Mozambique INATRO Heavy Vehicle (Pesado) Driving Theory cheat sheet

Hierarchy of authority: a police officer's signals override traffic lights, which override road signs, which override general rules and markings.

General speed limits for heavy goods vehicles over 3 500 kg outside built-up areas: 70 km/h on ordinary roads and 80 km/h on motorways/expressways unless a sign states otherwise.

Inside built-up areas the general limit is 50 km/h; heavy vehicles carrying dangerous goods are further restricted to 40 km/h outside built-up areas and 50 km/h inside.

Minimum safety distance: 2 seconds from the vehicle ahead in general conditions; the rule is doubled for heavy vehicles over 3 500 kg and for motorcycles, i.e. 4 seconds.

Overtaking is prohibited where visibility is insufficient, at level crossings, on bridges, in tunnels, at pedestrian crossings and where a solid line separates directions.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants where fitted; children under 12 and under 150 cm must use an approved restraint system, with exceptions for taxis and public transport.

A driver involved in a collision must stop, render assistance, secure the scene and exchange identification and insurance data; failure to stop is a criminal offence (homicídio/omissão de auxílio).

Documentation to carry: driving licence of the correct category, vehicle registration (livrete), insurance certificate, inspection certificate and, for professional transport, the transport licence.

Sign families by shape: triangles = danger/warning; circles with red border = prohibition; blue circles = obligation; squares/rectangles = information or indication.

Regulatory priority: temporary (yellow) signs and markings prevail over permanent ones; police signals prevail over everything.

Solid white line: no crossing or straddling; broken line: may cross to overtake or turn when safe; mixed line: the rule of the line nearest the driver applies.

Yellow zig-zag markings mean no parking or stopping; a continuous yellow line along the kerb also prohibits stopping.

A red octagon (STOP) requires a complete stop at the stop line; an inverted triangle (give way) requires yielding without a mandatory stop if the way is clear.

Height, width and weight restriction signs are prohibitions: a vehicle exceeding the displayed value may not proceed even if it physically fits.

Traffic light sequence: red, red+amber (prepare), green, amber (stop unless stopping is unsafe); flashing amber at pedestrian crossings means yield to pedestrians.

Level crossing signals: red flashing lights and/or barrier descent require an immediate stop; never enter when the exit is not clear.

Air-brake systems: pressure must build to the manufacturer's minimum (typically 6-8 bar) before moving; a low-pressure warning buzzer or gauge drop means stop and diagnose.

Pre-trip walk-around checks: tyres and pressures, wheel nut indicators, lights, mirrors, load securing, brake and air lines on trailers, fifth-wheel coupling and landing legs.

Tyre minimum tread depth for heavy vehicles is 3 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the full circumference; sidewall damage or exposed cord means removal.

Diesel engine braking (retarder, exhaust brake) must be used on long descents; riding the service brakes overheats them and causes fade or total loss of braking.

Endurance braking and ABS/ESC warnings: an illuminated ABS lamp means the anti-lock function is degraded; braking distance on slippery surfaces increases and the defect must be reported.

Daily checks include engine oil, coolant, AdBlue, windscreen washer, wiper condition, horn, tachograph function and fire extinguisher pressure/date.

Fifth-wheel and coupling checks: confirm the locking jaw is closed, the release handle secured, and perform a pull test after coupling; check the trailer kingpin and air line connections.

Load distribution affects axle loads and steering; the centre of gravity must stay low and forward of the rear axle to preserve traction and steering control.

Maximum authorised dimensions for a rigid heavy vehicle: width 2.55 m, height 4.0 m, length 12 m; an articulated vehicle may not exceed 16.5 m overall.

General maximum authorised mass for a road train/articulated combination is 40 t; higher limits (up to 60 t for certain combinations) require specific authorisation and routes.

Loads may project up to 1/3 of the vehicle length beyond the rear provided they are flagged; any projection beyond the front or sides must be signalled with a red flag or light at night.

Load securing must withstand forces of 0.8 g forward, 0.5 g rearward and 0.5 g sideways; use rated straps, chains or twist locks and re-check tension after the first kilometres.

Overloading is an offence that shifts legal liability to the driver and operator; axle loads must be respected individually, not just the total gross weight.

Towing: the trailer's maximum authorised mass must not exceed the towing vehicle's rated towing capacity; a drawbar trailer needs a breakaway cable and secondary coupling.

Abnormal loads (indivisible, exceeding limits) require a special transport authorisation, escort where prescribed, and route approval from the road authority.

Loads must not obscure lights, plates, mirrors or the driver's field of vision; if the rear plate is hidden, a duplicate plate must be displayed.

