What should you do if you're towing a trailer and it starts to swing from side to side?
Question 2
1Ease off the accelerator to reduce your speed
2Let go of the steering wheel and let it correct itself
3Brake hard and hold the pedal down
4Accelerate until it stabilises
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Ease off the accelerator to reduce your speedRightThis was the right answer
Strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles can cause a trailer or caravan to swing from side to side ('snake'). If this happens, ease off the accelerator. Don’t brake harshly, steer sharply or increase your speed.
When would you increase the pressure in your tyres so that it's above the normal value?
Question 3
1When the roads are slippery
2When the vehicle is fitted with anti-lock brakes
3When the tyre tread is worn below 2 mm
4When carrying a heavy load
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When carrying a heavy loadRightThis was the right answer
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’re carrying a heavy load, you may need to adjust the headlights as well. Most cars have a switch on the dashboard to do this.
How will a heavy load on your roof rack affect your vehicle's handling?
Question 4
1It will improve the road holding
2It will reduce the stopping distance
3It will make the steering lighter
4It will reduce stability
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It will reduce stabilityRightThis was the right answer
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 drive round bends and corners. If you change direction at speed, your vehicle and/or load could become unstable and you could lose control.
What would be affected if you carry a very heavy load on your vehicle?
Question 5
1The vehicle's gearbox
2The vehicle's ventilation
3The vehicle's handling
4The vehicle's battery
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The vehicle's handlingRightThis was the right answer
Any load will have an effect on the handling of your vehicle, and this becomes worse as you increase the load. You need to be aware of this when carrying passengers or heavy loads, fitting a roof rack or towing a trailer.
Who's responsible for making sure that a vehicle isn't overloaded?
Question 6
1The driver of the vehicle
2The owner of the items being carried
3The person who loaded the vehicle
4The licensing authority
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The driver of the vehicleRightThis was the right answer
Carrying heavy loads will affect control and the vehicle's handling characteristics. If the vehicle you're driving is overloaded, you'll be held responsible.
You're planning to tow a caravan. What will help the handling of the combination?
Question 7
1A jockey wheel fitted to the tow bar
2Power steering fitted to the towing vehicle
3Anti-lock brakes fitted to the towing vehicle
4A stabiliser fitted to the tow bar
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A stabiliser fitted to the tow barRightThis was the right answer
Towing a caravan or trailer affects the way the towing vehicle handles. A stabiliser device isn't designed to overcome instability caused by incorrect loading but it can give added security in side winds and from buffeting caused by large vehicles.
On an ordinary private touring journey, are passengers allowed to ride in a caravan that is being towed?
Question 8
1Yes, if they're over 14
2No, not at any time
3Only if all the seats in the towing vehicle are full
4Only if a stabiliser is fitted
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No, not at any timeRightThis was the right answer
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.
What safety device must be fitted to a trailer braking system?
Question 9
1Stabiliser
2Jockey wheel
3Corner steadies
4Breakaway cable
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Breakaway cableRightThis was the right answer
In the event that the trailer becomes detached from the towing vehicle, the breakaway cable activates the trailer brakes before snapping. This allows the towing vehicle to get free of the trailer and out of danger.
You wish to tow a trailer. Where would you find the maximum noseweight for your vehicle’s tow hitch?
Question 10
1In the vehicle handbook
2In The Highway Code
3In your vehicle registration certificate
4In your licence documents
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In the vehicle handbookRightThis was the right answer
You must know how to load your trailer or caravan so that the hitch exerts an appropriate downward force on the tow ball. Information about the maximum permitted noseweight can be found in your vehicle handbook or obtained from your vehicle manufacturer’s agent.
Securely fastened with suitable restraintsRightThis was the right answer
Any load must be securely fastened to the vehicle. 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 it also has less wind resistance than loads carried exposed on a roof rack.
You're carrying a child under three years old in your car. Which restraint is suitable for a child of this age?
Question 12
1A child seat
2An adult holding a child
3An adult seat belt
4An adult lap belt
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A child seatRightThis was the right answer
An under-three child normally needs an approved child car seat suitable for their height or weight, fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A booster cushion is not automatically suitable for a young child. Height-based seats must face rearwards until the child is over 15 months. Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an active frontal airbag.
You have just passed a car driving test in Great Britain. Under category BE, what is the maximum authorised mass of a trailer your licence allows you to tow?
Question 13
16,500 kg
25,500 kg
34,500 kg
43,500 kg
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3,500 kgRightThis was the right answer
In Great Britain, passing the car test gives category BE entitlement for a trailer up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass. Your towing vehicle’s permitted limits may be lower and must also be obeyed. A heavier combination needs the appropriate additional entitlement; the categories are not limited to CE and DE. Northern Ireland has separate licensing rules.
What should you do before you tow a trailer for the first time?
Question 14
1Ask DVLA to update your licence
2Fit P plates to your trailer
3Take professional training
4Pass a special driving test
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Take professional trainingRightThis was the right answer
You need to know how to tow a trailer safely. This includes hitching the trailer to your vehicle, checking the trailer for defects, reversing with a trailer and how to deal with any problems. There are accredited trainers who can teach you these skills. Professional training will also give you confidence in your ability to tow a trailer safely.
What must you do when you hitch an unbraked trailer to a towing vehicle?
Question 16
1Fit a secondary coupling device
2Grease the tow ball and hitch
3Switch off the reversing sensor on the towing vehicle
4Make sure you can see the trailer in the mirrors
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Fit a secondary coupling deviceRightThis was the right answer
If a tow hitch fails, the trailer must stay connected to the towing vehicle. This is achieved by using a secondary coupling device, such as a safety chain.
What’s the minimum depth of tread on the tyres of a trailer?
Question 17
11 mm
21.6 mm
32 mm
42.2 mm
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1.6 mmRightThis was the right answer
Your car or small van must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the centre of the tread and around the entire circumference. This also applies to the tyres on your trailer.
What does it mean if your trailer has a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500 kg?
Question 19
1Your trailer can carry a load of 3,500 kg
2Your empty trailer weighs 3,500 kg
3Your trailer and towing vehicle combined cannot weigh more than 3,500 kg
4Your trailer and load combined cannot weigh more than 3,500 kg
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Your trailer and load combined cannot weigh more than 3,500 kgRightThis was the right answer
The MAM of the trailer is stamped on the plate fitted to the chassis. It is the maximum weight of the trailer and load that the manufacturer has designed it to carry. Do not load your trailer so that it exceeds this maximum weight.