52.5. What is the maximum permitted speed for buses (except minibuses) on roads marked with the 'Motor vehicle road' sign?
UAЗ якою максимальною швидкістю дозволено рух автобусів (за винятком мікроавтобусів) на дорогах, позначених знаком «Дорога для автомобілів»?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of speed limits and the safe organization of traffic outside populated areas. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that the maximum speed depends not only on the type of road and road signs, but also on the category of vehicle: separate, stricter restrictions apply to buses, since their weight, braking distance, and responsibility for passengers increase safety requirements.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the traffic rules regarding speed limits, based on clause 12.6 of the Traffic Rules, and is also related to informational and indicative signs (in particular, sign 5.3 "Road for motor vehicles"). Students often make mistakes by relying on the "general" limits for such roads, but the Traffic Rules set a special limit specifically for buses (excluding minibuses): it is lower than the possible limits for other vehicles on the same road. That is, even if the road under sign 5.3 allows higher speeds for most vehicles, the bus falls under a separate rule of clause 12.6.
Analyzing the options helps reinforce the logic: 80 km/h applies to another case from clause 12.6 (specifically buses/minibuses when transporting organized groups of children), as well as some other categories, so for a regular bus without this condition, it is not the basic limit. 100, 110, and 130 km/h are typical benchmarks for "other vehicles" on different types of roads (including highways and roads with a median strip), but they do not apply to buses, for which a separate upper limit is directly established. That is why the correct choice in this theoretical exam is the option with the limit specified for buses in subparagraph 12.6 (g).
Clause 12.6
Outside populated areas on all roads, as well as on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 “Beginning of a populated area”, the following speed limits apply: 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 motorway marked with road sign 5.1 “Motorway” — no more than 130 km/h, on a road with separate carriageways divided by a median — no more than 110 km/h, on other roads — no more than 90 km/h.
Brief application: regardless of the type of road outside populated areas (including “Road for motor vehicles”), a special upper limit of 90 km/h applies to buses (except minibuses) according to subparagraph “d”.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.3 “Road for motor vehicles”
“Sign 5.3 ‘Road for motor vehicles’ is used to designate a road intended only for the movement of cars, buses, and motorcycles, and on which special traffic conditions apply as provided in section 27 of these Rules (except for clause 27.3).”
Brief application: the question clarifies that the movement takes place specifically on a road marked with sign 5.3; however, the maximum speed for a bus is determined by clause 12.6 (subparagraph “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 the carriage of passengers and their luggage, providing the necessary comfort and safety.
Brief application: for this type of vehicle, clause 12.6 establishes a separate limit (90 km/h) with the reservation “except minibuses”.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.51 “Beginning of a populated area”
“Beginning of a populated area” — indicates the start of a populated area, on the roads of which the requirements of these Rules apply, establishing the procedure for movement within populated areas.
Brief application: clause 12.6 directly extends “out-of-town” speed limits also to roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51.
That is, the correct answer is “90 km/h”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules for buses (except minibuses) outside populated areas (including on a road marked with sign 5.3 “Road for motor vehicles”), the maximum permitted speed is no more than 90 km/h according to clause 12.6 (subparagraph “d”).
Sign 5.3 “Road for motor vehicles” designates a road intended for cars, buses, and motorcycles, and establishes special traffic conditions for it. Students often mistakenly focus only on the “general” permitted speed for such a road (up to 110 km/h), but for certain types of vehicles, the Traffic Rules set lower limits.
To answer correctly, you need to refer to paragraph 12.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which defines maximum speeds outside populated areas (as well as on sections within populated areas marked with sign 5.51 “Start of populated area” on a blue background). In this paragraph, buses are singled out: for buses, except minibuses, a limit of no more than 90 km/h is set.
Therefore, even if the road is marked with the “Road for motor vehicles” sign and for most vehicles a speed of up to 110 km/h is allowed, a bus as a vehicle category falls under the special restriction from paragraph 12.6. For example, on such a road, a passenger car may travel faster, but a bus driver (not a minibus) is required to observe the 90 km/h limit.
Thus, the correct answer is “90 km/h,” since for buses (except minibuses) paragraph 12.6 of the Traffic Rules sets a special speed limit, which takes precedence over the general speed for a road marked with the “Road for motor vehicles” sign.