Professional Driver Knowledge: Hours, Tachographs, CPC and Operator Rules
What the exam tests
This domain covers EU drivers' hours, tachograph use, Driver CPC, operator licensing, and the documents you must carry or keep. Questions test the limits and the records that prove compliance.
Core rules and concepts
- Drivers' hours: normally 9 hours driving per day, extendable to 10 hours twice a week. Maximum 56 hours in a week and 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks. After 4.5 hours of driving, take a 45-minute break, which may be split into 15 minutes then 30 minutes.
- Tachograph: use your own driver card, make manual entries for any work not recorded, and keep records for the required period. Never drive on another driver's card.
- Driver CPC: 35 hours of periodic training every five years for professional drivers. Carry your CPC card and driver licence.
- Operator licence: the operator must hold a road transport operator licence and meet good repute, financial standing, and professional competence requirements. The vehicle needs a current roadworthiness certificate and insurance.
Worked example
You have driven 4 hours 20 minutes. You plan to continue for another 40 minutes to reach the depot. Correct action: take a 45-minute break before exceeding 4.5 hours. A split break must be 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes; reversing the order does not count. The remaining 40 minutes cannot be driven until the break is complete.
Traps that cost marks
- Splitting the break as 30 minutes then 15 minutes.
- Forgetting manual entries after driving off-card.
- Confusing weekly and fortnightly limits.
- Assuming the operator's licence covers the driver's CPC.