Free Practice Questions for Permis CE (Semi-Remorque)

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Key Facts: Permis CE (Semi-Remorque) Exam

> 24 pts

Plateau Passing Score (strictly > 24)

Arrêté du 23 avril 2012

44 tonnes

Max PTRA for 5/6-Axle Combinations

Décret n° 2012-1359

16.50 m

Max Length for Semi-Trailer Combinations

Code de la route Art. R. 312-11

60 minutes

Off-Road Plateau Test Duration

Arrêté du 23 avril 2012

French Permis CE authorizes driving articulated heavy goods vehicles (tractor + semi-trailer or road train) with trailers exceeding 750 kg up to 44 tonnes gross combination weight (PTRA). The state examination under Arrêté du 23 avril 2012 consists of an off-road plateau test (60 minutes, including a 10-question written interrogation requiring min 5/10, vehicle checks, fifth wheel coupling/uncoupling, oral fiches, and reverse maneuvering, requiring strictly >24 points to pass) followed by an on-road circulation test (60 minutes, min 17/28 points). Tested topics include fifth wheel coupling, red/yellow air lines, ISO 7638 EBS cable, jackknifing prevention, tridem axle loads, and combination dimensions.

Sample Permis CE (Semi-Remorque) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Permis CE (Semi-Remorque) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In what order must the pneumatic brake supply lines be connected when coupling (attelage) a tractor to a semi-trailer?

A.Connect the red line first, then the yellow line

B.Connect the yellow line first, then the red line

C.Connect both lines simultaneously using a dual-feed adapter

D.The connection order does not matter as long as EBS is connected first

Explanation: When coupling a semi-trailer, the yellow control line (conduite de commande) must always be connected before the red supply line (conduite d'alimentation). Connecting the yellow line first ensures the service brake control circuit is established before the red line charges the reservoirs and releases the trailer spring brakes (vases à ressort). Connecting the red line first could cause unintended trailer rollout if the control line or parking brake is malfunctioning.

2When uncoupling (dételage) a semi-trailer, which pneumatic line must be disconnected first, and what is the mechanical effect?

A.The red supply line must be disconnected first, which instantly triggers the trailer automatic emergency brakes

B.The yellow control line must be disconnected first, which dumps all tractor reservoir air into the atmosphere

C.The ISO 7638 EBS cable must be disconnected before any air line, which mechanically locks the fifth wheel jaws

D.Both air lines must remain pressurized and connected until the tractor has driven completely out from under the trailer

Explanation: During uncoupling, the red supply line (conduite rouge) must be disconnected first. Disconnecting the red line vents the supply port, which trips the trailer relay emergency valve (valve relais d'urgence) and instantly applies the trailer spring brakes (freinage automatique d'urgence). This guarantees that the semi-trailer is immobilized mechanically before the yellow control line and electrical cables are removed.

3What is the standard nominal diameter of the kingpin (pivot d'attelage) used on standard European semi-trailers for Category CE combinations?

A.1.5 inches (38.1 mm)

B.3 inches (76.2 mm)

C.2 inches (50.8 mm)

D.3.5 inches (88.9 mm)

Explanation: The standard commercial kingpin (pivot d'attelage) for road haulage articulated vehicles in France and Europe is 2 inches (50.8 mm in diameter), compliant with standard ISO 337 / DIN 74080. A larger 3.5-inch (88.9 mm) kingpin exists but is reserved for heavy exceptional haulage (convois exceptionnels) and specialized off-road industrial machinery.

4Immediately after the fifth wheel (sellette) locking mechanism engages and a visual check confirms the locking jaw is closed, which mandatory physical verification must the driver perform before raising the landing gear?

A.Engage top gear and accelerate firmly to check if the trailer parking brake holds

B.Disconnect the red air line to test whether the emergency valve vents correctly

C.Operate the landing gear handle in rapid reverse to shake the trailer chassis

D.Perform a traction test (essai de traction) by gently attempting to pull forward in low gear

Explanation: Under the Arrêté du 23 avril 2012 coupling protocol, after visually inspecting that the locking jaw (mors de verrouillage) has closed around the kingpin and the safety latch has dropped, the driver must execute an essai de traction (traction test). The driver enters the cab and gently pulls forward in 1st gear against the semi-trailer (with the landing gear still skimming the ground and trailer brakes set). This confirms mechanical engagement before winding up the landing gear, preventing trailer drop.

