Road Safety

What is the national speed limit for HGVs (over 7.5 tonnes) on dual carriageways in the UK?

• A70 mph
• B60 mph✓
• C56 mph
• D50 mph

Answer: The Highway Code Rule 124 sets 60mph as the dual-carriageway limit for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. 56mph is the vehicle's mandatory speed-limiter device setting (90 km/h) — a different figure from the posted legal limit.

What is the motorway speed limit for a goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales?

• A56 mph
• B70 mph
• C50 mph
• D60 mph✓

Answer: 60 mph is the motorway limit for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (Highway Code rule 124). A goods vehicle between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes may do 70 mph on a motorway, which is why the weight in the question matters. 56 mph is the mandatory speed-limiter setting (90 km/h), not a legal limit — a limited vehicle simply cannot reach the 60 mph it is allowed.

What is the stopping distance for an HGV at 50 mph in dry conditions?

• A60 metres
• B80 metres✓
• C40 metres
• D100 metres

Answer: At 50 mph a laden HGV typically needs around 80 metres to stop, well beyond the 53 metres the Highway Code gives for a car at the same speed. Thinking distance is the same whatever you drive (about 15 metres at 50 mph); it is the braking distance that grows with weight, which is why you must leave a much bigger gap.

When is it safe to overtake another HGV?

• AOnly in an emergency, such as when passing a broken-down vehicle
• BOn the hard shoulder
• CWhenever there is enough space in the next lane to pull out into
• DOnly on clear, well-sighted sections with adequate distance✓

Answer: Overtaking HGVs requires excellent visibility, adequate distance, and clear road ahead. Never use hard shoulders. Allow plenty of space for safe passing.

What is the two-second rule?

• AKeep 2 seconds behind other vehicles
• BCheck mirrors every 2 seconds
• CA time gap that maintains safe following distance
• DBoth A and C✓

Answer: The two-second rule means maintaining a time gap of at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. In poor conditions, increase this to 10 seconds.

How should a driver adjust their following distance in wet conditions?

• AAs in dry conditions
• BIncrease to 10 seconds or more
• CIncrease to 4 seconds✓
• DReduce distance due to better traction

Answer: The Highway Code says to at least double your dry-weather gap in wet conditions (≥4 seconds); icy conditions can require up to ten times the normal distance (Rule 126).

What is the risk of sudden steering movements in a loaded HGV?

• AIt can cause load shift, rollover, or jack-knifing✓
• BIt reduces stopping distance
• CA negligible risk
• DIt is safe and improves control by settling the load down

Answer: Sudden steering in a loaded HGV can shift the load to one side, cause the vehicle to rollover (especially on curves), or jackknife a trailer.

What is a 'blind spot' in relation to HGVs?

• AAreas not visible in mirrors where other vehicles can hide✓
• BAn area directly in front of the cab
• COnly on the right side of the vehicle
• DAn area the driver cannot see in mirrors

Answer: Blind spots are areas not visible in any mirror. HGVs have large blind spots on the right, left, and directly in front. Always assume vehicles are there.

When is lane discipline most important for an HGV?

• AOnly at night, when other drivers cannot judge your width
• BIn fog, when lane markings are the only guide available
• CAlways, especially on motorways and busy roads✓
• DOn motorways only, where the lanes are clearly marked out

Answer: Staying in the correct lane is critical for all drivers but especially HGV drivers who take up more space and have limited visibility.

How should a driver handle a skid in an HGV?

• AKeep steering straight
• BEase off throttle, steer gently in direction of skid, avoid braking✓
• CApply brakes hard
• DSteer hard in the opposite direction to the skid and brake firmly at once

Answer: In a skid, ease off the accelerator, steer gently into the skid direction, and avoid heavy braking. Hard braking or steering worsens the skid.

What should a driver do when approaching a pedestrian crossing?

• ASlow down and be prepared to stop✓
• BSpeed up if clear
• CMaintain speed if pedestrians are not crossing
• DSound the horn continuously

Answer: Always slow down at pedestrian crossings and be ready to stop. Never assume crossings are clear, and always be alert for pedestrians.

Why are cyclists and motorcyclists particularly at risk around HGVs?

• AThey hide in blind spots and are easily knocked over✓
• BThey do not obey traffic rules as reliably as other drivers
• CThey are at very little risk, since HGV mirrors cover every angle
• DThey're faster than HGVs

Answer: Cyclists and motorcyclists are invisible in HGV blind spots and extremely vulnerable to being knocked down or crushed.

What is aquaplaning and how should a driver respond?

