The low air pressure warning buzzer sounds while driving. What should the driver do?
Continue slowly to the depot
Pump the brake pedal to build air
Stop safely as soon as possible
Switch to the exhaust brake only
Show the answer
C. Stop safely as soon as possible
Low pressure means the brakes may soon be ineffective or may apply by themselves, so the driver should stop in a safe place and have the fault found. Pumping the pedal uses up the air that remains.
Reference: DVSA Official Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles, braking systems
A driver's walkaround check finds no faults. What does good practice require for the record?
A 'nil defect' report is recorded
Nothing needs to be recorded
The operator is phoned to confirm
The previous day's sheet is re-used
Show the answer
A. A 'nil defect' report is recorded
Recording 'nil' defects shows that the check was actually carried out and gives the operator an audit trail. An absence of paperwork cannot prove the vehicle was checked.
Reference: DVSA Guide to maintaining roadworthiness
A driver wants to split the 45-minute break. Which split meets the assimilated EU rules?
30 minutes, then 15 minutes later
15 minutes, then 30 minutes later
Three breaks of 15 minutes each
20 minutes, then 25 minutes later
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B. 15 minutes, then 30 minutes later
A split break must be a first part of at least 15 minutes followed by a second part of at least 30 minutes, in that order. Taking 30 then 15 adds up to 45 minutes but is the wrong way round, so the second part does not qualify.
DVSA guidance says a load securing system should withstand what proportion of the load's weight in the forward direction?
100% of the load weight
50% of the load weight
75% of the load weight
25% of the load weight
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A. 100% of the load weight
The system should resist a force equal to the whole weight of the load forwards, to cope with heavy braking. Half the load weight is the figure for the sides and the rear.
Reference: DVSA Load securing: vehicle operator guidance; DfT Code of Practice, Safety of Loads on Vehicles
A red X is shown above a lane on a smart motorway. What does it mean?
The lane is for lorries only
A 50 mph limit applies in the lane
The lane ends in 800 yards
The lane is closed; do not drive in it
Show the answer
D. The lane is closed; do not drive in it
A red X means the lane is closed, often to protect people or a stopped vehicle ahead, and driving in it is an offence. It is not an advisory signal and no speed is permitted in that lane.
