IRTEC HGV Inspection Technician: practice questions and mock tests
Prepare for the IRTEC HGV Inspection Technician knowledge assessment with source-linked fact sheets, original practice questions and open-book timed practice.
Experienced heavy-goods-vehicle technicians preparing for the HGV Inspection Technician route, including technicians returning for their five-year reassessment.
Standard
IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3
Version
v2026
Type
Technician licence
Exam at a glance
IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 · version 2026
- Questions / papers
- 40 questions
- Time allowed
- 60 minutes — confirm with your centre
- Pass requirement
- 28 correct answers out of 40 (70%)
- Reference policy
- Open book
What is the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 HGV Inspection Technician test?
IRTEC assesses the current competence of vehicle technicians. The HGV Inspection Technician route tests inspection procedures, standards, defect categorisation and legislation, followed by a practical vehicle inspection.
This guide prepares you for the knowledge assessment. The licence also requires a practical assessment through an approved centre.
When you take it
Confirm eligibility with an IMI-approved assessment centre before booking. The HGV route requires three years of relevant hands-on experience, or a Level 3 S/NVQ or equivalent plus at least one year of relevant industrial experience.
This pack covers IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3. MGV, PSV, trailer and advanced technician accreditations are separate routes. Buying revision access does not book an assessment or award an IRTEC licence.
- 01
Confirm your route
Check your vehicle discipline, experience and qualification evidence with your assessment centre.
- 02
Knowledge test
Prepare for 40 open-book multiple-choice questions and the 70% pass requirement.
- 03
Practical inspection
Complete the required HGV practical assessment within the scheme's assessment window. Confirm the sequence with your centre.
- 04
Keep current
Successful technicians receive an individual licence. Reassessment is required every five years.
IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 exam format and scoring
These are the recorded rules for this scheme. Always compare them with the final joining instructions from your training provider.
Delivery
Online knowledge assessment at an IMI-approved assessment centre, with a separate practical inspection.
Question style
40 multiple-choice questions. Our revision questions use four options and one best answer.
Books and materials
IMI permits the DVSA HGV Inspection Manual and the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. Check your centre's arrangements for copies, annotations and access on the day.
| Paper | Coverage | Questions | Time | Grade boundary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HGV knowledge assessment | Inspection procedures, roadworthiness, defect categorisation and legislation | 40 | 60 minutes (Logistics UK guidance) | Pass 28/40 (70%) |
What to revise for IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3
The current published Trade Exams library for this standard contains 600 original practice questions and 40 focused fact sheets. These are revision-library counts, not official exam weightings.
Knowledge-area map
Standard reference
IRTEC HGV
HGV inspection knowledge
- T01Body
- T02Brakes
- T03Chassis
- T04Electrical
- T05Engine and transmission
- T06Licence and enforcement
- T07Steering and suspension
- T08Vehicle categories
- T09Wheels and tyres
Body
01Cab security, seats and restraints, visibility, body attachments and protective devices.
Brakes
02Controls, air systems, components, warning devices, performance results and maintenance assessment.
Chassis
03Structural condition, couplings and the HGV's trailer interfaces.
Electrical
04Wiring, batteries, lamps, reflectors, instruments and warning systems.
Engine and transmission
05Mountings, driveline, fuel systems, leaks, exhausts and emissions.
Licence and enforcement
06Operator duties, maintenance records, defect reporting, safe inspection and prohibition categories.
Steering and suspension
07Controls, linkage, assistance, springs, air suspension, axles and bearings.
Vehicle categories
08The HGV accreditation boundary, vehicle identification, plates and weight limits.
Wheels and tyres
09Fastenings, wheel condition, tyre suitability, tread, damage and age rules.
How to prepare for the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 test
A practical four-stage revision sequence: understand the rules first, close topic gaps, practise decisions, then rehearse under the real time pressure.
- 1
Confirm that your booking is for the current HGV Inspection Technician route.
- 2
Learn to find the relevant application rules and inspection criteria in the two permitted DVSA references.
