U-turns and signs 4.1.1, 5.15.2, 5.3: explained

Sign 4.1.1 "Straight ahead" allows only straight ahead, and a U-turn is allowed only by signs that allow a left turn. A 4.1.1 sign before an intersection applies only to the crossing of carriageways it stands before. A 4.1.1 sign beyond the intersection, at the start of a road section, applies up to the next intersection and does not ban a right turn into yards.

Sign 5.15.1 or 5.15.2 over the leftmost lane that allows a left turn also allows a U-turn from that lane. On a road with sign 5.3, automobiles and motorcycles are allowed, but mopeds are not. A licence of category D and subcategory D1 is issued from age 21, and from 19 to persons conscripted into the RA Armed Forces and other troops (Law, Article 27, part 3).

Common traps

• "Sign 4.1.1 applies to the end of the road" — wrong: a sign before an intersection applies only to the crossing it stands before.
• "A road with a dividing strip is one crossing" — wrong: a crossed road with a dividing strip has two carriageways, so two crossings.
• "Sign 4.1.1 also bans turning right into a yard" — wrong: a sign that applies up to the next intersection does not ban a right turn into yards.
• "If you may turn left, you may U-turn" — wrong: with a separate leftmost lane for turning left, a U-turn from the middle lane is not allowed.
• "A road with sign 5.3 is open to every motor vehicle" — wrong: mopeds, tractors and self-propelled machines are banned.
• "A conscript gets category D at 18" — wrong: the age is 19.

Sign 4.1.1 and U-turns

Sign 4.1.1 "Straight ahead" allows only straight ahead. A U-turn is allowed only by signs that allow a left turn, so you may not U-turn where 4.1.1 applies.

But the sign applies only to "its own" crossing. If the road being crossed has a dividing strip, there are two crossings of carriageways. The sign applies at the first; past the dividing strip, at the second carriageway, it no longer does. So a U-turn is allowed there. Other U-turn bans are in the U-turn article.

The position of the sign matters too. A sign before the intersection applies only to that crossing. A sign beyond the intersection, at the start of a road section, applies up to the next intersection but does not ban a right turn into yards.

Sign 5.15.2 and U-turns from a lane

Sign 5.15.2 "Directions of traffic in the lane" shows where you may continue from your lane. Only the sign that allows a left turn from the leftmost lane also allows a U-turn. If there is a separate leftmost lane for turning left, you may not U-turn from yours (for example, the middle one). More on choosing a lane in the left turn article.

Sign 5.3

On a road with sign 5.3 "Road for automobiles", automobiles (cars, trucks, buses) and motorcycles may travel. Motorway rules apply there and ban mopeds, tractors and self-propelled machines (Rules, points 116 and 117).

A law question: the age for category D

A licence of category "D" and subcategory "D1" is generally issued from age 21, and to persons conscripted into the RA Armed Forces and other troops from 19. In both cases the person must already hold a category "B" or "C" licence or a "C1" subcategory licence (Law, Article 27, part 3, point 2). Ages for the other categories are in the article on age and categories.

Seven test questions explained

Below are seven questions. Each describes the picture, the correct answer, why the other options are wrong, the trap, how to remember it, and the Rules point or Law article. The number is the question's number in its group (group 4; the last question is group 2). It is the same in the Armenian, Russian and English versions and matches the official question bank. The questions about entering a yard when 4.1.1 stands beyond the intersection and about driving from the middle lane when there is a separate left-turn lane are explained in the article on the most missed sign questions.

Question 85. U-turn at sign 4.1.1 and a dividing strip (path A is correct)

In the picture. Before the intersection, on the right, sign 4.1.1 "Straight ahead". The road being crossed has a dividing strip. Two paths: B is a U-turn at the crossing of the first carriageway, A is a U-turn past the dividing strip.

Correct answer. Only A.

Why the others are wrong. The sign applies only to the crossing of carriageways it stands before. There are two crossings: at the first a U-turn (B) is banned, at the second (A) it is allowed. So "Only B" and "Banned on both paths" are wrong.

The trap. It seems the sign bans a U-turn across the whole intersection, on both carriageways.

How to remember. A dividing strip means two crossings. The sign applies only to the first.

Rule. Rules, sign 4.1.1.

Practice: group 4

Question 152. U-turn at sign 4.1.1, a different picture (path B is correct)

In the picture. Sign 4.1.1 "Straight ahead" on the right, sign 3.1 "No entry" on the left. The road being crossed has a dividing strip. Two paths: A is a U-turn at the first crossing, B is a U-turn past the dividing strip, on the second carriageway.

Correct answer. Only B.

