Certificates of

Professional
Competence
Ofqual Qualification Number

600/4286/2 - OCR Level 3 Certificate of Professional

Competence for Transport Managers (Road Haulage) (VRQ)

600/4285/0 - OCR Level 3 Certificate of Professional Competence

for Transport Managers (Passenger Transport) (VRQ)

Certificates of Professional
Competence
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
Version 4
July 2018

www.ocr.org.uk Oxford Cambridge and RSA

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
WHAT DOES A PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT PERSON DO? 3
WHO NEEDS TO BE PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT? 3
WHAT IS THE OCR CPC QUALIFICATION? 3
WHAT DO STUDENTS HAVE TO DO? 4
WHAT DO THE OCR EXAMINATIONS INVOLVE? 5
USEFUL LINKS 6
CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS 7
A CIVIL LAW 8
B COMMERCIAL LAW 9
C SOCIAL LAW 10
D FISCAL LAW 13
E BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE UNDERTAKING 15
F ACCESS TO THE MARKET 22
H ROAD SAFETY 30
ADMINISTRATION 33
CENTRE APPROVALS 33
MALPRACTICE 33
CERTIFICATES 33
QUESTIONS 34
P1 AND R1 – MULTIPLE CHOICE 34
MULTIPLE – CHOICE QUESTIONS 34
P2 AND R2 – THE CASE STUDY 35
QUESTION TYPES AND HOW TO APPROACH THEM 36
TIME MANAGEMENT 37
QUESTION TYPES AND HOW TO APPROACH THEM 38
‘HAVE I ANSWERED THE QUESTION?’ 41
HOW PAPERS ARE MARKED 44
MULTIPLE-CHOICE PAPERS 44
CASE STUDY PAPERS 44
FLEXIBILITY FOR CANDIDATES 45
ADMINISTRATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR CPC 46
POST-ASSESSMENT SERVICES 46
ACCESS TO SCRIPTS (ATS) 46
ENQUIRIES ABOUT RESULTS (EAR) 46
POST-ASSESSMENT SERVICES – TIPS 46
APPENDIX A: USEFUL DOCUMENTS 47

Certificate of Professional Competence 2 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

INTRODUCTION
WHAT DOES A PROFESSIONALLY WHO NEEDS TO BE
COMPETENT PERSON DO? PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT?
Some companies need to operate large vehicles to carry The Traffic Commissioners (the issuing authority for
out their business, even where road haulage is not the operator licences) require professional competence to
main trade. Other companies operate passenger-carrying be proven by at least one member of the management
vehicles, such as buses and coaches. team of operators of most goods vehicles and passenger-
carrying vehicles.
Such companies may employ a huge number of staff. The
role of the professionally competent person in this type of This applies to all businesses which hold a standard
business will be to oversee the transport operation. Here, operator’s licence. Generally, those who operate non-
the transport manager will be responsible for ensuring exempt goods vehicles with a gross plated weight of
compliance with all the requirements of road transport more than 3,500 kg (including the weight of any trailer)
law but may not do the work themselves. This may involve or vehicles which are not plated and which have an
overseeing a number of people/employees who carry out unladen weight of more than 1,525 kg require both such
appropriate tasks such as managing drivers and drivers’ a licence and a professionally competent person. Those
hours, repairs and regular servicing, etc. through a system who operate passenger-carrying vehicles with more than
of procedures and policies which ensure compliance with nine passenger seats, and in which the passengers pay
road transport law. to travel, will also require a standard operator licence
and a professionally competent person. (There are
In a smaller company, or for a sole proprietor operating
some exemptions from the requirement to employ a
a transport business with lorries or buses, the role of the
professionally competent person.)
professionally competent person may include every task
within the business. For example: as well as opening The professionally competent person will often be
the mail and keeping the accounts, they may have employed as the transport manager. One way of
responsibility for ensuring compliance with legislation demonstrating this competence is by achieving the
affecting drivers’ hours and the many other aspects of relevant OCR Certificate of Professional Competence
road transport law, monitoring drivers using an efficient (CPC).
system of procedures, and for ensuring the effective
management of vehicle maintenance. WHAT IS THE OCR CPC
Compliance with the law is achieved by fulfilling legal QUALIFICATION?
obligations laid down by various regulations.
A professionally competent person is expected to These qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and the
understand both the successful management of a Welsh Government as vocationally related qualifications
business and the specific legal obligations involved in (VRQs). Successful completion of the CPC award will
operating large vehicles in all settings. qualify students to be nominated as the professionally
competent person on a standard operator licence in
any business – large or small and engaged in national
or international operations. There are separate CPC
qualifications for road haulage and for passenger
transport operations.

