Are you a Professional Heavy Truck Driver?
Here's a Basic Test of Road Code and Truck Driving Law.

Required to Become a Self-Employed Contract Driver with Drivers On Call Limited.

You have been asked to complete this short test. It is the first of a number of tests, exams and assessments that we will ask you to complete during the development of your training program.

There are 40 questions and we expect that you'll get 100%.
These are all basic things that a professional driver should already know, for safe and efficient operation.

It is "open book" but we do require that you complete all answers without referring to other people. It must be your own work, although referencing published material is acceptable and is partly the object of the exercise.
All the questions have been taken from material that can be found in two publications:

• "The Official New Zealand Road Code for Heavy Vehicle Drivers (including Licence and Study Guide)"
• "The Official New Zealand Truck Loading Code."

Both books are readily available at good bookstores and you should have them for future reference.
Further reference material may be found here:

• Transport Agency Factsheets:  www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/index.html 

When you've completed the paper, it will be assessed by our staff and we will discuss the result with you.
If you don't score well, you may be asked to study the reference material and re-sit the paper.

1.	What is the best way to check for hazards before reversing your vehicle?
A.	Relying on the outside mirrors.
B.	Turning to look over your shoulders.
C.	Relying only on the inside mirrors when fitted.
D.	Walking around the vehicle before reversing

2.	If you are towing a vehicle or trailer, the distance between your vehicle and the one being towed must not be more than:
A.	2 metres.
B.	4 metres.
C.	The length of the vehicle you are driving.
D.	The length of the vehicle being towed

3.	If traffic signals (Traffic light) are flashing yellow/orange it means:
A.	That a crash has just happened.
B.	The traffic signals are not working, apply the give way rules.
C.	The traffic signals are not working. Vehicles may now only proceed straight ahead and not turn.
D.	Emergency vehicles are about to come through

4.	When should you use the 2-second rule?
A.	When reversing out of a driveway.
B.	When following other vehicles at the same speed.
C.	When giving way at a pedestrian crossing.
D.	When using the indicators on your vehicle

5.	You are driving downhill on a steep, narrow road and a vehicle is coming up the hill. You should:
A.	Pull over to the left and give way to the vehicle coming up the hill.
B.	Flash the headlights of your vehicle at the vehicle coming up the hill.
C.	Sound the horn of your vehicle to get the vehicle coming up the hill out of the way.
D.	Do nothing, the vehicle coming up the hill should give way to you.

6.	What is the speed limit in a limited speed zone when hazardous conditions exist?
A.	80 km/h.
B.	70 km/h.
C.	60 km/h.
D.	50 km/h.

7.	A vehicle can use the painted flush median strip near the road centre :
A.	To move into the traffic flow.
B.	To park briefly (but for 5 minutes only).
C.	As a safe place to stop briefly. e.g. to answer cellphone.
D.	To unload goods or passengers.

8.	When traffic is merging, what is a good rule to follow?
A.	Slow down to 40 km/h.
B.	Speed up to make room behind.
C.	Let 1 vehicle in and then go.
D.	Let 2 vehicles in and go.

9.	If you are driving and you want to use a cellphone (whether hands-free or not) you should:
A.	Stop in the flush median to answer calls when it is safe to do so.
B.	Answer the call at the next set of traffic signals.
C.	Slow down to answer the call when it is safe to do so.
D.	Pull over and stop to use the cellphone when it is safe to do so.

10.	What should you do if the vehicle behind you wishes to pass?
A.	Because you can see better, move to the centre so that they cannot pass.
B.	Speed up so that they will not need to pass.
C.	Move as far to the left side of the road as is safe.
D.	With your arm, signal them to hold back until you see it’s safe.

11.	If a seat-belt is fitted in a truck:
A.	You must wear it when driving over 50 km/h.
B.	You must wear it when you are more than 50 kms from your depot.
C.	You don't actually need to wear a seat belt in a Heavy Motor Vehicle.
D.	You must wear it a t all times.

12.	When School Patrol signs are held out, as a driver you must:
A.	Wait until the supervisor of the school patrol lets you go.
B.	Stop until there are no pedestrians on your side of the crossing.
C.	Stop until both signs have been pulled in.
D.	Wait until there are no children on both sides of the crossing.

13.	What is the maximum legal speed for a vehicle towing a trailer on the open road at night?
A.	70 km/h.
B.	80 km/h.
C.	90 km/h.
D.	100 km/h.

14.	How close may you park your vehicle to an intersection where no broken yellow lines have been marked?
A.	3 metres.
B.	4 metres.
C.	5 metres.
D.	6 metres.

15.	What is the speed limit for vehicles passing a school bus that has stopped to let children on or off?
A.	20 km/h. If it’s on your side of the road and 30 km/h if it’s on the right.
B.	30 km/h. If it’s on your side of the road and 20 km/h if it’s on the right.
C.	20 km/h. If it’s on your side of the road and 20 km/h if it’s on the right.
D.	30 km/h. If it’s on your side of the road and open road limit if it’s on the right.

16.	At say a supermarket car park, does the driver of the blue car (on the left of picture) have to give way?
A.	Yes
B.	No

17.	At a roundabout, does the driver of the blue car (on the left of picture) have to give way?
A.	Yes
B.	No

18.	At a roundabout, does the driver of the blue car (on the right of picture) have to give way?
A.	Yes
B.	No

19.	What’s the maximum distance a vehicle or load may extend forward from the driver’s seat?
A.	1.5 metres
B.	2 metres
C.	3 metres
D.	4 metres

20.	On a two-axle rigid truck, what’s the maximum distance a vehicle or load may extend behind the rear axis?
A.	1.5 metres or 70% of the wheelbase.
B.	2 metres or 70% of the wheelbase.
C.	3 metres or 70% of the wheelbase.
D.	4 metres or 70% of the wheelbase.

