Driving tests

How many truck and bus drivers get speeding tickets?

We made a request to police to provide statistics for speeding amongst heavy vehicle drivers. It’s much less likely that a truck driver will be breaking the speed limit than a car driver, but 2185 infringement notices were issued in

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Logbook and worktime fines

2022 was a big year for logbook and worktime fines but less than when we last did it in 2018. If you were a truck driver, police were on your case due to the impact of fatigue on driver performance

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Truck rollover crash data shows incidents are increasing

Truck and trailer rollovers are caused by combinations of: Too much speed into a corner Changing direction too quickly Turning too quickly Collapse of a bank Strong winds Tyre failure Live loads or insecure loads shifting Loads loaded with the

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How do you maintain a battery electric vehicle (BEV)?

An electric vehicle is missing the complex engine and gearbox that’s required in a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle. Electric motors are much simpler, and don’t require the maintenance. Consequently, servicing is cheaper and less frequent, which partially offsets the premium

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What is a diesel particulate diffuser and how does it work?

A diesel particulate diffuser, or DPD, is an emission control device used in diesel engines to reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) emissions released into the atmosphere – they lower exhaust emissions. They’re also called DPF (diesel particulate filter).

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How does driving affect the environment?

While electric vehicles are incentivised by governments as being ‘clean’, there’s still a carbon footprint associated with their production and operation. All vehicles create some kind of pollution or negative effect on the environment. Here’s how. Air pollution Even electric

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Can you tow a trailer with an electric vehicle?

A vehicle’s ability to tow requires four things: Enough spare engine torque to pull the load without, for example, running out of steam on a hill Enough braking power to cope with the extra weight of the trailer The ability

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Upgrading your water tanks in your van or motorhome? Here’s what you need to know for driving

A water source is critical for your freedom to roam the countryside in a campervan. The more water you have, the longer you can be in the wilderness without having to find a source. You can purchase generic kits for

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Should forklift operators wear a hat while working?

There are several options for hats for forklift operators. A hard hat is often required where a work area may have falling objects. However, a forklift operator might want to wear a cap with a longer visor or a sun

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To reduce pain, what is the correct posture when driving?

Sitting in the same position for a long period of time is a recipe for aches and pains, particularly in your back, hips, neck and shoulders. Setting your seat and steering wheel correctly can help minimise the risk that you’ll

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Can you drive if you’re blind in one eye?

Being blind in one eye means you have monocular vision. This makes it much more difficult to: Judge depth (3D vision) – this is worse within around 10 metres of the vehicle, which makes parking an issue Judge the speed

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Can you drive a car or truck after having a stroke or TIA?

Around ten thousand people a year have a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (a mini-stroke) every year. A stroke can be caused by a blockage, such as a blood clot, stopping blood flow to part of the brain, or

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Are camera wing mirrors better than traditional glass wing mirrors?

Cars have had rear view mirrors made of glass since at least the 1920s, so after 100 years, it looks natural for a car to have these reflective appendages sticking out the side. However, given that camera and screen technology

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What type of dangerous goods need two placards on the vehicle?

Some chemicals need to be placarded for both a primary and subsidiary risk. Both the primary and subsidiary risks must be considered when segregating incompatible dangerous goods, unless they are gas bottles being transported using appropriate equipment, in which case

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How does the weather affect the range and performance of an electric vehicle?

EVs are more susceptible to changes in battery performance based on the ambient temperature than petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles. Lithium batteries are positively affected by warmish weather, but negatively affected by extreme heat and cold. When the temperature drops below

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Roller doors and forklift safety

Roller doors are an area of risk for forklift operations; collisions with them are frequent. If a forklift hits a roller door, it can bend the door or pull it off its tracks. This might mean that it’s impossible to

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Are variable speed limits actually legal?

Electronic variable speed limit signs are legal and enforceable. They can be established to temporarily restrict the speed due to road works, weather, an accident, a hazard such as a slip, heavy traffic or a temporary event like a concert.

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Can a driver omit logbook entries if they have a second job or go on a job interview?

The legislation says that you must enter time worked, and that you must only keep one logbook. Issues are cropping up where companies are paying drivers using accounting systems that pay directly from their electronic logbook. However, if a person

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What affects the price of an excavator?

If you’re in the market to purchase an excavator, you’ll need to understand the factors that influence the price so that you can determine whether you are getting a good deal or not. An excavator can have a hard life

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In-cab checks for heavy vehicles

Part of a pre-start inspection training involves learning how to check the inside of the truck cab for things that might cause an issue during the trip. Having a clean, tidy, functioning cab is important to help maintain alertness, reduce

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