5Before backing the tractor under the semi-trailer during coupling, how should the semi-trailer apron plate (plaque de frottement) be positioned relative to the fifth wheel (sellette)?

A.The apron plate should be approximately 10 to 15 cm higher than the fifth wheel plate to prevent any physical contact until fully under

B.The apron plate should be approximately 2 to 5 cm lower than the fifth wheel top surface so the tractor's bevel ramps lift the trailer slightly

C.The apron plate must be level with the top of the tractor cab roof fairing to ensure aerodynamic clearance

D.The apron plate should rest directly on the rear tractor drive tires to guide alignment

Explanation: Proper coupling height requires the semi-trailer skid apron (plaque de frottement) to be roughly 2 to 5 cm lower than the fifth wheel plate surface. As the tractor reverses slowly, its rear ramps (chanfreins de sellette) engage the front lip of the semi-trailer apron and lift the trailer slightly onto the greased plate. If the trailer is too high, the kingpin can ride over the jaws (faux attelage); if too low, the trailer bulkhead can strike the tractor chassis or damage the fifth wheel.

6Which component inside the fifth wheel (sellette) directly wraps around and locks the groove of the kingpin (pivot d'attelage)?

A.The locking claw or jaw (mors de verrouillage)

B.The longitudinal oscillation trunnion (tourillon d'articulation)

C.The pneumatic brake release cylinder (vase à membrane)

D.The skid ramp bevel (chanfrein de guidage)

Explanation: The locking claw or jaw (mors de verrouillage) is the heavy forged steel hook that pivots around the kingpin shank and closes securely around its machined groove when the kingpin reaches the throat of the fifth wheel. Once closed, a spring-loaded locking bar slides behind the jaw, and a safety latch (doigt de sécurité) prevents the release handle from retreating under road vibrations.

7Which specific connection is required to supply electrical power and CAN-bus data communication to the semi-trailer Electronic Braking System (EBS) and Roll Stability Support (RSS)?

A.A 2-pin 12-volt auxiliary cigarette lighter connector

B.A standard 7-pin ISO 1185 (24N) lighting plug

C.An ISO 7638 (5-pin or 7-pin) dedicated braking system cable

D.A USB-C diagnostic tether run directly into the cab tachograph

Explanation: The ISO 7638 connector is the mandatory heavy-duty cable that supplies electrical power and digital communication (via pins 6 and 7 using CAN ISO 11992) between the tractor and semi-trailer braking computers. Without a properly connected ISO 7638 cable, electronic braking features such as Electronic Braking System (EBS), anti-lock braking (ABS), load sensing, and Roll Stability Support (RSS / ESP) revert to basic pneumatic fail-safe modes.

8When preparing to uncouple (dételage) a semi-trailer on level ground, at what point in the procedure should the landing gear (béquilles) be lowered?

A.After the tractor has already driven 2 metres forward from the trailer

B.After unhooking the kingpin handle but before setting the parking brakes

C.Only after disconnecting the pneumatic lines and waiting 30 minutes for air to drain

D.Before unlocking the fifth wheel handle and before disconnecting connection lines

Explanation: During the uncoupling protocol, the landing gear (béquilles) must be deployed immediately after parking safely, chocking wheels, and checking ground stability, but strictly before unlocking the fifth wheel handle and before disconnecting lines. Lowering the landing gear first ensures the semi-trailer front is fully supported by its own legs before the kingpin latch is released and before lines are uncoupled.

9The landing gear (béquilles) on a semi-trailer is equipped with a dual-speed crank gearbox. When should low gear (petite vitesse) be selected?

