DVSA Eco-Friendly Driving and Vehicle Loading 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When loading a vehicle, which items should be placed lowest and closest to the centre of the vehicle?
- Light, bulky items
- The heaviest items (Correct answer)
- Fragile items wrapped in packaging
- Items needed most frequently during the journey
Correct answer: The heaviest items
Heavy items should be secured as low and central as possible to keep the vehicle's centre of gravity low and maintain stability.
Question 2: How does an unsecured load in the back of a van affect braking?
- It has no effect on braking distance
- It can shift forward on braking, increasing stopping distance and risk of injury (Correct answer)
- It improves traction and shortens stopping distance
- It only affects the ride comfort
Correct answer: It can shift forward on braking, increasing stopping distance and risk of injury
An unsecured load can slide forward under heavy braking, injuring occupants, damaging the vehicle, and affecting the driver's ability to stop safely.
Question 3: You are towing a trailer that is loaded unevenly with too much weight at the rear. What is most likely to happen?
- The outfit will be more stable than normal
- The trailer may sway or snake, making it difficult to control (Correct answer)
- Fuel consumption will improve
- The front wheels of the towing vehicle will have better grip
Correct answer: The trailer may sway or snake, making it difficult to control
Rear-heavy trailer loading shifts weight off the towing vehicle's rear axle, causing instability and a risk of dangerous snaking or jack-knifing.
Question 4: What is the maximum overhang allowed at the rear of a load on a UK vehicle before a marker board is required?
- 1 metre
- 2 metres (Correct answer)
- 3 metres
- 4 metres
Correct answer: 2 metres
In the UK, a rear overhang exceeding 2 metres must be indicated by a marker board to warn following drivers of the projection.
Question 5: How does smooth, anticipatory driving reduce environmental impact compared to aggressive driving?
- It only reduces noise pollution, not exhaust emissions
- It reduces both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by minimising unnecessary acceleration and braking (Correct answer)
- It makes no difference to the environment
- It increases CO2 output because the engine runs longer
Correct answer: It reduces both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by minimising unnecessary acceleration and braking
Smooth, planned driving reduces the number and severity of acceleration and braking events, directly lowering fuel burn and harmful exhaust emissions.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'coasting' in a vehicle?
- Driving with the clutch depressed or the gearbox in neutral while moving (Correct answer)
- Maintaining a steady speed on a flat road
- Slowing the vehicle using engine braking
- Driving with the handbrake partially applied
Correct answer: Driving with the clutch depressed or the gearbox in neutral while moving
Coasting means travelling with the clutch pressed down or the gearbox in neutral, which removes engine braking control and is generally unsafe.
DVSA Eco-Friendly Driving and Vehicle Loading 2
When loading a vehicle, which items should be placed lowest and closest to the centre of the vehicle?