Brian is an owner driver who drives a 3 axle articulated tractor unit. He mainly pulls unaccompanied semi-trailers from Felixstowe dock but occasionally is asked to pull skeletal trailers with 40 ft containers on board. The containers carry a wide range of goods and can vary from reasonably light loads to maximum weight loads.
Brian has gradually improved his vehicle so that today he operates a 1 year old tractor unit which is fitted with a bunk.
Brian has gradually improved his vehicle so that today he operates a 1 year old tractor unit which is fitted with a bunk.
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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1. When purchasing the vehicle Brian specified that it must contain a bunk, why was this?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • He wanted the extra room that the bunk space would provide: No, this would not be a good use of the extra money required for the bunk fitment and would not make economic sense.
• He sometimes takes his young son with him and this is a useful space where he can play as Brian drives: No, this would be dangerous and if any passengers were carried in the vehicle, they must use seats fitted with seat belts and use the seat belts provided.
• It makes the vehicle easier to sell after 5 years: No, it would not make economic sense to specify any extras on a vehicle with a view to subsequent resale as their value after this length of time would have depreciated significantly.
• It is legally required if he wants to take his regular daily rest in the vehicle: Yes, EU 561/2006, the Drivers Hours regulations require that where a daily rest is taken on the vehicle then that vehicle must be fitted with a bunk.
Explanation: • He wanted the extra room that the bunk space would provide: No, this would not be a good use of the extra money required for the bunk fitment and would not make economic sense.
• He sometimes takes his young son with him and this is a useful space where he can play as Brian drives: No, this would be dangerous and if any passengers were carried in the vehicle, they must use seats fitted with seat belts and use the seat belts provided.
• It makes the vehicle easier to sell after 5 years: No, it would not make economic sense to specify any extras on a vehicle with a view to subsequent resale as their value after this length of time would have depreciated significantly.
• It is legally required if he wants to take his regular daily rest in the vehicle: Yes, EU 561/2006, the Drivers Hours regulations require that where a daily rest is taken on the vehicle then that vehicle must be fitted with a bunk.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • It would give more traction when running unladen: No, when unladen, the middle axle of this particular configuration would lift off the ground and that axle would not, in any case, be a driven axle.
• It would give more traction when running laden: No, the extra axle would probably not be a driven axle and would, if anything, reduce traction when laden as it would be carrying a proportion of the weight away from the drive axle.
• It is cheaper to run than the 2-axle equivalent: No, it would almost certainly be more expensive to run as it has extra brakes, wheels and tyres that need to be serviced and replaced.
• It would allow him to operate at 44 tonnes gross train weight with the appropriate semi-trailer: Yes, with an articulated vehicle combination, it is only a THREE axle tractor unit used with a THREE axle semi-trailer that can be used at the maximum gross train weight of 44 tonnes.
Explanation: • It would give more traction when running unladen: No, when unladen, the middle axle of this particular configuration would lift off the ground and that axle would not, in any case, be a driven axle.
• It would give more traction when running laden: No, the extra axle would probably not be a driven axle and would, if anything, reduce traction when laden as it would be carrying a proportion of the weight away from the drive axle.
• It is cheaper to run than the 2-axle equivalent: No, it would almost certainly be more expensive to run as it has extra brakes, wheels and tyres that need to be serviced and replaced.
• It would allow him to operate at 44 tonnes gross train weight with the appropriate semi-trailer: Yes, with an articulated vehicle combination, it is only a THREE axle tractor unit used with a THREE axle semi-trailer that can be used at the maximum gross train weight of 44 tonnes.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The following are all things that COULD happen and are therefore incorrect answers to this question:
• It would miss the trailer pin and possibly damage the tractor unit.
• It would cause damage to the trailer headboard.
• It could damage the air coupling valve on the trailer.
This answer is correct because it is not a possible consequence of failing to adjust the tractor height:
• It could cause a puncture on the 5th wheel: No, the 5th wheel is a metal plate and it does not have a tyre that could be punctured.
Explanation: The following are all things that COULD happen and are therefore incorrect answers to this question:
• It would miss the trailer pin and possibly damage the tractor unit.
• It would cause damage to the trailer headboard.
• It could damage the air coupling valve on the trailer.
