Trucks U.K. Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1mm

The legal limit for cars is 1.6mm across the tread. For some reason the minimum limit on trucks is 1mm across 3/4 of the tread.

Answer: Sweden

Scania and Volvo are both built in Sweden, although they may have parts, etc. built elsewhere. In my experience they are the most favoured trucks by the majority of truckers in Europe, with Scania just edging it, although they may not be favoured by most companies as they are quite expensive along with the parts.

Answer: 5th wheel

The 5th wheel is mounted at the rear of the cab and should be regularly serviced and greased. It has a wide opening at the rear to guide the king pin into position. When you are connecting under a trailer you remain as central as possible when the king pin is moved into the jaws of the 5th wheel. The jaws will automatically shut, connecting the trailer to the truck.

Answer: King pin

The King pin is located underneath near the front of the trailer centrally and is used to connect the truck to the trailer. When the jaws of the 5th wheel lock into place (you can hear this as it makes a loud clunk sound) the driver should conduct a tug test by engaging a low forward gear and attempting to pull the trailer. Most drivers do this twice to ensure the jaws have locked into place.

The trailer should not move unless the previous driver has left the shunt brake on.

Answer: Black

The shunt brakes are generally all black. They should be used only for shunting or in the case of a emergency. They are located at different positions depending on the make of the trailer.

Answer: 56 mph

Any truck in Europe must be fitted with a speed limiter set at 56mph or less. Some haulers set them at slightly less, the only exception being for trucks older than 1988, even though the speed limit for trucks on motorways is 60mph.

Answer: 44

The maximum gross weight for trucks in Europe is 44 tonnes, the only exceptions being if you are not on the public highway, or you have STGO plates, and licence for abnormal loads, of which there are 3 categories. When one started trucking in the 1980s, it was 38 tonnes.

Answer: Red

The handbrake on a trailer should be red and will be located somewhere on the chassis, depending on the make of the trailer. The shunt brake coloured black will be located next to it.

Answer: Cat walk

The cat walk is used to walk behind the cab to connect your 2 air lines, 2 electrical Suzie's and ABS line (if fitted). There are steps on the side of the truck (usually on the left) to enable you to climb onto the cat walk. Some trucks have the steps built into the fuel tank.

Answer: true

The air pressure in the air tanks should be at least 80 psi before moving off. Generally trucks are fitted with a buzzer which will sound if the air is insufficient and a red light will come on the dash and the air gauge(s) will show the air tanks are low.

Answer: True

Before you can get a licence to drive a truck you must firstly undergo a medical examination You will not be required to take any further medicals until you reach your 45th birthday unless you develop a condition.

Answer: Dolly knot

The dolly knot is used by truckers to secure a load on a flatbed, sometimes in conjunction with a sheet. It is referred to as the dolly but to get extra tautness in the rope you can use a double dolly. In North America, they use the terminology of tarping, rather than roping and sheeting.

Answer: Red

The red air line is the emergency air line, or the main air line to the trailer. It releases the brakes on the trailer, thus the truck and trailer can be moved without connecting any other lines, and is used sometimes rather than a shunt brake to move trailers in a yard. All lines must be connected before going onto the public highway.

Answer: Smoke

Regulations in England came in on the 1st July 2007 making it illegal to smoke in work places and trucks. If caught by the police or VOSA you can incur a fine, and possibly a court appearance.

Answer: Left turn

It is always a good idea to pay particular attention to your inside mirror when conducting a left turn, checking for pedestrians, kerbs, but especially cyclists, as they can try to nip up the inside of you without seeing your indicators. Remember if you are behind a truck, if you can't see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you!