CPC Road Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum speed limit for a goods vehicle exceeding 7.5 tonnes on a UK motorway?
- 55 mph
- 60 mph (Correct answer)
- 70 mph
- 65 mph
Correct answer: 60 mph
UK law restricts goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes to a maximum of 60 mph on motorways.
Question 2: Under the Highway Code, when should rear fog lights be used?
- Whenever it is raining heavily
- When visibility falls below 100 metres (Correct answer)
- At night on any unlit road
- When visibility falls below 200 metres
Correct answer: When visibility falls below 100 metres
Rear fog lights must only be used when visibility drops below 100 metres, as using them unnecessarily can dazzle following drivers.
Question 3: What is the maximum speed limit for an HGV over 7.5 tonnes on a single carriageway road in the UK?
- 40 mph
- 50 mph (Correct answer)
- 60 mph
- 70 mph
Correct answer: 50 mph
Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are legally limited to 50 mph on single carriageway roads.
Question 4: What significant danger does a strong crosswind pose to a high-sided vehicle?
- It improves fuel economy by reducing engine load
- It can push the vehicle sideways causing instability or rollover (Correct answer)
- It only affects empty vehicles travelling above 50 mph
- It has no measurable effect at normal road speeds
Correct answer: It can push the vehicle sideways causing instability or rollover
High-sided vehicles present a large surface area to the wind, making them vulnerable to sudden lateral forces that can cause instability or rollover.
Question 5: What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth for commercial vehicle tyres in the UK?
- 1.0 mm
- 1.6 mm (Correct answer)
- 2.0 mm
- 2.5 mm
Correct answer: 1.6 mm
UK law requires a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width for commercial vehicle tyres.
Question 6: Why must you avoid overtaking another vehicle on a left-hand bend?
- It is only prohibited in wet weather conditions
- Your view ahead is restricted by the bend, hiding oncoming traffic (Correct answer)
- It is only prohibited when carrying a full load
- It is only prohibited at night or in poor visibility
Correct answer: Your view ahead is restricted by the bend, hiding oncoming traffic
On a left-hand bend, the curve blocks your view of oncoming traffic, making it impossible to judge whether it is safe to overtake.
Question 7: What is the correct action when approaching a level crossing where the barriers are already open?
- Proceed at normal speed as the barriers confirm it is safe
- Sound your horn briefly and then proceed
- Stop, look both ways, and listen before crossing if safe (Correct answer)
- Wait for the barriers to close and reopen before crossing
Correct answer: Stop, look both ways, and listen before crossing if safe
Open barriers do not guarantee safety — you must always stop, look, and listen at a level crossing before proceeding.
CPC Road Safety 1
What is the maximum speed limit for a goods vehicle exceeding 7.5 tonnes on a UK motorway?