• ALoss of water grip; reduce speed, straighten wheels, avoid braking✓
• BWater splashing from other vehicles
• CRain hitting the windscreen; clean wipers
• DA wet patch on the road; increase speed to escape

Answer: Aquaplaning occurs when water prevents tyre contact with the road. Reduce speed gradually, straighten the wheel, and avoid braking until grip returns.

What is the safe speed when towing a trailer?

• AExactly ten per cent slower than the same vehicle would travel when it is unloaded
• BThe same speed as the unloaded vehicle, because the limiter still applies
• CDetermined by conditions, trailer weight, and visibility (often slower)✓
• DWhatever the maximum legal speed for that road is, minus ten miles per hour

Answer: Towing requires lower speeds based on road conditions, trailer weight, visibility, and load type. Never assume you can match unloaded speeds.

How should a driver handle wind when driving an HGV?

• AReduce speed and grip wheel firmly✓
• BWind has no effect on HGVs
• CSpeed up to avoid being blown sideways
• DChange lanes frequently

Answer: Strong winds can blow an HGV sideways. Reduce speed, grip the wheel firmly, and be especially cautious near gaps (bridges, viaducts).

What is the risk of driving at night?

• AMuch as in daylight
• BOnly wet conditions are dangerous at night, since dry roads are unaffected
• CMinimal, because modern headlights illuminate the road perfectly well
• DReduced visibility, fatigue, impaired perception of speed✓

Answer: Night driving poses major risks: reduced visibility, driver fatigue, difficulty judging speed and distances, and other road users' reduced visibility.

How should a driver manage fatigue on long journeys?

• ADrink energy drinks or strong coffee and keep going to the destination
• BOpen the cab windows for fresh air and turn the radio up loud
• CTake regular breaks (every 2 hours), rest, or change drivers✓
• DBook the tachograph to 'other work' and carry on until the load is delivered

Answer: The only safe approach is taking regular breaks every 2 hours, getting adequate rest, and using multiple drivers for long hauls. Drinks and air provide only temporary relief.

What is dangerous about driving through flood water?

• AVehicles can float, lose braking, or stall; depth is deceptive✓
• BIf water is clear, it's safe
• CIt is always safe provided you keep moving slowly in a low gear
• DOnly dangerous for small vehicles

Answer: Flood water conceals depth, vehicles float easily, braking fails, and engines stall. Even shallow-looking water is dangerous. Never drive through floods.

When should a driver use hazard warning lights?

• AWhen parked on the roadside
• BTo indicate stopping on a motorway
• COnly for emergency situations
• DBoth A and C✓

Answer: Hazard lights signal emergency stops on motorways and indicate parked vehicles on roadsides. They should not be used for other warnings while moving.

What is the correct following distance for an HGV in good conditions?

• A2 car lengths
• BAt least 2 seconds✓
• CThe length of the HGV
• DNo specific distance needed

Answer: Keep at least a two-second gap to the vehicle ahead, and double it in the wet. At 56 mph an HGV covers about 25 metres a second, so two seconds is roughly 50 metres.

How should a driver handle driving in fog?

• AReduce speed, use dipped beam and fog lights, increase following distance✓
• BMaintain speed and sound horn
• CUse full beam headlights
• DUse only fog lights

Answer: In fog, use dipped beam headlights and fog lights, reduce speed significantly, and increase following distance to at least 4 seconds.

What is the risk of tailgating (following too closely)?

• APrevents stopping distance, causes rear-end collisions✓
• BIt stops other vehicles from pulling into the gap in front of you
• CReduces fuel consumption
• DA slight risk only, provided the driver stays alert and watches ahead

Answer: Tailgating eliminates safe stopping distance and is a major cause of accidents. It's illegal and dangerous.

When should a driver check their mirrors?

• AMirrors are not essential once you know the vehicle's dimensions
• BOnly before changing lanes
• CRegularly every few seconds and before any manoeuvre✓
• DOnly at junctions

Answer: Mirrors should be checked regularly every few seconds for awareness and before every manoeuvre. Constant vigilance is essential.

What is the safest action when a tyre blows out while driving?

• AApply brakes hard
• BSound the horn
• CGrip wheel firmly, ease off throttle, brake gently when under control✓
• DSteer to the side of the road immediately

Answer: Control the vehicle by gripping the wheel firmly, ease off the throttle, and brake gently once control is regained. Avoid hard braking or sudden steering.

How does load type affect HGV safety?

• AOnly liquid loads are dangerous; solid loads have no effect
• BIt only affects fuel economy and running costs, not safety
• CIt barely affects safety, as the vehicle is built for any legal load
• DAffects handling, braking distance, and tyre stress✓

Answer: Load type dramatically affects safety: liquid loads shift easily, loose loads can fall, and overloads affect braking and handling.