Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

ANNEX I MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Section 1: List of subjects

The knowledge to be taken into account by Member States when establishing the driver's initial qualification and periodic training must include at least the subjects in this list. Trainee drivers must reach the level of knowledge and practical competence necessary to drive in all safety vehicles of the relevant licence category.

The minimum level of knowledge may not be less than level 2 of the training-level structure provided for in Annex I to Decision 85/368/EEC(1), i.e. the level reached during compulsory education, supplemented by professional training.

1. Advanced training in rational driving based on safety regulations

All licences

1.1. Objective: to know the characteristics of the transmission system in order to make the best possible use of it:

curves relating to torque, power, and specific consumption of an engine, area of optimum use of revolution counter, gearbox-ratio cover diagrams.

1.2. Objective: to know the technical characteristics and operation of the safety controls in order to control the vehicle, minimise wear and tear and prevent disfunctioning:

specific features of hydraulic vacuum servobrake circuit, limits to the use of brakes and retarder, combined use of brakes and retarder, making better use of speed and gear ratio, making use of vehicle inertia, using ways of slowing down and braking on downhill stretches, action in the event of failure.

1.3. Objective: ability to optimise fuel consumption:

optimisation of fuel consumption by applying know-how as regards points 1.1 and 1.2.

Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E

1.4. Objective: ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and proper vehicle use:

forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox ratios according to vehicle load and road profile, calculation of payload of vehicle or assembly, calculation of total volume, load distribution, consequences of overloading the axle, vehicle stability and centre of gravity, types of packaging and pallets;

main categories of goods needing securing, clamping and securing techniques, use of securing straps, checking of securing devices, use of handling equipment, placing and removal of tarpaulins.

Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E

1.5. Objective: ability to ensure passenger comfort and safety:

adjusting longitudinal and sideways movements, road sharing, position on the road, smooth breaking, overhang operation, using specific infrastructures (public areas, dedicated lanes), managing conflicts between safe driving and other roles as a driver, interacting with passengers, peculiarities of certain groups of passengers (disabled persons, children).

1.6. Objective: ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and proper vehicle use:

forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox-ratios according to vehicle load and road profile, calculation of payload of vehicle or assembly, load distribution, consequences of overloading the axle, vehicle stability and centre of gravity.

2. Application of regulations

All licences

2.1. Objective: to know the social environment of road transport and the rules governing it:

maximum working periods specific to the transport industry; principles, application and consequences of Regulations (EEC) No 3820/85 and (EEC) No 3821/85; penalties for failure to use, improper use of and tampering with the tachograph; knowledge of the social environment of road transport: rights and duties of drivers as regards initial qualification and periodic training.

Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E

2.2. Objective: to know the regulations governing the carriage of goods:

transport operating licences, obligations under standard contracts for the carriage of goods, drafting of documents which form the transport contract, international transport permits, obligations under the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, drafting of the international consignment note, crossing borders, freight forwarders, special documents accompanying goods.

Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E

2.3. Objective: to know the regulations governing the carriage of passengers:

carriage of specific groups of passengers, safety equipment on board buses, safety belts, vehicle load.

3. Health, road and environmental safety, service, logistics

All licences

3.1. Objective: to make drivers aware of the risks of the road and of accidents at work:

types of accidents at work in the transport sector, road accident statistics, involvement of lorries/coaches, human, material and financial consequences.

3.2. Objective: ability to prevent criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants:

general information, implications for drivers, preventive measures, check list, legislation on transport operator liability.

3.3. Objective: ability to prevent physical risks:

ergonomic principles; movements and postures which pose a risk, physical fitness, handling exercises, personal protection.

3.4. Objective: awareness of the importance of physical and mental ability:

principles of healthy, balanced eating, effects of alcohol, drugs or any other substance likely to affect behaviour, symptoms, causes, effects of fatigue and stress, fundamental role of the basic work/rest cycle.

3.5. Objective: ability to assess emergency situations:

behaviour in an emergency situation: assessment of the situation, avoiding complications of an accident, summoning assistance, assisting casualties and giving first aid, reaction in the event of fire, evacuation of occupants of a lorry/bus passengers, ensuring the safety of all passengers, reaction in the event of aggression; basic principles for the drafting of an accident report.

3.6. Objective: ability to adopt behaviour to help enhance the image of the company:

behaviour of the driver and company image: importance for the company of the standard of service provided by the driver, the roles of the driver, people with whom the driver will be dealing, vehicle maintenance, work organisation, commercial and financial effects of a dispute.

Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E

3.7. Objective: to know the economic environment of road haulage and the organisation of the market:

road transport in relation to other modes of transport (competition, shippers), different road transport activities (transport for hire or reward, own account, auxiliary transport activities), organisation of the main types of transport company and auxiliary transport activities, different transport specialisations (road tanker, controlled temperature, etc.), changes in the industry (diversification of services provided, rail-road, subcontracting, etc.).

Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E

3.8. Objective: to know the economic environment of the carriage of passengers by road and the organisation of the market:

carriage of passengers by road in relation to other modes of passenger transport (rail, private car), different activities involving the carriage of passengers by road, crossing borders (international transport), organisation of the main types of companies for the carriage of passengers by road.

Section 2: Compulsory initial qualification provided for in Article 3(1)(a)

2.1. Option combining both course attendance and a test

Initial qualification must include the teaching of all subjects in the list under section 1. The duration of this initial qualification must be 280 hours.

