The official DSA theory test for drivers of large vehicles 10th ed. 2008

486 Pages·2008·20.23 MB·English

by  Paul Sheppard

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OFFICIAL DSA
The

THEORY TEST
for Drivers of Large Vehicles
17
London: TSO
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Written and compiled by the Learning Materials section of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
Questions and answers are compiled by the Question Development Team of the DSA.
Published with the permission of the Driving Standards Agency on behalf of the Controller of Her
Majesty’s Stationery Office.
© Crown Copyright 2006
All rights reserved. Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to Copyright
Department, Driving Standards Agency, The Axis Building, 112 Upper Parliament Street,
Nottingham, NG1 6LP. The publication of facsimile versions of this publication or any other
versions that closely resemble the style and appearance of the original may confuse the public.
Any publisher wishing to reproduce the content of this publication should not replicate the official
version's style and appearance. Other versions should not be presented as being an official
version.
First published 1996
Tenth edition 2008
ISBN 978 0 11 552903 0
ACIPcatalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Other titles in the official DSAseries
The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers
The Official DSA Theory Test Revision Papers for Car Drivers
The Official DSA Guide to Learning to Drive
Helping Learners to Practise - the official DSA guide
The Official DSA Guide to Driving - the essential skills
The Official DSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists
The Official DSA Guide to Learning to Ride
The Official DSA Guide to Riding - the essential skills
The Official DSAGuide to Driving Buses and Coaches
The Official DSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles
The Official DSA Guide to Tractor and Specialist Vehicle Driving Tests
The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers (CD-Rom)
Prepare for your Practical Driving Test (DVD)
The Official DSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists (CD-Rom)
The Official DSA Theory Test for Drivers of Large Vehicles (CD-Rom)
The Official DSA Guide to Hazard Perception (DVD)
DSADriving Theory DVDGame
The Official Highway Code Interactive CD-Rom
Driver CPC – The Official DSA Guide for Professional Bus and Coach Drivers
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is
accurate at the time of going to press. The Stationery Office cannot be held responsible
for any inaccuracies. Information in this book is for guidance only.
All metric and imperial conversions in this book are approximate.
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Directgov Driving Standards Agency
Directgov is the place to find all (Headquarters)
government motoring information and
www.dsa.gov.uk
services. From logbooks to licensing,
from driving tests to road tax, go to: The Axis Building
112 Upper Parliament Street
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
Nottingham NG1 6LP
Tel [phone]
Transportoffice Fax [phone]
For all government motoring information
relating to drivers of large vehicles, Driver & Vehicle Agency
Approved Driving Instructors, trainers and (Testing) in Northern Ireland
taxi drivers, go to:
www.transportoffice.gov.uk www.dvani.gov.uk
Balmoral Road, Belfast BT12 6QL
Theory and practical tests Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
DSA bookings and enquiries
Online www.transportoffice.gov.uk
Driver & Vehicle
Licensing Agency
PPrraaccttiiccaall &&TThheeoorryy TTeessttss
(GB Licence Enquiries)
Enquiries &Bookings 0300 200 1122
www.dvla.gov.uk
Welsh Speakers 0300 200 1133
Longview Road, Swansea SA6 7JL
PPrraaccttiiccaall TTeessttss Tel [phone]
Minicom 0300 200 1144 Fax [phone]
Minicom 01792 782 787
Fax [phone]
TThheeoorryy TTeessttss Driver & Vehicle Agency
Minicom 0300 200 1166 (Licensing) in Northern Ireland
Fax [phone]
www.dvani.gov.uk
Customer Enquiry Unit 0300 200 1188
County Hall, Castlerock Road,
Coleraine BT51 3TB
DVA (Northern Ireland) Tel [phone]
24 hour tel [phone]
Theory test 0845 600 6700 Minicom 02870 341 380
Practical test 0845 247 2471
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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is an
an executive agency of the Department for executive agency within the Department of
Transport. You’ll see the DSA logo at the Environment for Northern Ireland.
theory and practical test centres.
