James drives a 40 tonne articulated vehicle for an international company carrying groupage mainly between the UK, France. Germany, Italy and Switzerland, but occasionally travels as far as Turkey to deliver car parts.
James had a 36 hour weekly rest last weekend in the UK and has driven for 48 hours so far this week. He is currently in France and is trying to get back to the UK today. His truck is fitted with a digital tachograph and speed limiter.
James had a 36 hour weekly rest last weekend in the UK and has driven for 48 hours so far this week. He is currently in France and is trying to get back to the UK today. His truck is fitted with a digital tachograph and speed limiter.
There are 10 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 8 out of 10 to pass.
Test Quick View
Click on an answer to view the correct choice along with the explanation.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • One in the machine and one spare: No, the number is not laid down in law.
• One in the machine and 2 spare: No, the number is not laid down in law.
• One in the machine and a spare box of three rolls: No, there is no such requirement.
• Sufficient to be able to make a print out at any time when necessary or requested to do so: Yes, the law merely states that the driver should be able to make a print-out when required to do so by an authorised officer or when he might otherwise need to.
Explanation: • One in the machine and one spare: No, the number is not laid down in law.
• One in the machine and 2 spare: No, the number is not laid down in law.
• One in the machine and a spare box of three rolls: No, there is no such requirement.
• Sufficient to be able to make a print out at any time when necessary or requested to do so: Yes, the law merely states that the driver should be able to make a print-out when required to do so by an authorised officer or when he might otherwise need to.
2. When using a ferry or train, what is the minimum number of hours that a daily rest can be reduced to?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • 8 hours: No, this is not sufficient to qualify for any daily rest period.
• 9 hours: No, although it is possible to reduce a daily rest to 9 hours, it is only a 'regular daily' rest that can be interrupted to board/disembark a ferry or train and a 'regular daily rest' is a minimum of 11 hours.
• 10 hours: No, although it is possible to reduce a daily rest to a minimum of 9 hours, it is only a 'regular daily' rest that can be interrupted to board/disembark a ferry or train and a 'regular daily rest' is a minimum of 11 hours.
• 11 hours: Yes, although it is possible to reduce a daily rest to 9 hours, it is only a 'regular daily' rest that can be interrupted to board/disembark a ferry or train and a 'regular daily rest' is a minimum of 11 hours.
Explanation: • 8 hours: No, this is not sufficient to qualify for any daily rest period.
• 9 hours: No, although it is possible to reduce a daily rest to 9 hours, it is only a 'regular daily' rest that can be interrupted to board/disembark a ferry or train and a 'regular daily rest' is a minimum of 11 hours.
• 10 hours: No, although it is possible to reduce a daily rest to a minimum of 9 hours, it is only a 'regular daily' rest that can be interrupted to board/disembark a ferry or train and a 'regular daily rest' is a minimum of 11 hours.
• 11 hours: Yes, although it is possible to reduce a daily rest to 9 hours, it is only a 'regular daily' rest that can be interrupted to board/disembark a ferry or train and a 'regular daily rest' is a minimum of 11 hours.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The following are all things he DOES need to do, so are not correct answers to this question:
• That no one has entered or interfered with the load compartment: The driver could face a penalty of £2.000 per body for any illegal entrants found in the vehicle.
• There is no one on the roof of the vehicle: The driver could face a penalty of £2.000 per body for any illegal entrants found in or on the vehicle.
• No suspicious packages have been placed in any external places on the vehicle or trailer: The time James has been away from the vehicle provides a good opportunity for someone to place or recover drugs from a vehicle.
This answer is correct because it is something he does NOT need to do:
• That the radio aerial is fully extended: This would not be a required action.
Explanation: The following are all things he DOES need to do, so are not correct answers to this question:
• That no one has entered or interfered with the load compartment: The driver could face a penalty of £2.000 per body for any illegal entrants found in the vehicle.
• There is no one on the roof of the vehicle: The driver could face a penalty of £2.000 per body for any illegal entrants found in or on the vehicle.
• No suspicious packages have been placed in any external places on the vehicle or trailer: The time James has been away from the vehicle provides a good opportunity for someone to place or recover drugs from a vehicle.
This answer is correct because it is something he does NOT need to do:
• That the radio aerial is fully extended: This would not be a required action.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Stop driving immediately and ask for another driver to be sent out to pick up the vehicle: No, there is no need for this. • Report it to DVLA within 15 days and make manual entries on the print-out paper: No, a lost card must be reported to DVLA as soon as possible and in any case within 7 days' once this has been done the driver can drive for 15 days making print-outs each day.
• Keep records on the older analogue tachograph charts: No, records must be made via the digital tachograph.
• Take a print out at the start and end of each duty and write his name, driver number and signature on it: Yes, and the driver would also need to use the mode switch to reflect his activity.
