DTT HGV Motorway Driving and CPC Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the stopping distance for a fully laden artic truck at 90 km/h on a wet road?
- Up to 150 metres or more — significantly more than a car's stopping distance in the same conditions (Correct answer)
- Same as a car — modern ABS equalises stopping distances
- About 80 metres — similar to a car in dry conditions
- 50 metres — heavy vehicles have more tyre grip due to weight
Correct answer: Up to 150 metres or more — significantly more than a car's stopping distance in the same conditions
A fully laden articulated truck at 90 km/h on a wet road may take 150 metres or more to stop. Mass multiplied by speed creates enormous momentum. Maintaining large following distances is critical.
Question 2: What is 'eco-driving' and why is it emphasised in Driver CPC training?
- A fuel-efficient driving style — smoother acceleration, anticipating traffic, high gear at low revs — reduces fuel consumption, emissions, and operating costs (Correct answer)
- Driving exclusively in electric or hybrid vehicles
- Minimising driving time by taking the shortest routes only
- Using cruise control at all times to maintain constant speed
Correct answer: A fuel-efficient driving style — smoother acceleration, anticipating traffic, high gear at low revs — reduces fuel consumption, emissions, and operating costs
Eco-driving reduces fuel consumption by 10-15% through smooth acceleration, anticipation, maintaining momentum, and selecting appropriate gears. It also reduces wear on brakes and tyres — lowering total operating costs significantly.
Question 3: When driving a truck at night on a motorway, what special precautions apply?
- Increased following distances, checking mirrors more frequently for faster overtaking vehicles, and awareness of fatigue — night driving increases crash risk significantly (Correct answer)
- Motorway driving at night is lower risk — less traffic means more space
- Only rain and fog create additional night driving risks on motorways
- Use full beam at all times on unlit motorways
Correct answer: Increased following distances, checking mirrors more frequently for faster overtaking vehicles, and awareness of fatigue — night driving increases crash risk significantly
Night driving increases fatigue risk significantly. Reduced visibility means hazards appear later. Faster cars overtaking at night create wind buffet. Increased following distances and fatigue management are essential.
Question 4: What is the purpose of motorway service areas for professional truck drivers?
- To provide a safe, legal place to take mandatory breaks and rests — using the hard shoulder for rest is not permitted (Correct answer)
- Only for fuel and toilet stops — rest must be taken at a truck stop
- Services are for cars only — trucks must use designated truck parks for rest
- Services are optional — drivers may take breaks parked on approach roads if necessary
Correct answer: To provide a safe, legal place to take mandatory breaks and rests — using the hard shoulder for rest is not permitted
Service areas provide safe, legal places for truck drivers to take their mandatory 45-minute breaks and daily rest stops. Using the hard shoulder for anything other than an emergency is illegal.
Question 5: What is the significance of 'high-sided vehicle' warnings on motorway gantry signs?
- Strong crosswinds make high-sided vehicles vulnerable to overturning — reduce speed significantly and grip the wheel firmly in exposed sections (Correct answer)
- High-sided vehicle warnings apply only to vehicles over 4.5 metres tall
- The warning is advisory only — modern trucks are stable in crosswinds
- High-sided warnings are for cars sharing the road with trucks — not for the trucks themselves
Correct answer: Strong crosswinds make high-sided vehicles vulnerable to overturning — reduce speed significantly and grip the wheel firmly in exposed sections
High-sided vehicles (trucks, buses, curtainsiders, box trailers) present a large surface area to crosswinds. Strong lateral wind forces can cause rollover, especially on bridges and open exposed sections of motorway.
Question 6: What is the correct procedure when a motorway closure diverts traffic onto an alternative route?
- Follow official diversion signs, be aware of height and weight restrictions on alternative routes, and plan extra time for the detour (Correct answer)
- Continue along the motorway until the route re-opens
- Find your own alternative route using GPS — official diversions are often the longest way round
- Motorway diversions for trucks use truck-specific routes — ignore standard diversion signs
Correct answer: Follow official diversion signs, be aware of height and weight restrictions on alternative routes, and plan extra time for the detour
Follow official diversion signs for the correct vehicle type. Be especially careful about low bridges, weight-restricted roads, and narrow lanes on diversion routes. Motorway-standard roads may not have these restrictions.
DTT HGV Motorway Driving and CPC Requirements 3
What is the stopping distance for a fully laden artic truck at 90 km/h on a wet road?