VIC Heavy Rigid KT4 Exam Flashcards

Q: What is the pass mark for the VicRoads KT4 Heavy Rigid Knowledge Test?

You must answer at least 26 of the 32 multiple-choice questions correctly (about 81%). The test is based on the Victorian Bus & Truck Drivers' Handbook and covers general road rules, the Heavy Vehicle National Law, fatigue management, load restraint, vehicle inspections, vehicle control, and coupling. Source: VicRoads / accredited heavy vehicle assessment providers.

Q: What format is the KT4 knowledge test?

It is a 32-question multiple-choice written test delivered by a VicRoads-accredited heavy vehicle training and assessment provider. You must pass KT4 before commencing the off-road and on-road practical assessments. VicRoads does not publish a fixed time limit for the written test. Source: Transport Victoria Heavy Vehicle Licence Assessment.

Q: What happens if I fail the KT4 knowledge test?

You must rebook with the accredited provider and pay the assessment fee again; VicRoads does not publish a mandatory waiting period for retaking the knowledge test. The 32-question KT4 (pass 26) is distinct from the 20-question KT5 Heavy Combination test (pass 16), which you may only attempt after passing KT4. Source: VicRoads.

Q: What are the eligibility and medical requirements for a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence in Victoria?

You must hold a Victorian car licence for at least 2 years and notify VicRoads of any serious or long-term medical condition that may affect fitness to drive (sleep apnoea, epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson's, among others). An HR licence covers rigid vehicles with 3 or more axles and a GVM of 8 tonnes or above. Source: VicRoads Heavy Vehicle Licence.

Q: How does the Rigid (KT4) test differ from the Heavy Combination (KT5) test?

KT4 is a 32-question test (pass mark 26) covering Light Rigid, Medium Rigid, and Heavy Rigid vehicles, drawn from the Victorian Bus & Truck Drivers' Handbook. KT5 is a 20-question test (pass mark 16) covering prime movers and semi-trailers. You must pass KT4 before sitting KT5. A rigid driver towing a trailer with a GVM over 9 tonnes needs at least a Heavy Combination (HC) licence. Source: VicRoads.

Q: When is a National Driver Work Diary required and what are the standard fatigue hours?

A work diary is required when driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle (a truck over 12 tonnes GVM) 100 km or more from your home base. Under standard hours a solo driver may work a maximum of 12 hours in any 24-hour period with at least 7 continuous hours of stationary rest; Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) accreditation raises the 24-hour work cap to 14 hours. Source: NHVR Work and Rest Requirements; Transport Victoria.

Question 1

What is the maximum speed any heavy vehicle may travel at on Victorian roads, even where a higher limit is signed?

Accepted Answer

100 km/h. Victoria caps every heavy vehicle at 100 km/h regardless of the posted limit, so in a 110 km/h zone the effective maximum for a rigid truck is 100 km/h.

Question 2

What blood alcohol concentration applies to a heavy vehicle driver in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

0.00% (zero). Since 1 April 2021, every driver of a vehicle over 4.5 tonnes GVM must have zero BAC — stricter than the 0.05% general car limit and applying to all rigid and articulated trucks, buses, and light vehicles towing a heavy trailer.

Question 3

How many portable warning triangles must a heavy vehicle over 12 tonnes GVM carry in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

Three. All three must be deployed when the vehicle or its load stops on or near the road and is not visible for 300 metres in all directions.

Question 4

Where must the warning triangles be placed when a heavy vehicle stops on a road signed 80 km/h or higher?

Accepted Answer

One 200–250 metres behind the vehicle or fallen load, one 200–250 metres in front, and one beside the vehicle. On roads under 80 km/h the rear placement shortens to 50–150 metres.

Question 5

How long may a heavy vehicle over 4.5 tonnes GVM or 7.5 metres long park in a built-up area unless a sign or council permits longer?

Accepted Answer

No more than one hour. The limit does not apply while the driver is actively picking up or dropping off goods.

Question 6

What distance must a bus seating more than 12 adults stop from the nearest rail at an uncontrolled railway crossing?

Accepted Answer

Between 3 and 12 metres from the nearest rail. The driver must stop, confirm no train is approaching, then proceed — uncontrolled means no gates, booms, barriers, or twin red lights.

Question 7

Which medical conditions must a heavy vehicle driver notify VicRoads about?

Accepted Answer

Any serious, permanent or long-term condition that may affect fitness to drive — including sleep apnoea, epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and Parkinson's. A mild short-term illness like a cold does not need to be reported.

Question 8

Define Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).

Accepted Answer

The maximum total mass of a vehicle plus its load, as specified by the manufacturer. It sets licence class boundaries, fatigue-regulation thresholds, and the legal ceiling for on-road operation. The combined mass of vehicle plus any trailers is the Gross Combination Mass (GCM).

