Professional Driver's Digest
Chapter 2: Your vehicle

VEHICLE MARKINGS
Number plates
Licence/roadworthy disc
Operator card
Data plate
Business names and addresses
Speed limit sign
Rear warning sign (chevron)
Side and rear yellow reflective striping
Abnormal loads
Dangerous goods

TRAILERS AND OTHER DETACHABLES
Drawbar trailer
Semi-trailer
Dollies
Interlink
Pup
Low-bed
Tandem and tridem
Demountable bodies
Skip loaders

COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING TRAILERS
Coupling the semi-trailer
Uncoupling the semi-trailer
Hitching a drawbar trailer
Unhitching a drawbar trailer

BREAKDOWN VEHICLES

BRAKES
Anti-theft device illegal
Braking and roadworthiness
Testing
Ensure the testing officer holds a valid licence
Air brakes
The air lines
Anti-lock brakes
Brake-boosters
Retarders

STEERING

ENGINE

LUBRICANT
Oil level
Topping up
Colour
Leaks
Pressure

SPEEDOMETERS

TACHOGRAPHS
Changing vehicles
Two drivers
Eight-day tachograph
The chart

TYRES
Maintenance
The right tyre for the job
Load index
Punctures
The driver’s kit

WHEEL FLAPS

WINDSCREENS AND WINDOWS

MIRRORS

SEAT BELTS

BATTERY

LIGHTING
Obligatory lights and reflectors
Restrictions
Swivelling spot lights (work lamps)
Headlamps
Front fog lamps
Rear fog lamps
Lamps to indicate extra vehicle width
Tail lights and stop lights
Number plate lamps
Load projections
Hazard warning lamps (four-way flashers)
Optional lamps
Flashing warning beacons
Reflectors

DIRECTION INDICATORS

HORNS
Reversing alarms

NOISE

SMOKE AND EXHAUST

FUEL TANK

REAR UNDERRUN BUMPER

DAILY VEHICLE CHECK
Walk around (pre-cab) inspection
Engine compartment
The cargo
Other on-board requirements
Trailer checks
Checks on starting engine
Ultimate responsibility is yours

ROADWORTHY TESTS
Spot checks and discontinuance notice
Annual tests

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Chapter 1 - You the driver>
Chapter 2 - Your vehicle>
Chapter 3 - Your load>
Chapter 4 - Your driving>
Chapter 5 - Emergencies>
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