Marcel drives a 6-axle 44-tonne articulated vehicle. He is aware that the driver is responsible for the condition of the vehicle at all times.
Marcel is the senior driver at his company and has been asked to instruct some new drivers in carrying out effective vehicle first-use checks.
Marcel is the senior driver at his company and has been asked to instruct some new drivers in carrying out effective vehicle first-use checks.
There are 8 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 8 to pass.
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1. There are four tyres on the axle Marcel is inspecting and the axle is plated to 10,500 kg. Each tyre must therefore be rated to:
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 10.500 kg: No. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
• 5.250 kg: No. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
• 2.500 kg: No. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
• 2.625 kg: Yes. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
Explanation: • 10.500 kg: No. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
• 5.250 kg: No. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
• 2.500 kg: No. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
• 2.625 kg: Yes. each tyre would need to be rated at a quarter of the total maximum permitted weight of the axle.
2. To check their knowledge. Marcel asks his trainees which of the following, on its own. would NOT make a tyre illegal:
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The question asks which items is NOT enough to make the tyre illegal. The following answers are all incorrect because they ARE enough to make the tyre illegal:
•A cut of 25 mm or 10% of the width of the tyre.
•A bulge in the sidewall.
• The tyre is under-inflated.
This answer is the correct one:
•A cut of 20 mm or 5% of the width of the tyre: Correct because the cut would need to be in excess of 25 mm or 10% of the width of the tyre to make the tyre illegal.
Explanation: The question asks which items is NOT enough to make the tyre illegal. The following answers are all incorrect because they ARE enough to make the tyre illegal:
•A cut of 25 mm or 10% of the width of the tyre.
•A bulge in the sidewall.
• The tyre is under-inflated.
This answer is the correct one:
•A cut of 20 mm or 5% of the width of the tyre: Correct because the cut would need to be in excess of 25 mm or 10% of the width of the tyre to make the tyre illegal.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 15 minutes or 15 km: No. the recommended intervals are longer than these.
• 60 minutes or 100 km: No.
• 24 hours or 300 km: No.
• 30 minutes or 50 km: Yes. advice provided by IRTE (the Institute of Road Transport Engineers) and ATS (the tyre replacement service) suggest that the wheels should be re-torqued after 30 minutes or between 40 - 80 kilometres.
Explanation: • 15 minutes or 15 km: No. the recommended intervals are longer than these.
• 60 minutes or 100 km: No.
• 24 hours or 300 km: No.
• 30 minutes or 50 km: Yes. advice provided by IRTE (the Institute of Road Transport Engineers) and ATS (the tyre replacement service) suggest that the wheels should be re-torqued after 30 minutes or between 40 - 80 kilometres.
4. What is the speed limit for this type of vehicle on a dual-carriageway in Scotland where the national speed limit applies?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • 40 mph: No.
• 56 mph: No, this is the maximum speed at which a speed limiter should be set but it is not the maximum speed limit for this type of vehicle on a dual-carriageway.
• 60 mph: No, this is the maximum speed limit for this type of vehicle on a motorway.
• 50 mph: Yes.
Explanation: • 40 mph: No.
• 56 mph: No, this is the maximum speed at which a speed limiter should be set but it is not the maximum speed limit for this type of vehicle on a dual-carriageway.
• 60 mph: No, this is the maximum speed limit for this type of vehicle on a motorway.
• 50 mph: Yes.
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • To help the driver keep close to the left in normal driving: No, a mirror pointing here would only allow the driver to see where the wheel is after the time it arrives at that point and would therefore not be very useful in this respect at normal driving speeds.
• To enable the driver to spot punctures in the wheel at the earliest opportunity: No, the driver would 'feel' a puncture through the effects of heavy steering.
• To check for drain covers and gutters on the nearside: No, adopting a 'normal' position in the road would avoid the majority of these obstructions.
• To enable the driver to check for pedestrians cyclists etc. particularly when turning left: Yes, this is a useful mirror to see any objects or people close to the wheel when turning left or manoeuvring.
Explanation: • To help the driver keep close to the left in normal driving: No, a mirror pointing here would only allow the driver to see where the wheel is after the time it arrives at that point and would therefore not be very useful in this respect at normal driving speeds.
• To enable the driver to spot punctures in the wheel at the earliest opportunity: No, the driver would 'feel' a puncture through the effects of heavy steering.
• To check for drain covers and gutters on the nearside: No, adopting a 'normal' position in the road would avoid the majority of these obstructions.
• To enable the driver to check for pedestrians cyclists etc. particularly when turning left: Yes, this is a useful mirror to see any objects or people close to the wheel when turning left or manoeuvring.
6. What does Marcel advise his trainees should always wear when carrying out their vehicle walk-around checks?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • Protective goggles or glasses: No, these would be of little benefit in these circumstances.
• A face mask and ear defenders: No, there would not be much risk associated with a driver walk around check where these items would be useful.
• Safety boots and wet suit: No, neither would mitigate many of the major risks associated with this activity.
• A high-visibility vest or jacket: Yes, this would give other drivers a better chance of spotting them whilst they are engaged in these duties.
Explanation: • Protective goggles or glasses: No, these would be of little benefit in these circumstances.
• A face mask and ear defenders: No, there would not be much risk associated with a driver walk around check where these items would be useful.
• Safety boots and wet suit: No, neither would mitigate many of the major risks associated with this activity.
• A high-visibility vest or jacket: Yes, this would give other drivers a better chance of spotting them whilst they are engaged in these duties.
7. Marcel explains that on a vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes, the tyres must have a tread depth of:
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • 1 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre: No, this would be correct but it is not a complete answer.
• 1.6 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre: No, This would not be applicable if the vehicle exceeded 3.5 tonnes neither is this the most complete answer.
• 1.6 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre and around the complete circumference of the tyre: No. This would be correct for a vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
• 1 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre and around the complete circumference of the tyre: Yes.
Explanation: • 1 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre: No, this would be correct but it is not a complete answer.
• 1.6 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre: No, This would not be applicable if the vehicle exceeded 3.5 tonnes neither is this the most complete answer.
• 1.6 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre and around the complete circumference of the tyre: No. This would be correct for a vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
• 1 mm across 3/4 of the width of the tyre and around the complete circumference of the tyre: Yes.
8. Marcel explains that, where a DVSA examiner sees a defective tyre, he could issue a PG9. This has the effect of:
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: • Prohibiting the vehicle from being driven until the tyre is replaced - This would be correct but it is not the most complete answer here.
• Warning the driver and operator that they may be prosecuted: No. although it is possible for either the driver, the operator or both to be prosecuted for this offence.
• Warning the driver that he may be prosecuted: No. although it is possible for the driver, the operator or both to be prosecuted for this offence.
• Prohibiting the vehicle from being driven until the tyre is replaced and the vehicle is cleared by an authorised examiner: Yes.
Explanation: • Prohibiting the vehicle from being driven until the tyre is replaced - This would be correct but it is not the most complete answer here.
• Warning the driver and operator that they may be prosecuted: No. although it is possible for either the driver, the operator or both to be prosecuted for this offence.
• Warning the driver that he may be prosecuted: No. although it is possible for the driver, the operator or both to be prosecuted for this offence.
• Prohibiting the vehicle from being driven until the tyre is replaced and the vehicle is cleared by an authorised examiner: Yes.