Loading, Securing & Vehicle Condition

How does the way weight is distributed across a lorry's axles mainly affect the vehicle?

• AIt changes the colour of the dashboard warning lights that are shown to the driver
• BIt affects fuel economy, but has little effect on the handling
• CIt affects stability, braking and steering, and can overload an individual axle✓
• DIt has no effect once the vehicle is moving at a steady speed along the road

Answer: Poor weight distribution can overload an individual axle even when the total weight is legal, and it affects stability, steering and braking. Loads must be spread so that no axle exceeds its plated weight.

What is the main purpose of correctly securing a load on a flatbed lorry?

• ATo make the vehicle look tidy and presentable to customers when it arrives at a delivery point
• BTo stop the load moving, falling or being lost, which could cause a serious incident✓
• CTo increase the top speed of the loaded vehicle
• DTo reduce the tachograph reading so that the journey is recorded as fewer driving hours

Answer: Load security stops the load from shifting, falling off or being lost in transit, any of which can cause a serious or fatal incident. The restraint must cope with heavy braking, cornering and acceleration forces.

You are checking your vehicle and find a curtain-sided trailer with a badly frayed load strap. What should you do?

• AUse the strap anyway, because the load being carried today is a light one
• BReplace the strap before using it to secure any load✓
• CTie the frayed ends together in a knot so the strap can still be tensioned
• DCarry on using it and have it replaced when the trailer next goes in for service

Answer: A frayed or damaged strap cannot be relied upon and must be replaced before use. Defective load-securing equipment can allow the load to move or fall during the journey.

While carrying out a daily walk-around check you notice a tyre with a deep cut and the cords showing. What should you do?

• ADrive carefully and replace it at the end of the week
• BLet some air out to reduce the bulge
• CCover the cut with tape
• DNot use the vehicle until the tyre has been replaced✓

Answer: A tyre with exposed cords or a deep cut is unroadworthy and could fail at speed, so the vehicle must not be used until it is replaced. Using a vehicle with such a defect is an offence and a serious safety risk.

According to DVSA load-securing guidance, what forces must a load restraint system be able to withstand?

• AThe full load weight in every direction, including straight up off the bed
• BThe full load weight forwards, and half the load weight to the sides and to the rear✓
• CHalf the load weight forwards, and the full load weight to the sides and to the rear
• DA quarter of the load weight in every direction, because friction does the rest

Answer: GOV.UK guidance says the system must withstand a force equal to the entire weight of the load forwards, and half its weight to the sides and to the rear.

Can the curtains on a standard curtain-sided lorry be relied on to hold the load in place?

• AYes, but only when the load is under half the vehicle's payload
• BYes, as long as the load is heavy enough that it will not slide on the bed
• CCurtains only contain goods, so lashings are also needed✓
• DYes, provided the curtains are tensioned tightly before every journey

Answer: DVSA guidance says a cover or curtain does not provide enough restraint on its own and must be used with other load-securing measures, such as lashings, unless it is specifically designed and rated for load restraint.

Why can you not rely on a heavy load's weight alone to keep it in place?

• AHeavy loads move on the bed when the vehicle travels above 50 mph
• BThe weight of the load presses the springs down, which locks it in place
• CFriction with most load beds is low, so the load can still shift✓
• DHeavy loads stay put, so it is light loads that need securing

Answer: DVSA explains that friction between most loads and standard load beds is generally low, so even heavy loads can move under braking or cornering unless they are properly restrained.

What is the minimum tyre tread depth for a lorry over 3,500 kg?

• A1 mm across three-quarters of the tread width, all the way round✓
• B1.6 mm across the central three-quarters, all the way round
• C2 mm across the full width of the tread, all the way round
• D0.5 mm in the main grooves at any point around the tyre

Answer: For vehicles over 3,500 kg the tread must be at least 1 mm deep in a continuous band covering at least three-quarters of the tread width, around the entire circumference. The 1.6 mm figure applies to cars.

Since February 2021, which tyres must not be used on the front steered axle of a lorry, bus or coach?