Its primary aim is to promote and improve
DSAaims to promote road safety through road safety through the advancement of
the advancement of driving standards, by driving standards and implementation of
the Government’s policies for improving the
• establishing and developing high mechanical standards of vehicles.
standards and best practice in driving
and riding on the road; before people
start to drive, as they learn, and after www.dvani.gov.uk/dvta
they pass their test
• ensuring high standards of instruction for
different types of driver and rider
• conducting the statutory theory and
practical tests efficiently, fairly and
consistently across the country
• providing a centre of excellence for
driver training and driving standards
• developing a range of publications and
other publicity material designed to
promote safe driving for life.
www.dsa.gov.uk
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CONTENTS
About the theory test
A message from the Chief Driving Examiner 7
Getting started 8
The theory test 12
After the theory test 19
Using the question and answer section 21
Section one vehicle weights and dimensions 22
Section two drivers’ hours and rest periods 52
Section three braking systems 82
Section four the driver 110
Section five carrying passengers 152
Section six the road 184
Section seven accident handling 238
Section eight vehicle condition 266
Section nine leaving the vehicle 304
Section ten vehicle loading 316
Section eleven restricted view 344
Section twelve documents 360
Section thirteen environmental issues 374
Section fourteen other road users 404
Section fifteen traffic signs 436
Annexes
1 List of theory test centres 478
2 Service standards 480
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introduction
ABOUT THE
THEORY TEST
This section covers
(cid:127)(cid:127) Getting started
(cid:127) The Theory Test
(cid:127) After the Theory Test
(cid:127) Using the questions and
answers section
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A message from the
Chief Driving Examiner
As the driver of a large goods vehicle (LGV) driving practice. The Official Guide to
or passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) you Hazard Perception DVD is recommended
have added responsibility. Consequently to help you prepare for the hazard
you must have knowledge and a clear perception part of the theory test.
understanding of the principles of safe
driving and the ability to apply them. You’ll never know all the answers.
Throughout your driving career there will
Whether you’re responsible for the safe always be more to learn. Remember, the
transportation of goods or passengers, passengers or goods you carry are your
the need for comprehensive knowledge is responsibility as is the safety of the vehicle
recognised by the requirement to pass a and all other road users. By applying and
bespoke theory test. Passing the theory developing the knowledge and skills you
test is an important step towards becoming have gained during your training, adopting
a professional driver. The knowledge you’ve a responsible attitude whilst behind the
acquired should be put into practice on wheel and driving in a fuel efficient and
the road. safe manner, you’ll be well on your way
to becoming a good professional driver.
When you drive a large vehicle you should
demonstrate your ability to drive safely and
set a good example to others. Your attitude
and approach should be courteous and
considerate. The safety of the goods or
passengers you carry, as well as other road
users could depend on it.
This book will help you to prepare for the Trevor Wedge
multiple choice part of the theory test. It Chief Driving Examiner and
contains all the questions from which the Director of Safer Driving
test papers are constructed, set out in an
easy-to-read style. It also includes
explanations as to why the answers are
correct along with advice about good
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Getting started
Applying for your licence You can’t hold an LGV or a PCV licence
unless your eyesight meets the high
To obtain your provisional licence you
standard required.
should apply to the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) or, in Northern You must be fit and free from any
Ireland, Driver and Vehicle Agency condition that affects your ability to retain
(Licensing) (DVA). Application forms (D2) control of a large vehicle. If you’re disabled,
and information leaflets (D100) are available you may drive a vehicle that has been
from Traffic Area Offices or DVLA. specially adapted for you.
To drive a large vehicle you must You must have a medical, carried out by
a doctor. The doctor has to complete a
• have a full car driving licence
medical report form, D4 (DLM1 in Northern
• hold a provisional licence for the Ireland) and then this has to be sent in
category of vehicle you want to drive with your licence application.
• meet the eyesight and medical
requirements
On the road
• normally be over 21 years of age.
