Martin arrives at work in the morning to find that John, the FLT driver has already started loading his vehicle with pallets of cardboard.
Martin will be driving to Inverness, a journey which should take about 6 hours driving each way. He will leave the depot at 7 am.
He is driving an 18 tonne curtain-sided vehicle.
Martin will be driving to Inverness, a journey which should take about 6 hours driving each way. He will leave the depot at 7 am.
He is driving an 18 tonne curtain-sided vehicle.
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.
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B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • Heat build-up inside the loading area: No, this would not affect this type of load.
• Overloading the vehicle: No. although it may be illegal, overloading of itself would not cause the load to shift.
• Having a full tank of fuel: No. this would not affect a load causing it to shift.
• Cornering too fast / Load restraint breaking as a result of being inadequate: Yes. cornering too fast can cause the load to slide sideways and if you are not using a load restraint with sufficient capacity, it could break under load, allowing the load to shift.
Explanation: • Heat build-up inside the loading area: No, this would not affect this type of load.
• Overloading the vehicle: No. although it may be illegal, overloading of itself would not cause the load to shift.
• Having a full tank of fuel: No. this would not affect a load causing it to shift.
• Cornering too fast / Load restraint breaking as a result of being inadequate: Yes. cornering too fast can cause the load to slide sideways and if you are not using a load restraint with sufficient capacity, it could break under load, allowing the load to shift.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Stop and open the curtains: No, this may cause the load to fall from the vehicle as the curtains are released.
• Drive to the delivery point and ask for help to open the curtains: No, this would continue to put other road users at risk of a falling load.
•Adjust mirrors so that he can see clearly around the bulge: No, this would not alleviate the problem and the risk of a falling load remains.
• Stop and open the rear doors, then ring the office to inform them: Yes, this should give Martin a clear idea of what has happened inside the load area without the risk of the load escaping through the curtains. The office need to be advised of any serious issue arising throughout the journey and they may be able to summon practical assistance.
Explanation: • Stop and open the curtains: No, this may cause the load to fall from the vehicle as the curtains are released.
• Drive to the delivery point and ask for help to open the curtains: No, this would continue to put other road users at risk of a falling load.
•Adjust mirrors so that he can see clearly around the bulge: No, this would not alleviate the problem and the risk of a falling load remains.
• Stop and open the rear doors, then ring the office to inform them: Yes, this should give Martin a clear idea of what has happened inside the load area without the risk of the load escaping through the curtains. The office need to be advised of any serious issue arising throughout the journey and they may be able to summon practical assistance.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • The total value of the goods: No. this would not be important to the driver.
• The name of the sender of the goods: No, this would not be important to the driver.
• Whether the packaging is recyclable or not: No. this information may be important for the environment and for the receiver of the goods but would not be important for the driver as s/he would not be responsible for the disposal of the material.
• The delivery address, any specific delivery times and the number of packages: Yes, the delivery address is vital information, the delivery times is certainly important and knowing the number of packages may help reduce claims for loss or damage.
Explanation: • The total value of the goods: No. this would not be important to the driver.
• The name of the sender of the goods: No, this would not be important to the driver.
• Whether the packaging is recyclable or not: No. this information may be important for the environment and for the receiver of the goods but would not be important for the driver as s/he would not be responsible for the disposal of the material.
• The delivery address, any specific delivery times and the number of packages: Yes, the delivery address is vital information, the delivery times is certainly important and knowing the number of packages may help reduce claims for loss or damage.
4. If Martin stops after the maximum permitted continuous driving time, how long does the break need to be?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
E
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • 15 minutes: No. although this is the minimum time that counts towards a break, the driver now needs a complete break.
• 30 minutes: No. although this would qualify as the second part of a break under EU 561/2006, the driver has not yet had the first part of that break.
• 9 hours: No, this is a reduced daily rest - which is not required yet.
• 11 hours: No, this is a regular daily rest which is not required yet.
• 45 minutes: Yes
Explanation: • 15 minutes: No. although this is the minimum time that counts towards a break, the driver now needs a complete break.
• 30 minutes: No. although this would qualify as the second part of a break under EU 561/2006, the driver has not yet had the first part of that break.
• 9 hours: No, this is a reduced daily rest - which is not required yet.
• 11 hours: No, this is a regular daily rest which is not required yet.
• 45 minutes: Yes
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • 4.5 hrs: No, this is the maximum a driver can drive before s/he must take a break, it is not the maximum daily driving.
• 9 hrs: No, this is not the absolute maximum that a driver can drive in one day.
• 12 hrs: No, this would be an illegal time.
• 10 hrs: Yes, a driver can drive up to a maximum of 10 hours on two occasions in any fixed week.
Explanation: • 4.5 hrs: No, this is the maximum a driver can drive before s/he must take a break, it is not the maximum daily driving.
• 9 hrs: No, this is not the absolute maximum that a driver can drive in one day.
• 12 hrs: No, this would be an illegal time.
• 10 hrs: Yes, a driver can drive up to a maximum of 10 hours on two occasions in any fixed week.
6. Which of the following does Martin *NOT* need to enter on an analogue tachograph?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
E
F
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The following must all be entered, but the questions asks for the one item that does NOT need to be entered, so these are all incorrect answers to this question:
• Vehicle registration
• Start date
• Driver name
• Start and end place (NB end place must only be entered at the end of the duty).
• Other duties: Yes, the driver must enter any other duties/work as a 'manual entry' on the rear of the tachograph.
• MPW of vehicle: Correct, the driver does NOT need to enter the Maximum Permitted Weight (MPW) of the vehicle on an analogue tachograph.