Question 9

What is the general-access maximum height for a heavy vehicle in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

4.3 metres, including any load. Taller vehicles are overdimensional and require a permit before they can use public roads.

Question 10

What are the general-access width and solo rigid-vehicle length limits in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

2.5 metres wide and 12.5 metres long for a rigid vehicle not in combination. Wider or longer vehicles need a restricted-access or overdimensional permit.

Question 11

What are the General Mass Limit (GML) axle limits for a standard heavy vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Steer axle: 6.0 tonnes. Single drive axle with dual tyres: 10.0 tonnes. Tandem axle groups carry more under group limits. Exceeding an axle limit is an offence and accelerates road damage.

Question 12

What does a bridge weight-limit sign (e.g. '10t') restrict?

Accepted Answer

The total loaded mass of any vehicle using the bridge. A vehicle whose actual loaded weight exceeds the posted figure must use an alternative route — the limit applies to real weight, not GVM or tare.

Question 13

What does a 'Low Clearance 4.1 m' sign require if your vehicle and load is 4.2 m tall?

Accepted Answer

Stop and find another route. The posted height is the actual measured clearance with no built-in safety margin, so a taller vehicle will strike the structure.

Question 14

Is it an offence to refuse a directed weighbridge stop if your load is within legal limits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the HVNL you must enter a weighbridge when directed by police or VicRoads Transport Safety Services officers, regardless of load condition. Refusal is a separate offence from being overweight.

Question 15

How often must a pre-operational (pre-trip) inspection be performed on a heavy rigid vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Before each trip or at the start of each shift. Weekly or post-service-only checks leave daily defects undetected and do not meet the legal roadworthiness standard.

Question 16

What does a 'cabin drill' check cover before the vehicle moves off?

Accepted Answer

Seat position, all mirror adjustments, dashboard warning lights, steering, handbrake, and instrument gauges. It ensures the driver is correctly positioned and every control works before departure.

Question 17

What brake checks must be completed during a pre-operational inspection?

Accepted Answer

Confirm the park brake holds the vehicle stationary on a gradient, check service-brake pedal feel and travel, verify air pressure on air-brake vehicles, and test brake light operation.

Question 18

Which tyre defect requires taking a heavy vehicle off the road immediately?

Accepted Answer

A visible cut or bulge in the sidewall — a likely blowout precursor. Slight uneven tread wear warrants monitoring, but a sidewall cut or bulge is an immediate withdrawal defect.

Question 19

What is the correct procedure for checking engine oil level on a heavy vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Switch the engine off, let it cool so oil drains back to the sump, park on level ground, then read the dipstick. Checking immediately after shutdown or on a slope gives a false low reading.

Question 20

What does an air-brake low-pressure warning buzzer or light mean while the engine is running?

Accepted Answer

Reservoir pressure has dropped to a critical level and brake failure is imminent. Stop safely immediately and do not drive until the fault is diagnosed.

Question 21

Why does a loaded heavy rigid vehicle need a much longer stopping distance than a car?

Accepted Answer

Far greater mass means far greater momentum at the same speed. The heavier vehicle must dissipate more kinetic energy through the brakes, so following distance and speed management are critical.

Question 22

What is the correct technique for descending a long steep grade in a rigid truck?

Accepted Answer

Select a low gear before starting the descent and rely on engine braking, using service brakes only to supplement. Over-using service brakes on a long grade causes brake fade and possible runaway.

Question 23

Define brake fade and state when it typically occurs.

Accepted Answer

Loss of braking effectiveness from heat build-up in the friction material, most often on long downhill runs with excessive service-brake use. Hot brakes need harder pedal pressure for less stopping force.

Question 24

How do you change gears in a non-synchromesh (constant-mesh) heavy vehicle gearbox?

Accepted Answer

Double-clutch: press clutch, move to neutral, release clutch to let engine speed match road speed, press clutch again and engage the next gear. Skipping the double-clutch grinds gears and shortens gearbox life.

Question 25

What is Crash Avoidance Space (CAS) and why is it critical for heavy vehicles?

Accepted Answer

The clear gap maintained around the vehicle — especially ahead — that gives the driver time to react and stop. Long stopping distances and large blind spots make adequate CAS essential, and it is formally assessed in the practical test.

Question 26

What is off-tracking and how should a rigid truck driver manage it when turning?

Accepted Answer

On corners the rear wheels follow a tighter inward arc than the front wheels. The driver must swing the front of the vehicle wider than a car would so the rear clears kerbs, signs, and pedestrians.

Question 27

Why are high-sided heavy vehicles at special risk in strong crosswinds?