• ATyres with a different tread pattern
• BTyres more than 10 years old✓
• CTyres that have been regrooved
• DTyres more than 5 years old

Answer: Construction and Use rules ban tyres aged over 10 years from front steered axles of HGVs, buses and coaches. The manufacturer's date code must be legible so the age can be checked.

When should an HGV driver carry out a daily walkaround check?

• ABefore the journey, before driving the vehicle✓
• BNot until a warning light shows on the dashboard
• COnce a week, as long as the vehicle is serviced
• DAt the end of the shift, before parking it up

Answer: GOV.UK guidance says to carry out a walkaround check before your journey to make sure the vehicle is safe. You are responsible for making sure it is safe to drive.

You find a defect during your walkaround check. How should you report it?

• ANo report is needed if the vehicle can still be driven
• BBy text message, to the vehicle's manufacturer or the local main dealer
• CIn writing, to the person in your organisation who deals with defects✓
• DVerbally, to another driver who will be using the vehicle next

Answer: Defects must be reported in writing to the person in charge of sorting out vehicle defects in your organisation, recording the registration, date, defect and your assessment.

Your walkaround check finds nothing wrong. What should you record?

• AYour name, so the operator knows who drove it
• BA 'nil defect' report for that vehicle and date✓
• CThe mileage, so the next service can be planned
• DNothing, because records are needed just for faults

Answer: Operators should use a form listing the items checked each day, and a 'nil' defect should be recorded when no defects are found. DVSA can ask to see walkaround records at a roadside check.

You discover a dangerous defect partway through a journey. What must you do?

• AFinish the day's work, then report it in writing
• BGet it fixed before you continue the journey✓
• CCarry on and mention it at the next annual test
• DDrive slowly to the next delivery, then report it

Answer: GOV.UK guidance says dangerous defects must be fixed before you continue your journey. Using an HGV in a dangerous condition can lead to an unlimited fine and a prison sentence.

During your walkaround check, why should you look at the wheel nut indicators, if fitted?

• AIf they have moved, the tyre pressure is set correctly
• BThey show the tread depth remaining on the tyre fitted
• CThey show whether the wheel has been recently balanced
• DIf they have moved, the wheel nuts may be coming loose✓

Answer: Wheel nut indicators point in a set pattern when fitted. If one has moved, that nut may have loosened and the wheel fixing must be checked before driving.

What should you check about the spray-suppression equipment during your walkaround check?

• AThat it touches the tyre to wipe off water
• BThat it has been painted the same colour as the cab
• CThat it is fitted, secure, undamaged and not clogged✓
• DThat it has been removed for motorway journeys

Answer: The HGV walkaround check includes spray suppression: it must be fitted, secure, not damaged and not clogged with mud or debris, to reduce spray thrown onto other road users.

You have delivered part of a load from the rear of your lorry. Why should you check the remaining load before driving on?

• AIt will be lighter, so the lashings can safely be removed for the rest of the trip
• BIt no longer needs securing, as the headboard will hold it
• CIt will be more stable, so the check can wait until the end
• DIt may have moved, need re-securing, and could now overload an axle✓

Answer: Removing part of a load changes how the remaining weight is spread. The rest may need re-securing, and the change in distribution can overload an individual axle even though the total weight has fallen.

Why should a loose load such as sand or gravel be sheeted?

• ATo stop material blowing or falling onto the road✓
• BTo hide the load from other road users
• CTo keep the load dry so that it weighs less
• DTo stop the tipping body being raised

Answer: Loose bulk loads can be blown or shaken off the vehicle, endangering other road users and damaging windscreens. A sheet or cover contains the load.

You change to a taller trailer. What should you check in the cab before driving?

• AThat the height marker shows the new travelling height✓
• BThat the speed limiter is set for the new height
• CThat the mirrors are folded in for the new trailer
• DThat the tachograph is set to the new trailer's number

Answer: The HGV walkaround check includes making sure the correct vehicle height is displayed on the height marker in the cab. A wrong figure can lead to a bridge strike.