The culmination of your HGV training and the final step before qualifying to become a fully fledged licenced lorry driver is your test. Taken in two parts, the HGV driving test requires you to pass a practical test in which you will get behind the wheel of a lorry and be tested on your acquired driving skills and techniques. And, in addition, you must also pass a theory test.
As much as the practical test is important to gauge your competency as an HGV driver, so the theory test is crucial in determining your ability to carry out the driver’s role as professionally and adeptly as possible. You need to know the full ins and outs of what it takes to be responsible for such a big vehicle and its contained loads when driving the busy roads and motorways.
Divided into 2 Sections
To pass the theory test you need to pass both sections. Naturally this will require adequate prep in advance of taking it. The sections are:
- Multiple Choice
- Hazard Perception
Multiple Choice
In this part of the test you will be presented with multiple choice questions on a variety of areas considered vital to the successful operation of an HGV driver. Here you can expect to be tested on a range of different areas relating to both life behind the wheel and away from the truck itself. Such as:
- Fully understanding your vehicle, from sizes and categories to braking systems and methods
- Knowledge of speed limits, the highway code, different road signs you might encounter on the UK road networks.
- Things you will need to know and understand about the condition of your vehicle.
- Best practice in terms of loading and unloading the HGV
- Questions about the administrative side of the job
- HGV driving and the environment
- Safety issues in relation to other road users
- Procedures in the event of an accident or emergency
- Questions relating to driver working hours and rest periods
The questions will come from sources such as The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and The Official DVSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles.
Naturally then, it follows that your revision should revolve around adequate studying of these sources. As an HGV driver you are expected to have a handle on the various aspects of the job in both a driving and non-driving capacity. This section of the theory test is designed specifically to examine this.
Hazard Perception
Hazard perception is a self-explanatory section of the theory test. Here you are required to demonstrate suitable aptitude in recognising potential hazards and dangers thanks to the observation of a series of video clips filmed from the POV of an HGV driver.
This section of the test is really a combined test of understanding the law and highway code alongside your own application of common sense, observation and concentration.
IN order to best prepare for this test you might test yourself continually when actually out on the road, either in a truck, car or even as a passenger. Your own personal knowledge and experiences is a good place to start. When out and about pay close attention to the conditions and other aspects of the road and surrounding environment, listing or mentally noting the different potential hotspots.
For further help in revision you can also find online training materials such as interactive and test videos – seek out the The Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception – all of which offer the chance to practice spotting hazards and dangers in a similar vein to that which you’ll experience in the test itself.