Certificate of Professional Competence 3 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

Under EU law, the international versions of these A candidate achieving a Certificate of Professional
qualifications, gained in the UK, are recognised as Competence in either Road Haulage or Passenger
meeting the competence requirements in all other EU Transport has the following progression routes available:
member states. Some member states may, however, • enter the profession of Transport Manager
require those with a UK CPC to take a further examination
• undertake higher level qualifications part-time or
on specific aspects of transport operation which are
full-time in further or higher education, e.g. HNC,
unique to that member state if they wish to be nominated
HND, degree
as a competent person for a business based in that
country. Please note this specification and associated • undertake additional complementary qualifications
assessment materials are available in English only. in the workplace e.g. Level 3 Certificate in
Logistics Operations or Level 3 NVQ Certificate in
This qualification has been designed to meet the Management.
requirements of the Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21
October 2009 establishing common rules concerning the
WHAT DO STUDENTS HAVE TO
conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation DO?
of Road Transport Operator.
The qualification specifications have been derived Study for professional competence will cover a wide range
directly from Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 and provide of topics applicable to all businesses that need to comply
assessment which is comparable to the assessment with road transport law. Students should base their study
provided in other EU member states. around the total concept of road transport operations and
not limit their learning to the areas they already know,
Achievement of the Certificate of Professional or plan to work in immediately. They will be tested in all
Competence in either Road Haulage or Passenger areas of required knowledge, full details of which are
Transport demonstrates that the holder of the given in this guide.
qualification is qualified to perform the effective and
continuous management of undertakings engaging solely Any aspect of the law current at the time of the
in transport operations within any EU member state. examination may be tested.

This qualification specifically aims to: The OCR CPC award is a Level 3 qualification. Level 3
is considered to be an Advanced Level qualification.
• assess the professional competence of applicants
Advanced Level qualifications are normally studied after
for Goods Vehicle Operator Licence and their
the age of 16, subsequent to Level 2/GCSE qualifications.
nominated Transport Managers (road haulage)
These qualifications are recommended for delivery for
• assess the levels of knowledge and practical learners aged 18 and above.
aptitude necessary for the management of a
transport undertaking as set out in Annex 1 of Although there are no entry requirements for this
Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 qualification, it is recommended that students have good
English and Maths skills equivalent to Level 2 (GCSE)
• assess skills and knowledge at a level which is
before they begin studying the CPC qualification at
harmonised at a minimum level with the skills and
Level 3. If students are not sure of their current skill levels,
knowledge assessed in all Member States
they should discuss this with a learning provider who can
The OCR CPC qualification is currently a lifetime award, arrange an assessment of their needs.
which means that, once obtained, the qualification will
not expire, and holders will be considered professionally
competent for the rest of their lives. However, professional
competence can be affected at any time, by certain
personal circumstances , for example, if the holder is
convicted of certain criminal offences.

Certificate of Professional Competence 4 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

To be successful in obtaining the CPC qualification, as
well as studying road haulage or passenger transport, as
WHAT DO THE OCR
appropriate to the qualification required, all students will EXAMINATIONS INVOLVE?
need to study and apply information based on the law
concerning business. OCR’s CPCs in Road Haulage and Passenger Transport
Students will then be required to use this knowledge to: each consist of a single multiple-choice assessment and a
single case study assessment.
• read and analyse information
• answer direct questions on various aspects of Students will need to pass two examinations to gain
relevant transport operations and associated laws the Certificate of Professional Competence for Road
Haulage OR the Certificate of Professional Competence for
• answer questions related to a case study, applying Passenger Transport .
the principles of transport operations and
associated laws Both elements test national and international knowledge
• solve problems, applying various principles, rules and application. So, to achieve an International CPC,
and legislation. candidates will only need to pass two units. Units will be
graded Pass or Fail.
The examination will include assessments where students
may be required to understand and analyse information, Examinations take place four times every year, in March,
write a series of procedures or instructions, make June, September and December.
comments on systems and policy, and/or perform a range OCR
of mathematical calculations, applying suitable formulae Unit OCR unit
OCR unit title Qualification
Number code
and functions. code
They should be able to present their answers in a variety CPC (Road Haulage)
R1 05680
of formats including explanations, reports, instructions, Multiple Choice
CPC (Road Haulage)
05669
tables and charts. R2 05689
Case Study
Candidates who wish to gain a CPC can either study
CPC (Passenger
in their own time or attend a training course at a CPC
P1 05677 Transport) Multiple
training centre. OCR does not endorse CPC training Choice 05670
centres for the delivery of CPC training programmes CPC (Passenger
although OCR approves centres to offer and invigilate the P2 05678
Transport) Case Study
examination sessions. CPC training centres can be found
by searching online. Students can take both examinations on the same day or
The time it will take a candidate to complete one of these they can take them at separate times. Each examination
qualifications will depend on a number of things, such unit pass will remain valid until substantial changes
as the mode of study (i.e. whether full-time or part-time) take place in the syllabus. Even then, a few years may be
and level of knowledge or experience on entry onto the available to complete the other unit needed to gain the
programme of study. As a general guide the units in these full CPC award.
qualifications are likely to require the following numbers The multiple-choice examination is also available on
of guided learning hours (GLH): demand, through OCR examination centres.
• Multiple Choice assessment - 100 GLH
Onscreen testing is also available for each examination
• Case study assessment - 60 GLH using the following codes:
05690 - CPC (Road Haulage) Multiple Choice Onscreen test
05679 - CPC (Passenger Transport) Multiple Choice
Onscreen test.

