CPC Road Haulage Exam key terms

A certified copy of a road haulage licence issued by an EU member state that allows the holder to carry goods for hire or reward between member states and through transit countries.

The temporary carrying of goods for hire or reward wholly within one member state by a haulier established in another member state, subject to limits set by EU rules.

Carriage of the operator's own goods in vehicles it owns or buys on credit, where driving is not the driver's main occupation and the goods belong to the undertaking.

Transport of goods for third parties in return for payment, requiring a haulage licence and compliance with market access conditions rather than own-account exemptions.

A market access condition requiring the transport manager and operator to have no serious convictions or repeated infringements, assessed against a defined list of offences.

The requirement to hold minimum available capital, evidenced by annual accounts or a bank guarantee, so the undertaking can meet its obligations.

The market access condition met by passing the CPC examination or holding recognised equivalent qualifications, demonstrating knowledge of law, management and technical operation.

A natural person who effectively and continuously manages transport operations and genuinely links the undertaking to its compliance obligations.

The qualification certificate awarded after passing the CPC examination for road haulage, evidencing the professional competence required to manage transport operations.

A separate periodic training requirement for professional lorry drivers, comprising initial qualification and 35 hours of training every five years.

A recording device fitted to goods vehicles that logs driving time, other work, availability and rest, and must be used correctly and downloaded regularly.

Time spent at the controls of a moving vehicle, limited to nine hours daily extendable twice weekly to ten, and 56 hours weekly.

An uninterrupted rest of at least eleven hours in each 24-hour period, reducible to nine hours no more than three times between weekly rests.

A regular rest of at least 45 hours, or a reduced rest of at least 24 hours, taken within each fixed week and compensated before the next but one week.

For mobile workers, time devoted to work including driving, loading and other duties, capped at 48 hours average per week over a reference period.

Work performed during a defined night period, normally 00:00 to 04:00, limited to ten hours per 24-hour period unless collective agreement provides otherwise.

The maximum weight of a vehicle including its load and body, declared by the manufacturer and used to determine driving licence category and weight limits.

The weight transmitted to the road by one axle or axle group, subject to legal maxima that vary with axle spacing and tyre configuration.

The weight shown on the manufacturer's plate, comprising gross vehicle weight and gross train weight, which must not be exceeded in operation.

Mandatory roadworthiness testing of goods vehicles at prescribed intervals, covering brakes, steering, emissions and structural condition.

The European agreement governing the carriage of dangerous goods by road, setting classification, packaging, labelling, documentation and driver training requirements.

Substances or articles posing risks during carriage, requiring compliance with classification, packaging, marking, placarding and written instructions under ADR.

The practice of restraining cargo against forces during braking, acceleration and cornering using lashings, blocking or friction, in line with recognised standards.

Spreading cargo so that axle loads and the centre of gravity remain within limits, preserving steering and braking stability.

A device limiting the maximum speed of heavy goods vehicles, typically to 90 km/h, which must be fitted, functioning and not tampered with.

The area around a lorry, particularly on the nearside and directly in front, that the driver cannot see directly or through mirrors, requiring careful manoeuvring.

A road user such as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist who lacks physical protection and is at higher risk in collisions with goods vehicles.

An agreement under which a carrier undertakes to move goods for a consignor in return for payment, creating duties of care, delivery and liability.

The international convention governing contracts for the carriage of goods by road, harmonising consignment notes, carrier liability and limitation periods.

A transport document recording the parties, goods, place of delivery and conditions of carriage, serving as evidence of the contract and of receipt.

The party who hands goods to the carrier for transport, responsible for accurate declarations, packaging and any required dangerous goods documentation.

The carrier's responsibility for loss of or damage to goods occurring between taking over and delivery, subject to limited defences such as inherent vice.

Costs that do not vary with distance travelled or tonnes carried, such as insurance, depreciation, licences and standing vehicle charges.

Costs that change directly with vehicle use, including fuel, tyres, maintenance and driver expenses linked to journeys performed.

A calculation dividing total operating costs by distance run, used to set rates and compare the profitability of routes or vehicles.

The volume of traffic or revenue at which total income equals total costs, so the operation makes neither profit nor loss.

An intermediary who arranges transport for shippers, consolidating loads and contracting carriers rather than necessarily operating vehicles itself.

Combining several smaller consignments into one vehicle load to raise utilisation, reduce empty running and lower cost per tonne.

Operating a vehicle without cargo, which wastes fuel and cost; reducing it through return loads is a central efficiency measure.