Burkina Faso Permis D (Transport) key terms

The set of national laws and rules that govern how vehicles, pedestrians and animals use public roads, including speed limits, priority, signs and penalties for offences.

The category of driving licence that authorises a driver to operate a heavy passenger vehicle such as a bus or coach, subject to medical fitness and minimum age requirements.

The default right-of-way rule under which a driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the right at intersections unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.

A regulatory sign or marking requiring the driver to slow down and give way to traffic on the intersecting road, stopping only if necessary to let others pass.

An octagonal red sign that obliges the driver to bring the vehicle to a complete halt at the stop line before proceeding, regardless of whether other traffic is visible.

A thick white transverse line painted on the road at an intersection, marking the exact point where a vehicle must stop when required by a sign or signal.

A traffic light system using red, amber and green signals to control the order in which vehicles and pedestrians may proceed through an intersection or crossing.

A police officer or authorised official whose hand signals and instructions take priority over traffic lights, signs and road markings in directing traffic.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver perceives a hazard until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, combining reaction distance and braking distance.

The minimum gap a driver must keep behind the vehicle ahead, commonly estimated as two seconds of travel time and increased in rain, at night or when heavily loaded.

The delay between a driver noticing a hazard and beginning to act, typically around one second and lengthened by fatigue, alcohol, distraction or illness.

Slowing the vehicle by releasing the accelerator and engaging a lower gear so that engine compression resists motion, reducing brake wear on long descents.

A secondary braking device such as an engine brake, exhaust brake or retarder fitted to heavy vehicles to control speed on long downhill gradients without overheating the service brakes.

The hydraulic or pneumatic system that transmits pedal force to the wheel brakes, including the compressor, reservoirs, valves, lines and brake chambers on heavy vehicles.

The air pressure inside each tyre, which must be checked cold and kept at the manufacturer's recommended level to ensure grip, fuel economy and even tyre wear.

A systematic pre-trip inspection of tyres, brakes, lights, fluids, mirrors, doors and emergency equipment carried out before starting a journey to confirm the vehicle is roadworthy.

The area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see directly or through the mirrors, requiring careful mirror checks and shoulder glances before changing direction.

A mirror mounted on the vehicle that gives the driver a rearward or side view, essential for monitoring blind spots, overtaking traffic and passengers near the doors.

The way goods or luggage are placed and secured on or in a vehicle, which must respect maximum authorised weight, axle limits and safe distribution to preserve stability.

The maximum weight a vehicle may legally reach when fully loaded, including passengers, fuel, luggage and cargo, as stated on its registration documents.

The practice of securing cargo with straps, ropes, nets or bars so that it cannot shift, slide or fall during braking, acceleration or cornering.

The hours a professional driver spends actively driving, which are limited by regulation and must be recorded to prevent excessive continuous work.

The mandatory minimum period during which a professional driver must not drive or perform other work, allowing recovery before the next driving period.

A record sheet or digital record used in a tachograph to document a professional driver's driving, working, availability and rest periods for official inspection.

A document carried during a journey that identifies the vehicle, driver, passengers or goods and the route, supporting checks by authorised inspectors.

Compulsory insurance cover that protects the vehicle owner and third parties against liability for injury or damage caused while the vehicle is in use.

A periodic official inspection of a vehicle's safety and emissions systems, required by law, that certifies whether it remains fit to be driven on public roads.

Physical and mental tiredness that slows reactions, impairs judgement and increases the risk of falling asleep at the wheel, especially on long or night journeys.

The concentration of alcohol in the blood, measured in grams per litre, which must remain below the legal limit and is checked by breath or blood testing.

Illegal drugs or psychoactive substances that impair perception, coordination and reaction time, and whose presence while driving is prohibited and punishable by law.

The immediate basic care given to an injured person before professional help arrives, including protecting the scene, calling emergency services and not moving casualties unnecessarily.

A reflective warning triangle placed on the road behind a broken-down vehicle to alert approaching drivers and reduce the risk of collision at the scene.

A high-visibility reflective vest that a driver must wear when leaving a stopped vehicle on or beside the road, making the person visible to other traffic.

A fuel-efficient driving style using smooth acceleration, early gear changes, steady speed and anticipation of traffic to cut fuel consumption and emissions.

Harmful gases and particles released by a vehicle's exhaust, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and soot, which damage air quality and are limited by standards.

Running the engine at unnecessarily high revolutions, which wastes fuel, increases noise and emissions, and accelerates mechanical wear without improving progress.

A proactive driving approach that anticipates hazards, keeps escape space, respects other road users and avoids relying on others to prevent accidents.