Certificate of Professional Competence 5 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

MULTIPLE CHOICE In summary, the new CPC qualifications are designed to
be accessible to candidates and to give clear guidance for
The multiple-choice assessment is available as a quarterly, centres and tutors. They are built around relevant content,
paper-based test. It is also available on-screen and on giving more time to concentrate candidates’ learning and
demand, allowing candidates to sit or re-sit an assessment knowledge on a pertinent range of topics. This document
at a convenient time, enabling them to receive their contains clear guidance for tutors on what to teach and
results quickly. what candidates should learn, indicates the depth and
Candidates are allowed 2 hours to complete the breadth of required knowledge, understanding and skills,
examination; however, they may leave the examination and signposts tutors and students to useful sources of
room after 1 hour 15 minutes. information.
(Depending on the number of candidates in the room,
examination centres may find it less disruptive to allow USEFUL LINKS
one ‘exit time’, for example, over 1 hour 15 minutes or 1
hour 30 minutes.) CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for Transport
Managers (Passenger Transport) Level 3 - 2012 - 05670
The multiple choice paper consists of 60 questions each
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/vocationally-
worth 1 mark and has a notional pass mark of 42.
related-qualifications-nqf-cpc-certificate-of-professional-
competence-for-transport-managers-passenger-
CASE STUDY transport-level-3-2012-05670/
The case study focuses on the application of knowledge, CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for Transport
making candidates more adept at the skills required in Managers (Road Haulage) Level 3 - 2012 - 05669
relevant transport careers. This benefits the transport http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/vocationally-
industry in general by encouraging more relevantly related-qualifications-nqf-cpc-certificate-of-professional-
qualified transport managers. The focus on having to competence-for-transport-managers-road-haulage-
explain things enables candidates to demonstrate that level-3-2012-05669/
they can apply their knowledge and use relevant sources Instructions to Invigilators
of information. This ensures that those who gain the OCR http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/80789-instructions-to-
CPC are well prepared for the real world of transport invigilators.pdf
management.
The case study assessment comprises a relevant scenario,
(as concise as possible), which is issued with the papers
at the start of the assessment (2 hours and 15 minutes).
Candidates are allowed to take any notes or books of their
choice into the case study assessment, and questions will
test application of knowledge only.
The case study will only contain information that will
enable the candidate to demonstrate application of the
knowledge they have acquired. The case study paper is a
60 mark paper and has a notional pass mark of 30.

Certificate of Professional Competence 6 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Candidates will be questioned on knowledge, Please note the following:
understanding and skills (KUS column) applicable to
R2/ P2 papers will always contain at least one question on
both national and international operations and business
C4 (Driving time, rest periods and working time rules) and
transactions operations unless specifically stated
one question on E7 (costings).
otherwise.
R2/ P2 papers will always contain at least one question
The assessment objectives are taken from Annex 1 of
from F1 (occupational regs), F2 (undertaking rules) and/or
Regulation (EC) No. 1071/200911.
F3 (operating docs).
Section headings indicate where sections of the syllabus
R2/ P2 papers will always contain at least one question
relate to road haulage and passenger transport or relate
from G3 (type approval, registration and technical
only to one sector.
inspection), G5 (periodic maintenance), G6 (road
Elements that relate only to road haulage are highlighted haulage only -cargo handling/loading) and/or H1 (driver
in blue; elements that relate only to passenger transport qualifications).
are highlighted in green. Where sections of the regulation
are applicable to one sector only, there is a header in the
relevant colour.
February 2016 - Updated areas of the syllabus are
highlighted in red.
Note: For candidates sitting examinations in devolved
administrations, answers based on local laws and
regulations will be accepted, where relevant to the
question being asked.

1
Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009
establishing common rules concerning the conditions
to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road
transport operator and repealing Council Directive
96/26/EC.

Certificate of Professional Competence 7 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
A CIVIL LAW
Applicable to all
Be familiar with the main A1.1 The elements required for the formation of any legally
types of contract used in road binding contract: offer/acceptance/consideration/
X A1
transport and with the rights and intention/legal capacity/legal purpose/formalities.
obligations arising therefrom. Candidates will only be tested on content of
Be capable of negotiating a legally A2.1 Enforcement of contracts. KUS column as it applies in UK law.
valid transport contract, notably
X A2
with regard to conditions of
carriage.
Road Haulage only
A3.1 Key clauses contained in contracts of carriage: Tutors should show examples of the RHA and FTA
Be able to consider a claim • conditions of carriage conditions of carriage and explain why these may
by his/her principal regarding be unsuitable for certain movements.
• claims for compensation.
compensation for loss of or Companies can have their own conditions; this needs
damage to goods during A3.2 General and specific liabilities of:
X X A3 to be made clear to candidates.
transportation or for their late • principals
delivery, and to understand • subcontractors
how such a claim affects his/her
contractual liability. • agents.
8

A3.3 Assess compensation for losses relating to damage.

X X A4 Be familiar with the rules and A4.1 The rules and obligations contained in the CMR. Tutors should include the practical implications of
obligations arising from the CMR liabilities and of applying the convention to
A4.2 The main provisions of the CMR as they may apply to a
Convention on the Contract for typical international operations.
national carrier (Unwitting CMR).
the International Carriage of
Tutors should explain how the value of special
Goods by Road (CMR). A4.3 Limits of liability of the carrier for loss, damage and delay.
drawing rights (SDRs) fluctuates with market
A4.4 The defences that may be available to a carrier against a conditions.
claim.
Tutors should highlight the differences between
A4.5 The relevance of insurance. the provisions for claims in the UK (syllabus
reference A3) and claims under the CMR.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

A4.6 Goods exempt from the convention.

