "d".
That is, the correct answer is "90 km/h", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, a bus (except a minibus) outside populated areas, including on a motorway, has a speed limit of no more than 90 km/h in accordance with clause 12.6 "d".
The question refers to the red bus traveling on a motorway. A bus, according to the Traffic Rules, is a vehicle designed for carrying passengers, with more than nine seats including the driver's seat. A motorway is defined by road sign 5.1 and has a special traffic regime.
Many people mistakenly rely only on the general rule for motorways, where for most vehicles the permitted speed is up to 130 km/h. However, this restriction applies to 'other vehicles' and does not override separate, lower limits set for specific categories, including buses.
According to clause 12.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, for buses (except minibuses) outside populated areas, the maximum speed is set at 90 km/h. The motorway is indeed a road outside a populated area with a special regime, but for buses, their specific limit applies, not the general 130 km/h.
For example: a passenger car on a motorway may travel up to 130 km/h, but a bus under the same conditions must adhere to the 90 km/h limit, because the Traffic Rules provide a different maximum for it.
Therefore, the correct answer is "90 km/h," since for buses (except minibuses) clause 12.6 of the Traffic Rules sets a maximum speed of 90 km/h outside populated areas, including on motorways.