Vehicle Weights And Dimensions

Question 1

Triangular projection markers are required when your load is wider than 2.9 metres (9 feet 5 inches). What colour are these markers?

Answer 1

Red/white

Question 2

When must you take extra care if you’re driving a vehicle more than 3.0 metres (10 feet) high?

Answer 2

When driving under overhead cables -

You must take care when approaching any hazard where height is limited. Know the height of your vehicle and what you can drive under safely. If you aren’t sure that it’s safe, take another route.

Question 3

How wide can a load be before you must use side markers?

Answer 3

2.9 metres (9 feet 5 inches) -

Side markers must be displayed if your load is over 2.9 metres (9 feet 5 inches) wide. Make sure that they’re clearly visible, at both the front and rear, and that they indicate the actual width of the projection.

Question 4

How far can a load overhang at the rear before you must use projection marker boards?

Answer 4

2 metres (6 feet 6 inches) -

Projection marker boards must be fitted if the load on your vehicle overhangs by more than 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches). This will help other road users who may not notice the projecting load.

Question 5

WEAK BRIDGE - (7.5t m g w)

Answer 5

Vehicles over the weight shown are prohibited -

Always look out for road signs, but be especially aware of those that refer to large or heavy vehicles. Get into the habit of checking for signs at junctions. There might be an indication on the junction layout sign. Before you turn, make sure that the road you’re using doesn’t have any restrictions for the vehicle you’re driving.

Question 6

When should you consider the effect a speed limiter will have on your vehicle?

Answer 6

When overtaking - Plan well ahead before overtaking. Be aware that a speed limiter may cause you difficulties when overtaking another vehicle, particularly when climbing a hill.

Question 7

You’re driving on a motorway and you see this sign. What does it mean?

Answer 7

End of restriction - Look out for variable-message warning signs telling you about

lane closures
speed limits
hazards.
When you’re clear of the restriction, you’ll see a sign telling you that it has ended.

Question 8

What does this motorway sign mean?

Answer 8

Lane ahead closed - Warning lights show when there’s danger ahead. This includes

lane closures
incidents
fog
icy roads.

Question 9

What type of fastening or restraint should you use when carrying a load of steel?

Answer 9

Chains - You’re responsible for the safety of the load you’re carrying. At no time should the load endanger other road users. It’s vital that you make sure your load is secure and safely distributed on your vehicle. How you do this will depend on the

bulk
weight
type of vehicle you’re driving (flat bed, curtain side, etc)
nature of the load.

Question 10

What should be your main concern as you approach this sign?

Answer 10

Your vehicle’s length- At hump bridges, there’s a risk of long vehicles grounding. If you aren’t sure whether the floor of your vehicle will clear the bridge, find another route.

Question 11

What’s the minimum height of an unmarked bridge?

Answer 11

5.0 metres (16 feet 6 inches) - If a height isn’t shown on the bridge, the headroom (in the UK) will be at least 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches).

Question 12

You’re driving a large vehicle on a narrow road with passing places. What will you need to be most aware of?

Answer 12

It’s length- If your vehicle is too long to fit into a passing place, you may need to wait opposite one. This will allow a following or approaching driver to pass. When you use this type of road, you need to plan and look well ahead to avoid meeting another road user at an inappropriate place.

Question 13

Where can you park large vehicles at night without needing to use parking lights?

Answer 13

In an off-road parking area - Off-road lorry and coach parks are often well lit and patrolled by police or security firms. Never leave your vehicle unlit on a public road or in a lay-by after dark.

Question 14

You’re driving a low loader and you see this sign. What’s your main concern at this hazard?

Answer 14

The ground clearance - You have a responsibility to be aware of the dimensions of your vehicle, including ground clearance. When planning your route, you’ll have to consider whether the roads you intend to use have any limits that would apply to your vehicle, such as

weight
length
height
ground clearance.

Question 15

What’s the speed limit on a dual carriageway when you’re carrying a load that’s 4.5 metres (14 feet 9 inches) wide?

Answer 15

35 mph

Question 16

You’re driving a large vehicle in a straight line. When is it most stable?

Answer 16

During gentle acceleration - A vehicle is most stable when travelling in a straight line under gentle acceleration. Sudden acceleration, steering or braking can cause severe loss of control. For maximum control, keep your driving as smooth as possible.

Question 17

You’re scheduled to make a delivery. You arrive at your destination during the morning rush hour. The road is edged with double red lines. What do they mean?

Answer 17

Unload only within a ‘white box’ area - White boxes allow you to unload at any time, but during the day the length of stay is restricted. You should check nearby signs for the specific times. At other times, when it’s not so busy, there may not be any restrictions on parking.

Question 18

You’re driving an articulated lorry on a narrow road. There’s a left-hand bend ahead. Why may you need to move out before driving around the bend?

Answer 18

To make room for the trailer cutting in - You should always be aware of the amount of room your trailer needs when it’s going around bends and corners. If you need to go onto the other side of the road, make sure there’s no oncoming traffic before you move out.

Question 19

Where must the repair of a speed limiter be carried out?

Answer 19

At an authorised speed-limiter centre - Speed limiters may only be repaired by authorised speed-limiter centres. They’ll ensure that all the connections are sealed and that the system is tamperproof.

Question 20

When should you allow for the effects of a speed limiter?

