Vehicle-Weights-And-Dimensions
What is the maximum permitted gross weight for a standard articulated lorry on six axles in Great Britain?+
- ✓ 44 tonnes
- • 38 tonnes
- • 40 tonnes
- • 50 tonnes
A six-axle artic or drawbar combination may run at up to 44 tonnes gross in Great Britain. Five-axle combinations are limited to 40 tonnes, and lower limits apply to shorter or lighter axle configurations.
What is the maximum width allowed for a normal goods vehicle without special authorisation?+
- • 2.9 metres
- ✓ 2.55 metres
- • 2.0 metres
- • 3.5 metres
A goods vehicle may be up to 2.55 metres wide, or 2.6 metres for a refrigerated body. Anything wider is an abnormal load and needs notification and, in many cases, an attendant or escort.
Your vehicle is 4.1 metres high. What must you do before setting off?+
- • Nothing, as there is no legal height limit in the UK
- • Fit marker boards to the front and rear
- ✓ Display the travelling height in the cab and plan a route that avoids low bridges
- • Reduce the tyre pressures to lower the vehicle
If any part of your vehicle or load is over 3 metres (about 10 feet) high, the travelling height must be shown in the cab where the driver can see it. Plan the route to keep clear of bridges and other low structures.
You strike a railway bridge with the top of your trailer. What must you do first?+
- • Carry on to your delivery and report it later
- • Inspect the trailer and continue if it looks undamaged
- • Move the vehicle away from the bridge before doing anything else
- ✓ Phone the police and the railway authority immediately to stop trains
A bridge strike can leave the structure unsafe for trains. Call the police and the number on the bridge identification plate straight away so rail traffic can be stopped, then follow their instructions.
Why must you pay attention to individual axle weights as well as the gross weight when loading?+
- ✓ An axle can be overloaded even when the vehicle is within its total gross weight limit
- • Axle weights only matter on motorways
- • The tachograph records axle weights automatically
- • Axle weights change the vehicle's insurance group
Poor weight distribution can put an individual axle over its plated limit while the vehicle is still under its maximum gross weight. Both must be within limits, so position the load correctly.
What is a likely consequence of driving an overloaded goods vehicle?+
- • Better grip because of the extra weight on the tyres
- ✓ A fixed penalty or prosecution, a possible prohibition, and increased wear and longer stopping distances
- • Lower fuel consumption
- • No effect provided you drive slowly
Overloading is an offence for the driver and the operator. DVSA can issue penalties and prohibit the vehicle from moving until the load is adjusted. It also overstresses tyres, brakes and the chassis.
Tachograph-Rules
The EU/retained drivers' hours and tachograph rules generally apply to goods vehicles above which weight?+
- ✓ 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass, including the trailer
- • 7.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass
- • 12 tonnes gross train weight
- • 2 tonnes unladen weight
The rules apply to most goods vehicles, or vehicle and trailer combinations, with a maximum authorised mass over 3.5 tonnes used for the carriage of goods by road, subject to some specific exemptions.
How long is a digital tachograph driver card normally valid for?+
- • 1 year
- ✓ 5 years
- • 3 years
- • 10 years
A driver card is valid for 5 years. Apply for a replacement in good time before it expires so you are never left without a valid card.
How many days of tachograph records must you be able to produce to an enforcement officer at the roadside?+
- • The current day only
- • The current day and the previous 7 days
- ✓ The current day and the previous 28 calendar days
- • The previous 14 days
You must carry your driver card plus any charts and printouts for the current day and the previous 28 calendar days, whether you were driving in-scope, out-of-scope or on leave.
Your driver card is lost or stolen. What must you do?+
- • Stop driving in-scope work for a full month
- • Borrow a colleague's card until yours arrives
- • Do nothing until your next tachograph download
- ✓ Report it to the issuing authority (DVLA) within 7 days and apply for a replacement
Report a lost, stolen or malfunctioning card to DVLA within 7 days and apply for a replacement. You may continue to drive for up to 15 working days by making start and end printouts and adding your details by hand.
A colleague asks to use your driver card because theirs is faulty. What should you do?+
- ✓ Refuse; a driver card is personal and using someone else's is a serious offence
- • Lend it to them for that shift only
- • Let them use it if a manager agrees
- • Swap cards so both sets of records look complete
A driver card identifies one named driver. Using another person's card, or letting someone use yours, falsifies the records and is a serious offence for both drivers and can lead to prosecution.
Which activity does a digital tachograph record automatically without you setting the mode switch?+
- • A rest period
- ✓ Driving
- • Period of availability
- • Other work
Driving is recorded automatically whenever the vehicle moves. You must use the mode switch to record other work, periods of availability and breaks or rest when the vehicle is stationary.
