Danish Goods Driver CPC Qualification cheat sheet

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h roughly quadruples the braking distance, while reaction distance only doubles.

Total stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance. Reaction distance in metres ≈ (speed in km/h ÷ 10) × 3 × reaction time in seconds; at 80 km/h and 1 s reaction time this is about 24 m.

Kinetic energy rises with the square of velocity, so a 40-tonne combination at 80 km/h carries four times the energy it has at 40 km/h; retarder and engine brake use preserves service brakes for emergencies.

Safe following distance rule: at least 2 seconds in dry conditions, 3 seconds in wet, and 4 or more on ice or snow; at 80 km/h a 3-second gap equals about 67 m.

A laden articulated combination has a larger swept path on turns; the rear wheels cut inside the front wheel track (off-tracking), so check mirrors and allow extra lateral clearance when turning right.

Engine braking on a long descent: select a gear that holds speed without service brakes, keep the retarder active, and avoid coasting in neutral, which is both unsafe and illegal in most EU jurisdictions.

Blind-spot rule: a truck driver's direct vision is limited; before changing lanes, confirm mirror checks with a shoulder glance and signal early enough that a car beside the trailer can react.

Fatigue degrades reaction time more than alcohol in many studies; a 17-hour wake period impairs driving comparably to a blood alcohol level near the legal limit, so plan breaks before fatigue starts.

Daily driving limit is 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week; weekly driving limit is 56 hours, and the two-week limit is 90 hours.

A break is required after 4.5 hours of driving: at least 45 minutes, or a split of 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes, taken in that order.

Daily rest is normally 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours at most three times between weekly rests; a split daily rest is 3 hours plus 9 hours, totaling 12 hours within 24 hours of the previous rest.

Weekly rest is at least 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensation taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the reduced rest.

A tachograph manual entry is required for any period not recorded automatically (ferry crossing, other work, availability); record the start and end country at border crossings and at the start of the shift.

The driver card is personal and non-transferable; driving without a card inserted, or using another driver's card, is an infringement and may be treated as falsification.

Drivers must be able to produce records for the current day plus the previous 28 calendar days on roadside inspection; data must be downloaded by the operator at least every 90 days for the vehicle unit.

EU mobility rules require the operator to keep the driver's records and to ensure compliance with posting declarations for cabotage and international transport within the scope of the Mobility Package.

Eco-driving: shift up around 1,200-1,500 rpm in a diesel truck, keep steady throttle, and use cruise control on motorways; aggressive acceleration can raise fuel use by 15-25%.

Idling burns roughly 1-2 litres of diesel per hour; switching off during long waits reduces emissions, noise and fuel cost.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 10% can increase fuel consumption by around 1-2% and accelerates shoulder wear.

Aerodynamic aids (roof fairing, side skirts, trailer tail) reduce drag; above roughly 60-70 km/h aerodynamic resistance dominates fuel use.

Load planning rule: place the heaviest goods over or near the drive axles, keep the centre of gravity low, and distribute weight evenly left to right to protect axle loads and handling.

Service quality: confirm delivery windows, use a delivery note with signature, record damage or shortage at the point of handover, and inform the dispatcher before leaving the site.

Noise-sensitive deliveries: use night delivery rules, switch off refrigeration units where permitted, and avoid engine idling and door slamming in residential areas.

Personal fitness to drive: report medication that causes drowsiness, eye conditions and sleep apnoea; a driver with a medical restriction must not drive until cleared.

Axle load limits in the EU are typically 10 tonnes for a single drive axle and 11.5 tonnes for a drive axle with twin tyres and air suspension; total combination weight is generally 40 tonnes, 44 tonnes for combined transport.

Load securing force: forward force ≈ 0.8 × load weight, rearward ≈ 0.5 × load weight, sideways ≈ 0.5 × load weight (EN 12195-1); lashing must resist these forces.

Lashing capacity (LC) is the maximum force a lashing can transmit; the pre-tension force (STF) is typically about 0.25-0.5 of LC for synthetic web straps.

Number of lashings: n = (required securing force − friction force) ÷ (LC × angle factor). Friction force = μ × weight, with μ ≈ 0.2 for wood on wood, 0.3 for wood on steel, 0.6 for rubber on dry asphalt.

Positive locking (form-fit) against the headboard is preferable to friction lashing for heavy or rigid loads; use headboard, side gates and stanchions where the load allows.

Spread the load: keep the centre of gravity as low as possible, avoid concentrated point loads on the floor, and use load-spreading plates under heavy machinery.

Before departure, check that the tailgate and side doors are closed and locked, the load is covered where required, and the tarpaulin is intact; re-check lashings after the first 10-20 km.

Handling goods: use lifting aids, keep the back straight and bend the knees, and never stand under a suspended load or between the load and a fixed object.

