Heavy vehicle technical checks is one of the study areas behind the driver theory test in Ireland, where the car test asks 40 questions in 45 minutes and 35 correct answers pass. This lesson gives the rules, the law behind them and questions on this area. Source: Citizens Information, page edited 6 May 2026, checked on 15 September 2026.
Choose an answer, then open the explanation to see the rule behind it.
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Question 1
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
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Correct answer: B
If the vehicle is presented more than one month before its test due date, the following test dates become the anniversaries of the testing date. The original anniversary does not stay put. A six month next due date is for a vehicle presented a year or more late, not for an early presentation, and a two year gap is not the rule. This is the early and late presentation rule in regulations 8 and 9 of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013, as substituted by the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (Amendment) Regulations 2018.
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
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Correct answer: B
A driver who finds a defect must notify the owner as soon as practicable, and must stop at a safe place and not drive on when the defect would make the vehicle a danger. Driving on to the next depot, relying on a current certificate, or waiting until the end of the week is not the rule. This is the defect notification rule in regulation 8 of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) (Vehicle Maintenance and Repair) Regulations 2013.
What is the greatest overall length allowed for a rigid vehicle?
A11 metres
B12 metresCorrect answer
C14 metres
D16.50 metres
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Correct answer: B
A rigid vehicle is limited to 12 metres. 11 or 14 metres are neighbouring wrong figures, and 16.50 metres is the articulated vehicle figure, not the rigid one. This is the vehicle length rule in the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003, as amended.
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
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Correct answer: A
The Authority issues the driver qualification card on application supported by two recent passport sized photographs and a copy of the driving licence. This is Regulation 15(1) and Regulation 15(2)(a) and (b) of S.I. No. 359 of 2008.
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
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Correct answer: A
The regulations do not apply to a vehicle undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance, or to a new or rebuilt vehicle that has not yet been put into service. This is Regulation 6(2)(c) and (d) of S.I. No. 359 of 2008.
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
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Correct answer: C
The regulations do not apply to a vehicle with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 kilometres per hour. This is Regulation 6(2)(a) of S.I. No. 359 of 2008.
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
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Correct answer: C
A six-axle articulated vehicle may weigh up to 40 tonnes. 38 and 42 tonnes are neighbouring figures that are not this limit, and 46 tonnes is available only where electronic braking and stability systems are fitted. This is the articulated vehicle weight rule in regulation 15 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003.
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
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Correct answer: D
Where a person completes the theoretical and practical tests, the Authority issues the person with an initial CPC. The Authority is the Road Safety Authority. This is Regulation 7(5) of S.I. No. 359 of 2008.
What is the greatest overall length allowed for a combination of vehicles?
A18.75 metresCorrect answer
B16.50 metres
C18 metres
D20 metres
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Correct answer: A
A combination of vehicles shall not exceed 18.75 metres, measured over the whole combination. 16.50 metres, 18 metres and 20 metres are not that overall figure. This is the combination length rule in regulation 29 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003.
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
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Correct answer: D
A driver who has completed periodic training for one licence category is exempt from further periodic training for the other categories. This is Article 8(5) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561.
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
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Correct answer: A
An articulated vehicle is limited to 16.50 metres. 15 metres is a neighbouring wrong figure, 12 metres is the rigid and trailer figure, and 18.75 metres is not the articulated vehicle limit. This is the vehicle length rule in the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003, as amended.
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
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Correct answer: A
An undertaking carrying dangerous goods must appoint a dangerous goods safety adviser, with limited exceptions for the activities described in the ADR. A tachograph technician, a permit clerk, or a driving instructor is not that appointment. This is the safety adviser rule in regulation 8 of the European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) Regulations 2011, as substituted by the European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.
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
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Correct answer: C
Where the driver holds a CPC awarded under Article 6(2), the minimum age for category C and category C plus E rises to 21. The lower age of 18 belongs to the Article 6(1) route. This is Article 5(2) and (3) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561.
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
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Correct answer: A
Where e learning is used, the maximum duration is 12 hours, and at least one of the training periods must cover a road safety related subject. This is Annex I, section 4, first paragraph of Directive (EU) 2022/2561.
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
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Correct answer: A
The rules 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 tonnes. They are not universal, they do apply to international goods work above those figures, and a merchandise licence is not the exclusion. This is the operator licensing scope rule in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009.
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
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Correct answer: C
A heavy vehicle tyre is illegal if its main grooves are less than 1.6 millimetres deep throughout a continuous band around the circumference. 3 millimetres, 4 millimetres on the shoulders, or no tread rule is not the test. This is the tyre tread rule in regulation 55 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003.
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
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Correct answer: A
The device must comply with and be type approved under the speed limiter type approval Directive, be sealed by an authorised sealer with intact seals, and carry a plate showing the set speed and the sealer details. A homemade limiter, a sticker instead of seals, or a driver-adjustable unapproved setting is not enough. This is the speed limiter installation rule in regulations 5 and 6 of the European Communities (Installation and Use of Speed Limitation Devices in Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2005.
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
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Correct answer: C
Before the vehicle or combination is driven in a public place a person must inspect the interior and walk around the outside and inspect it. A glance from the cab, relying on the certificate, or a weekly workshop visit with none on the day, is not that duty. This is the walk around inspection rule in regulation 8 of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) (Vehicle Maintenance and Repair) Regulations 2013.
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
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Correct answer: D
Under the tests only route, the theoretical test lasts at least 4 hours and is taken in two parts. The figures of 7 hours and 35 hours belong to periodic training, not to this test. This is Annex I, section 2, point 2.2 of Directive (EU) 2022/2561.
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
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Correct answer: A
Employment by an undertaking in the United Kingdom brings a third country national inside the Irish rules, alongside employment in the State or in another Member State. The driving licence held is not the test. The source is Regulation 2(b) of S.I. No. 594 of 2025, substituting Regulation 6(1) of S.I. No. 359 of 2008.