Mixed Deck — All LGV Topics Flashcards

What is the purpose of 'smart motorway' running in Active Traffic Management (ATM) mode?

Answer: To use the hard shoulder as a running lane to increase capacity and manage traffic flow

In Active Traffic Management (ATM) mode, the hard shoulder is opened as a running lane to increase capacity. Variable speed limits and lane signals are used to manage flow. LGV drivers must comply with all overhead signals.

What are the nine UN classes of dangerous goods?

Answer: Explosives; Gases; Flammable liquids; Flammable solids; Oxidisers/organic peroxides; Toxic/infectious; Radioactive; Corrosives; Miscellaneous

The nine classes are: 1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable liquids, 4 Flammable solids (4.1, 4.2, 4.3), 5 Oxidising/organic peroxides (5.1, 5.2), 6 Toxic/infectious (6.1, 6.2), 7 Radioactive, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous.

How must a driver record a period of rest taken away from the vehicle during a working day?

Answer: As a break using the break/rest mode on the tachograph

Any rest period must be recorded using the break/rest mode on the tachograph. Rest periods taken away from the vehicle should be recorded in the same way as rest taken in the vehicle.

What additional hazard does an LGV face when braking hard on a road surface with patches of ice?

Answer: Trailer swing or jackknifing as wheels lock on different surfaces

When braking on patchy ice, wheels on different surfaces can lock independently, causing the trailer to swing out or the combination to jackknife.

How does tyre tread depth affect braking distance on a wet road?

Answer: Worn tyres have reduced ability to channel water away, significantly increasing wet stopping distances

Tyre tread channels water away from the contact patch. As tread wears, its ability to disperse water reduces, causing the tyre to aquaplane at lower speeds and stopping distances to increase dramatically on wet roads.

What must a driver do if they are unable to reach a suitable stopping place to begin their daily rest?

Answer: They may extend driving to reach a suitable place, provided road safety is not jeopardised, and must note the reason on the tachograph

Under Article 12 of Regulation 561/2006, a driver may depart from the rules to the extent necessary to reach a suitable stopping place, provided road safety is not jeopardised. The reason and nature of the departure must be noted on the tachograph printout or record sheet.

When driving an LGV past a row of parked vehicles, what hazard should you be particularly aware of?

Answer: Pedestrians (especially children) stepping out from between parked vehicles, and vehicle doors opening

Parked vehicles create blind spots from which pedestrians, particularly children, may step out unexpectedly. Vehicle doors may also open into your path. LGV drivers should reduce speed, increase the gap from parked vehicles, and be ready to stop.

What should a driver check regarding brakes during a daily walkaround?

Answer: Air pressure build-up rate, warning devices, air leaks (listen), brake hose condition, and brake disc/drum condition

During the daily check, the driver should verify that air pressure builds up correctly, warning devices function, there are no audible air leaks, brake hoses are not damaged or chafing, brake discs/drums are not excessively worn or cracked, and the handbrake holds the vehicle.

Can a driver interrupt their daily rest period under EU rules?

Answer: Only if travelling by ferry or train — the rest can be interrupted twice for boarding/alighting

A regular daily rest can be interrupted no more than twice for the purpose of boarding or leaving a ferry or train, provided the driver has access to a bunk or couchette. Each interruption must not exceed one hour, and the total rest must still be 11 hours.

What is a 'weighbridge' and when is a driver required to use one?

Answer: A facility for checking vehicle weight — drivers may be directed to one by enforcement officers

A weighbridge measures a vehicle's weight. Drivers may be directed to a weighbridge by DVSA or police officers to verify compliance with weight limits. Operators should also use weighbridges to verify loaded weights before departure.

A broken white line in the centre of the road that is longer than the gaps means:

Answer: Hazard warning line — do not cross unless safe

When the white centre line has longer marks than gaps, it is a hazard warning line indicating a hazard ahead. Drivers should not cross it unless it is safe and necessary.

What must a driver do before transporting a wide or tall load?

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.

What placards (diamond-shaped labels) must be displayed on a vehicle carrying dangerous goods?

Answer: Large diamond hazard warning placards (250mm minimum) on both sides and rear of the vehicle, and any required orange Kemler plates

Vehicles carrying dangerous goods above threshold quantities must display large diamond placards (minimum 250mm) on the front, both sides, and rear of the vehicle. The placards must correspond to the hazard class(es) of the goods carried.

What does the Highway Code primarily advise for LGV drivers considering a journey in severe icy or snowy weather?

Answer: Only travel if the journey is essential

The Highway Code's primary guidance for severe winter conditions is to avoid travelling unless the journey is absolutely essential.

What happens to the braking system if the air compressor fails on an HGV?

Answer: The air pressure drops and eventually the spring brakes automatically apply, stopping the vehicle

If the air compressor fails, stored air in the tanks gradually depletes through brake applications. Warning devices activate at approximately 4.5 bar. If pressure drops below the spring brake release threshold (around 3.5 bar), the spring brakes automatically apply.

What type of restraint is most appropriate for securing a pallet loaded with boxes on a curtainsider trailer?

Answer: Pallet bars and lashing straps used together, with the curtain providing supplementary containment

Pallet bars (load bars) prevent pallets from tipping or sliding forward and backward, while lashing straps secure them laterally. The curtain side provides additional containment but is not a primary restraint method.

What is the correct procedure if the low air pressure warning activates while driving?

Answer: Stop as soon as safely possible, do not continue driving until the fault is identified and fixed

If the low air pressure warning activates, the driver must stop as soon as safely possible. Continuing to drive with low air pressure risks total brake failure and the automatic application of spring brakes at speed, which could cause loss of control.

What is the minimum daily rest period required for an LGV driver?

Answer: 11 consecutive hours

The minimum daily rest period is 11 consecutive hours. This can be reduced to 9 consecutive hours (reduced rest) no more than three times between any two weekly rests.

What is the purpose of a 'DVSA defect reporting system' or 'driver defect report'?

Answer: To document defects found during the walkaround so the operator can arrange repair

The driver defect report is a formal record of defects found during the daily walkaround check. The driver must complete it and the operator must ensure the defects are rectified before the vehicle goes back into service.

What does a radioactive (Class 7) transport index (TI) number indicate?

Answer: The level of radiation dose rate at 1 metre from the package — used to control accumulation limits in vehicles

The Transport Index (TI) is a number on the label of a radioactive package indicating the maximum radiation dose rate in microsieverts per hour at 1 metre from the surface. TI values are used by carriers to ensure safe accumulation limits are not exceeded.