John is a self-employed owner driver using his own 3-axle articulated unit to pull customers trailers throughout the UK. He does not own his own trailers.
His vehicle is 2.8 metres high.
John has 6 penalty points on his licence relating to two speeding offences some three years ago. Both were received following offences whilst riding his motorcycle.
His vehicle is 2.8 metres high.
John has 6 penalty points on his licence relating to two speeding offences some three years ago. Both were received following offences whilst riding his motorcycle.
There are 9 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 7 out of 9 to pass.
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Click on an answer to view the correct choice along with the explanation.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Connect the air lines: No. this would not be the last thing to do.
• Connect the electrical lines: No. this would not be the last thing to do.
• Raise the trailer legs: No. this would not be the last thing to do.
• Release the trailer parking brake: Yes. once the driver is certain that all other actions have been successfully completed the final action is to release the trailer brake.
Explanation: • Connect the air lines: No. this would not be the last thing to do.
• Connect the electrical lines: No. this would not be the last thing to do.
• Raise the trailer legs: No. this would not be the last thing to do.
• Release the trailer parking brake: Yes. once the driver is certain that all other actions have been successfully completed the final action is to release the trailer brake.
2. John is stopped by DVSA and the semi-trailer is found to have a badly worn tyre on the off-side rear wheel. Who could be prosecuted for this?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
E
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • The trailer owner: No, the trailer owner cannot be prosecuted for this offence.
• The person or agent giving the trailer to John for transport: No. neither of these can be prosecuted.
• John and the trailer owner: No, the trailer owner could not be prosecuted.
• Nobody, providing John has carried out his daily walk around checks: No, carrying out these checks would not be a defence of using the vehicle with a defective tyre.
• John only: Yes. because it is John who is "using the vehicle on the road" and a driver is always responsible for the road-worthiness of any vehicle they are driving.
Explanation: • The trailer owner: No, the trailer owner cannot be prosecuted for this offence.
• The person or agent giving the trailer to John for transport: No. neither of these can be prosecuted.
• John and the trailer owner: No, the trailer owner could not be prosecuted.
• Nobody, providing John has carried out his daily walk around checks: No, carrying out these checks would not be a defence of using the vehicle with a defective tyre.
• John only: Yes. because it is John who is "using the vehicle on the road" and a driver is always responsible for the road-worthiness of any vehicle they are driving.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • Within 7 days: No this is the time allowed for production of documents at a police station.
• Within 10 days: No. this is the time by which any appeals against the Graduated Fixed Penalty notice must be lodged.
• Within 14 days: No. this is the maximum time limit imposed to produce a licence to DVSA if it were not available at the time.
• Within 28 days: Yes. after which time the offence will automatically go to court.
Explanation: • Within 7 days: No this is the time allowed for production of documents at a police station.
• Within 10 days: No. this is the time by which any appeals against the Graduated Fixed Penalty notice must be lodged.
• Within 14 days: No. this is the maximum time limit imposed to produce a licence to DVSA if it were not available at the time.
• Within 28 days: Yes. after which time the offence will automatically go to court.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • By pulling high-cube trailers whenever possible: No. A high-cube trailer will be higher and present a high, flat face to the air thereby increasing fuel usage.
• By under-inflating his tyres: No. this will increase drag and adversely affect fuel consumption.
• By holding on to the lower gears for longer: No. doing this will mean the engine is running at higher RPM for longer - and will cause a reduction in fuel efficiency.
• By fitting low-rolling resistance tyres and fitting a roof air deflector to his cab : Yes. these steps could improve fuel consumption by reducing energy losses from the tyres and by improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
Explanation: • By pulling high-cube trailers whenever possible: No. A high-cube trailer will be higher and present a high, flat face to the air thereby increasing fuel usage.
• By under-inflating his tyres: No. this will increase drag and adversely affect fuel consumption.
• By holding on to the lower gears for longer: No. doing this will mean the engine is running at higher RPM for longer - and will cause a reduction in fuel efficiency.
• By fitting low-rolling resistance tyres and fitting a roof air deflector to his cab : Yes. these steps could improve fuel consumption by reducing energy losses from the tyres and by improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • By letting the engine warm up on tick-over before driving it away: No. modern engines do not need warming up. it is far more fuel efficient to drive them away straight away.
• By keeping the rev-counter in the red band as long as possible: No. this will rev the engine often unnecessarily and use more fuel.
• By leaving is braking later: No, this will not improve fuel efficiency but it will certainly reduce safety - and increase brake wear.
• By using forward planning & observation techniques to drive smoothly and gently: Yes, this could improve fuel consumption and as a beneficial side-effect, cause less wear and tear on the engine and transmission systems.
Explanation: • By letting the engine warm up on tick-over before driving it away: No. modern engines do not need warming up. it is far more fuel efficient to drive them away straight away.
• By keeping the rev-counter in the red band as long as possible: No. this will rev the engine often unnecessarily and use more fuel.
• By leaving is braking later: No, this will not improve fuel efficiency but it will certainly reduce safety - and increase brake wear.
• By using forward planning & observation techniques to drive smoothly and gently: Yes, this could improve fuel consumption and as a beneficial side-effect, cause less wear and tear on the engine and transmission systems.
6. If John is asked to produce his insurance documents by a policeman, how long does he have to do so?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • 3 days: No.
• 5 days: No.
• 14 days: No, although this is the correct time-scale in relation to any Graduated Fixed Penalty matter.
• 7 Days: Yes.
Explanation: • 3 days: No.
• 5 days: No.
• 14 days: No, although this is the correct time-scale in relation to any Graduated Fixed Penalty matter.
• 7 Days: Yes.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • 6 or more: No.
• 9 or more: No.
• 15 or more: No.
• 12 or more: Yes
Explanation: • 6 or more: No.
• 9 or more: No.
• 15 or more: No.
• 12 or more: Yes
8. John often pulls step-frame, curtain sided semi-trailers with a height of 4.2 metres. What does this mean for John?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • Nothing because the height limit in the UK is 5 metres: No and there is no height limit for this type of vehicle in the UK.
• Nothing because there is no height limit in the UK: No. although there is no height limit in the UK. John would need to consider another issue.
• He needs to display the height on the rear of the vehicle: No. there is no requirement to display this information on the rear of any vehicle.
• He will need to display a height marker in the cab because the overall height exceeds 3 metres: Yes.
Explanation: • Nothing because the height limit in the UK is 5 metres: No and there is no height limit for this type of vehicle in the UK.
• Nothing because there is no height limit in the UK: No. although there is no height limit in the UK. John would need to consider another issue.
• He needs to display the height on the rear of the vehicle: No. there is no requirement to display this information on the rear of any vehicle.
• He will need to display a height marker in the cab because the overall height exceeds 3 metres: Yes.
9. High cube semi-trailers are more likely than flat-bed semi-trailers to be affected by:
Mark one answer
B
C
D
E
Correct Answer: E
Explanation: • Heavy rain: No, this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Dense fog: No, this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Heavy spray on dual carriageways and motorways: No. this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Heavy traffic: No. this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Strong winds: Yes, progress against a headwind would be slower because of the increased wind resistance due to the vehicle height and the vehicle would be much more subject to side winds.
Explanation: • Heavy rain: No, this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Dense fog: No, this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Heavy spray on dual carriageways and motorways: No. this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Heavy traffic: No. this would have no greater effect on either vehicle.
• Strong winds: Yes, progress against a headwind would be slower because of the increased wind resistance due to the vehicle height and the vehicle would be much more subject to side winds.