HGV Theory UK Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Q21You are driving an artic on a motorway and notice that one of the trailer's rear marker boards has fallen away. You stop on the hard shoulder. Under UK Lighting Regulations, which of the following is correct?

• ARear marker boards are advisory only on motorways; you may continue to the next services and replace it there
• BYou must call DVSA immediately; a fixed penalty notice will be issued for driving without a marker board
• CThe vehicle must not continue until the marker board is replaced or the vehicle is recovered, as its absence makes the combination illegal to drive at night
• DA missing rear marker board is a defect but may be disregarded if the trailer is under 12 metres long

Q22A driver loads a hazardous chemical in IBCs onto a flatbed trailer. The combined weight is legal. Which additional load-security consideration applies specifically to liquid IBCs that does not apply equally to solid palletised goods?

• AIBCs are exempted from the standard 0.8 g forward restraint requirement under ADR because they have their own containment systems
• BLiquid IBCs must always be loaded transversely (sideways) to prevent surge loading affecting steering
• CFlatbed trailers are prohibited from carrying liquid IBCs; only closed curtainsiders may be used
• DThe dynamic surge of liquid in partially-filled IBCs during braking and cornering can shift the effective centre of gravity and reduce restraint force; restraint systems must account for this dynamic load

Q23How often must the security of a load be re-checked during a long journey?

• AEvery 4 hours or whenever conditions change, such as after harsh braking or a motorway junction
• BOnly at the start and end of the journey
• COnly when a police officer or DVSA examiner instructs you to do so
• DAt regular intervals — DVSA guidance recommends checking within the first 1–1.5 hours of driving, then periodically, and after any incident that could have shifted the load

Q24A driver coupling a trailer notices that the fifth-wheel jaw is closed and the handle is in the locked position, but when they tug the trailer forward with the tractor the trailer moves independently by about 15 cm. What does this indicate?

• AThe trailer landing legs have not been fully retracted; the legs are dragging and allowing fore-aft movement
• BThis is normal free play in a correctly coupled fifth wheel and can be disregarded
• CThe kingpin may not be fully engaged in the jaw (false coupling); the driver must not move the vehicle and must recheck and re-couple correctly
• DThe trailer brakes are not releasing properly; check the glad hands and re-pressurize the air lines

Q25Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, what is the maximum overhang beyond the rearmost axle (expressed as a proportion of the wheelbase) for a rigid goods vehicle before additional requirements such as rear markings and speed restrictions apply?

• AThe rear overhang must not exceed 40% of the wheelbase
• BThere is no proportional limit; only an absolute 4.5 m rear overhang limit applies
• CThe rear overhang must not exceed 60% of the wheelbase
• DThe rear overhang must not exceed 30% of the vehicle's overall length

Q26You check the air pressure in all tyres before a loaded journey and find a steer-axle tyre is 15 psi below the recommended pressure. Which of the following best describes the risk?

• ANo significant risk; tyre pressure does not affect the steering of a heavy vehicle
• BUnder-inflation causes increased rolling resistance, reduced fuel economy, excessive heat build-up, potential tyre blowout, and impaired steering response, making it a roadworthiness defect
• CUnder-inflation is only a risk on trailer tyres; steer-axle tyres can tolerate up to 20 psi below recommended pressure
• DThe only risk is reduced fuel economy; the tyre may be driven on until it reaches a garage

Q27A vehicle operator plans to move an abnormal load (indivisible load) that requires a Special Types General Order (STGO) Category 2 authorisation. Which of the following best describes the driver's specific obligation regarding bridge notifications?

• AThe driver must notify the police and highway authority at least 2 days in advance for any route including a bridge with a posted weight limit below the operating weight
• BSTGO Category 2 requires 5 days' advance notice to every highway authority whose road is used and to Network Rail if a rail bridge is crossed
• CNo driver notification is needed; the operator's route plan prepared in advance covers all bridge and authority notifications
• DSTGO Category 2 vehicles require no bridge notifications as their gross weight is within standard motorway limit

Q28A driver normally subject to EU hours rules completes a week in which they drove on Monday and Tuesday only, accumulating 18 hours of driving. What is the maximum driving time they may accumulate in the FOLLOWING week under the fortnightly limit?

• A56 hours, because each week is assessed independently
• B72 hours, because the unused hours from week one carry forward unrestricted
• C82 hours, because the fortnightly cap of 90 hours minus the 18 hours used allows 72 hours, capped at 56 hours in a single week
• D56 hours, but only if the total for the two weeks combined does not exceed 90 hours

Q29Under GB domestic drivers' hours rules, what is the maximum daily driving limit for an LGV driver not subject to EU rules?

• A8 hours
• B11 hours
• C9 hours
• D10 hours

Q30Under EU rules, a driver takes their daily rest in a vehicle equipped with a suitable bunk. What is the minimum reduced daily rest period they may take in this way?

• A8 hours
• B9 hours
• C11 hours
• D10 hours