Heavy vehicle technical checks: the law, an example and questions

You present a goods vehicle more than one month before its test due date. What happens to the following test dates?

• AThey stay on the original first-registration anniversary
• BThey become the anniversaries of the testing dateCorrect answer
• CThe next test is due in six months in every case
• DNo further test is due for two years

Source: Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 347 of 2013), Regulations 8 and 9(3)(a), as substituted by Regulations 7 and 8 of S.I. No. 117 of 2018, checked on 2026-09-16.

On the walk around you find a defect that would make the goods vehicle a danger. What must you do?

• ADrive to the next depot and report it there
• BNotify the owner as soon as practicable, stop at a safe place, and not drive onCorrect answer
• CCarry on if the certificate of roadworthiness is still in date
• DNotify the owner at the end of the week

Source: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) (Vehicle Maintenance and Repair) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 348 of 2013), Regulation 8(6) and (7)(a), checked on 2026-09-16.

What is the greatest overall length allowed for a rigid vehicle?

• A11 metres
• B12 metresCorrect answer
• C14 metres
• D16.50 metres

Source: Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 99 of 2004), Regulation 2, substituting Regulation 28 of S.I. No. 5 of 2003, checked on 2026-09-15.

What must support an application for a driver qualification card?

• ATwo recent passport sized photographs and a copy of the driving licenceCorrect answer
• BOne recent photograph and the original driving licence
• CTwo recent photographs and a medical certificate
• DA copy of the driving licence only

Source: European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 359 of 2008), Regulation 15(1) and Regulation 15(2)(a) and (b), checked on 2026-09-16.

A new category C truck has been built but not yet put into service, and it is being driven on a test run. Are the driver CPC regulations applied to it?

• ANo, a new vehicle not yet in service is outside the regulationsCorrect answer
• BYes, all category C vehicles are covered
• CYes, unless the driver already holds a driver CPC
• DYes, because the vehicle is on a public road

Source: European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 359 of 2008), Regulation 6(2)(c) and (d), checked on 2026-09-16.

The driver CPC regulations do not apply to a vehicle below a certain maximum authorised speed. What is the figure?

• Anot exceeding 50 kilometres per hour
• Bnot exceeding 60 kilometres per hour
• Cnot exceeding 45 kilometres per hourCorrect answer
• Dnot exceeding 80 kilometres per hour

Source: European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 359 of 2008), Regulation 6(2)(a), checked on 2026-09-16.

What is the weight limit for a six-axle articulated vehicle without the extra qualifying conditions?

• A38 tonnes
• B42 tonnes
• C40 tonnesCorrect answer
• D46 tonnes

Source: Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), Regulation 15(1), checked on 2026-09-15.

A person completes both parts of the initial CPC qualification. Who issues the initial CPC?

• AThe approved training centre that prepared the person
• BThe driving test examiner who conducted the practical element
• CThe employer who employs the person as a driver
• DThe AuthorityCorrect answer

Source: European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 359 of 2008), Regulation 7(5), checked on 2026-09-16.

What is the greatest overall length allowed for a combination of vehicles?

• A18.75 metresCorrect answer
• B16.50 metres
• C18 metres
• D20 metres

Source: Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), Regulation 29(1), checked on 2026-09-15.

A driver completes periodic training for category C and later takes up category CE work. Must the driver repeat periodic training for category CE?

• AYes, each licence category requires its own separate periodic training
• BYes, but only the practical element must be repeated
• CYes, unless the driver has already held the category for five years
• DNo, periodic training completed for one category covers the other categoriesCorrect answer

Source: Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, Article 8(5), checked on 2026-09-16.

You are about to take out an articulated vehicle. What is the greatest overall length allowed for that vehicle?

• A16.50 metresCorrect answer
• B15 metres
• C12 metres
• D18.75 metres

Source: Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 99 of 2004), Regulation 2, substituting Regulation 28 of S.I. No. 5 of 2003, checked on 2026-09-15.