When you receive your provisional licence
In Northern Ireland you must also complete you should check all details are correct. You
a criminal records check if you want to can then drive on the road as long as you
drive a PCV.
• drive under the supervision of a person
You can get full details from the DVLA who holds a current licence for the
enquiry line on 0870 240 0009 (in Northern category of vehicle being driven
Ireland the DVA enquiry line is (minimum licence requirements apply,
02870 341 469). check these with your trainer)
• display L-plates (or D-plates if you prefer
Medical requirements when driving in Wales) at the front and
back of the vehicle
You’ll be responsible for goods or
• display LGV or PCV plates to the front
passengers, so it’s vital that you meet
and back of the vehicle when driving in
exacting medical standards. The medical
Northern Ireland.
requirements apply to both LGV and
PCV licences. To help you choose an instructor, DSA has
a Register of LGV Instructors. To be placed
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on this register, instructors have had to and hazard perception theory test. There
pass rigorous tests of their driving and will also be an additional practical test.
instructional ability. You can obtain details Further information can be found on
from 0115 936 6502. There is no comparable www.transportoffice.gov.uk.
register in Northern Ireland or for PCVs.
About the theory test
Driver Certificate of
To become a professional driver you must
Professional Competence
have a thorough knowledge of the regulations
A new qualification for professional bus, that apply to your work. When you combine
coach and lorry drivers – the Driver this with a high level of driving skill, it should
Certificate of Professional Competence help you to carry out your work safely.
(CPC) - is being introduced across the EU.
From September 2008 bus and coach If you’re driving an LGV you have to
drivers, and from September 2009 lorry make sure that your goods arrive at their
drivers, wishing to drive professionally will destination safely. This will involve not only
have to hold a Driver CPC. the safety of your load, but also your
attitude to others on the road.
As part of the initial qualification, they will
have to pass a theory test based on case If you’re driving a PCV you’re providing
studies, in addition to the multiple choice a service to your customers.
Can I take the practical test.However, if you have sub-category C1
test first? and D1 entitlement from when you passed
No. You have to pass both modules of your car test, and you want to upgrade to
your theory test before you can book a C or D, you’ll have to obtain the correct
practical test. provisional entitlement and pass both
modules of the theory test before booking
a practical test.
Does everyone have to take
the theory test?
If you have a full category C licence and
Normally, if you upgrade your licence within wish to take a practical test for category D,
the same category you won’t have to sit you will have to obtain the correct
the test. For example, if you upgrade from provisional entitlement, and pass the
a rigid-bodied to an articulated lorry you appropriate theory test, before you can
won’t have to take another theory book a practical test, and vice versa.
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These passengers have been entrusted to we recommend that you start studying for
your care. You should be aware of the your theory test, but don’t actually take it
responsibility this carries. until you have some practical experience of
driving larger vehicles.
From the start, you must be aware of the
differences between driving smaller vehicles To prepare for the multiple choice part
and driving large buses or lorries. of the theory test, we strongly recommend
that you study the books from which the
You must have a sound knowledge of The questions are taken as well as the questions
Highway Code, including the meaning of
themselves. These books are:
traffic signs and road markings. You must
be particularly aware of those signs that The Official Highway Code-2007 Edition.
show a restriction for lorries or buses. Essential reading for all road users. This
updated edition contains the very latest
Your knowledge of the above information is rules of the road, up-to-date legislation and
tested in the first part of the theory test, as a provides advice on road safety and best
series of multiple choice questions. More practice.
information about this part of the test is given
on p15 and the questions are given in the Know Your Traffic Signs-this contains
main part of the book, beginning on p21. most of the signs and road markings that
you are likely to come across.
The second part of the theory test is
called the hazard perception part, more Specialist publications- The Official DSA
information about this is given on p17. Guide to Driving Goods Vehiclesand The
Official DSAGuide to Driving Buses and
Coachescover all aspects of driving these
Preparing for your
vehicles, in particular the regulations and
tests
the way inwhich they differ from driving
Although you have to pass your theory smaller vehicles.
test before you can take your practical test,
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