Environmental and Fuel-Efficient Driving
What the exam tests
This domain tests driving and operating choices that cut fuel use and emissions without compromising safety: progressive shifting, idling control, tyre pressure, route planning and maintenance.
Core rules
- Accelerate smoothly and shift progressively; avoid revving to the governor.
- Keep tyres at the correct pressure; soft tyres increase rolling resistance and heat.
- Avoid unnecessary idling; switch off the engine when parked for more than a short stop, unless heating or cooling is required for the load.
- Plan routes to avoid congestion and unnecessary detours; combine deliveries where possible.
- Keep the vehicle maintained: a dirty air filter, faulty injector or dragging brake wastes fuel.
- Use cruise control only on suitable roads and in good conditions.
Worked example
A driver idles for 15 minutes each day before departure. Over 250 working days that is 62.5 hours of idling. A heavy engine may use roughly 1 to 2 litres per hour at idle, so the waste is about 60 to 125 litres of fuel. The reasoning: idling also adds engine wear and emissions. The driver starts, checks gauges, lets oil pressure settle briefly and moves off gently.
Traps
Do not warm a modern engine for long periods; gentle driving warms it faster. Do not sacrifice safety for fuel: coasting downhill in neutral or over-inflating tyres is not acceptable. Do not ignore route planning because the return trip is empty.