What must an undertaking that carries dangerous goods by road appoint, with limited exceptions for the activities described in the ADR?

• AA dangerous goods safety adviserCorrect answer
• BA second tachograph technician
• CA local authority permit clerk
• DA driving instructor

Source: European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 238 of 2013), Regulation 6(b), substituting Regulation 8(8) of S.I. No. 349 of 2011, checked on 2026-09-16.

Under the Directive, where a category C driver holds a CPC awarded under Article 6(2) rather than Article 6(1), what is the minimum age?

• A18
• B20
• C21Correct answer
• D23

Source: Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, Article 5(2) and (3), checked on 2026-09-16.

Where e learning is used as part of periodic training, what limits apply?

• ANo more than 12 hours may be e learning, and at least one training period must cover a road safety related subjectCorrect answer
• BE learning is unlimited where a test follows the course
• CE learning may take up the whole 35 hours if it is supervised
• DThere is no limit on e learning, and the road safety subject is optional

Source: Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, Annex I, section 4, first paragraph, checked on 2026-09-16.

When is an undertaking using goods vehicles outside the operator licensing rules?

• AThey do not apply to undertakings using only vehicles or combinations not exceeding 3.5 tonnes engaged exclusively in national transport, nor to those using only vehicles not exceeding 2.5 tonnesCorrect answer
• BThey always apply, whatever the weight or the work
• CThey do not apply to any international goods work
• DThey do not apply once a merchandise licence is held

Source: Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing common rules concerning the conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road transport operator, Article 1(4)(a) and (aa), checked on 2026-09-16.

When is a tyre on your heavy goods vehicle illegal because of tread depth?

• AIf its main grooves are less than 3 millimetres deep at any one point
• BIf its main grooves are less than 4 millimetres deep on the shoulders only
• CIf its main grooves are less than 1.6 millimetres deep throughout a continuous band around the circumferenceCorrect answer
• DNever, because heavy vehicle tyres have no tread depth rule

Source: Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), Regulation 55(1)(f) and (g), checked on 2026-09-16.

What must a speed limitation device on a goods vehicle have?

• AType approval under the speed limiter type approval Directive, seals fitted by an authorised sealer and still intact, and a plate showing the set speed and the sealer detailsCorrect answer
• BA homemade limiter with no plate
• CA workshop sticker instead of seals
• DA driver-adjustable setting with no type approval

Source: European Communities (Installation and Use of Speed Limitation Devices in Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 831 of 2005), Regulation 5(1) and (3) and Regulation 6, checked on 2026-09-16.

Before you drive a commercial goods vehicle or combination in a public place, what inspection must be done?

• AA glance at the tyres from the cab window is enough
• BNo inspection is needed if the certificate is current
• CA person must inspect the interior and walk around the outside and inspect itCorrect answer
• DA workshop inspection every week is enough, with none on the day

Source: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) (Vehicle Maintenance and Repair) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 348 of 2013), Regulation 8(1) and (2), checked on 2026-09-16.

Where Ireland uses the tests only route for the initial qualification, how long is the theoretical test?

• A2 hours
• B7 hours
• C35 hours
• DAt least 4 hoursCorrect answer

Source: Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, Annex I, section 2, point 2.2, checked on 2026-09-16.

A driver from outside the European Union is employed by a haulage undertaking based in the United Kingdom and drives a relevant vehicle in the State. Are the Irish driver CPC regulations applied to that driving?

• AYes, a third country national employed by an undertaking in the United Kingdom is coveredCorrect answer
• BNo, only drivers employed by an undertaking in a Member State are covered
• CNo, only Irish citizens and nationals of other Member States are covered
• DNo, because the United Kingdom is not in the European Union

Source: European Union (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 594 of 2025), Regulation 2(b), substituting Regulation 6(1) of S.I. No. 359 of 2008, checked on 2026-09-16.