LGV Load Securing & Weight Limits 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'Special Types' (STGO) vehicle in the context of oversized loads?
- A vehicle operating under Special Types General Order to carry oversized or overweight loads with certain permissions (Correct answer)
- A standard vehicle carrying specialist equipment
- A vehicle with a special tachograph exemption
- A vehicle used only on private roads
Correct answer: A vehicle operating under Special Types General Order to carry oversized or overweight loads with certain permissions
STGO (Special Types General Order) vehicles operate outside normal size and weight limits under specific conditions. They may carry abnormal loads, have category limits (1, 2, or 3), and may require police escorts, advance notice, and speed restrictions.
Question 2: What is 'overhang' in the context of load dimensions?
- The extent to which a load projects beyond the front, rear, or sides of the vehicle (Correct answer)
- The height of the load above the vehicle body
- The weight of the load that extends beyond axles
- The load that hangs below the floor of the trailer
Correct answer: The extent to which a load projects beyond the front, rear, or sides of the vehicle
Overhang refers to how far a load extends beyond the front, rear, or sides of the vehicle body. Excessive overhang creates hazards for other road users and is subject to legal limits and marking requirements.
Question 3: Under UK regulations, what is the maximum permitted height for a goods vehicle and load on a public road?
- There is no statutory maximum, but certain roads have height restrictions and drivers must check their route (Correct answer)
- 4.0 metres is the universal maximum
- 4.65 metres for all vehicles
- 3.5 metres on all roads
Correct answer: There is no statutory maximum, but certain roads have height restrictions and drivers must check their route
Unlike some countries, the UK does not have a single statutory maximum vehicle height for public roads. However, many roads have locally imposed height restrictions. Drivers must know their vehicle height and check for restrictions on their route.
Question 4: What must a driver do before transporting a wide or tall load?
- Plan the route to check for low bridges, narrow roads, overhead cables, and obtain necessary movement orders (Correct answer)
- Only check for low bridges
- Inform DVSA and wait for route approval
- Reduce speed to 30 mph throughout the journey
Correct answer: Plan the route to check for low bridges, narrow roads, overhead cables, and obtain necessary movement orders
For wide or tall loads, drivers must check the planned route for clearance restrictions (bridges, cables, tunnels), obtain any required movement orders or police notifications, and may need to travel at restricted speeds or with escorts.
Question 5: What is the maximum width for a standard goods vehicle load without special permission?
- 2.9 metres (Correct answer)
- 3.0 metres
- 2.55 metres
- 3.5 metres
Correct answer: 2.9 metres
The standard maximum width for a goods vehicle is 2.55 metres (or 2.6 metres for refrigerated vehicles). Loads or vehicles exceeding 2.9 metres require police notification and loads over 3.0 metres require special authorization.
Question 6: What is the role of the consignor (sender) in ensuring load safety?
- To provide accurate weight, dimension, and hazard information, and to pack/secure the load appropriately for transport (Correct answer)
- The consignor has no responsibility once goods are collected
- Consignors only need to label hazardous goods
- Only to provide the delivery address
Correct answer: To provide accurate weight, dimension, and hazard information, and to pack/secure the load appropriately for transport
The consignor has legal duties to provide accurate weight and dimension information, declare hazardous goods appropriately, and ensure goods are packed and prepared safely for transport. The driver and operator can rely on this information being accurate.
LGV Load Securing & Weight Limits 4
What is a 'Special Types' (STGO) vehicle in the context of oversized loads?