CPC Road Passenger Exam key terms

A legally binding agreement in which a carrier undertakes to transport passengers and their luggage to a stated destination for a fare, creating duties of care, punctuality and safe delivery.

The legal responsibility of a transport operator to compensate passengers for death, injury, loss of or damage to luggage occurring during carriage, subject to defined limits and exclusions.

Entitlements granted to travellers when a service is cancelled, delayed or overbooked, including reimbursement, rerouting, assistance and fixed monetary compensation under applicable rules.

Compulsory cover that a road passenger operator must hold to pay compensation for injury or death of passengers caused by the vehicle's operation, regardless of fault in many jurisdictions.

A written or implied agreement setting out wages, working time, rest, duties and termination conditions between a transport undertaking and a professional driver, governed by labour law.

Statutory limits on continuous and daily driving, plus minimum daily and weekly rest that a professional driver must observe to reduce fatigue and comply with social rules.

A recording device fitted to passenger vehicles that logs driving time, other work, availability and rest, providing evidence of compliance with social legislation on working time.

Provisions limiting average weekly working hours, requiring breaks and capping night work for mobile workers, applied alongside driving-time limits in road transport.

An administrative authorisation granted to an undertaking that meets requirements of good repute, financial standing and professional competence, permitting it to run road passenger services.

The documented knowledge of law, business management, technical standards and safety required of transport managers, usually proven by passing a recognised examination.

The requirement that an operator hold sufficient capital and reserves to ensure stable and continuous operation of services, demonstrated through bank guarantees or audited accounts.

A business entity that operates vehicles for hire or reward in passenger transport, bearing responsibility for compliance, staff, vehicles and service quality.

The method of determining fares by totalling fixed, variable and overhead costs plus a reasonable margin, ensuring services are priced sustainably and transparently.

An agreement between a transport authority and an operator defining routes, timetables, quality standards and compensation, often including public service obligations and subsidies.

A scheduled official examination of a vehicle's brakes, steering, lights, emissions and structure to confirm it remains roadworthy and compliant with technical standards.

The condition of a vehicle meeting legal safety and environmental requirements so it can be lawfully used on public roads without endangering occupants or others.

A systematic inspection by the driver before starting a journey covering tyres, brakes, lights, fluids, doors, emergency exits and safety equipment to detect defects early.

The documented procedure by which drivers record faults found on a vehicle and pass them to the operator, ensuring repairs are made before further use.

A device that prevents a passenger vehicle from exceeding a set maximum speed, reducing severity of crashes and supporting compliance with speed limits.

The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead, based on at least two seconds in good conditions and more when wet, dark or heavily loaded, allowing time to stop.

A driving style that anticipates hazards, maintains space and visibility, and adjusts speed so that other road users' mistakes do not cause a collision.

Planning and behaviour that prevents driver tiredness, including adequate rest, break scheduling, recognising warning signs and avoiding driving during biological low points.

Actions taken immediately after a crash to secure the area, warn traffic, switch off engines and prevent fire or secondary collisions before assisting casualties.

Basic life-saving measures given by trained staff before professional help arrives, including checking responsiveness, controlling bleeding and placing casualties safely.

The planned and orderly removal of passengers from a vehicle in danger, using marked exits, assisting those with reduced mobility and moving people to a safe assembly point.

The use of onboard extinguishers and isolation of fuel or electrical sources to control a vehicle fire, prioritising passenger evacuation before attempting to fight flames.

Design and service measures such as low floors, ramps, priority seats and assistance that enable older people and passengers with disabilities to use transport independently and safely.

Help given to travellers who need it, such as boarding support, securing wheelchairs, storing mobility aids and communicating information clearly during the journey.

Expected behaviours and service levels for staff, covering punctuality, courtesy, cleanliness, information and complaint handling, that shape passenger trust and satisfaction.

The structured process for receiving, recording, investigating and responding to passenger complaints, aiming to resolve issues fairly and prevent recurrence.

Keeping passenger numbers and luggage within permitted capacity and spreading weight correctly so that braking, steering and stability are not compromised.

Information given at the start of a journey about seat belts, emergency exits, fire extinguishers and onboard rules, so passengers know how to act in an emergency.

Operating vehicles to travel further per unit of fuel through smooth driving, correct tyre pressure, route planning and reduced idling, lowering costs and emissions.

A driving technique using early gear changes, steady speeds, anticipation and limited idling to cut fuel consumption, emissions and wear on the vehicle.

Systems and practices that limit pollutants from exhausts, including filters, correct maintenance, clean fuels and vehicle checks, protecting air quality and meeting legal limits.

Planning vehicle replacement, maintenance and route use to reduce environmental impact over the fleet's life, balancing cost, emissions and service needs.

A check by enforcement officers of documents, tachograph records, vehicle condition and driver fitness at the roadside, which may lead to penalties or immobilisation.