 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
Passenger Transport Only
A5.1 Clauses that may be contained in the conditions of Tutors should:
carriage. • use typical examples of contracts of carriage
A5.2 General and specific liabilities of: and how operators convey this information
to the passengers.
• principals
• explain the role of travel and ticketing agents
• sub contractors
• explain the responsibilities of both the driver
• agents.
Be able to consider a claim and the operator when dealing with lost
by his/her principal regarding A5.3 Ability to limit liability for carriage of passengers and their property.
compensation for injury to luggage.
Tutors could give examples of industry and
passengers or damage to
A5.4 Key elements of the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) operator best practice.
their baggage caused by an
X X A5 Conduct Regulations applicable to both passengers and
accident during transportation,
or regarding compensation crew.
for delays, and to understand A5.5 Assess the obligations and liabilities of operators even
how such a claim affects his/her where no fare is charged to passengers.
contractual liability.
A5.6 Devise and apply procedures for dealing with claims and
the determination and payment of compensation for:
• injury to passengers
9

• delay
• loss of or damage to baggage
• lost property.
B COMMERCIAL LAW
Applicable to all
B1.1 Partnerships. Candidates will be expected to show
Be familiar with the conditions understanding of the various types of business
B1.2 Limited liability partnerships.
and formalities laid down for structure and the advantages and disadvantages
plying the trade, the general B1.3 Sole trader. of each.
X X B1 obligations incumbent upon
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

B1.4 The relevant legal obligations for the formation, They will be expected to have an understanding
transport operators (registration,
operation and dissolution of each type of business of the responsibilities and liabilities placed upon
record keeping, etc.) and the
including rights and duties of business owners. individuals and companies.
consequences of bankruptcy.
B1.5 Bankruptcy.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
B2.1 Correct definitions of types of business including: Candidates will be expected to show they
• private limited companies understand the procedures involved in setting
• public limited companies up and dissolving the various types of business
structure.
• cooperatives
• community interest companies. Candidates may be questioned on the content of
the major documents listed in the KUS column, e.g.
B2.2 The relevant legal obligations for the formation,
the Articles of Association and the rights of share
operation and dissolution of a business.
Have appropriate knowledge of holders, rules for company meetings, duties of
the various forms of commercial B2.3 Rights and duties of business directors/company directors.
X X B2 companies and the rules secretaries/liquidators.
governing their constitution and Content and function of key legal documents including:
B2.4
operation.
• partnership agreement
• prospectus
• IN01
• Memorandum of Association
• Articles of Association
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Trading Certificate.
10

C SOCIAL LAW
Applicable to all
C1.1 The role, structure and functions of industrial social Candidates will be expected to be familiar with the
institutions including: key laws as they affect industrial relations, trade
• employment tribunals unions and the rights of trade union members.
• trade unions Questioning on health and safety (H&S) will be
limited to:
• Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
• identifying hazards and risks
• Central Arbitration Committee (CAC)
• how to carry out a risk assessment
Be familiar with the role and • Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• appointment of H&S manager and
function of the various social Employees’ trade union rights relating to:
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

C1.2 representatives
institutions which are concerned
X X C1 • trade union membership • enforcement
with road transport (trade unions,
works councils, shop stewards, • right to time off with and without pay • monitoring compliance with legislation and
labour inspectors, etc.). • trade union activities codes of practice
• industrial action • RIDDOR reporting requirements and record
• workforce agreements. keeping
• safety committees.
C1.3 The scope of health and safety legislation and the
management of health and safety at work as it applies to Powers of the HSE:
the transport industry. • penalties and requirements which may be
imposed.
C1.4 The role and powers of enforcement agencies.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
C2.1 Key requirements in respect of the deduction and Questions will be restricted to:
payment of National Insurance contributions applying to: • classes of national insurance contributions
• employers • methods of collection and payment,
Be familiar with employers’ social • employees timescales and contribution responsibilities.
X C2
security obligations.
• self-employed people.
C2.2 Pensions.

C3.1 Requirements for and types of contracts of employment

and written employment particulars including:
• content of written employment particulars
• time limits for the issue of written employment
particulars
• contract variation.
C3.2 The rights and obligations of employers and employees
including those relating to:
• part-time employees
• temporary employees
Be familiar with the rules
11

• agency staff
governing work contracts for
the various categories of worker • transfer of undertakings
employed by road transport • remuneration and itemised pay statements
undertakings (form of the • dismissal, unfair dismissal and redundancy
X X C3
contracts, obligations of the
parties, working conditions • disciplinary and grievance procedures
and working hours, paid leave, • notice to terminate employment
remuneration, breach of contract, • working time regulations
etc.).
• maternity, paternity and parental provisions
• dependents
• information for employees
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• working for more than one employer

• discrimination in the workplace
• accessibility in the workplace
• statutory payments from employers, e.g. statutory
sick pay (SSP).
Employers’ responsibilities regarding the hours worked
by self-employed, agency and part-time drivers.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
C4.1 Detailed knowledge of the provisions of the EU Drivers’ Candidates may be examined on the contents of
Hours Regulations and Domestic Drivers’ Hours rules all the regulations mentioned.
including matters relating to:
Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 was superseded by
• drivers’ hours
Regulation (EU) 165/2014 in February 2014
• breaks, rests and the differences between these two
activities
• daily rest periods
• weekly rest periods
• periods of availability
• working time (length of day/spreadover)
• record keeping equipment
• record keeping requirements including the ability to
identify and apply the correct legal requirements in
given operational circumstances
• enforcement.
Be familiar with the rules
applicable to driving time, rest C4.2 Compile schedules for drivers.
periods and working time, and C4.3 Evaluate given drivers’ schedules.
in particular the provisions of C4.4 Draft instructions to drivers on the legal requirements.
Regulation (EEC) No. 3821/85,
X X C4 Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006, C4.5 Provide information to management on the need to
Directive 2002/15/EC of the comply with the regulations and the potential impact on
12

European Parliament and of the the business of non-compliance.

