Which of the following activities is considered off-duty?
- Refueling the vehicle
- Loading and unloading goods
- Doing routine vehicle maintenance
- Spending time in a sleeper berth ✓
Answer: D. Spending time in a sleeper berth
Spending time in a sleeper berth is the off-duty activity.
Why this is the answer
The handbook sets out duty categories and specifically names off-duty time spent in a sleeper berth as one of them. It then lists on-duty work: inspecting, cleaning or repairing the vehicle; loading and unloading; waiting at inspections; and travelling as a co-driver except when in the sleeper berth. Because sleeper-berth time is placed in the off-duty category, it is the choice that fits. Refuelling is not addressed in the passage.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Refueling the vehicle — The passage does not mention refuelling, so it gives no basis for treating it as the off-duty activity; the off-duty example it does name is sleeper berth.
- B. Loading and unloading goods — Loading and unloading the vehicle is expressly listed as an on-duty activity in the passage.
- C. Doing routine vehicle maintenance — Inspecting, cleaning or repairing the vehicle is listed as on-duty work, so routine maintenance is not off-duty here.
Remember it
If you are in the sleeper, you are off duty; if you are loading, cleaning or repairing, you are on duty.
Official handbook: Official MTO Truck Handbook, Hours of service – Duty status