This answer is correct because it is not a possible consequence of failing to adjust the tractor height:
• It could cause a puncture on the 5th wheel: No, the 5th wheel is a metal plate and it does not have a tyre that could be punctured.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • Check the trailer brake is released: No, the trailer brake should be applied.
• Open the rear doors of the trailer and check the load for damage: No, it is not always possible to open the doors as they may be locked and/or sealed.
• Check the semi-trailer is on firm, level ground: No, this should be done prior to stopping or immediately thereafter.
• Leave the paperwork in the back of the trailer: No, it is not always possible to open the doors as they may be locked and/or sealed.
• Check the trailer brake is applied: Yes, even though this is the first thing that the driver should do, it is good practice to check it is applied before leaving the scene.
Explanation: • Check the trailer brake is released: No, the trailer brake should be applied.
• Open the rear doors of the trailer and check the load for damage: No, it is not always possible to open the doors as they may be locked and/or sealed.
• Check the semi-trailer is on firm, level ground: No, this should be done prior to stopping or immediately thereafter.
• Leave the paperwork in the back of the trailer: No, it is not always possible to open the doors as they may be locked and/or sealed.
• Check the trailer brake is applied: Yes, even though this is the first thing that the driver should do, it is good practice to check it is applied before leaving the scene.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: •ADR: No, it would only be subject to ADR if the trailer was carrying dangerous goods.
• EGR: No, this abbreviation refers to a type of engine system i.e. one which has Exhaust Gas Recirculation to reduce emissions.
•ATP: No, ATP is only concerned with the international carriage of PERISHABLE goods.
• CMR: Yes, because the goods are on an international journey from Holland to the UK, they are subject to CMR even though Brian's part of the journey is, for him, a national one.
Explanation: •ADR: No, it would only be subject to ADR if the trailer was carrying dangerous goods.
• EGR: No, this abbreviation refers to a type of engine system i.e. one which has Exhaust Gas Recirculation to reduce emissions.
•ATP: No, ATP is only concerned with the international carriage of PERISHABLE goods.
• CMR: Yes, because the goods are on an international journey from Holland to the UK, they are subject to CMR even though Brian's part of the journey is, for him, a national one.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • None: No, if there is 5 hours driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, he will need to take at least one 45 minute break.
• Two: No, if there is only 5 hours driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, then he will only need to take at least one 45 minute break.
• Three: No, if there is only 5 hours driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, then he will only need to take at least one 45 minute break.
• One: Yes, if there are 5 hours of driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, he will need to take at least one 45 minute break.
Explanation: • None: No, if there is 5 hours driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, he will need to take at least one 45 minute break.
• Two: No, if there is only 5 hours driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, then he will only need to take at least one 45 minute break.
• Three: No, if there is only 5 hours driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, then he will only need to take at least one 45 minute break.
• One: Yes, if there are 5 hours of driving time and Brian must take a break after 4.5 hours of driving, he will need to take at least one 45 minute break.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • Green card: No, this document simply extends a person's vehicle insurance to the same level of cover they have in the UK whilst driving abroad.
• MPQC card: No, this Mineral Products Qualification Council card only relates to drivers carrying mineral products e.g. from quarries etc. It is a basic health & safety qualification for those engaged in this type of work.
• MPQC card and analogue tachograph card: No, the vehicle is too new to have an analogue tachograph unit and the MPQC does not apply here.
• DQC and Digital tachograph driver card: Yes, the driver will need to carry his Driver qualification card at all times and as the vehicle is only 1 year old and will therefore be fitted with a digital tachograph, he will also need a digital tachograph card for it.
Explanation: • Green card: No, this document simply extends a person's vehicle insurance to the same level of cover they have in the UK whilst driving abroad.
• MPQC card: No, this Mineral Products Qualification Council card only relates to drivers carrying mineral products e.g. from quarries etc. It is a basic health & safety qualification for those engaged in this type of work.
• MPQC card and analogue tachograph card: No, the vehicle is too new to have an analogue tachograph unit and the MPQC does not apply here.
• DQC and Digital tachograph driver card: Yes, the driver will need to carry his Driver qualification card at all times and as the vehicle is only 1 year old and will therefore be fitted with a digital tachograph, he will also need a digital tachograph card for it.