Council2 and Directive 2006/22/ C4.6 Devise systems for ensuring that there is full compliance
EC, and the practical measures for with the regulations including those relating to the
applying those provisions. keeping and checking of records.
C4.7 Identify infringements of the regulations in given
circumstances and the appropriate action to be taken.
C4.8 The provisions of the Working Time Regulation applicable With regard to working time, the provisions of the
to those who are subject to EU regulations on drivers’ Working Time Regulations as they affect mobile
hours including the requirements relating to: workers will be tested.
• maximum and average weekly working hours
• break requirements
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• reference periods
• periods of availability
• workforce and collective agreements
• night work
• exemptions
• record keeping
• enforcement.

2
Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of
goods or passengers (OJ L 226, 10.9.2003, p. 4)
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
Be familiar with the rules
applicable to the initial
qualification and continuous
training of drivers, and in
X X C5 See Section H1
particular those deriving from
Directive 2003/59/EC of the
European Parliament and of the
Council2.
D FISCAL LAW
Applicable to all
D1.1 Be able to recognise the circumstances in which VAT Individual rates of and abbreviations for VAT for
applies to road transport and the procedures to be countries other than the UK will not be tested.
followed including those relating to:
It is important that candidates understand the
• the principles of VAT VAT implications of providing transport services
• the circumstances in which a business must or may involving journeys to, from and within other EU
register for VAT states and journeys to and from non-EU states, as
• registration processes well as within the UK.
• the meaning of input and output tax Only the principles of the TOMS will be tested.
13

• submission of VAT returns

• VAT payments and refunds
Be familiar with the rules
X X D1 governing Value Added Tax (VAT) • rates of VAT in the UK
on transport services. • issue and content of VAT invoices
• zero-rated fares
• Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme (TOMS).
D1.2 Identify the requirement to charge VAT on specified
international road journeys.
D1.3 Identify the potential VAT implications of carrying out
cabotage operations.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

D1.4 Identify the circumstances in which it is possible to

reclaim VAT paid in another country and the procedures
that must be followed in order to do so.

2
Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of
goods or passengers (OJ L 226, 10.9.2003, p. 4)
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
D2.1 The basis for calculating rates of vehicle excess duty
(VED) for road haulage, recovery vehicles and passenger
vehicles, including the availability of reduced rates for
low-pollution vehicles.
D2.2 Knowledge of the issuing agency and payment and Actual rates of VED will not be tested; only the
Be familiar with the rules refund procedures. criteria used for determining them.
X D2
governing motor vehicle tax.
D2.3 The conditions under which trade licences can be Tutors should explain the methods used to obtain
obtained and used including operational restrictions on VED including online.
their use.
D2.4 The conditions under which recovery vehicles can be
used including operational restrictions on their use.
D3.1 Identify major UK bridges, tunnels and roads on which Candidates will be expected to know the UK routes
tolls are charged and the basis used for charging. for crossing the following features where a toll is
involved, namely:
D3.2 Identify areas in which road pricing or congestion
charging applies and relevant exemptions from the • the Thames
charging requirements. • the Mersey
D3.3 Identify the main impact of the Convention on the • the Severn
Taxation of Road Vehicles and how UK VED requirements • the Tyne
14

Be familiar with the rules apply to international circumstances. • the Humber

governing the taxes on certain D3.4 Identify charges applied in other countries to certain • the Tamar
X X D3 road haulage vehicles and vehicles used in international road freight operations • the M6 in the Midlands.
be familiar with tolls and including:
infrastructure user charges Candidates will be expected to know the names
• infrastructure charges such as road tolls
and methods of operation of major road charging
• environmental and congestion charges including systems and low emission restrictions together
heavy vehicles fees, emission-related tolls and city with the charging rates for non-compliance.
centre exclusions.
Questions concerning international infrastructures
D3.5 Methods of charging and collection including: that incur tolls or charges will only refer to those
toll booths, vignettes and on-board units. on major routes between major well-known
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

towns and major border crossings. These will be

restricted to the ‘E’ routes.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
D4.1 The application of income tax to the profits of Candidates will be expected to demonstrate
unincorporated businesses. knowledge of the types of tax paid by individuals
and companies. This knowledge will need to
D4.2 Deduction and payment of tax due from employees
include methods by which taxes are paid.
under PAYE.
Be familiar with the rules Candidates will be expected to demonstrate
X D4 D4.3 Allowances, expenses and benefits in kind.
governing income tax. a general knowledge of the subjects in the
D4.4 Self-employment. KUS column that would be appropriate to the
management of a road transport business, e.g.
D4.5 Operation and key requirements relating to corporation timescales for payment by the self-employed or by
tax. companies for corporation tax.
E BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE UNDERTAKING
Applicable to all
E1.1 The content and legal requirements of documents used
in business including:
• invoices
• statements
• credit and debit notes
• quotations Tutors should use examples of when these
15