Driver-Hours-And-Rest
Under the EU/retained drivers' hours rules, what is the normal maximum daily driving time?+
- ✓ 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week
- • 8 hours
- • 11 hours
- • 10 hours every day
You may drive for up to 9 hours between daily rest periods, and you may increase this to 10 hours on no more than two occasions in a fixed week.
After how much driving must you take a break, and how long must it be?+
- • After 5 hours, a 30-minute break
- ✓ After 4.5 hours of driving, a break of at least 45 minutes
- • After 6 hours, a 20-minute break
- • After 4 hours, a 60-minute break
After no more than 4.5 hours of driving you must take a break of at least 45 minutes, unless you begin a rest period. It can be split into a break of at least 15 minutes followed by one of at least 30 minutes.
What is the maximum driving time allowed in one fixed week?+
- • 45 hours
- • 60 hours
- ✓ 56 hours
- • 48 hours
The weekly driving limit is 56 hours. In addition, driving in any two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours.
What is the maximum driving time over any two consecutive weeks?+
- • 100 hours
- • 112 hours
- • 80 hours
- ✓ 90 hours
Driving over two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours. So if you drove 56 hours one week, you could drive no more than 34 hours the next.
What is a regular daily rest period?+
- ✓ At least 11 hours
- • 8 hours
- • 9 hours
- • 12 hours only if taken in one block
A regular daily rest is at least 11 hours. It may be taken in two parts of 3 hours then 9 hours (12 in total). A reduced daily rest of at least 9 hours is allowed up to three times between weekly rests.
How many reduced daily rest periods are you allowed between two weekly rest periods?+
- • Unlimited
- ✓ Three
- • One
- • Two
You may reduce your daily rest to a minimum of 9 hours on no more than three occasions between any two weekly rest periods. There is no requirement to compensate a reduced daily rest.
Vehicle-Safety-Checks
When must a driver's daily walkaround check be carried out?+
- ✓ Before the vehicle is first used each day
- • Once a week is enough
- • Only when the vehicle changes driver
- • At the operator's next planned maintenance inspection
The driver must complete a walkaround check before the vehicle is first used each working day, and be satisfied it is roadworthy. Planned maintenance inspections by the operator are a separate requirement.
During your check the low air pressure warning light and buzzer come on when you switch the ignition on. What should happen next?+
- • They should stay on until the engine reaches operating temperature
- ✓ They should go out as the air pressure builds up to the normal operating range
- • They should flash continuously while driving
- • They only work when the vehicle is moving
The warning light and audible warning should clear once the compressor has built the air pressure up to normal. If they do not, or come on while driving, do not drive; there may be a leak or compressor fault.
What is the minimum legal tread depth for the tyres of a goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes?+
- • 1.6 mm across the full width
- • 2 mm across the centre only
- ✓ 1 mm across at least three-quarters of the breadth of the tread, in a continuous band all the way round
- • Any visible tread
For goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, the tread must be at least 1 mm deep across at least three-quarters of the tread width, in a continuous band around the whole circumference, with visible tread on the rest.
During your walkaround you see a rust-coloured streak running down from one wheel nut and a paint marker that no longer lines up. What does this suggest?+
- • The wheel has been recently washed
- • The tyre is over-inflated
- • The brake is binding on that wheel
- ✓ The wheel nut is loose or the wheel has moved, and it must be checked before driving
A rust or oil streak from a nut, a misaligned position marker, or a raised wheel-nut indicator all point to a loose fixing. Have it checked and torqued correctly before the vehicle is driven.
You complete your walkaround and find nothing wrong. What should you do about the defect report?+
- ✓ Complete a nil-defect report to record that the check was done and no defects were found
- • Only fill one in when there is a defect
- • Report it verbally to the transport office
- • Leave the report book blank for that day
A record of the check must be made whether or not defects are found. A nil-defect report shows the check took place. Any defects must be recorded and reported so they can be repaired and signed off.
After coupling a semi-trailer, how can you confirm the fifth wheel has locked onto the kingpin?+
- • Listen for the engine note to change
- ✓ Do a tug test: with the trailer parking brake on, gently try to pull away in a low gear
- • Check the trailer lights all work
- • Look at the tyre pressures on the trailer
With the trailer brake applied, select a low gear and gently attempt to pull forward. The unit should not move away from the trailer. Also visually check the fifth wheel jaws are closed and the locking handle or dog clip is home.
Loading-And-Unloading
Load restraint on a goods vehicle should be strong enough to hold the load against a force of roughly how much of its weight acting forwards?+
- ✓ The full weight of the load (100%) acting forwards
- • About one quarter of the load's weight
- • About one tenth of the load's weight
- • No specific figure; it is a matter of judgement
Guidance is that restraint should resist a forward force equal to the full weight of the load, and about half the load weight to the rear and each side. Heavy braking generates almost this much force.
