Vehicle Loading & Towing quiz: 25 free theory test questions

1. Whoever loaded the vehicle
2. The driver
3. The vehicle's owner, even when not present
4. The insurance company

Answer: B. As the driver, you must not use your vehicle with an insecure load or beyond its weight limits — the responsibility sits with you, whoever did the loading. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98

1. It lowers the centre of gravity and improves stability
2. It raises the centre of gravity, reducing stability and increasing fuel consumption
3. It has no effect if you drive under 50 mph
4. It improves grip in crosswinds

Answer: B. Weight up high makes the car lean more in bends and react more to crosswinds, and the drag burns more fuel. Load heavy items low in the vehicle and take corners more gently.

1. Brake firmly to bring it under control
2. Accelerate out of the snake
3. Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently until it stabilises
4. Steer sharply in the opposite direction to the sway

Answer: C. Braking or steering against the sway makes snaking worse. Ease off gradually, let the speed fall gently, and the outfit will settle — then consider load distribution and noseweight before continuing. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98 (towing guidance)

1. 70 mph, the same as any car
2. 60 mph — and it must not use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway
3. 50 mph in all lanes
4. There is no specific limit when towing

Answer: B. Towing lowers the limits: 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 50 mph on single carriageways — and outfits towing must keep out of the outside lane of a motorway with three or more lanes. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 124 and 265

1. The child
2. The driver
3. The front-seat passenger
4. Whoever owns the car

Answer: B. The driver is legally responsible for children under 14: children must normally use the correct child restraint until they're 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 99–102

1. Loose, so they can settle comfortably
2. Suitably restrained — a harness, carrier or guard — so they can't distract you or hurt themselves
3. On the front passenger seat
4. Only in the boot

Answer: B. An unrestrained animal can distract you or become a projectile in a crash. Use a seat-belt harness, carrier, cage or dog guard. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 57

1. Nothing — modern cars self-adjust
2. Tyre pressures and headlight aim, as the handbook specifies for heavy loads
3. Only the driver's seat position
4. The wing mirrors

Answer: B. A heavy load squats the rear: the handbook typically specifies higher tyre pressures, and headlights may need aiming down to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98 and Annex 6

1. Only that the trailer lights work
2. That the load is within your car's towing limit, the coupling is secure, the breakaway cable or secondary coupling is attached and the lights work
3. That the trailer is heavier than the car
4. Nothing extra beyond normal checks

Answer: B. Towing failures are usually preparation failures: respect the manufacturer's towing limit, confirm the hitch and breakaway cable (or secondary coupling), and check lights and indicators respond before moving off. Reference: GOV.UK — Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks; The Highway Code — rule 98

1. 750 kg
2. 1,000 kg
3. 3,500 kg
4. 8,250 kg

Answer: C. If you passed your car test on or after 1 January 1997, you can now tow a trailer of up to 3,500 kg MAM — known as category BE. You still mustn't exceed the towing limit the manufacturer sets for your particular car. Reference: GOV.UK — Towing with a car

1. You can tow any trailer up to 750 kg
2. You can tow as long as the trailer has brakes
3. You must fit towing mirrors before towing
4. You shouldn't use the car for towing

Answer: D. The gross train weight is the maximum weight of the fully loaded car plus the fully loaded trailer, and it must not be exceeded. If your car's VIN plate doesn't list a train weight, you should not use the vehicle for towing. Reference: GOV.UK — Towing with a car

1. 750 kg
2. 1,000 kg
3. 1,500 kg
4. 3,500 kg

Answer: A. A trailer without brakes must not weigh more than 750 kg when loaded, and it shouldn't weigh more than half as much as your car. Any trailer weighing over 750 kg when loaded must have a working brake system. Reference: GOV.UK — Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks

1. At the very back, to balance the weight of the car
2. In a roof box on the car to free up space
3. Over the axle, with the load spread evenly
4. Right at the front, as close to the hitch as possible

Answer: C. Distribute the weight evenly, with heavy items over the axle or axles. Too much weight at the back makes the caravan unstable and prone to snaking, too much at the front can exceed the tow ball limit, and roof loads make the car less stable. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98

1. There should be no weight on the tow ball at all
2. It should pull upwards slightly on the tow ball
3. It can be as heavy as you like with a large car
4. It should press down, within the manufacturer's limit

Answer: D. Load the caravan so there's a downward load on the tow ball (the noseweight) without exceeding the manufacturer's recommended tow ball load. Getting this right helps minimise swerving, snaking and loss of control. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98

1. Going too fast, or a badly loaded trailer
2. Driving in too low a gear
3. A fault with the trailer's lights or indicators
4. Tyres on the car that are brand new and not worn in

