Theory Mastery

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A wrong coupling choice is life-threatening: if the trailer breaks free while driving, it must brake automatically — without a working breakaway device or auxiliary coupling, a detached trailer shoots unbraked onto the road.

Source: Load and trailer · checked 2026-10-23

How the exam asks it

At the Zaanse Schans you borrow a trailer with a permitted maximum mass of 1,300 kg. The owner has fitted both an auxiliary coupling and a breakaway braking device: 'double is doubly safe'. What do you do?

  1. You drive off as it is; below 1,500 kg both may be fitted together
  2. You have one of the two removed; together they may not be fitted
  3. You drive off as it is; two devices give extra security if it breaks loose
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Correct answer: You have one of the two removed; together they may not be fitted

False — you think two devices give extra safety. A trailer with a breakaway braking device may not also have an auxiliary coupling: the two work against each other

Why learners get this wrong: A breakaway braking device and an auxiliary coupling may be fitted together on one trailer, as long as the trailer is not heavier than 1,500 kg.

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At the vehicle inspection station in Almelo there is a trailer with a permitted maximum mass of 1,900 kg. What must be fitted to this trailer?

  1. A breakaway braking device and an auxiliary coupling as well
  2. A breakaway braking device or an auxiliary coupling, whichever you choose
  3. A breakaway braking device, without an auxiliary coupling as well
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Correct answer: A breakaway braking device, without an auxiliary coupling as well

False — the free choice no longer applies here. Only up to 1,500 kg may you choose between a breakaway braking device and an auxiliary coupling; above 1,500 kg a breakaway braking device is mandatory.

Why learners get this wrong: A trailer may have both a breakaway braking device and an auxiliary coupling for extra safety.

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At the ferry to Marken you are queued behind a 700 kg trailer and a 950 kg trailer. Statement: the 700 kg trailer gets a yellow licence plate with its own registration, and the 950 kg trailer gets a white plate with the car's registration.

  1. True
  2. False
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Correct answer: False

False — Book p.231: it is exactly the reverse. Up to 750 kg (so the 700 kg trailer): white plate with the car's registration. Above 750 kg (so the 950 kg trailer): own registration certificate with a yellow plate.

Why learners get this wrong: A light trailer (up to 750 kg) gets a yellow plate with its own registration; a heavy trailer (above 750 kg) gets a white plate with the car's registration.

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At a boat rental near the Loosdrecht lakes your trailer has a permitted maximum mass of 850 kg. What is correct? (multiple answers possible)

  1. Up to 1,500 kg this trailer may have an auxiliary coupling instead of a breakaway braking device
  2. The trailer displays a yellow licence plate with its own registration
  3. The trailer must display the same white plate as the car
  4. The trailer has its own registration certificate
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Correct answer: Up to 1,500 kg this trailer may have an auxiliary coupling instead of a breakaway braking device; The trailer displays a yellow licence plate with its own registration; The trailer has its own registration certificate

False — Book p.231: that only applies up to 750 kg. At 850 kg the trailer has its own registration certificate and a yellow plate.

Why learners get this wrong: A light trailer (up to 750 kg) gets a yellow plate with its own registration; a heavy trailer (above 750 kg) gets a white plate with the car's registration.

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At a trailer specialist in Purmerend the mechanic asks you: at what weight (in kg) does a breakaway braking device become mandatory, so that an auxiliary coupling no longer suffices? Set the slider to your estimate.

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Correct answer: 1500 kg

Correct: 1500.0 kg (±50.0).

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