A.When the landing feet touch the ground and begin supporting or lifting the weight of the semi-trailer

B.When winding the legs rapidly through the air before they make contact with the pavement

C.Only when the semi-trailer is completely empty and uncoupled in a maintenance depot

D.Exclusively when driving at highway speeds to prevent the crank handle from vibrating loose

Explanation: The landing gear's low gear (petite vitesse) provides high mechanical torque reduction and must be used whenever the landing pads touch the ground and begin bearing or lifting the weight of the semi-trailer. High gear (grande vitesse) is used only for rapid travel through free air with no load; attempting to crank a loaded trailer in high gear can strip internal drive gears and cause severe wrist injury from handle kickback.

10What happens mechanically to the semi-trailer braking system if the red pneumatic supply line (conduite rouge) ruptures or becomes disconnected while driving?

A.The trailer free-wheels completely with zero braking until the tractor stops

B.The rapid drop in supply pressure triggers the emergency relay valve, locking the trailer spring brakes automatically

C.The yellow control line automatically converts into high-pressure hydraulic steering

D.The tractor engine is instantly shut off by an electrical interlock in the fifth wheel

Explanation: Under international braking regulations (UNECE Regulation 13 / French Code de la route), the red line supplies continuous pneumatic pressure (~8 bar) that holds the trailer spring parking brakes (cylindres à ressort) compressed. If the red line breaks or uncouples, the pressure drop instantly triggers the emergency relay valve (valve relais d'urgence), exhausting the spring brake chambers and locking the trailer wheels in an automatic emergency stop (freinage automatique).

About the Permis CE (Semi-Remorque) Exam

Category CE of the French driving licence authorises driving heavy goods vehicles of category C coupled to a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass (PTAC) exceeds 750 kg, forming articulated combinations (tractor plus semi-trailer) or road trains (truck plus drawbar trailer) operating up to 40 or 44 tonnes PTRA. Governed by the Arrêté du 23 avril 2012, the examination is conducted by an IPCSR and comprises a 60-minute off-road plateau test (incorporating a 10-question written interrogation drawn from 8 official themes, comprehensive pre-trip vehicle checks for tractor and trailer, a rigorous coupling and uncoupling exercise, an oral safety fiche interrogation, and precision maneuvering) followed by a 60-minute on-road circulation test. Candidates must hold a valid category C licence and be at least 21 years old (or 18 if enrolled in a qualifying professional qualification such as FIMO, CAP, or Titre Pro). This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation focusing on fifth wheel mechanisms, pneumatic and electrical coupling lines, articulated dynamics (off-tracking and jackknifing prevention), combination weight distributions (PTRA, drive axle, tridem), and statutory combination dimensions.

Exam sponsor: Délégation à la Sécurité Routière (DSR) / Ministère de l'Intérieur. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Two stages under Arrêté du 23 avril 2012: (1) Épreuve hors circulation (60 minutes) comprising a 10-question written interrogation (min 5/10 to avoid elimination), vehicle safety checks on both tractor and trailer, full coupling (attelage) and uncoupling (dételage) protocol, an oral interrogation fiche, and a precision reverse maneuver, requiring strictly > 24 points; (2) Épreuve en circulation (60 minutes) requiring min 17 points.

Time Limit

120 minutes (60 min plateau + 60 min circulation)

Passing Score

Strictly > 24 points on off-road plateau test with min 5/10 on written interrogation; min 17/28 on circulation

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 30 (Code de la route ETG fee if not exempt) plus professional driving school training fees

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Fifth Wheel, Coupling/Uncoupling and Connection Lines

Fifth wheel mechanism (sellette), 2-inch kingpin locking claw, red supply and yellow control air lines, ISO 7638 EBS cable, electrical connections, and landing gear operation

25%

Articulated Vehicle Dynamics, Jackknifing and Rollover

Low-speed trailer off-tracking (balayage), high-speed rear-end outswing, jackknifing (mise en portefeuille) causes/recovery, and rollover dynamics in tank/curtainsider combinations

25%

Combination Weights, Axle Load Limits and Load Distribution

PTRA limits (40t/44t), fifth wheel load transfer, tridem group capped at 27t and most-loaded axle at 12t above 40t (R. 312-5/R. 312-6), maximum combination lengths (16.50m articulated / 18.75m road train), and payload calculation

