Just Driving > Driving Theory Test Question Bank > Vehicle Loading

Vehicle Loading

Q1. You are towing a small trailer on a busy three-lane motorway. All the lanes are open. You must

A) not exceed 60 mph	C) have a stabiliser fitted
B) not overtake	D) use only the left and centre lanes

Answer: A and D

Explanation:
Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push-button controls change the signals. Pelican crossings have no red-and-amber stage before green. Instead, they have a flashing amber light, which means you MUST give way to pedestrians already on the crossing, but if it is clear, you may continue.

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Q2. If a trailer swerves or snakes when you are towing it you should

A) ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed	C) brake hard and hold the pedal down
B) let go of the steering wheel and let it correct itself	D) increase your speed as quickly as possible

Answer: A

Explanation:
Strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles can cause a trailer or caravan to snake or swerve. If this happens, ease off the accelerator. Don't brake harshly, steer sharply or increase your speed.

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Q3. How can you stop a caravan snaking from side to side?

A) Turn the steering wheel slowly to each side	C) Stop as quickly as you can
B) Accelerate to increase your speed	D) Slow down very gradually

Answer: D

Explanation:
Keep calm and don't brake harshly or you could lose control completely. Ease off the accelerator until the unit is brought back under control. The most dangerous time is on long downhill gradients.

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Q4. On which TWO occasions might you inflate your tyres to more than the recommended normal pressure?

A) When the roads are slippery	D) When carrying a heavy load
B) When driving fast for a long distance	E) When the weather is cold
C) When the tyre tread is worn below 2mm	F) When the vehicle is fitted with anti-lock brakes

Answer: B and D

Explanation:
Check the vehicle handbook. This should give you guidance on the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle and when you may need to adjust them. If you are carrying a heavy load you may need to adjust the headlights as well. Most cars have a switch on the dashboard to do this.

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Q5. A heavy load on your roof rack will

A) improve the road holding	C) make the steering lighter
B) reduce the stopping distance	D) reduce stability

Answer: D

Explanation:
A heavy load on your roof rack will reduce the stability of the vehicle because it moves the centre of gravity away from that designed by the manufacturer. Be aware of this when you negotiate bends and corners. If you change direction at speed, your vehicle and/or load could become unstable and you could lose control.

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	Q6. You are towing a caravan along a motorway. The caravan begins to swerve from side to side. What should you do?

A) Ease off the accelerator slowly	C) Do an emergency stop
B) Steer sharply from side to side	D) Speed up very quickly

Answer: A

Explanation:
Try not to brake or steer heavily as this will only make matters worse and you could lose control altogether. Keep calm and regain control by easing off the accelerator.

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Q7. Overloading your vehicle can seriously affect the

A) gearbox	D) battery life
B) steering	E) journey time
C) handling

Answer: B and C

Explanation:
Any load will have an effect on the handling of your vehicle and this becomes worse as you increase the load. Any change in the centre of gravity or weight the vehicle is carrying will affect its braking and handling on bends.You need to be aware of this when carrying passengers, heavy loads, fitting a roof rack or towing a trailer.

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Q8. Who is responsible for making sure that a vehicle is not overloaded?

A) The driver of the vehicle	C) The person who loaded the vehicle
B) The owner of the items being carried	D) The licensing authority

Answer: A

Explanation:
Your vehicle must not be overloaded. Carrying heavy loads will affect control and handling characteristics. If your vehicle is overloaded and it causes a crash, you'll be held responsible.

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Q9. You are planning to tow a caravan. Which of these will mostly help to aid the vehicle handling?

A) A jockey wheel fitted to the towbar	C) Anti-lock brakes fitted to the towing vehicle
B) Power steering fitted to the towing vehicle	D) A stabiliser fitted to the towbar

Answer: D

Explanation:
Towing a caravan or trailer affects the way the tow vehicle handles. It is highly recommended that you take a caravan manoeuvring course. These are provided by various organisations for anyone wishing to tow a trailer.

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Q10. Are passengers allowed to ride in a caravan that is being towed?

A) Yes, if they are over fourteen	C) Only if all the seats in the towing vehicle are full
B) No, not at any time	D) Only if a stabiliser is fitted

Answer: B

Explanation:
Riding in a towed caravan is highly dangerous. The safety of the entire unit is dependent on the stability of the trailer. Moving passengers would make the caravan unstable and could cause loss of control.

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Q11. A trailer must stay securely hitched up to the towing vehicle. What additional safety device can be fitted to the trailer braking system?

A) Stabiliser	C) Corner steadies
B) Jockey wheel	D) Breakaway cable

Answer: D

Explanation:
In the event of a towbar failure the cable activates the trailer brakes, then snaps. This allows the towing vehicle to get free of the trailer and out of danger.

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Q12. Why would you fit a stabiliser before towing a caravan?

A) It will help with stability when driving in crosswinds	C) It will help you to raise and lower the jockey wheel
B) It will allow heavy items to be loaded behind the axle	D) It will allow you to tow without the breakaway cable

Answer: A

Explanation:
Fitting a stabiliser to your tow bar will help to reduce snaking by the caravan especially where there are crosswinds. However, this does not take away your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle/caravan combination is loaded correctly.

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Q13. You wish to tow a trailer. Where would you find the maximum noseweight of your vehicle's tow ball?

A) In the vehicle handbook	C) In your vehicle registration certificate
B) In The Highway Code	D) In your licence documents

Answer: A

Explanation:
You must know how to load your trailer or caravan so that the hitch exerts a downward force onto the tow ball. This information can be found in your vehicle handbook or from your vehicle manufacturer's agent.

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Q14. Any load that is carried on a roof rack should be

A) securely fastened when driving	C) visible in your exterior mirror
B) loaded towards the rear of the vehicle	D) covered with plastic sheeting

Answer: A

Explanation:
The safest way to carry items on the roof is in a specially designed roof box. This will help to keep your luggage secure and dry, and also has less wind resistance than loads carried on a roof rack.

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Q15. You are carrying a child in your car. They are under three years of age. Which of these is a suitable restraint?

A) A child seat	C) An adult seat belt
B) An adult holding a child	D) An adult lap belt

Answer: A

Explanation:
It's your responsibility to ensure that all children in your car are secure. Suitable restraints include a child seat, baby seat, booster seat or booster cushion. It's essential that any restraint used should be suitable for the child's size and weight, and fitted to the manufacturers instructions.

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