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Difficulty: MediumLarge Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

An articulated large goods vehicle (LGV) approaching a narrow left-hand turn may need to swing out towards the centre or right side of the road before executing the manoeuvre to prevent its trailer wheels from mounting the kerb.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True — Large articulated vehicles must often swing out to the right before turning left to allow sufficient clearance for the trailer wheels.
Articulated large goods vehicles require extra room to complete sharp turns due to off-tracking, where the rear trailer wheels follow a considerably tighter path than the front wheels. Moving out to the right before turning left is a standard and necessary practice to keep the rear wheels on the carriageway.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyse the vehicle geometry and turning dynamics of an articulated lorry.
Recognise that because of the distance between the cab steering axle and the rear trailer axles, the rear wheels cut in sharply on corners.
Articulated vehicles have a swept path that requires a wider turning radius than smaller vehicles.
2
Evaluate the driver's positioning when preparing for a tight left-hand turn.
Determine that swinging towards the centre or offside creates the necessary clearance for the rear of the vehicle to negotiate the corner safely.
Failing to create this space would cause the rear wheels of the trailer to mount the kerb or strike obstacles.

Key Concept

LGV turning radius and off-tracking (swept path) behaviour at junctions
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

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