Accepted Answer

Large flat side panels catch lateral wind force that can cause swerving or, in extreme gusts, rollover. Reduce speed on exposed roads and bridges, especially with a high centre of gravity or an empty trailer.

Question 28

What is the primary legal purpose of load restraint on a heavy vehicle?

Accepted Answer

To protect other road users and infrastructure from falling or shifting loads. Under the HVNL and Chain of Responsibility, loaders and operators — not just drivers — share the duty to restrain loads correctly.

Question 29

Under the National Load Restraint Guide, what upward force must tie-down restraint withstand relative to load weight?

Accepted Answer

At least 20% of the load's weight (0.2W) vertically. This keeps the load in contact with the deck over rough roads and prevents upward shift during transit.

Question 30

What role do dunnage and anti-slip matting play in load restraint?

Accepted Answer

They increase friction between the load and the deck (or between load layers). Higher friction reduces the number of tie-down lashings needed and helps the load resist forward, rearward, and sideways movement.

Question 31

What performance standard must every heavy vehicle load meet under the HVNL?

Accepted Answer

Schedule 7 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation specifies minimum forward, rearward, and sideways force limits the restrained load must withstand.

Question 32

What are the maximum front and rear load overhangs for a general-access heavy vehicle without a permit?

Accepted Answer

Front overhang up to 1.0 metre and rear overhang up to 3.0 metres. Beyond these limits the load is overdimensional and requires a permit.

Question 33

How must load placement account for axle mass limits?

Accepted Answer

Load must be distributed so no axle or axle group exceeds its General Mass Limit (e.g. 6.0t steer, 10.0t single drive dual-tyre). Poor distribution overloads axles, breaches the HVNL, and damages the road.

Question 34

At what GVM does a truck become a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle under the HVNL?

Accepted Answer

More than 12 tonnes GVM (buses with more than 12 adult seats are regulated from 4.5 tonnes). The 12-tonne threshold also triggers work-diary requirements for trucks.

Question 35

When must a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle driver complete a National Driver Work Diary?

Accepted Answer

When driving 100 km or more from their home base. Local work within a 100 km radius does not require a diary by law, but the driver must still comply with fatigue-management limits.

Question 36

Under standard hours, what are the maximum work and minimum continuous rest in any 24-hour period for a solo driver?

Accepted Answer

12 hours of work time with at least 7 continuous hours of stationary rest. Within that, no more than 5¼ hours of work in any 5½-hour period without 15 continuous minutes of rest.

Question 37

How many work hours may a solo driver perform in 24 hours under Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)?

Accepted Answer

Up to 14 hours, versus 12 under standard hours. BFM requires NHVAS accreditation, additional training, and management systems.

Question 38

How is work time rounded when counting fatigue hours, and why?

Accepted Answer

Work time is always rounded UP to the next 15-minute interval (rest is rounded down). Because work limits are maxima, upward rounding ensures a driver can never lawfully exceed the cap.

Question 39

What is the offence of making a false entry in a National Driver Work Diary?

Accepted Answer

A serious HVNL offence with significant penalties. Work diaries are legal evidence of fatigue compliance, so falsifying them defeats their safety purpose — regardless of whether a crash later occurs.

Question 40

What is a roll-away test and when is it performed?

Accepted Answer

After coupling a trailer, the driver chocks or holds the truck, releases the coupling pin lever to confirm it has re-engaged, then applies slight traction to verify the trailer is locked on. It prevents the trailer detaching on the road.

Question 41

What sequence must be followed before uncoupling a trailer from a rigid truck?

Accepted Answer

Position the trailer on level firm ground, apply the trailer park brake, chock the wheels if needed, disconnect airlines and electrical lines, then release the coupling lock. Releasing the park brake first risks a runaway trailer.

Question 42

At what trailer GVM does a rigid-truck-plus-trailer combination become a Heavy Combination (HC) requiring an HC licence?

Accepted Answer

When the trailer's GVM exceeds 9 tonnes. A trailer at or below 9 tonnes GVM may be within a lighter licence category, but exceeding 9 tonnes pushes the combination into HC territory.

Question 43

What does the red-coloured glad-hand coupling on an air-brake truck-trailer connection carry?

Accepted Answer

The emergency or supply line — the main air-pressure feed to the trailer. The yellow (or blue) line is the service/control line. Always match red-to-red and yellow-to-yellow.

Question 44

What happens if the red and yellow air-line glad-hands are reversed when coupling a trailer?

Accepted Answer

The trailer receives air on the wrong circuit, causing immediate brake failure or unintended application. Pressurising the system with crossed lines is a critical safety fault.

Question 45

What is the maximum Gross Combination Mass (GCM) for a rigid truck and trailer under General Mass Limits?

Accepted Answer

42.5 tonnes. Exceeding this requires Concessional Mass Limits or Higher Mass Limits accreditation.

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