You’re driving an articulated lorry. What could happen if you change to a lower gear while you’re going too fast?

Explanation: Severe braking or selecting a gear too low for your road speed can cause the tractor unit to slow more quickly than the trailer. The trailer can then pivot around the coupling (fifth wheel), causing the vehicle to jack-knife. Jack-knifing is more likely to occur with an unladen vehicle, particularly on a bend or curve.

Category: Braking Systems

References: The Official DVSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles: Section 2