DVSA Environmental Awareness 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What gear should you typically be in when driving at a steady speed on a flat road for maximum fuel efficiency?
- The lowest gear available
- The highest appropriate gear for your speed (Correct answer)
- Neutral
- Second gear
Correct answer: The highest appropriate gear for your speed
Driving in the highest appropriate gear keeps engine revs low, reducing fuel consumption. However, the engine should not struggle or labour — select the gear that allows smooth, comfortable progress.
Question 2: How can air conditioning affect your fuel consumption?
- It has no effect
- Using air conditioning increases fuel consumption, especially at lower speeds (Correct answer)
- Air conditioning always saves fuel
- It only affects diesel vehicles
Correct answer: Using air conditioning increases fuel consumption, especially at lower speeds
Air conditioning puts an additional load on the engine, increasing fuel consumption by up to 10% in urban driving. At higher speeds, it is more efficient than opening windows, which creates drag.
Question 3: What is the Clean Air Zone (CAZ)?
- A country park
- An area in certain UK cities where polluting vehicles may be charged a fee to encourage cleaner transport (Correct answer)
- A motorway service area
- A cycle path network
Correct answer: An area in certain UK cities where polluting vehicles may be charged a fee to encourage cleaner transport
Clean Air Zones are areas in UK cities (such as Birmingham, Bath, and Bristol) where vehicles that do not meet emission standards are charged a fee. They aim to improve air quality in polluted areas.
Question 4: What should you do with your vehicle's engine when stopped in traffic for an extended period?
- Keep it running for a quick getaway
- Switch off the engine to reduce emissions and save fuel (Correct answer)
- Rev the engine to keep the battery charged
- Leave it in gear with the clutch pressed
Correct answer: Switch off the engine to reduce emissions and save fuel
If you expect to be stationary for more than a minute or two, switch off the engine. This saves fuel and reduces emissions. Many modern vehicles have stop-start systems that do this automatically.
Question 5: How can you reduce fuel waste when going downhill?
- Put the vehicle in neutral and coast
- Ease off the accelerator early — modern fuel-injected engines use zero fuel when the throttle is closed in gear (Correct answer)
- Brake hard at the bottom
- Accelerate to build momentum for the next hill
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator early — modern fuel-injected engines use zero fuel when the throttle is closed in gear
Modern fuel-injected engines cut fuel supply when the throttle is closed and the car is in gear. Using engine braking downhill uses zero fuel, whereas coasting in neutral still uses fuel for idling.
Question 6: What percentage of journeys in the UK are under 5 miles and could potentially be walked or cycled?
- About 10%
- About 25%
- About 50% (Correct answer)
- About 75%
Correct answer: About 50%
Around 50% of all car journeys in the UK are under 5 miles. Many of these could be walked, cycled, or made by public transport, significantly reducing emissions and congestion.
DVSA Environmental Awareness 4
What gear should you typically be in when driving at a steady speed on a flat road for maximum fuel efficiency?