Daily walk-around check: tyres and tread depth (minimum 1.6 mm for cars, 1 mm for trucks in many EU states), lights, mirrors, brakes, air pressure warning, oil and coolant levels, and load security.

Air brake system: the low-pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below about 4.5-5 bar; a pressure drop with the engine off indicates a leak that must be repaired.

Tyre condition: check for cuts, bulges, embedded objects and uneven wear; uneven wear indicates misalignment, incorrect pressure or worn suspension components.

Tachograph and dashboard warnings: an active warning light (ABS, EBS, engine, AdBlue) requires diagnosis; do not continue a journey if the defect affects braking or steering.

AdBlue (DEF) is a urea solution used in SCR systems; running out can derate engine power and, in some vehicles, prevent restart after the engine is switched off.

Coolant and engine temperature: overheating may indicate a failed thermostat, coolant leak or fan fault; stop safely, let the engine cool before opening the cap.

Brake fade on long descents is caused by overheating of the friction surfaces; use engine braking and retarder to avoid it, and never rely on continuous service braking.

Defect reporting: record the defect in the vehicle defect log, report it to the operator, and do not drive a vehicle with a defect that affects road safety until it is repaired.

Scene safety first: switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, switch on hazard lights, place warning triangles at least 50 m behind the vehicle on motorways (further where visibility is poor), and wear a high-visibility vest.

Emergency call: give location (road, direction, kilometre marker), number and type of casualties, hazards (fuel, chemicals, fire), and stay on the line until the operator ends the call.

DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Check responsiveness and breathing; if not breathing normally, start CPR at 100-120 compressions per minute, depth 5-6 cm.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean dressing, elevate the limb if possible, and use a tourniquet only for life-threatening limb bleeding that cannot be controlled.

Do not move a casualty with suspected spinal injury unless there is an immediate danger such as fire or traffic; keep the head and neck aligned and wait for the emergency services.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 10-20 minutes, remove jewellery and loose clothing near the burn, and do not apply creams or burst blisters.

Hazardous goods incident: keep upwind and uphill, note the UN number and hazard identification number on the orange plate, and inform the emergency services; do not attempt to contain a leak unless trained.

Fire: only attempt to extinguish a small fire with the appropriate extinguisher and a clear escape route; for a vehicle fire, evacuate, call the emergency services and keep well clear of the fuel tank.

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h roughly quadruples the braking distance, while reaction distance only doubles.

Total stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance. Reaction distance in metres ≈ (speed in km/h ÷ 10) × 3 × reaction time in seconds; at 80 km/h and 1 s reaction time this is about 24 m.

Kinetic energy rises with the square of velocity, so a 40-tonne combination at 80 km/h carries four times the energy it has at 40 km/h; retarder and engine brake use preserves service brakes for emergencies.

Safe following distance rule: at least 2 seconds in dry conditions, 3 seconds in wet, and 4 or more on ice or snow; at 80 km/h a 3-second gap equals about 67 m.

A laden articulated combination has a larger swept path on turns; the rear wheels cut inside the front wheel track (off-tracking), so check mirrors and allow extra lateral clearance when turning right.

Engine braking on a long descent: select a gear that holds speed without service brakes, keep the retarder active, and avoid coasting in neutral, which is both unsafe and illegal in most EU jurisdictions.

Blind-spot rule: a truck driver's direct vision is limited; before changing lanes, confirm mirror checks with a shoulder glance and signal early enough that a car beside the trailer can react.

Fatigue degrades reaction time more than alcohol in many studies; a 17-hour wake period impairs driving comparably to a blood alcohol level near the legal limit, so plan breaks before fatigue starts.

Daily driving limit is 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week; weekly driving limit is 56 hours, and the two-week limit is 90 hours.

A break is required after 4.5 hours of driving: at least 45 minutes, or a split of 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes, taken in that order.

Daily rest is normally 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours at most three times between weekly rests; a split daily rest is 3 hours plus 9 hours, totaling 12 hours within 24 hours of the previous rest.

Weekly rest is at least 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensation taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the reduced rest.

A tachograph manual entry is required for any period not recorded automatically (ferry crossing, other work, availability); record the start and end country at border crossings and at the start of the shift.

The driver card is personal and non-transferable; driving without a card inserted, or using another driver's card, is an infringement and may be treated as falsification.

Drivers must be able to produce records for the current day plus the previous 28 calendar days on roadside inspection; data must be downloaded by the operator at least every 90 days for the vehicle unit.

EU mobility rules require the operator to keep the driver's records and to ensure compliance with posting declarations for cabotage and international transport within the scope of the Mobility Package.

