DVSA Environmental Awareness 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main source of noise pollution from vehicles?
- The radio
- Engine noise, tyre noise, and exhaust noise (Correct answer)
- Passengers talking
- The heating system
Correct answer: Engine noise, tyre noise, and exhaust noise
Vehicle noise pollution comes primarily from the engine, tyres rolling on the road surface (especially at speed), and the exhaust system. Excessive noise from modified exhausts is illegal.
Question 2: How can you reduce your vehicle's contribution to air pollution in built-up areas?
- Drive faster to clear the area quickly
- Avoid unnecessary journeys, walk or cycle for short trips, and keep your vehicle well maintained (Correct answer)
- Use the highest gear at all times
- Drive with the windows open
Correct answer: Avoid unnecessary journeys, walk or cycle for short trips, and keep your vehicle well maintained
Reduce pollution by avoiding unnecessary car journeys, walking or cycling for short trips, using public transport, car-sharing, and keeping your vehicle well maintained with regular servicing.
Question 3: What happens if your vehicle fails the MOT emissions test?
- You can still drive it for 30 days
- The vehicle fails its MOT and cannot be driven on public roads until the fault is repaired and a new test is passed (Correct answer)
- You just pay a fine
- Nothing — the emissions test is advisory
Correct answer: The vehicle fails its MOT and cannot be driven on public roads until the fault is repaired and a new test is passed
If your vehicle fails the MOT emissions test, it fails the overall MOT and is not roadworthy. You must have the fault repaired and pass a retest before driving on public roads (except to a pre-booked repair).
Question 4: What is regenerative braking in hybrid and electric vehicles?
- Using the handbrake to slow down
- A system that recovers energy during braking and converts it back into electrical energy to charge the battery (Correct answer)
- Extra-strong brake pads
- An engine braking system using gears
Correct answer: A system that recovers energy during braking and converts it back into electrical energy to charge the battery
Regenerative braking captures the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking and converts it into electrical energy to recharge the vehicle's battery, extending range.
Question 5: Why should you plan your journeys carefully to reduce environmental impact?
- It only saves time, not fuel
- Combining trips, avoiding peak traffic, and choosing efficient routes reduces fuel consumption and emissions (Correct answer)
- Planning doesn't affect fuel use
- It only matters for long-distance journeys
Correct answer: Combining trips, avoiding peak traffic, and choosing efficient routes reduces fuel consumption and emissions
Planning journeys reduces unnecessary mileage, avoids traffic congestion (where fuel is wasted idling), and allows you to combine multiple errands into one trip. Cold starts also use more fuel, so fewer trips help.
Question 6: What environmental advantage do hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have?
- They run on fossil fuels
- They emit only water vapour from the tailpipe (Correct answer)
- They are louder than petrol cars
- They produce carbon dioxide
Correct answer: They emit only water vapour from the tailpipe
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to generate electricity, with the only tailpipe emission being water vapour. They are considered zero-emission vehicles.
DVSA Environmental Awareness 3
What is the main source of noise pollution from vehicles?