The Driver

What is the minimum age to drive an HGV in the UK?

• A16
• B17
• C18✓
• D21

Answer: The minimum age to drive an HGV (Category C) is 18. Some restrictions apply for drivers under 21.

What are the eyesight requirements for HGV drivers?

• ACorrected visual acuity of at least 0.8 in the better eye and at least 0.1 in the worse eye, plus a horizontal visual field of at least 160°✓
• BUncorrected visual acuity of at least 1.0 in each eye, as glasses are not accepted for Group 2
• CCorrected acuity of 0.5 using both eyes together, the same as for a car
• DCorrected acuity of 0.5 in the better eye and 0.1 in the worse eye, plus a 120° visual field

Answer: DVLA Group 2 standards require corrected visual acuity of at least 0.8 in the better eye and at least 0.1 in the worse eye, plus a horizontal visual field of at least 160°. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted provided these standards are met.

What is the legal BLOOD alcohol limit for drivers in England and Wales?

• A22 micrograms per 100ml breath
• B150 mg per 100ml blood
• C80 mg per 100ml blood✓
• D50 mg per 100ml

Answer: The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers in England and Wales is 80mg per 100ml of blood — the same limit expressed as breath alcohol is 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath (not a separate figure, just a different unit). Scotland has a stricter blood limit of 50mg per 100ml.

What is the policy regarding drugs and driving?

• AAny drug use that impairs is illegal✓
• BOnly prescription drugs are allowed
• CSoft drugs are acceptable
• DDrug use is unrestricted

Answer: Any drug that impairs driving ability is illegal. Prescription drugs must not impair. Testing for illegal drugs is common.

What medical conditions must be declared to the DVLA?

• ADrivers do not need to inform the DVLA about any medical condition they have
• BDeclaration is a personal choice, because a driver's medical history is private
• CEpilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, and others affecting safety✓
• DOnly those conditions serious enough to require an overnight stay in hospital

Answer: Certain conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc.) must be declared. Driving with undeclared conditions can invalidate insurance.

What is the procedure for drivers taking prescription medications?

• ACheck if the medication impairs ability; adjust driving accordingly or stop✓
• BMedicines a doctor prescribes call for the same approach as any other journey
• CContinue driving without any change, since the prescription itself makes it lawful
• DInform the prescribing doctor and take no other step

Answer: Check medication side effects (drowsiness, dizziness, impaired vision). If impaired, don't drive or adjust work. Inform your doctor and company.

What is fatigue and why is it dangerous?

• AOnly affects elderly drivers
• BOrdinary tiredness that a driver can work through; not a safety issue
• CReduced alertness causing slower reactions and poor decisions✓
• DCan be overcome by willpower alone

Answer: Fatigue reduces alertness, reaction time, and judgement. It's a major cause of accidents. Only rest cures fatigue.

How can a driver manage fatigue on long journeys?

• ADrive during the day only
• BKeep the cab warm
• CDrink strong coffee at the services and carry on to the destination
• DTake regular breaks, get proper rest, and use multiple drivers✓

Answer: Only proper rest and breaks genuinely reduce fatigue. Coffee is temporary. Sharing driving on long hauls is essential.

What is the consequence of driving while unfit to drive?

• AIt passes without consequence
• BCan result in accidents, injuries, prosecution, and licence suspension✓
• CA minor issue that carries no real consequence
• DOnly affects the driver

Answer: Driving while unfit is dangerous and illegal. Consequences include accidents, prosecution, fines, and licence disqualification.

What should a driver do if they feel unwell during a shift?

• AContinue driving until the end of the shift, then see a doctor
• BStop safely, inform the company, and seek medical advice✓
• CRest in the bunk for a few minutes and then carry on driving
• DDrive to the nearest hospital

Answer: Stop safely, don't continue driving, and contact your company and doctor. Your health and others' safety are paramount.

What is the purpose of a medical examination for HGV drivers?

• ATo check the driver's practical driving skills out on the road
• BThey are unnecessary unless the driver has been injured at work
• CIt is purely an insurance requirement set by the operator's insurer
• DTo ensure the driver is fit to operate large vehicles safely✓

Answer: Medical examinations ensure drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate HGVs safely. Vision, hearing, and health are checked.

How should a driver declare health changes to the DVLA?

• ATell the employer, who will then pass it on to the DVLA
• BTell their GP, who notifies the DVLA on their behalf
• CInform the DVLA in writing and notify their insurance✓
• DDeclare it at the next Driver CPC periodic training course

Answer: A driver must tell the DVLA themselves, online or by post, about any notifiable medical condition or disability, or one that has got worse, that could affect safe driving, and should also tell their insurer, because an undeclared condition can invalidate cover. Failing to tell the DVLA can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The legal duty rests with the driver, not with an employer or GP.

