LK DMT Heavy Vehicle Written cheat sheet

Keep left: on a two-way carriageway, a heavy vehicle must be driven as close as practicable to the left edge of the roadway.

Overtaking is prohibited where the centre line is solid on your side, at pedestrian crossings, at railway crossings, and on blind bends or crests.

Minimum safe following distance for a heavy vehicle is at least 4 seconds in dry conditions; double it to 8 seconds in rain or on gravel.

Speed limits are maximums, not targets: reduce speed so the vehicle can stop within the distance visible ahead (stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance).

At an uncontrolled intersection the vehicle on the right has priority unless signs or markings indicate otherwise; a vehicle turning across traffic must give way.

A heavy vehicle must not enter a level crossing unless there is room to clear it completely on the far side.

Reversing is permitted only when it can be done safely; a driver must not reverse from a side road onto a main road or for more than a necessary distance.

Where a bus is signalling to leave a stop in a built-up area, approaching drivers must give way and allow it to re-enter the traffic stream.

Red circle border = prohibition; blue circle = mandatory instruction; yellow/red triangle with apex up = warning; rectangle = information or direction.

A red octagon means STOP: a complete stop is required at the line even when the road appears clear.

A flashing red signal at a railway crossing means stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the way is clear.

A solid white edge line marks the left boundary of the carriageway; a broken white centre line may be crossed to overtake when safe.

Double solid yellow/white centre lines on your side forbid crossing or straddling; a broken line on your side permits crossing.

A yellow box junction may be entered only if the exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked only by oncoming traffic.

Load limit and height restriction signs are binding: a vehicle exceeding the posted mass or height must not proceed.

A flashing amber signal at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians still on the crossing, then proceed if clear.

Total combination stopping distance rises with mass and speed; kinetic energy increases with the square of speed, so doubling speed quadruples braking energy.

On a downgrade, select a low gear before descending and use engine braking; continuous service braking causes brake fade from heat build-up.

Load must be distributed so that axle loads stay within the manufacturer's ratings and the gross vehicle mass is not exceeded.

Any load projecting more than 1 metre beyond the rear of the vehicle must carry a warning marker visible to following traffic.

The load must be secured so it cannot shift, fall or be released; lashings are rated by lashing capacity and must match the load mass.

High centre of gravity raises rollover risk: reduce speed in curves and avoid sudden steering inputs with a loaded high-body vehicle.

Off-tracking means rear wheels track inside the front wheels on a turn; allow extra clearance on the inside of corners.

Use a lower gear and gentle accelerator on loose or wet surfaces to avoid wheelspin and jackknifing of articulated units.

Daily pre-trip check covers tyres, brakes, lights, steering, mirrors, horn, wipers, fluid levels, load security and warning devices.

Minimum tyre tread depth for heavy vehicles is 1 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; sidewall cuts and bulges require replacement.

Air brake systems must build pressure to the governor cut-out; a steady pressure loss with the engine off indicates a leak requiring attention.

Brake test: with the engine off and system charged, a fully applied pedal must not creep toward the floor.

A defect affecting safety (brakes, steering, tyres, lights) makes the vehicle unroadworthy; it must be reported and not driven until repaired.

Coolant and oil levels are checked cold; low oil pressure warning or overheating requires stopping safely and investigating before continuing.

Wheel nut indicators and lug torque must be checked after wheel changes and at the start of each shift.

Record every defect in the vehicle defect log and report to the operator; a driver is legally responsible for not driving an unsafe vehicle.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead in urban areas and further on open road; use mirrors every 5-8 seconds to maintain the full picture.

Identify hazards early and decide a planned response; the system is See-Think-Do: observe, assess, then act.

Blind spots on a heavy vehicle are large; before changing lanes, signal, check mirrors, and check the blind spot directly where possible.

Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists) have less protection; give them extra space and expect unpredictable movement.

At night or in poor visibility, reduce speed so you can stop within the lit distance of the headlights.

Fatigue impairs reaction time; after 4 hours of continuous driving take a break of at least 15 minutes, and stop if drowsy.

In fog use low beam, not high beam, because high beam reflects off the fog and reduces visibility.

When a collision is unavoidable, brake firmly in a straight line and steer to avoid the most serious impact rather than swerving.

A heavy vehicle driver must hold the correct class of driving licence for the vehicle's gross vehicle mass and configuration.

The driver is responsible for carrying the licence, vehicle registration, insurance and any required permits while driving.

Driving without a valid licence, without insurance, or with a suspended licence is an offence punishable by fine, disqualification or both.

A driver must stop after a collision involving injury, death or damage and provide name, address, licence and vehicle details.

The registered owner and the driver share responsibility for the vehicle's roadworthiness; both may be liable for defects.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited; a driver must submit to a breath or blood test when lawfully required.

The driver must obey lawful directions of police officers and authorised traffic officers, including requests to stop and produce documents.

Operating hours and rest requirements for heavy vehicles must be recorded and complied with; falsifying records is an offence.

DRSABCD: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation - assess the scene for danger before approaching.

Severe bleeding is controlled by direct pressure on the wound and, where possible, elevation; do not remove embedded objects.

For suspected spinal injury, do not move the casualty unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic.

Place an unconscious but breathing casualty in the recovery position and monitor breathing until help arrives.

At a crash scene: switch off engines, set warning triangles or hazard lights, and keep traffic away from the scene.

A fire in a vehicle should be fought only if small and safe to do so; otherwise evacuate upwind and call emergency services.

Spilled fuel or oil must be contained with absorbent material and reported; never wash it into drains or waterways.

Environmental controls: avoid unnecessary idling, dispose of waste and used oil at approved facilities, and report fuel or chemical spills.