• estimates documents will be used. Candidates should be

Be familiar with the laws and
able to make simple calculations.
practices regarding the use • pro forma invoices.
of cheques, bills of exchange, Candidates will be expected to be aware of the
X X E1 E1.2 Various methods of payment including the use of:
promissory notes, credit cards circumstances when a particular payment method
and other means or methods of • cash may be used.
payment. • cheques
• credit cards
• charge cards
• debit cards
• fuel charge cards
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• bills of exchange
• credit transfers (including any electronic transfers).
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
E2.1 Different forms of finance including: Tutors should include the implications of using
• taxation due these methods to raise funds and why a transport
business would choose one method rather than
• trade credit
another.
Be familiar with the various • overdrafts
forms of credit (bank credit, • loans
documentary credit, guarantee • mortgages
X E2 deposits, mortgages, leasing,
renting, factoring, etc.) and the • debentures
charges and obligations arising • share issues
therefrom. • revenue reserves (retained profits)
• leases
• the use of factoring
• guarantees and guarantee deposits.
E3.1 The purpose of the balance sheet. Candidates will be expected to have a good
knowledge of the items that appear on a balance
E3.2 Features of a balance sheet:
sheet and the headings under which they are
• assets and liabilities shown.
• creditors and debtors
Candidates will be expected to be able to
Know what a balance sheet • capital
16

give a basic interpretation of a balance sheet

X X E3 is, how it is set out and how to and financial situation of a given company or
• current and long term liabilities
interpret it. organisation.
• fixed and current assets
• depreciation.
E3.3 Interpretation of balance sheets and the financial
situation of a given company or organisation.

E4.1 The functions and purpose of trading and profit and loss Candidates will be expected to be able to
accounts. differentiate between examples of a direct cost
and an indirect cost as applied to a transport
E4.2 Different elements appearing in trading and profit and
operation.
loss accounts including:
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

Be able to read and interpret a

X X E4 Tutors should explain the effects of these costs on
profit and loss account. • direct costs
each account and overall profitability.
• indirect costs
• gross (or operating or trading) profit or loss Candidates should be able to complete simple
profit or loss calculations.
• net profit or loss.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
E5.1 The calculation, use and interpretation of key financial Candidates will be expected to understand the use
indicators including: of key financial indicators.
• capital employed Candidates will be expected to be able to perform
• working capital calculations in relation to all the indicators listed.
Be able to assess the • current or working capital ratio Each formula used to calculate these indicators
undertaking’s profitability and
X X E5 • quick assets ratio or acid test ratio should be taught and tutors should explain why an
financial position, in particular on
• return on capital employed acid test could be used instead of a current ratio.
the basis of financial ratios.
• gross and net profit expressed as a percentage of
sales.
E5.2 The use and calculation of cash flow forecasts and
statements.
E6.1 Be able to identify the purpose of preparing and Using information provided a candidate will be
monitoring budgets and systems of budgetary control. expected to draw up and comment on budget
reports.
E6.2 From information provided:
X X E6 Be able to prepare a budget. • draw up a budget
• analyse financial performance using budgets
• comment on the causes and effects of variances
17

between budgeted and actual performance.

E7.1 From data provided, compile and interpret costing
information including:
• determination of fixed costs, variable costs and
overheads
• calculation of depreciation
Be familiar with the cost elements • calculation and tabulation of costs on a per vehicle,
of the undertaking (fixed costs, per unit distance travelled, per time period, per
variable costs, working capital, journey or per unit of quantity basis
X X E7 depreciation, etc.), and be able
• calculation of contribution to costs from a given Candidates will be expected to be able to calculate,
to calculate costs per vehicle, per
journey rate and the identification of circumstances compile and produce costing information
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

kilometre, per journey or per

in which a rate which does not cover total costs including in a tabulated format.
tonne.
might be accepted (marginal costing).
E7.2 Calculation and determination of the most cost-effective Candidates will be expected to be able to select
option. appropriate data from information presented in a
E7.3 Make calculations with consequences of currency variety of formats.
exchange rates.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
E8.1 Be able to evaluate different staffing structures.
Be able to draw up an
organisation chart relating to E8.2 Develop work plans and systems for work measurement
Candidates will not be expected to produce a
X E8 the undertaking’s personnel as a including the use of key performance indicators.
matrix chart.
whole and to organise work plans, E8.3 Compile and evaluate organisation charts from
etc. information supplied for a business, a function or a depot.

E9.1 The use of marketing methods including:

• primary and secondary forms of market research
• market segmentation
• sales promotion Candidates will be expected to know the sources
• response rates of primary and secondary data.
Be familiar with the principles of • conversion rates Tutors should explain how to decide the most
marketing, publicity and public • advertising suitable method for marketing a transport
X X E9 relations, including transport operation including the advantages and
services, sales promotion and the • compilation of customer information
disadvantages of each type.
preparation of customer files, etc. • SWOT analysis
• product life cycles.
E9.2 The purposes and use of public relations including:
18

• the use of the media

• involvement in or support for local community
activities.
E10.1 The principles underlying relevant insurances and the
factors that are taken into account when determining
premiums. Tutors should give examples of where these
Be familiar with the different Methods available for assessing and controlling risk in insurances will be used and the reasons an
types of insurance relating to respect of minimising insurance premiums. insurance company may refuse a claim.
road transport (liability, accidental E10.2 The requirements for motor vehicle insurance, the Tutors should explain the circumstances in which a
X X E10 injury/life insurance, non-life alternatives to obtaining a motor vehicle policy from an Green Card is required.
and luggage insurance) and insurance company and the role of the Motor Insurers’
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

the guarantees and obligations Tutors should explain what is covered by the EHIC
Bureau.
arising therefrom. and in what circumstances additional cover is
E10.3 Identify compulsory types of insurance and cover recommended for employees and passengers.
provided by employer’s liability and third-party motor
insurance.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
E10.4 Identify discretionary types of insurance including:
• buildings and contents
• fire and flood
• theft and burglary
• fidelity guarantees
• consequential loss
• public liability
• professional negligence
• motor cover additional to statutory requirements
• cash in transit
• luggage
• private travel insurance
• goods-in-transit insurance
• travel and health insurance (including repatriation
cover)
• CMR insurance
• maritime risks insurance
19