Can the curtains of a standard curtainsided trailer be relied on to restrain the load?+
- • Yes, curtains are always rated for load restraint
- ✓ No, unless the curtains and structure are specifically rated (for example XL-rated) for that purpose
- • Yes, if the load is shrink-wrapped
- • Yes, provided the vehicle stays below 40 mph
Ordinary curtains are weather protection only. Unless the body is a rated load-restraint (XL) system with the certification to prove it, the load must be secured by lashings, blocking or a rated headboard and rear frame.
What does the 'LC' figure marked on a webbing lashing tell you?+
- • The length of the strap in centimetres
- • The year it was manufactured
- ✓ The lashing capacity: the maximum force it is rated to restrain
- • The correct tension to apply in newton metres
LC (lashing capacity) is the rated strength of the assembly. Add up the effective capacity of the lashings used and make sure it meets the restraint needed for the load; never exceed a lashing's rating.
You find one of your ratchet straps has a small cut across about a third of its width. What should you do?+
- • Use it but tension it less
- • Turn the damaged part inwards so it does not show
- • Knot the strap to bypass the cut
- ✓ Take it out of use; a cut, frayed or heat-damaged lashing must not be used
Cuts, fraying, chemical or heat damage and distorted fittings all seriously weaken a lashing. Remove it from service. Always use edge protectors to stop straps being cut by sharp load edges.
What is the main purpose of a strong headboard (or bulkhead) on a flatbed or box body?+
- ✓ To stop the load moving forward into the cab under heavy braking
- • To improve the vehicle's aerodynamics
- • To provide a place to fix the number plate
- • To keep rain off the front of the load
The greatest force on a load comes from braking, throwing it forward. A rated headboard against which the load is stacked provides forward restraint; lashings and blocking deal with the other directions.
How can a rubber friction mat help secure a load?+
- • It replaces the need for any lashings on a heavy load
- ✓ It increases the grip between the load and the bed, reducing how much lashing force is needed
- • It insulates the load from the cold
- • It stops the load being seen by thieves
Friction mats raise the coefficient of friction between the load and the deck, so more of the restraint is provided by grip and fewer or lighter lashings are needed. They do not remove the need for lashings entirely.
Breakdowns-And-Emergencies
Your lorry breaks down on the hard shoulder of a motorway. After switching on hazard lights, what should you do?+
- ✓ Get out by the left-hand door, put on high-visibility clothing, and wait up the bank behind the safety barrier
- • Stay in the cab with your seat belt on
- • Stand at the rear of the trailer to warn traffic
- • Start repairs straight away to clear the lane
Leave the vehicle by the nearside, take passengers with you, wear high-visibility clothing and get well away from the carriageway behind the barrier. Do not attempt repairs on the hard shoulder.
How do the marker posts along a motorway help you when you have broken down?+
- • They show the distance to the next junction
- ✓ They show an arrow to the nearest emergency telephone and a number identifying your location
- • They show the speed limit for that section
- • They mark where you may safely turn around
Marker posts every 100 metres point towards the nearest emergency phone and carry an identifying number. The phone connects directly to a control room that can see your location; give them your details and the marker number.
You are waiting behind the barrier after breaking down and feel threatened by someone who has stopped. What should you do?+
- • Confront them and ask them to leave
- • Walk along the hard shoulder to the next junction
- ✓ Get into your vehicle from the left, lock the doors, and call the emergency services
- • Stand in front of your vehicle so passing drivers see you
If you feel at risk, return to the vehicle by the nearside door, lock yourself in and call for help. Leave again once you feel the danger has passed.
Your lorry is repaired on the hard shoulder and you are ready to rejoin the motorway. What should you do?+
- • Pull straight out into lane one and accelerate
- • Move off slowly and let following traffic move over for you
- • Wait until there is no traffic at all in any lane
- ✓ Build up speed on the hard shoulder, check for a safe gap, then merge into lane one
Use the hard shoulder like a slip road: accelerate to a speed close to the traffic in lane one, use your mirrors and indicators, and merge into a gap without forcing anyone to brake.
You break down in a live running lane on an all-lane-running smart motorway and cannot reach a refuge area. What should you do?+
- ✓ Keep your seat belts on, switch on hazard lights, and if it is safe leave by the left and get behind the barrier; if not, stay belted in and call 999
- • Get out immediately and stand in the lane to warn traffic
- • Reverse back to the last junction
- • Turn the vehicle across the lane to block traffic
In a live lane with no hard shoulder, put on hazard lights, keep everyone belted in if you cannot get out safely, and call 999. The control room can set a red X to close the lane and send help.
You smell burning and see smoke coming from the engine area. What should you do first?+
- • Open the engine cover fully to see the fire
- ✓ Pull off the road where safe, switch off the engine, get everyone out and well clear, and call the fire service
- • Keep driving to the next services
- • Pour water from your flask onto the engine
Stop clear of other vehicles and buildings, switch off, evacuate and move upwind. Only tackle a small fire with the extinguisher, opening the cover just enough to aim at the base of the flames; a fire can flare up when air reaches it.