Each trainee driver must drive for at least 20 hours individually in a vehicle of the category concerned which meets at least the requirements for test vehicles as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC.

When driving individually, the trainee driver must be accompanied by an instructor, employed by an approved training centre. Each driver may drive for a maximum of eight hours of the 20 hours of individual driving on special terrain or on a top-of-the-range simulator so as to assess training in rational driving based on safety regulations, in particular with regard to vehicle handling in different road conditions and the way they change with different atmospheric conditions and the time of day or night.

For the drivers referred to in Article 5(5) the length of the initial qualification must be 70 hours, including five hours of individual driving.

At the end of that training, Member States' competent authorities or the entity designated by them shall give the driver a written or oral test. The test must include at least one question on each of the objectives in the list of subjects under section 1.

2.2. Option involving a test

Member States' competent authorities or the entity designated by them shall organise the aforementioned theoretical and practical tests to check whether the trainee driver has the level of knowledge required in section 1 for the subjects and objectives listed there.

(a)

The theoretical test shall consist of at least two parts:

(i)

questions including multiple-choice questions, questions requiring a direct answer, or a combination of both;

(ii)

case studies.

The minimum duration of the theoretical test must be four hours.

(b)

The practical test shall consist of two parts:

(i)

a driving test aimed at assessing training in rational driving based on safety regulations. The test must take place, whenever possible, on roads outside built-up areas, on fast roads and on motorways (or similar), and on all kinds of urban highways presenting the different types of difficulties that a driver is liable to encounter. It would be desirable for this test to take place in different traffic density conditions. The driving time on the road must be used optimally in order to assess the candidate in all traffic areas likely to be encountered. The minimum duration of this test must be 90 minutes;

(ii)

a practical test covering at least points 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.5.

The minimum duration of this test must be 30 minutes.

The vehicle used for the practical test must meet at least the requirements for test vehicles as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC.

The practical test may be supplemented by a third test taking place on special terrain or on a top-of-the-range simulator so as to assess training in rational driving based on safety regulations, in particular with regard to vehicle handling in different road conditions and the way they change with different atmospheric conditions and the time of day or night.

The duration of this optional test is not fixed. Should the driver undergo such a test, its duration may be deducted from the 90 minutes of the driving test referred to under (i), but the time deducted may not exceed 30 minutes.

For the drivers referred to in Article 5(5), the theoretical test must be limited to the subjects, referred to in section 1, which are relevant to the vehicles to which the new initial qualification applies. However, such drivers must undergo the whole practical test.

Section 3: Accelerated initial qualification provided for in Article 3(2)

Accelerated initial qualification must include the teaching of all subjects in the list in section 1. Its duration must be 140 hours.

Each trainee must drive for at least 10 hours individually in a vehicle of the category concerned which meets at least the requirements for test vehicles as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC.

When driving individually, the trainee driver must be accompanied by an instructor, employed by an approved training centre. Each driver may drive for a maximum of four hours of the 10 hours of individual driving on special terrain or on a top-of-the-range simulator so as to assess training in rational driving based on safety regulations, in particular with regard to vehicle handling in different road conditions and the way they change with different atmospheric conditions and the time of day or night.

For the drivers referred to in Article 5(5) the length of the accelerated initial qualification must be 35 hours, including two-and-a-half hours of individual driving.

At the end of that training, Member States' competent authorities or the entity designated by them shall give the driver a written or oral test. The test must include at least one question on each of the objectives in the list of subjects under section 1.

Section 4: Compulsory periodic training provided for in Article 3(1)(b)

Compulsory periodic training courses must be organised by an approved training centre. Their duration must be of 35 hours every five years, given in periods of at least seven hours. Such periodic training may be provided, in part, on top-of-the-range simulators.

Section 5: Approval of the initial qualification and periodic training

5.1. The training centres taking part in the initial qualification and periodic training must be approved by the Member States' competent authorities. Approval may be given only in response to a written application. The application must be accompanied by documents including:

5.1.1.

a suitable qualification and training programme specifying the subjects taught and setting out the proposed implementing plan and teaching methods;

5.1.2.

the instructors' qualifications and fields of activity;

5.1.3.

information about the premises where the courses are given, the teaching materials, the resources made available for the practical work, and the vehicle fleet used;

5.1.4.

the conditions regarding participation in the courses (number of participants).

5.2. The competent authority must give approval in writing subject to the following conditions:

5.2.1.

the training must be given in accordance with the documents accompanying the application;

5.2.2.

the competent authority must be entitled to send authorised persons to assist in the training courses of the approved centres, and must be entitled to monitor such centres, with regard to the resources used and the proper running of the training courses and tests;

5.2.3.

the approval may be withdrawn or suspended if the conditions of approval are no longer complied with.

The approved centre must guarantee that the instructors have a sound knowledge of the most recent regulations and training requirements. As part of a specific selection procedure, the instructors must provide certification showing a knowledge of both the subject material and teaching methods. As regards the practical part of the training, instructors must provide certification of experience as professional drivers or similar driving experience, such as that of driving instructors for heavy vehicles.

The programme of instruction must be in accordance with the approval and must cover the subjects in the list in section 1.

(1)

Council Decision 85/368/EEC of 16 July 1985 on the comparability of vocational training qualifications between the Member States of the European Community (OJ L 199, 31.7.1985, p. 56).