Jenny drives a rigid 7.5 tonne truck on local parcel deliveries in a rural area. One of her regular customers is a horse riding school in Nutsbridge. She normally starts her duty at 07:00 with a check of her vehicle.
Today it has been raining and the roads are still very wet in places.
Unusually, today Jenny also has Phil in the cab with her. He is a new driver learning the routes and holds a category C1 driving licence. He will start driving on Wednesday of this week.
Today it has been raining and the roads are still very wet in places.
Unusually, today Jenny also has Phil in the cab with her. He is a new driver learning the routes and holds a category C1 driving licence. He will start driving on Wednesday of this week.
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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Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • The sound of hooves on the road surface: No it is very unlikely that in the cab of her vehicle. Jenny will hear the horses hooves before she picks up on other early warning signs.
• Vehicles coming the other way flashing their lights: No. the Highway Code says that you should only flash your headlights to 'show other road users that your are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message'.
• Vehicles coming the other way with their lights on: No. this is more likely to be because of the reduced visibility caused by the rain and the time of day.
• A triangular sign with a picture of a horse and rider in the centre of it and horse droppings in the road: Yes. this sign is the official Highway Code sign warning of the possible presence of horses with riders - and droppings are a very good clue as to what might be ahead.
Explanation: • The sound of hooves on the road surface: No it is very unlikely that in the cab of her vehicle. Jenny will hear the horses hooves before she picks up on other early warning signs.
• Vehicles coming the other way flashing their lights: No. the Highway Code says that you should only flash your headlights to 'show other road users that your are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message'.
• Vehicles coming the other way with their lights on: No. this is more likely to be because of the reduced visibility caused by the rain and the time of day.
• A triangular sign with a picture of a horse and rider in the centre of it and horse droppings in the road: Yes. this sign is the official Highway Code sign warning of the possible presence of horses with riders - and droppings are a very good clue as to what might be ahead.
2. Because the truck was registered in March 2012, Jenny is using her digital tachograph card to record her activities. What should Phil do?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Put his digital tachograph card into slot 1: No, as the driver. Jenny should have her card in slot 1.
• Nothing as he is not driving the truck today: No. EU561/2006 says that where a driver drives, even for a short time, then s/he must keep a record of all work activities for the entire calendar week. As Phil knows he will be driving later in the week he should be keeping a record of his other work now. EU 561/2006 also states that 'where a person is available to drive' then they must keep a record. As Phil holds the correct licence to drive this truck, he is 'available to drive'.
• Make a manual entry into the tachograph once they return to base: No, if the tachograph is available to him, as it is under these circumstances, he should use it to record his duty.
• Put his digital tachograph card into slot 2: Yes, and he should be recording 'break' or 'other work' as appropriate.
Explanation: • Put his digital tachograph card into slot 1: No, as the driver. Jenny should have her card in slot 1.
• Nothing as he is not driving the truck today: No. EU561/2006 says that where a driver drives, even for a short time, then s/he must keep a record of all work activities for the entire calendar week. As Phil knows he will be driving later in the week he should be keeping a record of his other work now. EU 561/2006 also states that 'where a person is available to drive' then they must keep a record. As Phil holds the correct licence to drive this truck, he is 'available to drive'.
• Make a manual entry into the tachograph once they return to base: No, if the tachograph is available to him, as it is under these circumstances, he should use it to record his duty.
• Put his digital tachograph card into slot 2: Yes, and he should be recording 'break' or 'other work' as appropriate.
3. What is the minimum driving licence category or entitlement needed to drive this truck?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Category B: No, this would only allow the holder to drive vehicles not exceeding 3.500 kg Maximum Authorised Mass.
• Category C: No. although the holder of this category of licence could drive this truck, it is not the minimum licence required.
• Category C+E: No. although the holder of this category of licence could drive this truck, it is not the minimum licence required.
• Category C1: Yes, a category C1 licence permits the holder to drive vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg but not exceeding 7,500 kg.
Explanation: • Category B: No, this would only allow the holder to drive vehicles not exceeding 3.500 kg Maximum Authorised Mass.
• Category C: No. although the holder of this category of licence could drive this truck, it is not the minimum licence required.
• Category C+E: No. although the holder of this category of licence could drive this truck, it is not the minimum licence required.
• Category C1: Yes, a category C1 licence permits the holder to drive vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg but not exceeding 7,500 kg.
4. How many hours of Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) must Phil and Jenny undergo in each cycle?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • 35 hours every 7 years: No. although the number of hours is correct.
• 7 hours a year: No. although drivers generally attend courses of 7 hours duration (but they can be of at least 3.5 hours in duration provided two courses are attended within a 24 hour period).
• 5 hours a year: No.
• 35 hours every 5 years: Yes.
Explanation: • 35 hours every 7 years: No. although the number of hours is correct.
• 7 hours a year: No. although drivers generally attend courses of 7 hours duration (but they can be of at least 3.5 hours in duration provided two courses are attended within a 24 hour period).
• 5 hours a year: No.
• 35 hours every 5 years: Yes.
5. Jenny will be driving entirely on single-carriageway roads today. What is the national speed limit for her truck on this type of road?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • 40 mph: No, this was the speed limit for a vehicle exceeding 7,500 kg until April 2015.
• 56 mph: No, this is the maximum speed at which a speed limiter must be set.
• 60 mph: No, this is the speed limit for this type of vehicle on a dual carriage-way.
• 50 mph: Yes.
Explanation: • 40 mph: No, this was the speed limit for a vehicle exceeding 7,500 kg until April 2015.
• 56 mph: No, this is the maximum speed at which a speed limiter must be set.
• 60 mph: No, this is the speed limit for this type of vehicle on a dual carriage-way.
• 50 mph: Yes.
6. Jenny stresses to Phil that it is important to get the customer to sign for any deliveries. Why is this important?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • It helps the company achieve its delivery targets: No, a signature alone would not help the company achieve this target.
• It isn't important. Jenny is just trying to make the job look better: No, this is not the reason.
• It provides a personal record for Jenny: No. it might do this in the short term but this is not the most appropriate answer.
• It is confirmation that the customer has received the goods and may reduce claims for loss: Yes. the customer has agreed that the goods have been delivered at a certain time/date/place.
Explanation: • It helps the company achieve its delivery targets: No, a signature alone would not help the company achieve this target.
• It isn't important. Jenny is just trying to make the job look better: No, this is not the reason.
• It provides a personal record for Jenny: No. it might do this in the short term but this is not the most appropriate answer.
• It is confirmation that the customer has received the goods and may reduce claims for loss: Yes. the customer has agreed that the goods have been delivered at a certain time/date/place.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Motorcyclists: No, these should be on the opposite side of the road.
• Other trucks: No, these should be on the opposite side of the road.
• Nothing: No. a good driver will always expect to find some form of obstruction.
• Pedestrians: Yes. the highway code recommends that pedestrians face towards oncoming traffic as they walk along a road with no pavements.
Explanation: • Motorcyclists: No, these should be on the opposite side of the road.
• Other trucks: No, these should be on the opposite side of the road.
• Nothing: No. a good driver will always expect to find some form of obstruction.
• Pedestrians: Yes. the highway code recommends that pedestrians face towards oncoming traffic as they walk along a road with no pavements.