Answer 20

When you’re overtaking - Forward planning is important whenever you consider overtaking another road user. You should carefully assess the speed of the vehicle you intend to overtake. Remember that your vehicle’s speed is limited and this could considerably increase the distance and time needed to complete the manoeuvre safely.

Question 21

Why do many drivers park at overnight stops with their rear doors close to another lorry?

Answer 21

To keep the load safe - Load security is extremely important. Make sure you park legally and, preferably, in a well-lit area. Some lorry parks are patrolled regularly by the police or security services.

Question 22

The height of your vehicle is 4.2 metres (14 feet). What should you do as you approach this bridge?

Answer 22

Keep to the centre of the arch and give way to oncoming traffic - The headroom under bridges in the UK is at least 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) unless marked otherwise. However, this might refer only to the highest point of an arch.

If your vehicle hits a bridge, you must report the incident to the police. If a railway bridge is involved, you must also report it to the railway authority.

Question 23

You’re driving a vehicle that’s over 17 metres (55 feet) long. What should you do at a level crossing?

Answer 23

Stop before the crossing and phone the signal operator - If your vehicle is over 17 metres (55 feet) long and you wish to cross a level crossing, you must stop before the crossing and telephone the signal operator.

Question 24

When must you notify telephone companies that you’re moving a high load?

Answer 24

When the load’s height exceeds 5.25 metres (17 feet 6 inches) - You should tell telephone companies about your intended route when planning the movement of loads over 5.25 metres (17 feet 6 inches) high. You should tell them in plenty of time before making the journey.

Question 25

You’re driving a lorry carrying a load that’s 4.5 metres (14 feet 9 inches) wide. What’s the maximum speed you’re allowed to drive on a motorway?

Answer 25

40 mph

Question 26

In which of these places might there be a restriction on vehicles over a certain length?

Answer 26

In road tunnels - Look out for restrictions on long vehicles. Length restrictions are found where there isn’t much room to turn (for example, in a tunnel) or where there’s a risk of grounding.

Question 27

Unless otherwise shown, what’s the minimum headroom under bridges in the UK?

Answer 27

5.0 metres (16 feet 6 inches) - Every year, there are hundreds of incidents in the UK where vehicles hit railway or motorway bridges. Most involve buses, coaches and lorries. Make sure your route doesn’t take you under a bridge that’s too low for your vehicle. If you hit a bridge, you’ll be putting yourself and any passengers at risk, and you could cause a major disruption to road and rail transport.

Question 28

Which axle configuration is most effective at preventing petrol tankers from rolling over?

Answer 28

Tri-axles with single wheels - The type of suspension fitted to a vehicle will influence its resistance to ‘roll-over’. Modern tri-axle semi-trailers fitted with single wheels on each side extend the tracking width available, making this the most stable configuration.

Question 29

What effect could a load of hanging meat carcasses cause when you drive around corners or bends?

Answer 29

The pendulum effect - As you turn a corner, the hanging meat carcasses will all swing to one side of your vehicle, adding extra pulling force towards the outside of the curve. The faster you turn a corner, the greater this force will be. After the corner, the carcasses will continue to swing back and forth, like pendulums, making the vehicle unstable.

Question 30

When would the driver of a car transporter need to be most aware of the front overhang of the trailer?

Answer 30

When turning - The long overhang at the front of a car transporter can cause problems where street furniture, such as lampposts and traffic signs, is sited close to junctions. Particular problems may be encountered when you’re turning right and there are ‘Keep left’ bollards in the middle of the road you’re turning into. Plan your route carefully to avoid such hazards.

Question 31

How should you secure an ISO steel cargo container onto your vehicle or trailer?

Answer 31

Using twist locks - If you’re carrying a steel ISO (International Standards Organization) cargo container, ropes or straps won’t be strong enough to take the strain. This type of load requires a special type of restraint using twist locks.

Question 32

Where are you most likely to ground a low loader?

Answer 32

On traffic-calming humps - Traffic-calming measures are becoming more common. Look out for signs warning you of humps in the road ahead. If necessary, change your route rather than take risks.

Question 33

You’re driving a long vehicle on a two-lane road. What should you do if you want to turn left into a narrow side road?

Answer 33

Straddle the lanes to make more room for the turn - When you’re driving a long vehicle, you’ll often need to straddle lanes to turn into narrow side roads. When you do this, watch out for smaller vehicles - especially motorcycles and cycles - trying to squeeze past on your inside.

Question 34

What should you check when you’ve just overtaken a motorcyclist on a motorway?

Answer 34

Your left-hand mirror - When overtaking with a long vehicle, it’s very important to be aware of the position of the road user you’re passing. Check the nearside mirror to make sure you’ve passed safely before returning to the left. Be especially careful when overtaking motorcyclists, as they may be affected by the draught from your vehicle.

Question 35

Answer 35

Risk of grounding - If you see this sign, be aware that there’s a danger of grounding. This can happen where there’s a pronounced bump in the road, such as at a level crossing or a hump bridge.

Question 36

What warning does the driver of a petrol tanker have that ‘rear wheel lift’ is about to become ‘roll-over’?

Answer 36

The driver has very little warning - The transition from ‘rear wheel lift’ to ‘roll-over’ is more rapid on vehicles equipped with air suspension systems. Make sure you take advantage of any extra training that may be available to drivers of this type of vehicle.