• international motor insurance and the requirements

and provisions of the Green Card system.
E10.5 Provisions and scope for obtaining medical treatment
while abroad for employees, including the EHIC.
E10.6 The circumstances that could give rise to policies being
invalidated.
E11.1 The uses of information and communications technology:
• electronic ticketing
• routeing, scheduling and timetabling
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• real-time information systems

Tutors should outline the principles of the
• telemetry
Be familiar with the applications technology behind each system and the benefits
• GPS and satellite navigation afforded to operators and passengers.
X X E11 of electronic data transmission in
road transport. • vehicle and staff scheduling systems
Tutors should use examples to explain the systems
• customer information systems used today.
• booking and reservation systems
• the Internet
• closed circuit television
• consignment tracking systems.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
E11.2 Basic knowledge of electronic communication systems
for voice and data.
E11.3 Provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998) in respect of
the use of information & communication technology for
transport operations.
Road Haulage only
E12.1 Define and apply the delivery terms (Incoterms) used in Candidates will be expected to be aware of the
international road haulage, specifically: responsibilities that buyers and sellers have to
• EXW – ex works each other in respect of those individual Incoterms
Be able to apply the rules which are used in connection with international
governing the invoicing of road • FCA – free carrier
road transport and which are named in the KUS
X X E12 haulage services and know the • CPT – carriage paid to (named place) column. Terms that the International Chamber
meaning and implications of • CIP – carriage and insurance paid to (named place) of Commerce recommends are used only for
Incoterms. • DAT – delivered at terminal conventional maritime transport will not be
questioned.
• DAP – delivered at place
• DDP – delivered duty paid.
E13.1 Define services offered by third parties ancillary to the
provision of road haulage:
Questions will be based on the primary functions
• subcontractors
20

Be familiar with the different of these services and of the parties involved.
categories of transport auxiliaries, • freight forwarding services
X X E13
their role, their functions and, • warehousing and distribution services
where appropriate, their status. • groupage (consolidation) services
• clearing houses
• freight exchanges.
Passenger Transport only
E14.1 Define separate fares and hire-and-reward operations. Tutors should explain the implications of these
Identify and describe: types of services in terms of:
• local services • operator licensing
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• regular services • drivers’ hours

• express services • working time
Be able to apply the rules
governing fares and pricing in • contract hire • driver licensing
X X E14
public and private passenger • private hire • vehicle licensing
transport. • tours
• package tours
• excursions
• shuttle services
• taxi operations.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
E14.2 The use of fare tables for scheduled and other services.
Identify and describe types of fares including:
• flat
• zonal
• promotional
• seasonal
• tapered
• directional
• time-based
• multi-travel
• concessionary
X X
• free.
E14.3 Procedures relating to statutory concessionary fare Candidates will be expected to understand the
schemes. basic principles of statutory concessionary fare
schemes.
E14.4 Pricing of contracts. The methods of issuing tenders for
contracted and non-contracted operations. Preparation
of responses to tenders and the requirements to be met
21

by tendering bodies.
E14.5 Subsidised and tendered services including:
• ‘supply side’ tenders
• ‘bottom line’ tenders
• rules regarding de minimis operation.
E15.1 Apply the provisions of the Package Travel Regulations to Candidates will be expected to have detailed
Be able to apply the rules a given scenario. knowledge of the Package Travel Regulations,
X X E15 governing the invoicing of road including what qualifies as a package, brochure
E15.2 Be able to identify the main principles of the TOMS.
passenger transport services. content and security for clients’ payments.
Only the principles of TOMS will be tested.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
F ACCESS TO THE MARKET
Applicable to all
F1.1 Vehicles subject to operator licensing (or permit for Candidates will be expected to have an in-depth
passenger) and the appropriate type of operators’ knowledge of the criteria and procedures relating
licences required in given circumstances. to obtaining and retaining an Operator Licence for
Be familiar with the occupational national and international operations.
F1.2 The different vehicle types including taxi, private hire
regulations governing road
vehicle, small bus, minibus, large bus, coach, articulated Candidates will be expected to understand the
transport for hire or reward,
bus. licensing implications for hired and subcontracted
industrial vehicle rental and
vehicles that might be employed.
subcontracting, and in particular F1.3 The procedures to be followed in applying for a licence
the rules governing the official including knowledge of the criteria to be met. Guidance can be found in the following
X X F1
organisation of the occupation, government publications:
F1.4 The rights that may be exercised by statutory objectors
admission to the occupation,
and the owners and occupiers of land within the vicinity GV72, GV74, GV79, GV79G, GV80, GV80A, GV81,
authorisations for intra-
of operating centres and the procedures to be followed. INT1, PSV353A, PSV356, PSV356G, PSV385, PSV421,
Community and extra-Community
PSV421G, PSV431, PSV431A, PSV431G, PSV437,
road transport operations, F1.5 The procedures and the decision options available to
TM1, TM1G
inspections and penalties. the Traffic Commissioners when dealing with licence
applications. and
A guide to making representation, objections and
F1.6 The role of enforcement agencies.
complaints 2013/01
22

