NZ Heavy Vehicle Theory Test Practice (Class 2–5) 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 2 for the NZ Heavy Vehicle Theory Test Practice (Class 2–5): 35 more questions with answers and explanations.

Commercial vehicle
New Zealand
60 questions
Checked October 11, 2026

Question 1 of 35
How long must a rest break be after 5½ hours of continuous work time?
- At least 2 hours
- At least 10 minutes
- At least 15 minutes
- At least 30 minutes
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 30 minutes
A rest break must be at least 30 minutes long.
Question 2 of 35
What is the most work time allowed in a cumulative work day?
- 12 hours
- 10 hours
- 16 hours
- 13 hours
Show answer
Answer: D. 13 hours
Work time in a cumulative work day is limited to 13 hours.
Question 3 of 35
How long must the continuous break be between cumulative work days?
- At least 6 hours
- At least 8 hours
- At least 24 hours
- At least 10 hours
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 10 hours
Take a continuous break of at least 10 hours between work days.
Question 4 of 35
What is the most work time allowed in a cumulative work period?
- 70 hours
- 60 hours
- 80 hours
- 50 hours
Show answer
Answer: A. 70 hours
Work time in a cumulative work period is capped at 70 hours.
Question 5 of 35
After a cumulative work period of 70 hours, what break must you take?
- At least 10 hours
- At least 24 hours in a row
- At least 12 hours
- At least 48 hours
Show answer
Answer: B. At least 24 hours in a row
After a cumulative work period you need a continuous break of at least 24 hours.
Question 6 of 35
Which of these counts as work time?
- Sleeping in a rest area
- A 45-minute meal break away from the truck
- Time off at home
- Loading and unloading the truck
Show answer
Answer: D. Loading and unloading the truck
Work time includes driving, loading, unloading, maintenance, administration and any other paid work.
Question 7 of 35
You also have a paid evening job in a shop. Does it count towards your work time?
- Only if it is transport work
- Only on weekends
- No, only driving counts
- Yes, any paid employment counts
Show answer
Answer: D. Yes, any paid employment counts
Work time includes any paid employment, whether or not it is transport related.
Question 8 of 35
Which drivers must normally keep a logbook?
- Drivers of vehicles that need a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence
- Only bus drivers in cities
- Only drivers who work more than 70 hours
- Only drivers of class 1 cars
Show answer
Answer: A. Drivers of vehicles that need a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence
Drivers of vehicles that need a class 2 to 5 licence must keep a logbook, unless an exemption applies.
Question 9 of 35
How long must you keep completed logbooks?
- 7 years
- 12 months after the last entry
- 1 month
- 3 months
Show answer
Answer: B. 12 months after the last entry
Completed logbooks must be kept for 12 months after the date of the last entry.
Question 10 of 35
A heavy goods vehicle needing a class 2 licence works only within 50 km of its base. What applies?
- It may be exempt from logbooks, but work time limits still apply
- No rules apply at all
- The driver may work 20 hours a day
- It needs two logbooks
Show answer
Answer: A. It may be exempt from logbooks, but work time limits still apply
Logbook exemptions do not remove the work time requirements.
Question 11 of 35
Why are work time rules so important?
- They protect the road surface
- They reduce fuel use
- Driver fatigue is a major cause of fatal crashes
- They are only about pay
Show answer
Answer: C. Driver fatigue is a major cause of fatal crashes
NZTA notes that driver fatigue is a major cause of fatal crashes.
Question 12 of 35
What does a current certificate of fitness (CoF) show?
- The load is secure
- The driver has a heavy licence
- Road user charges are paid
- An approved inspector found the vehicle roadworthy at its last inspection
Show answer
Answer: D. An approved inspector found the vehicle roadworthy at its last inspection
A CoF shows the vehicle passed its last inspection by an approved CoF inspector.
Question 13 of 35
How long is a CoF usually issued for?
- Six months
- Two years
- One month
- Five years
Show answer
Answer: A. Six months
A CoF is usually issued for six months, but periods from 3 to 12 months can be authorised, so check the label.
Question 14 of 35
Where must the CoF label be displayed?
- Inside the windscreen on the driver's side
- On the rear bumper
- In the glovebox
- On the fuel tank
Show answer
Answer: A. Inside the windscreen on the driver's side
The label goes inside the windscreen on the driver's side and must be clearly visible from outside.
Question 15 of 35
Your truck fails its CoF inspection. How long do you have to repair it and have it re-inspected?
- 14 days
- 7 days
- 28 days
- 6 months
Show answer
Answer: C. 28 days
You have 28 days, and until then you may only drive it to get it repaired and re-inspected.
Question 16 of 35
When should you do a walk-around check of your heavy vehicle?
- At the start of each day
- Only after a crash
- Once a month
- Only before a CoF inspection
Show answer
Answer: A. At the start of each day
NZTA advises a walk-around check of the vehicle at the start of each day.
Question 17 of 35
Your truck is fitted with safety belts. What is the rule?
- They are optional in trucks
- Only passengers wear them
- Only on the motorway
- You must wear them, and they must be in good condition
Show answer
Answer: D. You must wear them, and they must be in good condition
Not all heavy vehicles must have belts, but if belts are fitted you must use them.
Question 18 of 35
What is the maximum width of a heavy rigid vehicle, including its load?
- 2.55 metres
- 2.75 metres
- 3.1 metres
- 2.3 metres
Show answer
Answer: A. 2.55 metres
The standard width limit is 2.55 m, including the load.
Question 19 of 35
What is the maximum height above the ground for a heavy vehicle and its load?
- 4.0 metres
- 3.8 metres
- 4.3 metres
- 5.0 metres