Explanation: The following must all be entered, but the questions asks for the one item that does NOT need to be entered, so these are all incorrect answers to this question:
• Vehicle registration
• Start date
• Driver name
• Start and end place (NB end place must only be entered at the end of the duty).
• Other duties: Yes, the driver must enter any other duties/work as a 'manual entry' on the rear of the tachograph.
• MPW of vehicle: Correct, the driver does NOT need to enter the Maximum Permitted Weight (MPW) of the vehicle on an analogue tachograph.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: • Chains: No, chains would not be suitable for this type of load as they may damage the load.
• Suitable ropes: No, most ropes, because of their construction or limitations, should never be used as the sole restraint mechanism.
• Curtains: No, curtains, unless they are manufactured to EN12642 XL standards, would not be capable of restraining the load.
• Bungee cords: No, bungee straps or cords would not be acceptable.
• Straps: Yes, straps would probably be the most effective way to secure this palletised load.
Explanation: • Chains: No, chains would not be suitable for this type of load as they may damage the load.
• Suitable ropes: No, most ropes, because of their construction or limitations, should never be used as the sole restraint mechanism.
• Curtains: No, curtains, unless they are manufactured to EN12642 XL standards, would not be capable of restraining the load.
• Bungee cords: No, bungee straps or cords would not be acceptable.
• Straps: Yes, straps would probably be the most effective way to secure this palletised load.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • Nothing as it would be the loader who is at fault: No, the driver could be prosecuted for using an overloaded vehicle on the public road and it is he who would be in danger as a result of an overloaded vehicle.
• Ask in the office if it is OK to carry on: No, the office may not know the relevant information and. in any event, the vehicle and load are ultimately, the drivers responsibility.
• Check the weight of the load against the paperwork and the Ministry Plate: No. delivery notes and other paperwork may not always be accurate and in any case, this procedure would not identify any axle overload. Also, the Ministry Plate does not provide the Tare weight of the vehicle.
• Drive to the nearest weigh bridge to get an accurate weight of vehicle and axles: Yes, a driver is allowed to drive to the nearest weigh bridge to ascertain an accurate weight of his vehicle.
Explanation: • Nothing as it would be the loader who is at fault: No, the driver could be prosecuted for using an overloaded vehicle on the public road and it is he who would be in danger as a result of an overloaded vehicle.
• Ask in the office if it is OK to carry on: No, the office may not know the relevant information and. in any event, the vehicle and load are ultimately, the drivers responsibility.
• Check the weight of the load against the paperwork and the Ministry Plate: No. delivery notes and other paperwork may not always be accurate and in any case, this procedure would not identify any axle overload. Also, the Ministry Plate does not provide the Tare weight of the vehicle.
• Drive to the nearest weigh bridge to get an accurate weight of vehicle and axles: Yes, a driver is allowed to drive to the nearest weigh bridge to ascertain an accurate weight of his vehicle.
9. How will Martin be sure that the load is positioned to avoid overloading either axle?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: • Leave it to the FLT driver: No, the FLT driver may not know the legal weight limits for your truck.
• Check with the transport office: No, the Transport office may not be familiar with the legal limits for your truck and may have no practical experience of vehicle loading.
• Check the suspension to see if it is lower over one axle than another: No: this is not a reliable method of checking if an axle is overloaded.
• Check the pallet weights against the vehicle plate and take the vehicle to a weigh-bridge: Yes, the vehicle Plate or "Ministry P late' generally attached to the passenger door or seat, will give the maximum vehicle gross, train and axle weights and the pallet weights should give an indication of the weight of each pallet. With this information, you can then take the vehicle to a weigh-bridge, which is the only reliable way of checking actual vehicle weights.
Explanation: • Leave it to the FLT driver: No, the FLT driver may not know the legal weight limits for your truck.
• Check with the transport office: No, the Transport office may not be familiar with the legal limits for your truck and may have no practical experience of vehicle loading.
• Check the suspension to see if it is lower over one axle than another: No: this is not a reliable method of checking if an axle is overloaded.
• Check the pallet weights against the vehicle plate and take the vehicle to a weigh-bridge: Yes, the vehicle Plate or "Ministry P late' generally attached to the passenger door or seat, will give the maximum vehicle gross, train and axle weights and the pallet weights should give an indication of the weight of each pallet. With this information, you can then take the vehicle to a weigh-bridge, which is the only reliable way of checking actual vehicle weights.
10. What time will Martin have to stop driving for a required break under EU 561/2006 assuming he started work at 6:45 am?
Mark one answer
B
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: • 11:00 No, this gives a driving time of 4 hours (as he did not start driving until 7 am) meaning that he does not necessarily have to stop driving at that time.
• 11:15 No, this gives a DRIVING time of4 hours and 15 minutes (as he did not start DRIVING until 7 am) meaning that he does not necessarily have to stop driving at that time.
• 12:45 No, this would give Martin a 6 hour duty which may be correct if the question was asking about Working Time Directive, however, the question is about EU drivers' hours
• 11:30 Yes, as this would mean that Martin has completed 4 and a half hours of Driving and therefore requires a 45 minute break.
Explanation: • 11:00 No, this gives a driving time of 4 hours (as he did not start driving until 7 am) meaning that he does not necessarily have to stop driving at that time.
• 11:15 No, this gives a DRIVING time of4 hours and 15 minutes (as he did not start DRIVING until 7 am) meaning that he does not necessarily have to stop driving at that time.
• 12:45 No, this would give Martin a 6 hour duty which may be correct if the question was asking about Working Time Directive, however, the question is about EU drivers' hours
• 11:30 Yes, as this would mean that Martin has completed 4 and a half hours of Driving and therefore requires a 45 minute break.