Why the others are wrong. Path A is a U-turn at the first crossing, where sign 4.1.1 applies, so it is banned. Path B runs past the dividing strip, at the crossing of the second carriageway, where the sign no longer applies. So "Only A" and "Any" are wrong.

The trap. In question 85 A was correct, here it is B. The letter shows where the path is, not what the rule is.

How to remember. Don't remember the letter, remember the position: banned at the first crossing, allowed past the dividing strip.

Rule. Rules, sign 4.1.1. Signs: 4.1.1, 3.1.

Practice: group 4

Question 133. may you enter a yard when sign 4.1.1 is before the intersection

In the picture. On the right, before the intersection, sign 4.1.1 "Straight ahead". The marked yard is beyond the intersection.

Correct answer. Yes.

Why the other option is wrong. Sign 4.1.1 stands before the intersection, so it applies only to the crossing of carriageways it stands before. The entrance to the yard is beyond the intersection: once you are past the intersection the sign no longer applies, and entering the yard is allowed. So "No" is wrong.

The trap. The sign is visible in the picture, and it seems to still apply at the yard.

How to remember. A sign before the intersection applies until the end of that intersection. A sign beyond the intersection applies to the next one, but a right turn into a yard is allowed.

Rule. Rules, sign 4.1.1.

Practice: group 4

Question 121. leftmost lane: straight and left

In the picture. Over the lanes there are signs 5.15.2 "Directions of traffic in the lane". You are in the leftmost lane, whose sign shows straight and left. Markings: 1.3, 1.1, 1.5, 1.14.1.

Correct answer. Straight ahead, left and a U-turn.

Why the others are wrong. The sign over your leftmost lane allows straight ahead and left. A 5.15.2 sign that allows a left turn from the leftmost lane also allows a U-turn from that lane. So "Only left" and "Straight and left" are incomplete.

The trap. Two options look right, but they leave out the U-turn.

How to remember. Leftmost lane plus an allowed left turn means a U-turn too.

Rule. Rules, sign 5.15.2.

Practice: group 4

Question 173. leftmost lane: a left-only sign

In the picture. Over the leftmost lane, sign 5.15.2 with a left arrow only. You are in this lane.

Correct answer. Left and a U-turn.

Why the others are wrong. The sign over the leftmost lane shows only a left turn. Signs 5.15.1 and 5.15.2 that allow a left turn from the leftmost lane also allow a U-turn from it. So "Only left" is incomplete, and "Only straight" is wrong.

The trap. The arrow is left only, so the U-turn seems "not drawn".

How to remember. A left arrow in the leftmost lane includes the U-turn.

Rule. Rules, sign 5.15.2. Signs: 5.15.1, 5.15.2.

Practice: group 4

Question 41. which vehicles may use a road with sign 5.3

In the picture. A blue rectangular sign with a car (5.3 "Road for automobiles").

Correct answer. Automobiles and motorcycles.

Why the others are wrong. On a road with sign 5.3, automobiles (cars, trucks, buses) and motorcycles may travel. Motorway rules apply there and ban mopeds, tractors and self-propelled machines. So "Motor vehicles" ("mechanical vehicles" in the Armenian original) is wrong, and so is "All vehicles". The option about a speed above 40 km/h is wrong too: a moped is banned whatever its speed.

The trap. "Motor vehicles" ("mechanical vehicles" in Armenian) sounds right but includes the moped.

How to remember. There is a car on the sign. Automobiles and motorcycles are allowed, mopeds are not.

Rule. Rules, points 116 and 117. Sign: 5.3.

Practice: group 4

Question 21. category D for conscripts: from what age

The question. Under the RA Law "On Ensuring Road Traffic Safety", from what age may persons conscripted into the RA Armed Forces or other troops be issued a licence for category "D" and subcategory "D1" vehicles: 18, 19, 20 or 21?

Correct answer. 19 years of age.

Why the others are wrong. A licence of category "D" and subcategory "D1" is generally issued from 21, and to persons conscripted into the RA Armed Forces and other troops from 19. So 21 is the general rule, but not the marked answer here. Age 18 in the Law relates to categories A, B, C and subcategories A1, B1, C1, not to D. In both cases the person must already hold a category "B" or "C" licence or a "C1" subcategory licence.

The trap. It is easy to pick 21, the general rule, and not notice the question is about conscripts.

How to remember. D is 21, but for conscripts it is 19. Look for the word "conscripted".

Rule. Law, Article 27, part 3, point 2.

Practice: group 2

How to lock it in

In these questions the answer depends on a detail: the position of a sign, the number of crossings, the position of a lane, or the word "conscripted". The Road signs (group 4) practice is free without registration, and the same rules with point references are in the group 4 theory chapter. Law questions are in the group 2 practice. Once you have steady results on this topic, test yourself in the exam simulation.