8.1.8. Are you allowed to turn left in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено Вам повернути ліворуч у даній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of passing intersections in situations where traffic is regulated not by a traffic light or signs, but by a traffic controller. Such cases are often included in the theoretical exam because they test the driver's ability to quickly determine the permitted directions of movement based on the controller's gestures and to avoid making a dangerous maneuver that contradicts the requirements of the traffic rules.
The question checks the section of the Traffic Rules about the signals of the traffic controller and their priority (clauses 8.3 and 8.8 a). According to this signal of the controller, for non-rail vehicles approaching from the left or right side, only straight and right turns are permitted. Accordingly, the option "prohibited" is correct, because turning left is not included in the list of permitted maneuvers. Options suggesting a left turn with or without yielding are incorrect: in this case, the issue of right of way is not considered, since the maneuver itself is not allowed according to the controller's signal.
Practical conclusion for learning: if there is a traffic controller at the intersection, first determine from which side you are approaching relative to their body, and which directions of movement are permitted by this gesture. Only after that does it make sense to analyze possible trajectory conflicts and yielding. This rule helps to avoid typical mistakes on the exam and in real traffic, when drivers mistakenly follow the "usual" rules for passing intersections of equal roads instead of the requirements of the controller.
Clause 8.3
The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals, the requirements of road signs, and road markings, and are mandatory for all road users.
Application: in an intersection situation, you must follow the gesture of the traffic controller (even if signs/markings might allow another maneuver).
Clause 8.8 a)
"Signals of the traffic controller. The signals of the traffic controller are the position of their body, as well as hand gestures, including with a baton or a disc with a red reflector, which have the following meanings: a) arms extended to the sides, lowered, or the right arm bent in front of the chest: • from the left and right sides — trams are allowed to go straight, non-rail vehicles are allowed to go straight and to the right; pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway behind the back and in front of the chest of the controller; • from the chest and back sides — movement of all vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited."
Application: for non-rail vehicles approaching the controller from the left or right side with such arm positions, only "straight" and "right" directions are allowed, so turning left is prohibited.
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, with the controller's signal under clause 8.8 a) from the left/right side, non-rail vehicles are allowed to go only straight or right, and the controller's signals are a priority (clause 8.3).
In this situation, the order of movement at the intersection is determined not by markings or signs, but by the signals of the traffic controller. According to paragraph 8.3 of the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to comply with the requirements of the controller, and these take priority.
The position of the controller shown in the task (arms extended to the sides or lowered, or the right arm bent in front of the chest), according to paragraph 8.8 a), means that for non-rail vehicles approaching from the left or right side of the controller, movement is allowed only straight ahead or to the right. Turning left with such a signal is not among the permitted directions.
Since your vehicle is a non-rail vehicle and is located on the right side of the controller, the intention to turn left contradicts the permitted directions of movement for this signal. Therefore, even if in the absence of a controller it would be possible to analyze the order of passage, in this case, it does not apply: the controller's signal directly restricts the direction of movement.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," because with the controller's signal according to p. 8.8 a), non-rail vehicles on the right side are allowed to go only straight or to the right, and turning left is not permitted.