- 3
Read each topic sheet, answer its linked questions and use the explanations to resolve missed decisions.
- 4
Practise a 20-question session before a full 40-question timed session with your references open.
- 5
Keep knowledge revision alongside supervised practical preparation and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Revision access
Questions, mocks and fact sheets
One exam, one clear price. Access ends automatically and never renews into a subscription.
£10
30 days of access
Everything for this exam for 30 days.
One-off payment. No automatic renewal.
£20
90 days of access
Everything for this exam for 90 days.
One-off payment. No automatic renewal.
IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 exam questions answered
Format, timing, version, preparation and booking questions—answered from the recorded standard and assessment-plan sources.
01What is the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 HGV Inspection Technician exam?
IRTEC assesses the current competence of vehicle technicians. The HGV Inspection Technician route tests inspection procedures, standards, defect categorisation and legislation, followed by a practical vehicle inspection. This pack covers IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3. MGV, PSV, trailer and advanced technician accreditations are separate routes. Buying revision access does not book an assessment or award an IRTEC licence.
02Who should use this IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 revision page?
Experienced heavy-goods-vehicle technicians preparing for the HGV Inspection Technician route, including technicians returning for their five-year reassessment.
03When do you take the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 test?
Confirm eligibility with an IMI-approved assessment centre before booking. The HGV route requires three years of relevant hands-on experience, or a Level 3 S/NVQ or equivalent plus at least one year of relevant industrial experience.
04What is the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 exam format?
IRTEC HGV Inspection Technician knowledge assessment. Online knowledge assessment at an IMI-approved assessment centre, with a separate practical inspection. 40 multiple-choice questions. Our revision questions use four options and one best answer.
05How many questions are there and how long does the test take?
40 questions and 60 minutes — confirm with your centre. HGV knowledge assessment: 40 questions, 60 minutes (Logistics UK guidance), pass 28/40 (70%).
06What is the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 pass mark?
28 correct answers out of 40 (70%). HGV knowledge assessment: pass 28/40 (70%). A knowledge-test pass alone does not award the licence. The practical assessment is a separate requirement.
07Is the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 test open book?
Open book. IMI permits the DVSA HGV Inspection Manual and the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. Check your centre's arrangements for copies, annotations and access on the day.
08What subjects should I revise for IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3?
The main areas are Body, Brakes, Chassis, Electrical, Engine and transmission, Licence and enforcement, Steering and suspension, Vehicle categories and Wheels and tyres. The detailed coverage on this page stays within the knowledge mapped to this assessment method.
09How should I prepare for the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 exam?
Confirm that your booking is for the current HGV Inspection Technician route. Learn to find the relevant application rules and inspection criteria in the two permitted DVSA references. Read each topic sheet, answer its linked questions and use the explanations to resolve missed decisions. Practise a 20-question session before a full 40-question timed session with your references open. Keep knowledge revision alongside supervised practical preparation and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
10Which version of IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 does this page cover?
This pack follows the IRTEC changes required from 31 January 2026, the DVSA HGV Inspection Manual effective 1 April 2026 and the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness updated 28 April 2025. The 60-minute timing is published by Logistics UK; final centre instructions control the assessment arrangements.
11Are the Trade Exams questions official live exam questions?
No. Trade Exams' 600 practice questions and 40 fact sheets are independently authored revision material. They do not reproduce recalled, live, confidential or password-protected EPAO questions. Our coverage allocation is editorial. IMI has not published official topic weights. Trailer-interface material is contextual HGV revision, not a complete trailer accreditation pack.
12Where do the IRTEC-HGV-INSP-3 exam details come from?
The format and scope are based on the scheme owner's own published documents listed above, checked for this content pack on 2026-09-11. Always confirm current details and booking instructions with the training provider.
13How does Trade Exams access work?
Access is a one-off £10 payment for 30 days or £20 for 90 days. It never renews automatically.
Official sources and currency
Check the standard behind this page
The format and scope were checked on 11 September 2026. Assessment arrangements can change, so confirm the final booking details with your training provider.
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