Show answer
Answer: C. 4.3 metres
The standard maximum height is 4.3 metres.
Question 20 of 35
What is the maximum length of a heavy rigid vehicle that is not towing, including its load?
- 12.6 metres
- 11 metres
- 15 metres
- 10 metres
Show answer
Answer: A. 12.6 metres
A heavy rigid vehicle may be up to 12.6 m long; when towing, the rigid vehicle may be up to 11.5 m.
Question 21 of 35
What is the maximum speed for a heavy vehicle on an open road with a 100 km/h limit?
- 80 km/h
- 90 km/h
- 100 km/h
- 110 km/h
Show answer
Answer: B. 90 km/h
Heavy vehicles are limited to 90 km/h on open roads, and lower posted limits still apply.
Question 22 of 35
What must a load on a truck be restrained against?
- Only wind on the motorway
- Only theft
- Only rain
- Movement from bumps, turns, braking and acceleration
Show answer
Answer: D. Movement from bumps, turns, braking and acceleration
Any load must be restrained so it cannot move with road bumps, changes of direction, braking or accelerating.
Question 23 of 35
Who checks that a heavy vehicle on the road meets CoF standards at the roadside?
- Only the vehicle owner
- A police officer can require a check at any time
- Nobody once the CoF is issued
- Only the insurance company
Show answer
Answer: B. A police officer can require a check at any time
Police can require a roadside vehicle check at any time, and you can be fined for an unfit vehicle.
Question 24 of 35
You are 23 and drive a truck. What is your legal breath alcohol limit?
- 250 micrograms per litre of breath
- 400 micrograms per litre of breath
- Zero
- 150 micrograms per litre of breath
Show answer
Answer: A. 250 micrograms per litre of breath
Drivers aged 20 and over have a breath alcohol limit of 250 micrograms per litre.
Question 25 of 35
You are 19 and learning to drive a class 2 truck. What is your alcohol limit?
- 400 micrograms per litre of breath
- Zero
- 50 mg per 100 mL of blood
- 250 micrograms per litre of breath
Show answer
Answer: B. Zero
Drivers under 20 have a zero alcohol limit, whatever vehicle they drive.
Question 26 of 35
You are towing a trailer on a wet road. What following distance should you keep, at least?
- 2 seconds
- 1 second
- 10 metres
- 4 seconds
Show answer
Answer: D. 4 seconds
Double the 2-second rule to 4 seconds when towing or when the road is wet or slippery.
Question 27 of 35
You are going down a long, steep hill in a loaded truck. What is the safest way to control your speed?
- Choose a low gear before the descent and use engine or exhaust braking
- Switch off the engine
- Coast down in neutral
- Ride the service brakes all the way down
Show answer
Answer: A. Choose a low gear before the descent and use engine or exhaust braking
Using a low gear and engine braking saves the service brakes from overheating and fading.
Question 28 of 35
Why are loaded trucks more likely to roll over than cars on a sharp bend?
- They have a higher centre of gravity
- Their tyres are wider
- They have more mirrors
- They have longer wheelbases only
Show answer
Answer: A. They have a higher centre of gravity
A high centre of gravity makes a truck easier to tip, so slow down before bends.
Question 29 of 35
Why does a long rigid truck need to swing wide when turning left at a tight corner?
- The rear wheels cut in and follow a tighter path than the front wheels
- The steering is slower
- To warn other drivers
- To use less fuel
Show answer
Answer: A. The rear wheels cut in and follow a tighter path than the front wheels
Rear wheels track inside the front wheels, so plan the turn and watch for cyclists and kerbs.
Question 30 of 35
When is the best time to check your load restraints on a long trip?
- Before you leave and again during the trip
- Never, once loaded at the depot
- Only at the end of the trip
- Only if a police officer asks
Show answer
Answer: A. Before you leave and again during the trip
Loads can shift and lashings can loosen, so check them during the trip as well as before you go.
Question 31 of 35
Why should you stop and rest when you feel drowsy, even if you are near your work time limit?
- Opening a window solves it
- Work time limits make drowsiness impossible
- Fatigue slows reactions and can cause you to fall asleep at the wheel
- Coffee removes all fatigue
Show answer
Answer: C. Fatigue slows reactions and can cause you to fall asleep at the wheel
Work time limits are maximums. If you feel tired, stop and rest.
Question 32 of 35
A low air pressure warning comes on in an air-braked truck. What should you do?
- Pump the brake pedal faster
- Keep driving to the next depot
- Ignore it if the brakes still work
- Stop safely as soon as possible and find the cause
Show answer
Answer: D. Stop safely as soon as possible and find the cause
Low air pressure can lead to brake failure, so stop safely and check the system.
Question 33 of 35
Why should you leave extra space in front when driving a loaded heavy vehicle?
- Because cars must not overtake trucks
- Heavy vehicles take longer to stop
- To save fuel only
- To make the truck look smaller
Show answer
Answer: B. Heavy vehicles take longer to stop
More weight means a longer stopping distance, so keep a bigger gap ahead.
Question 34 of 35
Why should you check your mirrors often in a heavy vehicle?
- Mirrors are only needed when reversing
- Cars never pass trucks
- There are large blind spots around the cab and trailer
- To check your appearance
Show answer
Answer: C. There are large blind spots around the cab and trailer
Frequent mirror checks help you track vehicles in the large blind spots beside and behind you.
Question 35 of 35
You need to reverse a truck where you cannot see behind. What is the safest action?
- Rely on the side mirrors only
- Use a spotter or get out and look first
- Reverse quickly to get it over with
- Sound the horn and reverse without looking
Show answer
Answer: B. Use a spotter or get out and look first
Getting out to look, or using a guide, prevents hitting people or objects you cannot see.

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