Burkina Faso Permis D (Transport) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Priority to the right

Default rule at an unmarked intersection in Burkina Faso: the driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the right, unless signs or markings indicate a priority road.

Stop sign obligation

A round red octagonal sign requires a complete halt at the stop line regardless of traffic, followed by yielding to all vehicles before proceeding.

Solid white centre line

A continuous white line down the middle of the road forbids crossing it and therefore forbids overtaking or U-turns across it.

Signal priority hierarchy

Police officer directions outrank traffic lights, which outrank road signs, which in turn outrank road markings when instructions conflict.

Category D licence scope

Authorises driving motor vehicles built to carry more than eight passengers besides the driver, and also covers ordinary category B vehicles.

Compulsory insurance

Every motor vehicle in circulation must carry third-party liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage caused to others.

Built-up area speed limit

The general speed limit inside towns is 50 km/h unless a sign states otherwise; lower limits apply near schools and on dangerous sections.

Documents carried on board

Driving licence of the correct category, vehicle registration card, valid insurance certificate and valid technical inspection certificate must be presented on demand.

Spring brake principle

Heavy vehicle parking brakes are held on by strong springs and released by air pressure, so losing air pressure automatically applies the brake.

Air brake working pressure

Normal operating pressure is about 8 to 10 bar; a warning sounds and driving must stop when pressure falls near 4.5 bar.

Brake fade

Overheated drum or disc brakes lose friction and stopping power; prevention means using a low gear and engine braking on long descents.

Engine runaway

A diesel engine accelerating uncontrollably on its own oil cannot be stopped by the key alone; the air intake must be blocked.

Daily walk-around check

Pre-departure inspection of tyres, lights, mirrors, wipers, fluids, doors, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and warning triangle before every trip.

Air tank draining

Water is drained from air reservoirs daily because condensation corrodes brake valves and can freeze, causing brake failure.

Safety defect grounding

Any defect affecting brakes, steering, tyres or lights must be recorded and repaired before the vehicle carries passengers.

Emergency exit check

Doors, emergency exits and hammers must be tested before departure so passengers can evacuate from both sides of the bus.

Braking distance versus speed

Braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop a loaded bus.

Following distance rule

Keep at least a two-second gap in good conditions and four seconds or more in rain, at night or when fully loaded.

Vehicle height awareness

The driver must know the exact total height and width of the vehicle before departure to clear bridges, tunnels and low obstacles.

Load distribution rule

Heavy items are placed low and over the axles, no axle exceeds its permitted load, and the load is secured against shifting.

Bus blind spots

Large areas along both sides and directly behind a bus are invisible to the driver; mirrors must be checked systematically before any manoeuvre.

Protect, alert, rescue

The emergency sequence: secure the scene with hazard lights and triangle, warn other traffic and call help, then give first aid.

Warning triangle placement

Place the triangle about 30 metres behind the vehicle on a straight road, and further back before a bend or on a fast road.

Recovery position use

An unconscious casualty who is breathing is placed on their side to keep the airway clear, and breathing is monitored until help arrives.

Severe bleeding control

Apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth and raise the limb; never remove an object embedded in the wound.

Alcohol elimination rate

The body clears roughly 0.1 to 0.15 grams per litre of blood per hour; coffee, cold showers and sleep do not speed this up.

Fatigue remedy

The only effective remedy for drowsiness is stopping to rest, ideally a short sleep of 15 to 20 minutes, not music or open windows.

Drowsiness peak periods

Natural alertness dips around 02:00 to 06:00 and 14:00 to 16:00, so long trips should be planned to avoid driving through them.

Medication and driving

Antihistamines, sedatives and some cough syrups cause drowsiness; the label must be checked and a pharmacist consulted before driving.

Speed and aerodynamic drag

Drag rises with the square of speed, so fuel consumption climbs steeply above about 80 to 90 km/h; moderating speed is the biggest saving.

Tyre pressure and fuel

Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, raising fuel consumption and emissions while accelerating tyre wear and risking blowouts.

Idling versus restarting

A modern diesel uses less fuel to restart than to idle for more than about 30 seconds, so unnecessary idling should be avoided.