What is the impact of stress on driving ability?

• AIt only affects drivers on long journeys, and not on short local runs
• BCan impair concentration, reaction time, and decision-making✓
• CIt has only a marginal effect on driving
• DDrivers should push through stress and finish the shift anyway

Answer: Stress impairs concentration, reaction time, and judgement. Stressed drivers are less safe. Take breaks and manage stress.

What substances are banned for drivers?

• AAlcohol, illegal drugs, and impairing medications✓
• BAlcohol and illegal drugs
• CAnything is acceptable, provided the driver stays under the limit
• DOnly alcohol

Answer: Alcohol, illegal drugs, and any substance impairing ability are prohibited. Prescription drugs that impair must be managed carefully.

What is the significance of driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence)?

• AA qualification renewed at 10-year intervals with the photocard
• BMandatory periodic training (35 hours per 5 years) to maintain safety standards✓
• COptional qualification
• DA requirement for van drivers

Answer: CPC requires 35 hours of training every 5 years. It ensures drivers maintain knowledge of safety regulations and best practices.

What are the main categories of CPC training?

• AInsurance arrangements and the operator's paperwork systems
• BSafety, regulations, health, and customer service✓
• COnly driving skills
• DVehicle mechanics only

Answer: CPC covers safety regulations, driver health and fatigue, passenger safety (for PCV), and customer service.

What is the consequence of not maintaining CPC requirements?

• ADriving may simply continue as before
• BCannot drive professionally until training is done✓
• CAutomatic driving ban
• DMinor fine

Answer: A driver who misses the Driver CPC deadline cannot drive a lorry, bus or coach professionally until the periodic training is finished, and driving professionally without Driver CPC can bring a fine of up to £1,000. The driving licence itself is not suspended.

What should a driver do about excessive thirst or frequent urination during work?

• AThese can indicate diabetes or other conditions; seek medical advice✓
• BIgnore the symptoms and continue driving through to the end of the shift
• CDrink much more fluid to compensate and simply carry on with the day's work
• DA normal consequence of long hours in the cab

Answer: These symptoms can indicate diabetes or other medical conditions affecting driving safety. Seek medical advice immediately.

How should a driver manage long-distance driving for 12+ hours?

• ADrive right through the night while the roads are quieter
• BTake a series of short naps in the cab between driving spells
• CTake stimulants to stay awake for the whole of the run
• DUse multiple drivers and follow rest regulations✓

Answer: Multiple drivers and proper rest are the only safe methods. One driver cannot safely drive 12+ hours. Rest regulations exist for safety.

What is the significance of a driver's medical history?

• AIt has no significance at all, so long as the driver currently feels perfectly fine
• BIt should be kept hidden from the DVLA so that no restrictions can be imposed
• CIt is only relevant if the condition first arose within the last twelve months
• DCan indicate conditions requiring disclosure and affecting fitness to drive✓

Answer: Medical history (even past conditions) may require disclosure and ongoing assessment. Honesty ensures safety and legal protection.

How often must an HGV driver send a D4 medical report to renew their licence?

• AEvery 5 years from age 45 and yearly from 65✓
• BEvery 2 years from the date of first issue
• COnce a year from the very first licence
• DMedicals are not required at all

Answer: A D4 medical report is needed with the first application for a lorry or bus licence. Renewals before 45 need no D4, but from 45 one is needed every 5 years until 65 and then every year. Some medical conditions require more frequent checks.

How should a driver respond to feeling drowsy while driving?

• AIncrease speed to stay alert
• BPinch yourself to stay awake
• CPull over safely, rest, or change drivers✓
• DOpen windows and continue

Answer: Drowsiness is a serious safety risk. Pull over safely, rest, or let another driver take over. Temporary measures don't solve the problem.

What medical conditions specifically require DVLA notification?

• AOnly if hospitalised
• BMinor colds
• CEvery condition is picked up by the medical examination, so notification is unnecessary
• DDiabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, stroke, sleep disorders, eyesight problems✓

Answer: Serious conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, stroke, and sleep disorders must be reported. Failing to do so is illegal.

What role does diet play in safe driving?

• AA very minor one, and no more than that
• BPoor diet can affect energy, concentration, and reaction time✓
• CDiet doesn't affect driving ability
• DOnly relevant for weight loss

Answer: Good nutrition supports alertness and concentration. Poor diet (high sugar crashes, poor energy) impairs driving ability.

What is the penalty for driving a PCV/HGV while disqualified?

• AA written warning from the traffic commissioner
• BUp to 6 months imprisonment and fine✓
• CImmediate reinstatement of the vocational licence
• DA fixed penalty fine and nothing further

Answer: Driving while disqualified is a serious criminal offence carrying imprisonment and heavy fines.