Eco-driving: shift up around 1,200-1,500 rpm in a diesel truck, keep steady throttle, and use cruise control on motorways; aggressive acceleration can raise fuel use by 15-25%.

Idling burns roughly 1-2 litres of diesel per hour; switching off during long waits reduces emissions, noise and fuel cost.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 10% can increase fuel consumption by around 1-2% and accelerates shoulder wear.

Aerodynamic aids (roof fairing, side skirts, trailer tail) reduce drag; above roughly 60-70 km/h aerodynamic resistance dominates fuel use.

Load planning rule: place the heaviest goods over or near the drive axles, keep the centre of gravity low, and distribute weight evenly left to right to protect axle loads and handling.

Service quality: confirm delivery windows, use a delivery note with signature, record damage or shortage at the point of handover, and inform the dispatcher before leaving the site.

Noise-sensitive deliveries: use night delivery rules, switch off refrigeration units where permitted, and avoid engine idling and door slamming in residential areas.

Personal fitness to drive: report medication that causes drowsiness, eye conditions and sleep apnoea; a driver with a medical restriction must not drive until cleared.

Axle load limits in the EU are typically 10 tonnes for a single drive axle and 11.5 tonnes for a drive axle with twin tyres and air suspension; total combination weight is generally 40 tonnes, 44 tonnes for combined transport.

Load securing force: forward force ≈ 0.8 × load weight, rearward ≈ 0.5 × load weight, sideways ≈ 0.5 × load weight (EN 12195-1); lashing must resist these forces.

Lashing capacity (LC) is the maximum force a lashing can transmit; the pre-tension force (STF) is typically about 0.25-0.5 of LC for synthetic web straps.

Number of lashings: n = (required securing force − friction force) ÷ (LC × angle factor). Friction force = μ × weight, with μ ≈ 0.2 for wood on wood, 0.3 for wood on steel, 0.6 for rubber on dry asphalt.

Positive locking (form-fit) against the headboard is preferable to friction lashing for heavy or rigid loads; use headboard, side gates and stanchions where the load allows.

Spread the load: keep the centre of gravity as low as possible, avoid concentrated point loads on the floor, and use load-spreading plates under heavy machinery.

Before departure, check that the tailgate and side doors are closed and locked, the load is covered where required, and the tarpaulin is intact; re-check lashings after the first 10-20 km.

Handling goods: use lifting aids, keep the back straight and bend the knees, and never stand under a suspended load or between the load and a fixed object.

Daily walk-around check: tyres and tread depth (minimum 1.6 mm for cars, 1 mm for trucks in many EU states), lights, mirrors, brakes, air pressure warning, oil and coolant levels, and load security.

Air brake system: the low-pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below about 4.5-5 bar; a pressure drop with the engine off indicates a leak that must be repaired.

Tyre condition: check for cuts, bulges, embedded objects and uneven wear; uneven wear indicates misalignment, incorrect pressure or worn suspension components.

Tachograph and dashboard warnings: an active warning light (ABS, EBS, engine, AdBlue) requires diagnosis; do not continue a journey if the defect affects braking or steering.

AdBlue (DEF) is a urea solution used in SCR systems; running out can derate engine power and, in some vehicles, prevent restart after the engine is switched off.

Coolant and engine temperature: overheating may indicate a failed thermostat, coolant leak or fan fault; stop safely, let the engine cool before opening the cap.

Brake fade on long descents is caused by overheating of the friction surfaces; use engine braking and retarder to avoid it, and never rely on continuous service braking.

Defect reporting: record the defect in the vehicle defect log, report it to the operator, and do not drive a vehicle with a defect that affects road safety until it is repaired.

Scene safety first: switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, switch on hazard lights, place warning triangles at least 50 m behind the vehicle on motorways (further where visibility is poor), and wear a high-visibility vest.

Emergency call: give location (road, direction, kilometre marker), number and type of casualties, hazards (fuel, chemicals, fire), and stay on the line until the operator ends the call.

DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Check responsiveness and breathing; if not breathing normally, start CPR at 100-120 compressions per minute, depth 5-6 cm.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean dressing, elevate the limb if possible, and use a tourniquet only for life-threatening limb bleeding that cannot be controlled.

Do not move a casualty with suspected spinal injury unless there is an immediate danger such as fire or traffic; keep the head and neck aligned and wait for the emergency services.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 10-20 minutes, remove jewellery and loose clothing near the burn, and do not apply creams or burst blisters.

Hazardous goods incident: keep upwind and uphill, note the UN number and hazard identification number on the orange plate, and inform the emergency services; do not attempt to contain a leak unless trained.

Fire: only attempt to extinguish a small fire with the appropriate extinguisher and a clear escape route; for a vehicle fire, evacuate, call the emergency services and keep well clear of the fuel tank.