Vehicle loading: car theory test questions

1. You, the driver ✓
2. The person who loaded it
3. The trailer's owner
4. The company that sold you the goods

Answer: You, the driver. As the driver, you must make sure your load is secure and doesn't stick out dangerously. Check it before you set off and during long journeys.

Highway Code rule 98

1. It improves fuel economy but wears the seats
2. It only matters if you're driving on a motorway
3. It makes the indicators flash too slowly
4. It can affect braking, steering and stability ✓

Answer: It can affect braking, steering and stability. You must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Extra weight affects braking and acceleration and can make the vehicle unstable, especially on bends or when braking hard.

Highway Code rules 98 and 160

1. That they're inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure for the load ✓
2. That they're slightly under-inflated to give more grip
3. That they're at the same pressure as when the car is empty, whatever the handbook says
4. Nothing – tyre pressures don't depend on the load

Answer: That they're inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure for the load. Tyres must be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's specification for the load being carried. Check your handbook – many cars need higher pressures when fully loaded.

Highway Code Annex 6: Vehicle maintenance, safety and security

1. Your fog lights, so they point slightly upwards
2. Your interior mirror, so that it points at the load
3. Nothing – headlights adjust only for weather
4. Your headlights, so they don't dazzle other road users ✓

Answer: Your headlights, so they don't dazzle other road users. A heavy load or a trailer can tilt the car and make headlights point higher. Adjust them so they don't dazzle other road users.

Highway Code rule 98; Annex 6

1. The door nearest the traffic
2. The door nearest the kerb ✓
3. Whichever door is closest to them
4. The boot of the car

Answer: The door nearest the kerb. Children should get into and out of the vehicle through the door nearest the kerb, away from passing traffic.

Highway Code rules 102 and 239

1. That it's as heavy as possible, for better grip
2. That there's no downward load on it at all
3. That it doesn't exceed the manufacturer's recommended limit ✓
4. That it's heavier than the caravan's total weight

Answer: That it doesn't exceed the manufacturer's recommended limit. There should be a downward load on the tow ball, but you shouldn't exceed the manufacturer's recommended weight and tow ball load. Getting this right reduces swerving or snaking.

Highway Code rule 98

1. Brake hard to stop as quickly as possible
2. Speed up to pull the caravan straight
3. Steer sharply in the opposite direction
4. Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently ✓

Answer: Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently. If a trailer starts to swerve or snake, ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed gently to regain control. Don't brake harshly.

Highway Code rule 98

1. Towing mirrors ✓
2. A reversing camera only
3. An extra rear fog light
4. Hazard warning lights

Answer: Towing mirrors. If your vehicle is narrower than your trailer or load, or it blocks your view to the rear, you must use towing mirrors.

Highway Code rule 98

1. A full-size spare wheel and jack
2. A secondary coupling, such as a safety chain ✓
3. A second number plate fitted on the front
4. Its own set of front fog lights

Answer: A secondary coupling, such as a safety chain. Your trailer must be fitted with a secondary coupling device, such as a safety chain. It helps keep control if the trailer becomes detached.

Highway Code rule 98

1. 40 mph
2. 50 mph ✓
3. 60 mph
4. 70 mph

Answer: 50 mph. Cars towing caravans or trailers are limited to 50 mph on single carriageways, and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Highway Code rule 124

1. 40 mph
2. 50 mph
3. 60 mph ✓
4. 70 mph

Answer: 60 mph. A car towing a caravan or trailer is limited to 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways. You also mustn't use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.

Highway Code rules 124 and 265

1. It gets shorter because of the extra weight
2. It stays exactly the same
3. It may increase significantly ✓
4. It only changes on wet roads

Answer: It may increase significantly. Your stopping distance may increase significantly when towing. The extra length and weight also affect overtaking, braking and acceleration, so leave more space.

Highway Code rules 98 and 160

1. They could be thrown forward and hurt someone in a crash ✓
2. So they don't upset the car's fuel gauge reading
3. Because loose items can set off the car's alarm system
4. So they're easier to find when you reach your destination

Answer: They could be thrown forward and hurt someone in a crash. Heavy or sharp objects must be secured. If there's a collision, loose items can be thrown forward and seriously injure the people in the vehicle.

