Southern General Directorate of Traffic Truck & Bus
Practice mode· Heavy vehicle skillsSouthern General Directorate of Traffic - Bahrain Heavy Vehicle Skills Test 1
First set of questions on truck and bus operation: braking distances, load stability, blind spots, turning space and vehicle checks. Master the skills unique to heavy vehicles.
You are about to descend a long gradient and notice the 'Trucks: engage low gear' sign. What is the correct action?
The other 12 questions in this test
Read them all. The answer and the reason for each, and the timed 22-question run, are in the Bahrain Driving Test Questions PDF.
- Q11Heavy vehicle
A heavy truck driver checks tyres in the morning before a long summer route. The tyres feel correctly inflated. After driving 60 km in 38-degree heat, should the driver reduce tyre pressure if the pressure has risen?
- ANo, pressure rises during normal operation as tyres warm up; releasing air from a hot tyre can result in under-inflation and blowout risk
- BYes, bleed air to return to the cold morning pressure reading
- COnly if the pressure has risen by more than 20% above the cold specification
- DYes, all tyres must be bled to exactly the cold specification pressure at every fuel stop
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q12Heavy vehicle
During a desert summer rest stop, a driver notices white powdery residue on the inner sidewall of a rear tyre. What could this indicate?
- ARoad salt contamination from recent rain, which is harmless in Bahrain's dry climate
- BThe tyre has been newly fitted and the residue is factory release compound that will disappear after a few kilometres
- CTyre sealant or inner tube talcum powder has worked its way through a developing sidewall crack, indicating the tyre structure may be failing
- DThe tyre is correctly cured and the powder is a sign of a high-quality compound
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q13Heavy vehicle
What pre-trip check should be carried out on the steering on a heavy vehicle?
- ACheck that the steering wheel is centred and has a company logo sticker for identification
- BCheck for excessive free play in the steering wheel, unusual noises when turning, and that the power steering fluid level is within the correct range
- CThe steering is electronically calibrated and requires no pre-trip inspection
- DOnly check steering if the vehicle has been involved in a collision in the previous 30 days
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q14Heavy vehicle
You are driving a long articulated truck on a Bahrain dual carriageway and need to change to the right lane. You signal, check your left mirror, then your right flat mirror, and then your right wide-angle mirror. There appear to be no vehicles. Is it now safe to move right?
- AYes, if three mirror checks show nothing the lane is clear and you may move right immediately
- BNot necessarily; the right blind spot on a left-hand-drive truck is large enough that a vehicle may still be present, so a final physical check over the right shoulder or a brief pause for a fast-moving vehicle to appear in mirrors is also recommended
- CYes, but only if you also check that your left signal is cancelled before moving
- DNo, lane changes are prohibited for articulated trucks on dual carriageways in Bahrain
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q15Heavy vehicle
Before a long journey your truck's air pressure warning buzzer sounds in the cab. What should you do?
- ADrive slowly to the nearest garage and build pressure on the way
- BSwitch off the buzzer and continue; air pressure builds naturally while driving
- CUse only the handbrake for the first kilometre until the warning clears
- DStop, investigate the cause, and do not move until the system has reached the correct operating pressure and any fault is resolved
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q16Heavy vehicle
Which statement about 'spring brake' (park brake) on an air-brake truck is correct?
- AIt is applied by increasing air pressure and released by reducing air pressure
- BIt is only used to stop the vehicle on steep hills and has no connection to the air system
- CIt applies automatically when air pressure falls and must be released by building air pressure, making it a fail-safe device
- DIt is an electric brake that operates independently of the pneumatic system
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q17Heavy vehicle
When driving a heavy truck down a long steep descent, what is the recommended technique to control speed?
- ASelect a high gear and use the service brake continuously to maintain speed
- BSelect a low gear before the descent and use engine braking to control speed, supplementing with short, firm brake applications if needed
- CSwitch off the engine to reduce noise and coast down in neutral
- DUse only the exhaust brake and keep the service brake fully released throughout the descent
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q18Heavy vehicle
What is an exhaust brake (Jake brake) and when is it most useful?
- AAn engine retarder that uses exhaust back-pressure or compression release to slow the vehicle, most useful on long descents
- BA device that cools the exhaust system to prevent overheating at high speed
- CA secondary fuel system that activates automatically in heavy braking to increase engine power
- DA noise suppressor fitted to diesel engines required by Bahrain noise regulations
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q19Heavy vehicle
During a journey you notice your truck is pulling to one side even though the road is straight and level. What could this indicate about the load?
- AThe load is correctly distributed and the symptom is caused by road camber
- BThe load has shifted to one side, causing an uneven weight distribution that affects steering and tyre loading
- COne of the steering axle tyres is over-inflated, which is unrelated to load distribution
- DThe front axle weight is too low, meaning more cargo should be moved forward
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q20Heavy vehicle
A load projects more than 1 metre beyond the rear of your truck. What is required in Bahrain? (Confirm exact distances with the General Directorate of Traffic.)
- ANo special measures are needed as long as the overall vehicle length is under 22 metres
- BThe load must be refused; projection beyond the bodywork is never permitted on Bahrain roads
- CThe projection must be marked with a red flag or light and may require a special permit depending on the length
- DOnly a rear reflective marker plate is needed, regardless of how far the load projects
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q21Heavy vehicle
What does 'gross vehicle weight' (GVW) mean?
- AThe weight of the vehicle alone with all fluids but no cargo or passengers
- BThe maximum combined weight of the vehicle, its cargo, fuel, driver, and any passengers as specified by the manufacturer and regulator
- CThe weight recorded at the last annual vehicle inspection
- DThe weight of the cargo only, excluding the vehicle's own mass
Answer and explanation in the bank
- Q22Heavy vehicle
Your laden truck is approaching a bridge with a posted weight limit of 30 tonnes but your gross vehicle weight is 32 tonnes. What must you do?
- ADo not cross. Find an alternative route or obtain a special crossing permit from the authorities before proceeding
- BCross at low speed; the weight limit has a built-in safety margin that covers 2 extra tonnes
- CDeflate the tyres slightly to reduce the load on the bridge deck
- DCross quickly so the dynamic weight on the structure is lower than the static limit
Answer and explanation in the bank
Every answer above, with the rule it comes from, plus the full 22-question timed test.
Get the Bahrain Driving Test Questions - BHD 3What this test covers
Topics include road signs, traffic signals, right of way, roundabouts, speed limits, seat belts, fines and penalties, and the safe-driving rules specific to your vehicle category. Full question-by-question feedback with explanations is shown immediately after you finish the test above.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions is the Southern General Directorate of Traffic truck & bus theory test?
The official General Directorate of Traffic truck & bus theory test in Southern has 35 questions and you need 26 correct (75%) to pass. This practice test has 22 questions.
Is this the real exam?
These are practice questions to help you revise, written to the published rules and to what candidates report from the real test. They are not the official Bahrain exam and the real question bank, format, fees and pass mark are set by the General Directorate of Traffic (Ministry of Interior), and can change. Always confirm the current requirements with your driving school or the traffic department.
Is this practice test free?
The first 10 questions are free, with no signup, and each shows the answer and the reason. The full 22-question test, timed, is in the Bahrain Driving Test Questions PDF (BHD 3, one payment), with every question in the bank.
What does the Southern truck & bus theory test cover?
Road signs, traffic signals, right of way, roundabouts, speed limits, seat belts, penalties and safe-driving rules, plus the handling and safety topics specific to your vehicle.