Tachograph and Transport Documentation
Core concepts
Digital tachographs record driving, other work, availability and rest. A driver must insert the driver card before driving, enter the start country and end country, and record manual entries for work done away from the vehicle. The card must be kept with the driver and produced on request, together with printouts covering the current day and the previous 28 days. Transport documentation includes the consignment note (CMR for international carriage), the licence for carriage of goods for hire or reward, the driver CPC card, the vehicle registration, insurance, and the technical inspection certificate. For dangerous goods, ADR documents apply. For international transport, community licences and driver attestations may be needed.
Traps in questions
A frequent trap is the 28-day rule: drivers must be able to produce records for the current day and the previous 28 days. Another trap is manual entries: if you forget to switch the mode, you must make a manual entry, not leave the gap. Lost or stolen cards must be reported and replaced; driving without a card is only permitted under specific rules. Do not confuse the tachograph card with the CPC card.
Worked example / rule of thumb
Rule of thumb: "Card in, country set, mode correct." Example: a driver starts in Bulgaria and finishes in Romania. At the start the mode must be set correctly and Bulgaria entered as start country; at the end, Romania is entered. If the driver forgets, a manual entry is made and noted on the printout.
First Aid, Emergency Situations and Accident Procedures
Core concepts
At an accident scene the priority order is: protect (warn other traffic, switch on hazard lights, place the warning triangle at the required distance), alert (call 112 with location, number of casualties, hazards), and assist (first aid within your competence). Know the primary survey: danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation. Learn CPR ratios (30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults), how to control severe bleeding with direct pressure, how to treat burns (cool with water, do not remove stuck clothing), and how to place an unconscious but breathing casualty in the recovery position. Do not move a casualty unless there is immediate danger such as fire. Know the rules for reporting an accident and exchanging details.
Traps in questions
A common trap is the warning triangle distance: on motorways it is placed much further back than on ordinary roads. Another trap is removing a motorcycle helmet - do not remove it unless the airway is at risk. Questions also test whether to give food or drink to an injured person (never) and whether to move a casualty (only for immediate danger). Calling 112 is always the right first alert step.
Worked example / rule of thumb
Rule of thumb: "Protect, alert, assist - in that order." Example: you arrive at a collision on a motorway. First hazard lights and triangle at the required distance, then call 112 with the kilometre marker, then check the casualty's response and breathing, and begin CPR at 30:2 if breathing is absent.
Environmental Protection and Fuel-Efficient Driving
Core concepts
Efficient driving reduces fuel use and emissions. Key techniques: anticipate traffic and avoid harsh acceleration and braking, use the highest practical gear and keep engine speed low, maintain correct tyre pressure, remove unnecessary load and roof racks, switch off the engine during long waits, and plan routes to avoid congestion. Modern trucks have eco-rolling and cruise control, and drivers should use engine braking and retarders to save brake wear. Know the emission standards (Euro classes) and the meaning of the green sticker for low-emission zones. Also understand the environmental rules: no unnecessary idling, correct disposal of oils, filters and batteries, and no washing of vehicles where runoff enters drains.
Traps in questions
Questions test whether idling is allowed: long idling wastes fuel and is restricted in many places. Another trap is tyre pressure - under-inflation increases fuel use and wear. Do not confuse engine braking with coasting in neutral, which is unsafe and does not save fuel in modern engines. Questions also test the correct disposal route for used oil and the meaning of Euro class markings.
Worked example / rule of thumb
Rule of thumb: "Smooth, high gear, correct pressure." Example: on a motorway a driver keeps a steady speed in the highest practical gear, uses cruise control where safe, checks tyre pressure weekly, and switches off the engine during a 20-minute loading wait - all reducing fuel and emissions without slowing the journey.