Highway Code rule 98; Annex 6

1. Let it sit on the front passenger's lap so it stays calm
2. Leave it loose so it can move around comfortably
3. Let it put its head out of an open window for fresh air
4. Restrain it with a harness, carrier, dog cage or dog guard ✓

Answer: Restrain it with a harness, carrier, dog cage or dog guard. Make sure animals are suitably restrained so they can't distract you or injure you or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard can be used.

Highway Code rule 57

1. Nothing, as long as the road has a 30 mph limit
2. Cover the end of the load with a dark sheet
3. Leave lights on – projecting loads need lights at night ✓
4. Park it facing against the traffic so the load points at the kerb

Answer: Leave lights on – projecting loads need lights at night. Vehicles with projecting loads must not be left on a road at night without lights, even where other cars may park without lights. The load must also never stick out dangerously.

Highway Code rules 98 and 250

1. An adult seat belt, adjusted to fit
2. The correct child restraint for their weight ✓
3. A lap belt only, fastened loosely
4. Nothing, if an adult holds them on their lap

Answer: The correct child restraint for their weight. Children under three must use the correct child restraint in the front or back of a car. The driver is responsible for making sure they do.

Highway Code rules 99 and 100

1. The correct child restraint, such as a booster seat ✓
2. An adult seat belt only, if it's comfortable
3. Nothing, as long as they sit in the middle seat
4. A lap belt fastened across their waist only

Answer: The correct child restraint, such as a booster seat. A child under 1.35 metres tall (or under 12, whichever comes first) must use the correct child restraint, such as a booster seat or cushion, chosen for their weight.

Highway Code rule 100

1. In the rear seat directly behind the driver
2. In any seat fitted with an adult seat belt
3. In any car that has an opening sunroof
4. In a seat protected by an active frontal airbag ✓

Answer: In a seat protected by an active frontal airbag. A rear-facing baby seat must not be fitted in a seat protected by an active frontal airbag, as the airbag could seriously injure or kill the child in a crash.

Highway Code rule 101

1. The child
2. The child's parent, even if they're not in the car
3. The driver ✓
4. The adult sitting next to them

Answer: The driver. The driver must make sure that all children under 14 wear seat belts or use the correct child restraint.

Highway Code rule 100

1. The driver
2. The passenger ✓
3. The vehicle's owner
4. Whoever is sitting next to them

Answer: The passenger. Passengers aged 14 and over are responsible for wearing their own seat belt. The driver is responsible for children under 14.

Highway Code rule 99

1. In the rear seats, wearing seat belts
2. Directly behind the driver's seat
3. In the middle of the rear seat, belted in
4. Behind the rear seats, in the luggage area ✓

Answer: Behind the rear seats, in the luggage area. Children shouldn't sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback unless a special child seat has been fitted there.

Highway Code rule 102

1. Consider a solid tow bar or professional recovery instead ✓
2. Use the shortest rope you can find so the cars stay close
3. Tow ropes are safe as long as you switch on hazard lights
4. Only tow on motorways, where the road is straighter

Answer: Consider a solid tow bar or professional recovery instead. Towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. Consider using a solid tow bar or professional recovery instead.

Highway Code rule 98

1. The trailer has been washed
2. All the trailer's lights work correctly ✓
3. The trailer's tyres are legal and its braking system works ✓
4. The trailer is the same colour as your car

Answer: All the trailer's lights work correctly; The trailer's tyres are legal and its braking system works. You must make sure your vehicle and trailer are roadworthy, including legal tyres, a fully working trailer braking system and all trailer lights working correctly.

Highway Code rule 98

1. Spread the weight evenly, with heavy items over the axle(s) ✓
2. Put the heaviest items at the very back of the caravan
3. Leave heavy items loose so they settle as you drive
4. Make sure there's a downward load on the tow ball, within the recommended limit ✓

Answer: Spread the weight evenly, with heavy items over the axle(s); Make sure there's a downward load on the tow ball, within the recommended limit. Distribute the weight evenly with heavy items over the axle(s), and ensure a downward load on the tow ball within the manufacturer's limits. This minimises swerving or snaking.

Highway Code rule 98

1. That it's less than five years old
2. That it shows your current MOT
3. That it allows you to tow that weight of trailer ✓
4. Nothing – any full car licence covers every trailer

Answer: That it allows you to tow that weight of trailer. You must not tow more than your licence permits. Check the categories and weight limits on your licence, and the maximum towing weight the vehicle manufacturer recommends.

Highway Code rule 98