21.	If a load is still within limits, but overhangs the back of the deck, at what point must a flag be attached to it?
A.	When the load extends more than 0.3metre
B.	When the load extends more than 1metre
C.	When the load extends more than 2metres
D.	When the load extends more than 4metres

22.	What’s the maximum permitted height of a vehicle including load?
A.	3.9 metres
B.	4.0 metres
C.	4.25 metres
D.	4.75 metres

23.	What’s the maximum permitted width of a vehicle or load?
A.	2.25 metres
B.	2.5 metres
C.	2.75 metres
D.	3.5 metres

24.	What’s the maximum weight permitted on a single-tyred (S) axle?
A.	5200 kg
B.	6000 kg
C.	6200 kg
D.	7200 kg

25.	What’s the maximum weight permitted on a single large-tyred (SL) axle?
A.	5200 kg
B.	6000 kg
C.	6200 kg
D.	7200 kg

26.	What’s the maximum weight permitted on a twin-tyred (T) axle?
A.	5200 kg
B.	6200 kg
C.	7200 kg
D.	8200 kg

27.	A heavy motor vehicle requires a red light facing rearwards (right, rear-marker light) when parked in a 50 km/h part of a town at night?
A.	Not if parked under street lighting.
B.	Yes, unless the vehicle can be clearly seen from 50 metres.
C.	Yes, and the light should be visible from 100 metres.
D.	Not if the truck’s unladen.

28.	Two pallets each weighing two tonne are placed mid-deck on a rigid 3 axle truck with a fully-enclosed (Maxiliner or van-type, or rated curtain-sides) body. They require the following restraints?
A.	None if packed tightly with other goods to prevent side, fore and aft movement.
B.	None if the truck is a Curtain-sider or Taut-liner with adequate curtain-rating.
C.	None if the truck is hard-sided and has a hydraulic tail-lift.
D.	Loadbinders of at least 2 tonne rating (1.0 x load mass) securing each pallet.

29.	A load of 10 tonne is placed against the headboard on a flat-deck 3 axle trailer. It is secured with two Loadbinders. The combined rating of the restraints must be at least?
A.	5 tonne (half the load mass)
B.	10 tonne (the load mass)
C.	15 tonne (one and a half times the load mass)
D.	20 tonne. (twice the load mass)

30.	Anchor points to which lashings are secured must be at least
A.	Half the rated strength of the lashings.
B.	The rated strength of the lashings.
C.	One and a half times the rated strength of the lashings.
D.	Twice the rated strength of the lashings.

31.	Who is responsible for correct and secure loading of a truck?
A.	The person or machine operator who actually put the load on the truck.
B.	The Driver.
C.	The Dispatch Manager who actually gave the work-order.
D.	The registered owner of the truck.

32.	You are a heavy truck driver. You start work at 5:00am. What’s the latest you must take a rest break or meal break?
A.	10:30am
B.	12:00pm
C.	12:30pm
D.	1:00pm

33.	You are a heavy truck driver. How much continuous rest must you take between the end of one cumulative work day and the beginning of the next?
A.	5.5 hours
B.	10 hours
C.	11 hours
D.	12 hours

34.	You are a heavy truck driver. What is the maximum period of worktime permitted in any cumulative work day?
A.	11 hours
B.	12 hours
C.	13 hours
D.	14 hours

35.	You are a heavy truck driver. What is the maximum period of worktime permitted in any cumulative work period?
A.	50 hours
B.	60 hours
C.	70 hours
D.	80 hours

36.	You are a heavy truck driver. What is the minimum period of continuous rest time to be taken between cumulative work periods?
A.	10 hours
B.	11 hours
C.	12 hours
D.	24 hours

37.	What’s the maximum amount of short-time that may be worked during a continuous rest period (eg just to move a truck onto or off the ferry) without having to start over again the rest time between cumulative work periods or cumulative work days?
A.	None
B.	15 minutes
C.	30 minutes
D.	1 hour

38.	If you work part-time in one non-driving job, say a non-driving job in a warehouse, and have another relief job as a truck driver, which periods must be recorded in your driver's log book?
A.	The driving time while on the truck job.
B.	All time spent working on both jobs.
C.	Keep a separate logbook for the warehouse job.
D.	Only record the times that overlap after 5.5 hours has been worked in either job.

39.	If an employer or manager knows that a driver is exceeding worktime rules:
A.	They can be fined up to $25,000.00
B.	It’s no longer their responsibility. The driver must self-manage.
C.	They are liable for infringement fees of $50 per event.
D.	They can make a diary note, and carry the hours forward to the next pay-week then roster less hours, to balance.

40.	If a driver fails to produce an accurate logbook, he may be issued an infringement notice and demerit points against his personal licence.
A.	He may also be ordered off the road.
B.	He may instead be prosecuted & upon conviction be fined up to $2,000.00 for each breach, and disqualified from driving for at least a month on each breach.
C.	He may instead be required to park-up and take an immediate 5.5 hour break.
D.	His truck may be impounded.

Confirmation:
I confirm that the completion of this test is my own work and has been done without direct assistance from any other person. I have referenced published material where permitted.
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