Riyadh General Dept. of Traffic - Saudi Heavy Vehicle Skills Test 1

Q: How many questions is the Riyadh General Dept. of Traffic truck & bus theory test?

The official General Dept. of Traffic truck & bus theory test in Riyadh has 35 questions and you need 22 correct (63%) to pass. This practice test has 22 questions.

Q: 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 Saudi exam and the real question bank, format, fees and pass mark are set by the General Department of Traffic (Moroor) and the driving schools, and can change. Always confirm the current requirements with your driving school or the traffic department.

Q: 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 Saudi Driving Theory Online Practice Bank (SAR 39, one payment), with every question in the bank.

Q: What does the Riyadh 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.

Question 1

Why does a fully loaded articulated truck require a much greater stopping distance than a private car travelling at the same speed?

Accepted Answer

Greater mass gives the truck far more kinetic energy, so the brakes must absorb much more energy before the vehicle stops. A fully loaded truck has far greater mass than a car, which means far more kinetic energy at any given speed. The brakes must absorb all that energy before the vehicle stops, so the stopping distance is significantly longer. Always allow a large gap to the vehicle ahead.

Answer

Truck air brakes are slower to react than a car's hydraulic brakes

Answer

Truck tyres are wider and create more wind resistance, which slows the braking

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A loaded truck sits lower, reducing tyre contact and grip

Question 2

Compared with the same truck when empty, a fully laden heavy truck travelling at 80 km/h will have a stopping distance that is

Accepted Answer

Considerably longer, because higher mass requires more braking force over a greater distance. A laden truck has considerably longer stopping distance than the same truck when empty. Higher mass means more kinetic energy, and the brakes must work much harder over a greater distance. This effect is even more pronounced on wet or sandy roads.

Answer

Roughly the same, because the brakes are identical on the laden and unladen vehicle

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Slightly shorter, because added weight presses the tyres harder onto the road

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Shorter only on wet roads, due to the extra mass improving tyre adhesion

Question 3

When following another vehicle on a Saudi highway in a fully loaded 40-tonne articulated truck, what following distance approach should you use?

Accepted Answer

A gap well beyond the two-second rule, because heavy vehicles need far more distance to stop safely. A fully loaded articulated truck needs a following distance far greater than the two-second rule designed for light vehicles. A gap of at least four to five seconds in dry conditions is widely recommended;

Answer

The same two-second rule used for a light vehicle at the same speed

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A fixed 20-metre gap regardless of speed

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One vehicle length for every 10 km/h of speed

Question 4

You are driving a laden heavy truck at 90 km/h on a dry Saudi highway when the vehicle in front stops suddenly. Which factor most increases your stopping distance compared with a light vehicle?

Accepted Answer

The high kinetic energy of the truck's greater mass, which requires much more braking force and distance to dissipate. Kinetic energy increases with the square of speed and linearly with mass. A fully laden truck has far more mass than a car, so at the same speed it carries far more kinetic energy. That energy must all be converted to heat by the brakes before the vehicle stops, dramatically increasing the stopping distance.

Answer

The longer wheelbase, which forces the rear wheels to travel further before locking

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The elevated driving position, which reduces the driver's ability to judge distance accurately

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Air resistance acting against the front of the cab, which pushes the truck forward

Question 5

What type of braking system is fitted to most heavy trucks and buses operating in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

Pneumatic (air) brakes, which use compressed air to actuate the brake chambers. Most heavy trucks and buses use pneumatic (air) brakes. Compressed air from an onboard compressor actuates brake chambers to apply the wheel brakes. Understanding air-brake operation and the fail-safe spring-brake system is essential for every heavy-vehicle driver.

Answer

Hydraulic disc brakes identical to those fitted on light vehicles

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Electric regenerative brakes that charge the battery on every stop

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Cable-operated drum brakes similar to those used on motorcycles

Question 6

What is brake fade, and which situation most commonly causes it on a heavy truck?

Accepted Answer

A reduction in braking power caused by overheated brake drums or discs, most commonly on long downhill descents when brakes are applied repeatedly. Brake fade is the loss of braking effectiveness that occurs when brake components overheat. On long downhill gradients, repeatedly applying the service brakes heats the drums or discs until they can no longer absorb heat effectively. Always use engine or exhaust brakes to control speed on descents and avoid relying solely on the service brakes.

Answer

A sudden increase in braking force caused by air pressure building up too quickly in the chambers

Answer

The delay between pressing the brake pedal and the air reaching the rear axle chambers

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The locking of the rear wheels caused by excessive brake pedal pressure on a slippery surface

Question 7

What does the low air-pressure warning light or buzzer on a heavy truck indicate?

Accepted Answer

The air pressure in the braking system has fallen below a safe level and you must stop safely as soon as possible. A low air-pressure warning on a heavy truck means the compressed air reservoir pressure has dropped below the minimum threshold for safe brake operation. You must stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible and not move it until the fault is investigated. Driving with low air pressure risks complete brake failure.

Answer

The air conditioning system has lost refrigerant and needs servicing

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The tyre pressures need to be checked at the next fuel stop

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The air suspension has deflated and must be re-inflated before driving

Question 8

A heavy truck fitted with spring-brake actuators is left parked on a slope without connecting the hand-brake control. What happens to the spring brakes if the air pressure in the system drops to zero?

Accepted Answer

The spring brakes apply automatically, holding the vehicle stationary because the springs are released by air pressure and engage when pressure is lost. Spring-brake actuators are a fail-safe device. Compressed air holds the large internal spring in a compressed, released position. When air pressure drops to zero (or below a set threshold), the spring extends and forces the brake on. This is why air-brake equipped trucks automatically apply their parking brakes if the air supply fails.

Answer

The spring brakes release fully, allowing the vehicle to roll freely down the slope

Answer

Nothing changes because spring brakes are independent of air pressure

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The service brakes apply instead, but only on the front axle

Question 9

Why should a driver use the engine brake or exhaust brake on a long downhill gradient rather than relying on the service (foot) brakes alone?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the service brakes from overheating and fading, which could lead to brake failure. Using engine or exhaust brakes on long descents removes the braking load from the service brakes, preventing them from overheating and fading. Brake fade on a descent can lead to complete loss of braking ability. The service brakes should be reserved for supplementary slowing or emergency stops.

Answer

To save fuel because using the engine brake charges the air compressor

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Because service brakes are not permitted on downhill gradients under Saudi regulations

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To keep the engine revs high enough for the alternator to charge the batteries

Question 10

Before descending a long steep grade, a heavy truck driver should select an appropriate gear. What is the correct principle?

Accepted Answer

Select a low gear before reaching the descent so engine braking can hold the truck at a safe speed throughout. The correct principle is to select the appropriate low gear before reaching the descent. Engine braking in a low gear will hold the truck at a safe speed without requiring constant service-brake application. Changing down mid-descent or descending in neutral are dangerous and can lead to runaway speed and brake fade.

Answer

Descend in a high gear to keep engine revs low and reduce noise

Answer

Descend in neutral so the engine does not drag and overheat

Answer

Begin the descent in any gear and change down only if speed rises above the limit

Riyadh General Dept. of Traffic - Saudi Heavy Vehicle Skills Test 1

The other 12 questions in this test

What this test covers

Frequently asked questions

Saudi Arabia driving test guides