CPC Road Passenger Exam cheat sheet

Carrier's contract of carriage is a contract of result: the carrier owes the passenger safe transport to the agreed destination, not merely reasonable effort.

Mandatory liability rules for passenger injury generally cannot be waived by contract clauses; exclusion notices on tickets are void where national law makes liability mandatory.

Carriage contract begins when the passenger boards or when the ticket is issued, depending on the applicable national rule; luggage handed to the carrier is carried under a separate custody obligation.

Liability for death or injury is typically strict or presumed-fault: the carrier escapes liability only by proving the event was caused by the passenger's own fault or by force majeure.

Liability caps for luggage loss or damage are usually set per kilogram or per item; the passenger may declare a higher value in advance, often for a supplementary charge.

Delays trigger compensation only where the carrier cannot prove it took reasonable steps to avoid the delay and its consequences.

Company law: a road passenger operator is commonly a limited company or cooperative; the legal representative binds the company, but acts outside the corporate purpose may be unenforceable against third parties.

Commercial contracts with tour operators or schools must specify capacity, vehicle class, driver qualifications, waiting time and cancellation terms to be enforceable.

EU-style driving time rule: maximum 9 hours daily driving, extendable to 10 hours twice per week; maximum 56 hours in any week and 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks.

Breaks after 4.5 hours of driving: at least 45 minutes, splittable into 15 minutes plus 30 minutes, both taken within the driving period.

Daily rest: at least 11 consecutive hours, reducible to 9 hours no more than three times between weekly rests; weekly rest at least 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensating rest.

Night work limit: where night work exceeds a set threshold, daily working time is capped (commonly 10 hours in a 24-hour period) and night workers are entitled to health checks.

Tachograph records must be retained by the operator (commonly 12 months) and produced on inspection; manipulation or false entries are criminal offences.

Driver CPC: initial qualification plus periodic training of 35 hours every five years is required to drive professionally; training covers safety, law, health and service.

Working time includes loading, waiting, and secondary activities; short interruptions of a few minutes do not count as a break.

Agency and subcontractor drivers remain subject to the same driving and rest limits; responsibility for compliance rests with the operator as well as the driver.

Operating licence (community licence) is required for hire-or-reward passenger transport; it is issued against proof of professional competence, financial standing, and good repute.

Financial standing is demonstrated by available capital and reserves: commonly EUR 9,000 for the first vehicle plus EUR 5,000 for each additional vehicle (EU reference figures).

Costing formula: total cost = fixed costs (insurance, depreciation, licence, overheads) + variable costs (fuel, tyres, maintenance, tolls) + driver costs.

Break-even load factor = fixed costs / (revenue per passenger-km − variable cost per passenger-km); operators use it to set minimum acceptable occupancy.

Revenue per vehicle-km = (passengers carried × average fare) / vehicle-km operated; compare with cost per vehicle-km to assess route profitability.

Depreciation is allocated over the useful life of the vehicle; residual value and expected mileage affect cost per kilometre and fare setting.

Records required: driver files, vehicle maintenance files, tachograph data, insurance certificates, and accident reports; these support audits and licence renewal.

Insurance: compulsory third-party liability for passengers and third parties; own-damage and business-interruption cover are optional but affect risk management.

Periodic technical inspection intervals depend on vehicle category and age; defects found are classified as minor, major, or dangerous, and dangerous defects prohibit use.

Braking systems on passenger vehicles must meet performance standards for service brake, secondary brake, and parking brake, including a defined deceleration on a test slope.

Tyres must have a minimum tread depth (commonly 1.6 mm for cars and light vehicles, more for heavy vehicles in some jurisdictions) and no cuts or bulges.

Seat belts and restraint systems must be fitted and functional at every designated seat; standing passengers are permitted only where the vehicle is approved for them.

Emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits must be present, in date, and accessible; their location is part of the daily pre-departure check.

Vehicle dimensions and weights: axle loads, gross vehicle weight, and height must be within the approved limits; overloading affects braking and stability.