Explanation: • Stop driving immediately and ask for another driver to be sent out to pick up the vehicle: No, there is no need for this. • Report it to DVLA within 15 days and make manual entries on the print-out paper: No, a lost card must be reported to DVLA as soon as possible and in any case within 7 days' once this has been done the driver can drive for 15 days making print-outs each day.
• Keep records on the older analogue tachograph charts: No, records must be made via the digital tachograph.
• Take a print out at the start and end of each duty and write his name, driver number and signature on it: Yes, and the driver would also need to use the mode switch to reflect his activity.
5. What is the minimum number of axles required for an articulated vehicle combination to operate at 40 tonnes within the UK?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 3 axles: No, this would limit the combination to 26 tonnes.
• 4 axles: No, this would limit the combination to 38 tonnes.
• 6 axles: No, this combination would be able to operate at up to 44 tonnes in the UK.
• 5 axles: Yes, either a 2-axle tractor unit pulling a 3-axle semi-trailer or a 3-axle tractor unit pulling a 2-axle semi-trailer.
Explanation: • 3 axles: No, this would limit the combination to 26 tonnes.
• 4 axles: No, this would limit the combination to 38 tonnes.
• 6 axles: No, this combination would be able to operate at up to 44 tonnes in the UK.
• 5 axles: Yes, either a 2-axle tractor unit pulling a 3-axle semi-trailer or a 3-axle tractor unit pulling a 2-axle semi-trailer.
6. Whilst travelling in Switzerland, what set of Drivers Hours rules would James be working to?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Domestic: No.
•AETR: No, Switzerland is a member of the European Single Market.
• EEA: No, the EEA (European Economic Area) is a trade organisation comprising EU Member States plus Iceland. Norway and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is a member of neither.
• EU: Yes, Switzerland is neither a member of the EU nor the EEA, but is a member of the European Single Market and has adopted EU Drivers Hours rules.
Explanation: • Domestic: No.
•AETR: No, Switzerland is a member of the European Single Market.
• EEA: No, the EEA (European Economic Area) is a trade organisation comprising EU Member States plus Iceland. Norway and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is a member of neither.
• EU: Yes, Switzerland is neither a member of the EU nor the EEA, but is a member of the European Single Market and has adopted EU Drivers Hours rules.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • None: No. James has not reached his maximum driving hours this week.
• 10: No.
• 42: No. this, together with his total 48 for this week, would be the maximum number of hours he could drive in a fortnight i.e. a maximum of 90 hours.
• 8: Yes. because he is only allowed to drive for a maximum 56 hours in any week.
Explanation: • None: No. James has not reached his maximum driving hours this week.
• 10: No.
• 42: No. this, together with his total 48 for this week, would be the maximum number of hours he could drive in a fortnight i.e. a maximum of 90 hours.
• 8: Yes. because he is only allowed to drive for a maximum 56 hours in any week.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • Weekend rest: No.
• Regular weekly rest: No, a "regular weekly rest" is a period of at least 45 hours.
• Regulated weekly rest: No, this term does not exist in the Drivers Hours rules.
• Reduced weekly rest: Yes.
Explanation: • Weekend rest: No.
• Regular weekly rest: No, a "regular weekly rest" is a period of at least 45 hours.
• Regulated weekly rest: No, this term does not exist in the Drivers Hours rules.
• Reduced weekly rest: Yes.
9. What document would James have to carry while driving in Germany to prove that he had a weekly rest last weekend?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: •A witness statement: No.
•A European Authorisation: No, this would be a document showing that the company is authorised to carry goods in Europe.
•A Driver Qualification Card: No, this card does need to be carried by all UK drivers but only proves that the driver holds the required Driver Certificate of Professional Competence qualification.
• A Letter of Attestation: Yes, this letter would set out why James did not have tachographs for the days in question.
Explanation: •A witness statement: No.
•A European Authorisation: No, this would be a document showing that the company is authorised to carry goods in Europe.
•A Driver Qualification Card: No, this card does need to be carried by all UK drivers but only proves that the driver holds the required Driver Certificate of Professional Competence qualification.
• A Letter of Attestation: Yes, this letter would set out why James did not have tachographs for the days in question.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • 56 km/h: No, it is set in kilometres at a speed which is equivalent to 56 mph.
• 60 km/h: No.
• 100 km/h: No, this is the maximum speed to which a speed limiter on a passenger vehicle must be set.
• 90 km/h: Yes, 90 km/h is equivalent to 56 mph.
Explanation: • 56 km/h: No, it is set in kilometres at a speed which is equivalent to 56 mph.
• 60 km/h: No.
• 100 km/h: No, this is the maximum speed to which a speed limiter on a passenger vehicle must be set.
• 90 km/h: Yes, 90 km/h is equivalent to 56 mph.