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 passenger transport organization, regulations and planning.

• The role of passenger transport in society
• Public transport and sustainable development
• Transport geography: national travel patterns
• The passenger transport market (routes, tourism, taxi, special transport)
• The Professional Transport Act and licence regulations for passenger transport
• Taxi licence
• Insurance and transport regulations
• Seat belt and safety equipment rules
• Market and economics in passenger transport
• Fare and ticketing systems
• Planning of passenger transport
• Route selection, terminals and transfers
• Information technology and real-time information
• Distraction risk while driving (ticketing, communication)
• International passenger transport and regulations

Knowledge of passenger safety, service and bus passenger rights.

• Service and personal appearance
• Handling special customer groups
• Intoxicated and threatening passengers
• Loading and securing in buses
• Luggage placement and weight distribution
• Securing wheelchairs and prams
• Use of automatic loading hatches
• Passenger seats and seat belts
• The driver's leadership role in tunnel incidents
• Bus passenger rights (EU Regulation 181/2011)
• Rights of persons with reduced mobility
• Travel assistance (boarding, alighting, luggage)
• Complaint procedures and passenger protection
• Universal design and accessibility
• Bus preparation and readiness