Answer: A. Snaking is a sign that either you're going too fast or the trailer is loaded incorrectly. Ease off and reduce speed gently to regain control, then check how the load is distributed and keep your speed down. Reference: GOV.UK — Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks

1. Only when towing on motorways and fast dual carriageways
2. Whenever the loaded trailer weighs more than 750 kg in total
3. When the trailer is wider than your car or blocks your view
4. Only when you're towing after dark or in poor visibility

Answer: C. If your vehicle is narrower than the trailer or load, or the trailer or load obstructs your view to the rear, towing mirrors MUST be used. Towing without proper mirrors can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 penalty points. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98; GOV.UK — Towing with a car

1. 50 mph
2. 55 mph
3. 60 mph
4. 70 mph

Answer: A. Cars towing caravans or trailers are limited to 50 mph on single carriageways, compared with 60 mph for a car that isn't towing. The national speed limit sign doesn't mean the same limit applies to every vehicle. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 124

1. Carry power from the car to the trailer's lights
2. Stop the trailer swaying from side to side in crosswinds
3. Brake the trailer if it comes off the hitch
4. Hold the jockey wheel up off the road while you drive

Answer: C. A breakaway cable or secondary coupling engages the trailer's brakes, or stops the trailer, if it becomes detached from the car. Check it isn't worn, has enough slack not to apply the brakes by accident, and won't drag on the ground. Reference: GOV.UK — Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks

1. A verbal warning only
2. No penalty unless something falls off
3. Points only if you're driving a lorry
4. 3 penalty points on your licence

Answer: D. Causing, or being likely to cause, danger because of your load or passengers is an endorsable offence (code CU50) carrying 3 penalty points. You don't have to wait for something to fall off — an unsafe load is enough. Reference: GOV.UK — Penalty points (endorsements)

1. Passengers, luggage and fuel
2. Only the luggage in the boot
3. Just the empty car
4. Everything except the driver

Answer: A. The maximum weights on the manufacturer's plate include passengers, other loads and fuel. A car full of people and holiday luggage can be close to its limit before you even hitch up a trailer, so check the plate or handbook. Reference: GOV.UK — Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks

1. It shortens it, because of the extra weight
2. It makes no difference if the trailer has brakes
3. It only affects stopping in wet weather
4. It can increase it significantly

Answer: D. Your stopping distance may increase significantly when towing, even with a braked trailer. Leave a bigger gap, slow down in plenty of time for hazards, and avoid braking harshly on a bend, which makes a trailer unstable. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98; GOV.UK — Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks

1. You, as the driver
2. Their parent or guardian
3. The owner of the car
4. The passenger

Answer: D. Drivers are responsible for passengers under 14, but a passenger aged 14 or over is legally responsible for wearing their own seat belt. As the driver you should still insist, because an unbelted passenger is at far greater risk in a crash. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 99

1. Only in a special child seat fitted there
2. Yes, if they sit on a cushion
3. Yes, for short journeys under 30 mph
4. Yes, as long as the parcel shelf is removed

Answer: A. Children should not sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback unless a special child seat has been fitted there. The luggage area gives no proper restraint, and every child still needs the correct seat or belt. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 102

1. It will noticeably increase the car's fuel consumption
2. It could scratch the upholstery
3. In a crash it could hit and injure someone
4. It will stop the rear seat belts from locking properly

Answer: C. You MUST secure your load. Heavy or sharp objects left loose can be thrown forward if you stop suddenly or crash, hitting people inside the vehicle and causing serious injury. Stow them securely in the boot. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 98

1. A rope is the safest method for any distance
2. Only tow it at night, when the roads are much quieter
3. Tow it with the hazard lights on in both cars
4. Consider a solid tow bar or professional recovery

Answer: D. Towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous, so the Highway Code advises considering a solid tow bar or professional recovery. Hazard warning lights mustn't be used while driving or being towed, except on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn drivers behind of a hazard ahead. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 98 and 116

1. No, each belt is for one person only
2. Yes, provided they're both under 12 years old
3. Yes, but only for short journeys at low speed
4. Yes, as long as they're sitting in the back

Answer: A. Only one person is allowed in each seat fitted with a seat belt. Two children sharing a belt can't both be properly restrained and could be badly hurt in a crash, so make a second trip or arrange another vehicle. Reference: GOV.UK — Seat belts: the law

The DVSA doesn't publish per-topic counts. Your 50 questions are drawn across all 14 official topics, so revise every category.

You need 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions correct (86%), plus 44 out of 75 on the hazard perception clips. You must pass both parts in the same sitting.

No — these are original practice questions written to the current DVSA syllabus and The Highway Code. Official revision questions are Crown Copyright and only available from licensed providers.