Chris owns and drives a small urban artic carrying his own goods in the UK. Chris has recently updated his health & safety qualification.
Close to Chris' yard, there are a few small villages he has to pass daily, travelling down narrow lanes. He has to travel slowly and has to use his horn around some corners.
Chris has been on a SAFED course but is still unable to save fuel. On route to his delivery, Chris stops to take his working time directive break and discovers a slight air leak coming from the front of the truck.
Close to Chris' yard, there are a few small villages he has to pass daily, travelling down narrow lanes. He has to travel slowly and has to use his horn around some corners.
Chris has been on a SAFED course but is still unable to save fuel. On route to his delivery, Chris stops to take his working time directive break and discovers a slight air leak coming from the front of the truck.
There are 7 multiple choice questions in this case study. Read this carefully and ensure you fully understand the scenario before starting the test. You need to score 6 out of 7 to pass.
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Click on an answer to view the correct choice along with the explanation.
Correct Answer: A, B
Explanation: • Engine idle limiter: No.
• Disc brakes: No, this would only have an effect on the braking capability of the vehicle.
• Air deflectors: Yes, air deflectors, commonly found on the cab roof, deflect the air more smoothly over the body of the truck or trailer.
• Body skirts: Yes, skirts, generally found under (or as part of) the front bumper or along the sides of vehicles or trailers, deflect the wind more smoothly around the vehicle thus reducing drag.
Explanation: • Engine idle limiter: No.
• Disc brakes: No, this would only have an effect on the braking capability of the vehicle.
• Air deflectors: Yes, air deflectors, commonly found on the cab roof, deflect the air more smoothly over the body of the truck or trailer.
• Body skirts: Yes, skirts, generally found under (or as part of) the front bumper or along the sides of vehicles or trailers, deflect the wind more smoothly around the vehicle thus reducing drag.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Contact the office to send a fitter: Not the best answer here.
• Ignore it as he is nearly at his destination: A fault as potentially serious as this cannot be ignored.
• Make a note in his defect book and hand it in at the end of his shift: Although it must be noted in a defect report, Chris would not be sensible to carry on driving without taking advice from a qualified person or having the defect repaired.
• Make a note in the defect book and seek advice from a qualified fitter before proceeding: Yes, this is the best answer here.
Explanation: • Contact the office to send a fitter: Not the best answer here.
• Ignore it as he is nearly at his destination: A fault as potentially serious as this cannot be ignored.
• Make a note in his defect book and hand it in at the end of his shift: Although it must be noted in a defect report, Chris would not be sensible to carry on driving without taking advice from a qualified person or having the defect repaired.
• Make a note in the defect book and seek advice from a qualified fitter before proceeding: Yes, this is the best answer here.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • Change gear later keeping the rev counter in the amber: No, the rev counter should be kept in the green for as long as possible in order to obtain best fuel economy.
• Keep the gears in the low range for as long as possible: No, this will require higher revs to maintain the same speed and will increase fuel consumption dramatically as well as put more stress on many engine parts.
• Staying off motorways and dual carriageways as much as possible to keep the speed down: No, being on motorways and dual carriageways does not automatically mean that the vehicle has to be driven faster or less economically. These roads make it easier to maintain speed and use the cruise control (if fitted) which both improve fuel efficiency.
• Change gear earlier keeping the rev counter in the green: Yes, keeping the rev counter in the green is best practice for fuel economy.
Explanation: • Change gear later keeping the rev counter in the amber: No, the rev counter should be kept in the green for as long as possible in order to obtain best fuel economy.
• Keep the gears in the low range for as long as possible: No, this will require higher revs to maintain the same speed and will increase fuel consumption dramatically as well as put more stress on many engine parts.
• Staying off motorways and dual carriageways as much as possible to keep the speed down: No, being on motorways and dual carriageways does not automatically mean that the vehicle has to be driven faster or less economically. These roads make it easier to maintain speed and use the cruise control (if fitted) which both improve fuel efficiency.
• Change gear earlier keeping the rev counter in the green: Yes, keeping the rev counter in the green is best practice for fuel economy.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • Standard national: No, this would be legal but is not the best option here.
• Standard international: No, this would be legal but is not the best option here.
• National restricted: No, there is no such licence.
• Restricted: Yes, because Chris is only carrying his own goods.
Explanation: • Standard national: No, this would be legal but is not the best option here.
• Standard international: No, this would be legal but is not the best option here.
• National restricted: No, there is no such licence.
• Restricted: Yes, because Chris is only carrying his own goods.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 45 hours: No, this is the maximum number of hours he could drive, not work.
• 48 hours: No, this is the maximum average number of hours a person can work over a given reference period.
• 90 hours: No, it is less than this.
• 60 hours: Yes, this is the maximum allowed working time under the Working Time Directive.
Explanation: • 45 hours: No, this is the maximum number of hours he could drive, not work.
• 48 hours: No, this is the maximum average number of hours a person can work over a given reference period.
• 90 hours: No, it is less than this.
• 60 hours: Yes, this is the maximum allowed working time under the Working Time Directive.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 45 minutes: No, this is the requirement after 4.5 hours driving under the EU drivers hours regulation EU 561/2006.
• 20 minutes: No, this is the requirement for a "non-mobile" worker under the Working Time Directive.
• 15 minutes: No, this would only be part of the break requirement.
• 30 minutes: Yes, the Working time Directive provides that if a worker works between 6 and 9 hours s/he requires a break of 30 minutes (or two breaks of at least 15 minutes).
Explanation: • 45 minutes: No, this is the requirement after 4.5 hours driving under the EU drivers hours regulation EU 561/2006.
• 20 minutes: No, this is the requirement for a "non-mobile" worker under the Working Time Directive.
• 15 minutes: No, this would only be part of the break requirement.
• 30 minutes: Yes, the Working time Directive provides that if a worker works between 6 and 9 hours s/he requires a break of 30 minutes (or two breaks of at least 15 minutes).
7. Having started work at 06:00 how long can Chris work for, before he needs to stop for a working time directive break?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 4.5 hours: No, this 4.5 hour period is only in relation to driving. • 2 hours: No. • 9 hours: No, but if the worker works for more than 9 hours s/he is required to take a further 15 minute break. • 6 hours: Yes.
Explanation: • 4.5 hours: No, this 4.5 hour period is only in relation to driving. • 2 hours: No. • 9 hours: No, but if the worker works for more than 9 hours s/he is required to take a further 15 minute break. • 6 hours: Yes.