Mozambique INATRO Professional Driving Licence Theory key terms

The national road traffic law of Mozambique that sets the rules for vehicles, drivers, pedestrians and signs. It defines offences, penalties and the duties of every road user, including professional drivers.

A serious traffic offence carrying heavier fines and possible licence suspension, such as speeding well over the limit or driving under the influence. It differs from light offences, which carry smaller penalties and no suspension.

The concentration of alcohol in a driver's blood, measured in grams per litre. Mozambican law sets a maximum legal level, and exceeding it is an offence. Professional drivers are held to a stricter standard than private drivers.

Any sign, marking, light or gesture used to regulate, warn or guide road users. Signs are grouped by shape and colour, and drivers must obey them over conflicting general rules unless a police officer directs otherwise.

A warning sign, usually triangular with a red border and white background, placed before a hazard such as a bend, junction or slippery road. It tells the driver to slow down and prepare for the danger ahead.

A circular sign, usually red-bordered, that forbids a specific action such as overtaking, parking or entering. It remains in force until cancelled by another sign or by the end of the restriction zone.

A circular blue sign that orders a driver to take a specific action, such as turning in a given direction or keeping to a lane. Ignoring it is a traffic offence.

A painted line, arrow or symbol on the road surface that guides or restricts traffic. Examples include continuous centre lines that must not be crossed and stop lines at junctions.

A solid painted line along the road that must not be crossed or straddled, used where overtaking or lane changing would be dangerous. A broken line, by contrast, may be crossed when it is safe.

The right of a road user to go first at a junction or narrow section. It is set by signs, markings or the general rule of giving way to traffic from the right where nothing else applies.

The manoeuvre of passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction. It must be done on the left, only where visibility and markings allow, and never at junctions, bends or pedestrian crossings.

The area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see in the mirrors. It is large for buses and lorries, so the driver must check it carefully before changing lane, and other road users should avoid lingering there.

The gap a driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead to allow time to stop if it brakes suddenly. It grows with speed and in rain, and a common guide is at least two seconds in good conditions.

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment the brakes are applied until it stops. It increases with the square of the speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, and it is longer on wet roads.

The time between a hazard appearing and the driver acting, typically around one second. During it the vehicle keeps moving, so fatigue, alcohol and distraction lengthen reaction time and increase stopping distance.

A style of driving that anticipates hazards and assumes other road users may make mistakes. It involves scanning ahead, keeping space, adjusting speed to conditions and avoiding sudden manoeuvres.

The mandatory regular technical inspection of a vehicle to confirm it is roadworthy. It checks brakes, lights, tyres, steering and emissions, and a valid certificate is required for the vehicle to circulate legally.

The air pressure inside a tyre, which must match the manufacturer's recommendation. Wrong pressure harms grip, fuel use and tyre life, so it should be checked cold before a trip and adjusted for heavy loads.

The depth of the tread grooves on a tyre, which must stay above the legal minimum to grip the road and clear water. Worn tyres increase braking distance and the risk of aquaplaning in rain.

Loss of tyre contact with the road because a layer of water builds up under the tread. The driver feels the steering go light and should ease off the accelerator, avoid braking hard and hold the wheel steady.

The routine check a driver makes before starting a journey: tyres, lights, brakes, fluids, mirrors, load and documents. It catches faults early and is a core duty of a professional driver.

An instrument that records a vehicle's speed, distance and driving time. It provides evidence of compliance with driving-hour and rest rules, and tampering with it is a serious offence.

The hours a driver spends at the wheel, which are limited by law to prevent fatigue. Limits are set for continuous driving and for daily and weekly totals, with breaks required in between.

The uninterrupted time a driver must spend away from driving to recover, set by law for each day and week. Rest must be taken properly, not split into short pauses that do not allow real recovery.

The tiredness that builds during long or poorly timed driving and slows reactions, reduces attention and can cause micro-sleeps. Drivers should stop, rest and, if needed, share the driving rather than push on.

The way goods are arranged and fixed on a vehicle so they cannot shift, fall or overload an axle. Poor loading changes stability, braking and steering and can cause serious accidents.

The use of straps, chains or ropes to hold a load firmly to the vehicle. The securing must match the weight and type of load and be checked during the journey, especially after the first kilometres.

The greatest total weight a vehicle may legally carry, including load, passengers and fuel, stated in its documents. Exceeding it is an offence and makes the vehicle unsafe and harder to control.

Substances or articles that can harm people, property or the environment, such as fuel, gas or chemicals. Their transport follows special rules on packaging, labelling, documents and driver training.

The rectangular orange plate displayed on vehicles carrying dangerous goods, showing hazard identification numbers. It warns emergency services what is on board so they can respond correctly to an incident.

A portable fire extinguisher carried on board, required for many vehicles and especially those carrying passengers or dangerous goods. It must be in date, correctly charged and within easy reach of the driver.

A reflective warning triangle placed behind a broken-down vehicle to alert approaching traffic. It is set at a safe distance, further on fast roads, and used together with the hazard lights and reflective vest.

The immediate care given to an injured person before professional help arrives. It includes protecting the scene, checking breathing, stopping bleeding and calling emergency services without moving casualties unnecessarily.

A recovery position in which an unconscious but breathing casualty is laid on one side to keep the airway open. It is used when there is no suspected spinal injury and until help arrives.

A driving style that cuts fuel use and emissions by accelerating smoothly, keeping steady speed, using higher gears early and avoiding unnecessary idling. It also reduces wear on brakes and tyres.

Compulsory insurance that covers damage the driver causes to other people or their property. Driving without valid cover is an offence, and the certificate must be carried in the vehicle.

The driving licence category that authorises a person to drive vehicles for hire or reward, such as buses, lorries or taxis. It requires the right category, medical fitness and a clean record.

A place where two or more roads meet or cross. At a junction the driver must adjust speed, give way as signs or the priority rule require and never block the crossing when traffic is stopped.