Following distance rule: at least 2 seconds in good conditions, doubled to 4 seconds for vehicles over 3 500 kg; add 1 second for rain and double again for ice or fog.

Blind-spot management: heavy vehicles have large no-go zones in front, at both sides and directly behind; always confirm with mirrors before manoeuvring and use a banksman when reversing.

Cornering: reduce speed before the bend, brake in a straight line, and accelerate gently on exit; high centre of gravity increases rollover risk in sudden steering inputs.

Hazard perception scanning cycle: look 12-15 seconds ahead, check mirrors every 5-8 seconds, and maintain a space cushion on all four sides.

Overtaking decision rule: only overtake if you can see clear road for the whole manoeuvre, the speed differential is sufficient, and you can return before the solid line or crest.

Roundabout discipline: signal intent, yield to traffic already circulating, and be aware of cyclists and motorcyclists in the nearside blind spot.

Junction rule: a driver turning left (in right-hand traffic) must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians crossing the road being entered.

Defensive driving assumes other road users will make mistakes; position the vehicle to have an escape route and avoid being boxed in by traffic.

Rain and aquaplaning: reduce speed, avoid sudden braking, and if steering feels light, ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel straight until grip returns.

Fog: use dipped headlights and fog lights only when visibility is below about 50 m; switch fog lights off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling others.

Night driving: the legal lighting range for main beam is 100 m; dip lights when meeting oncoming traffic or following within about 50 m to avoid dazzling.

Skid recovery: release the brake, steer in the direction of the skid, and avoid harsh acceleration; ABS allows steering while braking but does not shorten stopping distance on ice.

Strong wind: reduce speed, hold the wheel firmly with both hands, expect gusts at bridges, tunnels and when passing or being passed by large vehicles.

Ice and snow: increase following distance to at least double the wet-weather distance, use gentle inputs, and consider snow chains where signs mandate them.

Night vision is reduced and reaction time increases; reduce speed so that you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights.

If visibility drops below safe limits, stop in a safe place off the carriageway, switch on hazard lights and wait; never stop in a live lane.

Protect-Rescue-Alert sequence: secure the scene (hazard lights, warning triangle, reflective vest), assess casualties, then call 112 with location, number of casualties and hazards.

Warning triangle placement: at least 30 m behind the vehicle on ordinary roads and at least 100 m on motorways, placed only when it is safe to do so.

Do not move an injured person unless there is an immediate danger (fire, traffic, explosion); immobilise the head and neck and keep the casualty warm.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean dressing and elevate the limb if possible; do not remove an embedded object.

Unconscious but breathing casualty: place in the recovery position and monitor breathing continuously until emergency services arrive.

Not breathing: start CPR at 100-120 compressions per minute, 5-6 cm deep, and use an AED as soon as one is available.

Documentation after a collision: European accident statement (declaração amigável), photographs, witness details, and notification to the insurer within the contractual deadline.

Reportable accidents involving injury must be reported to the police (GNR/PSP) and to the insurer; leaving the scene without identification is an offence.

Legal blood alcohol limit in Mozambique is 0.3 g/l for general drivers; professional and novice drivers are subject to a stricter zero-tolerance standard in practice.

Alcohol effects: reaction time increases, peripheral vision narrows and risk-taking rises well before the legal limit is reached.

Fatigue countermeasures: a 15-20 minute nap and caffeine are the only reliable short-term remedies; open windows and loud music do not restore alertness.

Microsleeps last a few seconds at highway speed and cover over 100 m; signs include drifting, yawning, heavy eyelids and missing exits - stop at the next safe place.

Medicines: antihistamines, sedatives and some painkillers impair driving; check the leaflet and ask a pharmacist before driving.

Medical fitness: the driver must hold a valid medical certificate and declare conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, vision defects) that affect the ability to drive.

Vision standards: minimum acuity and field of view requirements apply; corrective lenses must be worn if the licence carries that condition.

Illegal drugs and driving are incompatible: impairment is an offence regardless of quantity, and refusal to submit to testing carries penalties.

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

Breaks: after 4.5 hours of driving, take a break of at least 45 minutes, which may be split into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes.

Daily rest: at least 11 hours of continuous rest in each 24-hour period, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests.

Weekly rest: at least 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours under conditions, with compensation taken before the end of the third following week.

Tachograph records: the driver must use the correct mode (driving, other work, availability, rest), retain printouts for at least 28 days and present them on request.

Manual entries must be made at the start of the shift for any activity since the last card withdrawal, including rest and other work.

The driver is responsible for the vehicle's roadworthiness before departure and must record defects and report them to the operator.

Operator and driver share responsibility for compliance; falsifying tachograph records or driving without a card is a serious offence.