Knowledge of the professional driver education structure, regulations and the driver's role.

• Education objectives, modules and structure
• Full and compressed basic training
• Professional driver regulations and the Road Traffic Act §29
• EU Directive 2003/59/EC (professional driver directive)
• Code 95 on the driving licence
• Continuing education every 5 years
• Licence requirements for goods and passenger transport
• The Professional Transport Act
• The role of road transport in society
• Driving licence classes C1, C, D1, D and corresponding E-classes
• Additional competences (ADR, forklift operator, crane operator)

Rules for working time, driving and rest periods, and correct use of the tachograph.

• EU Regulation 561/2006 on driving and rest periods
• Daily driving time (max 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours 2x/week)
• Weekly driving time (max 56 hours)
• Two-week driving time (max 90 hours)
• Daily rest (min 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours 3x/week)
• Weekly rest (min 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours every other week)
• Break rules (45 min after 4.5 hours, can be split 15+30)
• Analogue tachograph and record sheets
• Digital tachograph and driver card
• Correct completion and reading
• Storage of record sheets
• Duties of the driver and vehicle owner
• Duty to cooperate
• Working time regulations for drivers

Knowledge of vehicle technology, maintenance and daily inspection.

• Road grip and consequences of poor grip
• Tyre pressure and tread depth
• Tyre requirements by season and type
• Snow chains: when, how and quality assessment
• Daily vehicle inspection and checks
• Oil level, leaks, brakes, wheels, tyres
• Engine types and Euro standards
• Alternative fuels (hydrogen, electric, gas)
• Drivetrain: gearbox, couplings, drive axle combinations
• Service brakes: hydraulic and air-operated
• Auxiliary brakes: retarder, engine brake, exhaust brake
• Safety equipment: seat belts, airbags, electronic driver assistance systems
• Actions upon vehicle warning indicators

Knowledge of health, ergonomics, substance abuse, crime and personal matters.

• Common occupational diseases and causes
• Correct working and lifting techniques
• Use of protective equipment (safety shoes, gloves, clothing)
• Importance of correct seating position while driving
• Physical activity and active breaks
• Diet, meal regulation and fluid balance
• Lifestyle diseases
• Tobacco: smoking, snus, passive smoking
• Effects of alcohol, drugs and medication on driving
• Blood alcohol limits and consequences
• Crime and smuggling in the transport industry
• Human trafficking and people smuggling
• Preventive measures against criminal activities
• Mental pressure, fatigue and stress
• Sleep and sleep problems
• Empathy and interpersonal relations
• Work-life balance

Knowledge of alerting, securing, first aid and actions in case of accidents and fire.

• Alerting and securing the accident scene
• Medical emergency number (113) and emergency dispatch centre
• Life-saving first aid
• Clear airways in lying and sitting patients
• Stopping external bleeding
• Stabilization of head and neck
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Actions in case of shock and hypothermia
• Actions when vehicle carries dangerous goods
• Fire extinguishers: types and use
• Fire in vehicles and tunnels
• Tunnel evacuation
• Psychological reactions to accidents
• Peer support programmes
• The professional driver's leadership role in accidents

Knowledge of service, customer relations, communication and working life.

• Core service and peripheral service delivery
• Customer satisfaction and complaints
• Quality assurance and quality systems
• Direct and online communication
• Interpersonal communication and body language
• Cultural differences in communication
• The driver's role as company representative
• Professional appearance and attitudes
• Navigation and positioning systems
• Fleet management systems (ITS)
• Accident risk in the transport industry
• Trade unions and insurance
• Pension schemes
• Logistics and the supply chain
• Damage reporting and complaint handling

Knowledge of fuel-efficient driving, risk assessment and safe behaviour in traffic.

• Factors affecting fuel consumption
• Air resistance and speed
• Rolling resistance and tyre pressure
• Idling and unnecessary energy use
• Torque and RPM: optimal driving technique
• Using diagrams for power and consumption
• Environment: emissions, noise, particulate matter
• Risk as a professional driver
• Blind spots around heavy vehicles
• Driving at varying speeds and overtaking
• Driving in dense traffic and urban environments
• Driving in difficult conditions (narrow roads, gradients, gravel)
• Driving in tunnels: risks and evacuation
• Special considerations for vehicle use (defrosters, cabin climate)
• Specific infrastructure for trucks and buses

Knowledge of goods transport organization, regulations and planning.

• The role of goods transport in society
• Transport geography: national and international routes
• The goods transport market and transport modes
• The Professional Transport Act and licence regulations
• Road freight agreements and the CMR Convention
• Transport of dangerous goods, live animals, special transport
• Transport document and consignment note requirements
• Electronic documents (TVINN, e-consignment note)
• Transport operator economics: costs and calculations
• Load metres, cubic metres per km, tonnes per km
• Planning of goods transport
• Route selection and required permits
• Navigation and fleet management systems
• International transport and cabotage
• Delivery terms and the freight forwarder's role
• Product knowledge and transport-technical properties

Knowledge of loading, cargo securing and transport planning in practice.

• Principles of loading and stowage
• Stability and centre of gravity
• Forces during braking, acceleration and turning
• Liquid cargo, hanging cargo, bulk transport
• Calculation and placement of cargo
• Weights, dimensions and vehicle combinations
• Centre of gravity of cargo and vehicle
• Calculation of cargo space size
• Consequences of incorrect loading: overload, stability
• Calculation of axle and total weight fees
• Lashing, blocking, closing
• Top-over lashing, loop lashing, direct lashing
• Securing different types of cargo
• Securing equipment: selection, calculation and inspection
• Packaging, tarpaulins and pallet standards
• Stowage certificate