CPC Road Traffic Law 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum speed limit for a laden HGV on a motorway in the UK?
- 60 mph (Correct answer)
- 70 mph
- 56 mph
- 50 mph
Correct answer: 60 mph
Goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes are restricted to 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, and 50 mph on single carriageways, not the national 70 mph car limit.
Question 2: A driver of a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes GVW must hold at least which driving licence category?
- Category B
- Category C1 or C depending on vehicle weight (Correct answer)
- Category BE
- Category D
Correct answer: Category C1 or C depending on vehicle weight
Vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes GVW require category C1; vehicles over 7.5 tonnes require a full category C licence with a valid CPC.
Question 3: Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, what is the legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales (blood alcohol)?
- 50 mg per 100 ml of blood
- 80 mg per 100 ml of blood (Correct answer)
- 35 mg per 100 ml of breath
- 65 mg per 100 ml of blood
Correct answer: 80 mg per 100 ml of blood
In England and Wales the legal limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (35 mg per 100 ml of breath), higher than Scotland's 50 mg limit; both are zero-tolerance policies in practice for professional drivers.
Question 4: A vehicle operator who knowingly causes or permits a driver to exceed driving time rules can be prosecuted under:
- The Highway Code
- EU Regulation 561/2006 / UK retained law and the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 (Correct answer)
- The Health and Safety at Work Act only
- The Companies Act
Correct answer: EU Regulation 561/2006 / UK retained law and the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005
EU Regulation 561/2006 (retained in UK law) and the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 impose obligations on both drivers and operators; operators can be prosecuted for causing or permitting breaches.
Question 5: What is the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone while driving in the UK (as of 2023)?
- £100 fixed penalty and 3 points
- £200 fixed penalty and 6 points on the licence (Correct answer)
- Automatic disqualification only
- A warning on first offence
Correct answer: £200 fixed penalty and 6 points on the licence
Since 2022 legislation, using a handheld mobile phone while driving attracts a £200 fixed penalty and 6 penalty points, making it a serious offence carrying potential disqualification for new drivers.
Question 6: Which document must a professional driver produce to a DVSA examiner or police officer on request?
- National insurance number
- Driving licence, Driver CPC card (DQCARD) and tachograph card (Correct answer)
- Passport and proof of address
- Vehicle registration document (V5C) only
Correct answer: Driving licence, Driver CPC card (DQCARD) and tachograph card
Professional drivers must be able to produce their driving licence, Digital Qualification Card (Driver CPC card) and tachograph driver card; failure to produce these is a criminal offence.
CPC Road Traffic Law 1
What is the maximum speed limit for a laden HGV on a motorway in the UK?