25%

Combination Regulations, Speed Limits and Plateau Procedures

Arrêté du 23 avril 2012 requirements, traction check (essai de traction) procedure, speed restrictions (80/90 km/h), motorway lane restrictions, and weekend driving bans

Preparing for the Permis CE (Semi-Remorque) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Strictly > 24 points on off-road plateau test with min 5/10 on written interrogation; min 17/28 on circulation
Assessment: Two stages under Arrêté du 23 avril 2012: (1) Épreuve hors circulation (60 minutes) comprising a 10-question written interrogation (min 5/10 to avoid elimination), vehicle safety checks on both tractor and trailer, full coupling (attelage) and uncoupling (dételage) protocol, an oral interrogation fiche, and a precision reverse maneuver, requiring strictly > 24 points; (2) Épreuve en circulation (60 minutes) requiring min 17 points.
Time limit: 120 minutes (60 min plateau + 60 min circulation)
Exam / certification fees: EUR 30 (Code de la route ETG fee if not exempt) plus professional driving school training fees Official sources

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Permis CE (Semi-Remorque): Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the step-by-step fifth wheel coupling protocol: align, check height, reverse to contact, lock kingpin, visual claw check, traction test, connect air lines (yellow then red), connect EBS and electrics, raise landing gear, remove chocks

2Remember the pneumatic rule: RED is emergency/supply, YELLOW is control/service. Red connects LAST on hook-up, disconnects FIRST on drop

3Memorize statutory combination dimensions and weights: 16.50m for semi-trailer combos, 18.75m for road trains, 40 tonnes standard (44 tonnes with 5 or 6 axles for national freight)

4Understand off-tracking (balayage): the trailer rear wheels cut inside the tractor path on tight curves, requiring the driver to take a wider turning arc before turning

5Learn the axle rules that come with 44-tonne operation: Article R. 312-6 caps a three-axle group at 27 tonnes and Article R. 312-5 caps the most heavily loaded axle at 12 tonnes once the combination runs above 40 tonnes (13 tonnes otherwise); within a group the permitted total depends on the spacing between consecutive axles

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Permis CE off-road plateau test?

Under the Arrêté du 23 avril 2012, admission to the circulation test for Category CE requires obtaining strictly more than 24 points (compared to >16 points for Category C) across the written test, vehicle safety checks, coupling/uncoupling exercise, oral interrogation, and maneuvering exercise, with no eliminatory marks and at least 5/10 on the written interrogation.

What is the correct order for connecting pneumatic brake lines during fifth wheel coupling?

When coupling a semi-trailer, the yellow (control/service) line must be connected first, and the red (supply/emergency) line is connected last. Conversely, during uncoupling, the red line is disconnected first (which immediately triggers the automatic emergency spring brakes on the semi-trailer), followed by the yellow line.

What is the mandatory traction test (essai de traction) during the CE coupling procedure?

After locking the kingpin in the fifth wheel and visually inspecting that the locking claw is securely engaged around the pin and the safety latch is locked, the driver must attempt to pull forward gently in low gear with the semi-trailer landing gear still slightly grounded. This mechanical traction test confirms positive engagement before the legs are fully wound up.

What are the maximum statutory lengths for articulated vehicle combinations in France?

Under Article R. 312-11 of the French Code de la route: 16.50 metres for an articulated vehicle (tracteur routier + semi-remorque) and 18.75 metres for a road train (camion porteur + remorque à timon). Since 1 October 2025, running such a combination above 40 tonnes on a purely national operation also requires the motor vehicle to have been first registered after 1 January 2014 or to be at least Euro VI.

What causes jackknifing (mise en portefeuille) in an articulated combination and how is it prevented?

Jackknifing occurs when the drive wheels of the tractor lose lateral adhesion (often caused by aggressive engine braking, harsh retarder use on wet/slippery roads, or brake locking), causing the semi-trailer's forward momentum to push the tractor sideways around the fifth wheel. It is prevented by maintaining balanced braking, disabling or moderating auxiliary retarders on slippery surfaces, and Electronic Braking Systems (EBS/ESP).