Daily walk-around check covers lights, tyres, brakes, steering, mirrors, wipers, fluids, and emergency equipment; defects are recorded before departure.

Tachograph and speed limiter must be calibrated and sealed; a defective speed limiter on a vehicle required to have one makes the vehicle unroadworthy.

Safe following distance: the two-second rule in dry conditions, doubled in rain and at least tripled on ice or snow.

Stopping distance = thinking distance (speed × reaction time) + braking distance (proportional to speed squared); doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

Speed limits for passenger vehicles are lower than for cars in many jurisdictions; the operator must post the applicable limits in the vehicle.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, on blind bends, at junctions, and where a solid line separates lanes.

At unmarked junctions, priority rules and right-of-way conventions apply; the driver must yield to traffic already on the priority road.

Alcohol limits are typically 0.5 g/L blood alcohol or lower, with zero tolerance for professional drivers in many countries.

Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited except with a hands-free system; distraction is a leading cause of passenger-vehicle accidents.

Accident procedure: secure the scene, warn other traffic, call emergency services, exchange details, and record witness information without moving injured persons unless there is immediate danger.

Boarding and alighting: the driver opens doors only when the vehicle is stationary; passengers are counted and seated or secured before departure.

Accessibility: low-floor vehicles, ramps, and priority seats for elderly and disabled passengers; assistance must be offered, not merely available on request.

Luggage must be stowed so it cannot move in sudden braking; heavy items go in the hold, and aisle and emergency exits stay clear.

Child restraint rules apply to children below a defined height or age; the operator must provide or require appropriate restraints.

Emergency evacuation: passengers are briefed on exits, extinguisher location, and the procedure to follow the driver's instructions in an emergency.

Customer service standards: punctuality, clear announcements, courteous handling of complaints, and a written complaints procedure with response times.

Passenger conduct rules: refusal to carry intoxicated or violent passengers is permitted where safety is at risk; the driver documents the refusal.

Lost property and vulnerable passengers: procedures for unaccompanied minors and passengers needing assistance must be known and applied.

Fuel consumption rises steeply with speed: aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so cruising at a moderate speed saves fuel.

Eco-driving techniques: smooth acceleration, early upshifting, anticipation, and avoiding idling reduce fuel use by a measurable margin.

Idling limits: engines are switched off during long waits; many jurisdictions restrict idling near schools and residential areas.

Euro emission standards (Euro VI and later) set limits for NOx and particulate matter; the operator must match the vehicle to low-emission zone requirements.

Alternative fuels: CNG, LNG, electric, and hybrid buses reduce local emissions; range, charging infrastructure, and total cost of ownership determine suitability.

Maintenance affects emissions: clogged filters, incorrect tyre pressure, and faulty exhaust systems increase fuel use and pollution.

Route planning and load management: consolidating trips and reducing empty running cut fuel per passenger-km.

Waste and fluids: used oil, tyres, and batteries are hazardous waste and must be handled through licensed disposal channels.

Risk assessment: identify hazards (fire, collision, passenger illness, assault), evaluate likelihood and severity, and record control measures.

Fire procedure: stop the vehicle in a safe place, switch off the engine, evacuate passengers upwind, call emergency services, and use the extinguisher only if safe.

First aid priorities: airway, breathing, circulation; do not move a casualty with suspected spinal injury unless there is immediate danger.

Medical emergency on board: the driver stops safely, requests assistance, and uses the on-board first-aid kit; an AED, where carried, is used per its instructions.

Personal safety: drivers are trained in de-escalation and conflict management; assaults are reported and recorded, and the operator reviews them.

Emergency contact chain: the driver notifies the operator's control centre, which alerts emergency services and management and records the timeline.

Drills and training: evacuation drills and first-aid refresher training are documented; records are kept for inspection.

Post-incident: preserve evidence, secure tachograph data, provide statements, and offer support to affected passengers and staff.