F2.1 The procedures to be followed in changing, varying and Tutors should give examples of objections that
maintaining a licence including knowledge of the criteria have been upheld and those which have not
to be met. including the reasons given. Candidates should
Be familiar with the rules for
understand the differences between variations.
X X F2 setting up a road transport F2.2 The quality control procedures followed by Traffic
undertaking. Commissioners, including Operator Compliance Risk Tutors should explain the Driver and Vehicle
Score (OCRS), and their use of disciplinary powers. Standards Agency's (DVSA's) OCRS and the
implications it has on transport operators.
F2.3 The appeals procedures.
Be familiar with the various F3.1 The requirements and procedures applied in respect of Tutors should explain all relevant documents
documents required for operating Community Licences. required for international movements, including
road transport services and certified copies of Community Licences.
F3.2 The documents required to carry out a journey applicable
the introduction of checking
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

to the driver, the vehicle and the load.

procedures to ensure that the
approved documents relating to
X X F3
each transport operation, and in
particular those relating to the
vehicle, the driver, the goods
and luggage are kept both in the
vehicle and on the premises of the
undertaking.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
Road Haulage only
F4.1 The requirements in respect of various types of road Tutors should give examples of third-country traffic
haulage journey including: third-country services/ and cabotage services to explain the restrictions
cabotage services/own account operations. placed on cabotage operations.
Be familiar with the rules on the
organisation of the market in F4.2 The rules and procedures relating to permits required Tutors should explain the evidence an operator
X X F4 road haulage services, as well as when travelling to or through certain countries including may use to substantiate that they are ‘own account’.
the rules on freight handling and those relating to: bilateral journey permits/multilateral
logistics. permits.
F4.3 The role and powers of the Secretary of State for
Transport.
F5.1 The rules governing customs transit regimes including Candidates will be expected to be able to plan
those relating to the: international journeys with particular reference to
• TIR convention/community/common transit permit requirements and to the requirements of
the Community/Common Transit System and of
• temporary importation/exportation of certain
the TIR Convention.
Be familiar with border formalities, goods and vehicles.
the role and scope of customs In addition, candidates will be expected to
F5.2 The requirements of border crossing formalities
transit documents (T documents understand the operation of the ATA and ‘carnet de
X X F5 including:
and TIR carnets), and the passage en douane’ systems.
obligations and responsibilities • passport and visa procedures
23

arising from their use. • anti-smuggling and other security controls

• immigration controls
• controls on prohibited and restricted goods
• documentary requirements relating to certain types
of goods (including plants and live animals).
Passenger Transport only
F6.1 The role and powers of the Secretary of State for
Transport.
F6.2 The basic principles of competition law and the role of
the Competition and Markets Authority.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

Be familiar with the rules on the Candidates must understand the terms ‘monopoly’
F6.3 The role of local and regional governments including:
X X F6 organisation of the market in road and ‘dominant’ position.
passenger transport. • integrated transport authorities
• county councils
• unitary authorities
• Traffic Commissioners
• Transport for London.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
F7.1 The definitions of different types of service and Candidates will be expected to be familiar with:
operation by passenger vehicles, applying these to given • regular services
circumstances and, where appropriate, the rules for
• special regular services
obtaining, maintaining, amending and withdrawing the
services. • shuttle services
• occasional services
F7.2 Draft timetables from information supplied.
• cabotage
F7.3 Draw up transport plans taking relevant factors into
• own account operations
account including:
• local services
Be familiar with the rules for • types of duty
introducing road passenger • flexible local services
X X F7 • timetabling
transport services and the • excursions and tours
• crew rostering
drawing up of transport plans. • express services
• vehicle scheduling.
• community bus services.
F7.4 The terms used in operating road passenger services
including: Candidates will be expected to know how to
construct a timetable for a given service, how to
• frequency
schedule vehicles and staff, and be familiar with
• headway the terms used in these processes.
• layover
Tutors should explain how routes are planned and
24

• clock face and non-clock face headways the allowances that must be made for peak times
• interworking. and traffic flow.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
F7.5 Calculate the number of vehicles, duties and drivers Candidates will be expected to be able to
required for a given service. identify the appropriate approval procedures and
documentation needed to enable operation.
F7.6 Calculate the length of a duty roster.
Tutors should explain the role of the IRFO in the
F7.7 The distinction and differing requirements between
operation of services and the role of CPT UK.
those services which need prior approval (authorisations)
and those where the volume of operation is not Candidates should be aware of what
regulated (waybills and own account certificates). documentation is required for the vehicle, driver
and passengers on an international journey and
F7.8 The role of the International Road Freight Office (IRFO)
the border controls in place.
concerning service authorisation and Confederation of
Passenger Transport (CPT) UK regarding waybill supply. Tutors should explain how and by whom these
documents are completed and amendments that
F7.9 The documents that need to be carried on international
are permitted ‘en route’.
road passenger journeys including:
• documents for drivers and other crew members
• documents for the vehicle
• documents relating to the transport service
• documents for passengers
• requirements of ferry operators for passenger
manifests.
25

F7.10 The functions of the documents.

F7.11 The purpose of border controls to regulate the movement
of people and their belongings including:
• key provisions of the Schengen Agreement
• passport and visa procedures
• immigration controls
• function of red, green and blue customs channels
controls of prohibited and restricted goods
• anti-smuggling and other security controls.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
G Technical standards and technical aspects of operation
Applicable to all
G1.1 The terms used to identify weight categories including: Candidates will be expected to have detailed
• unladen weight knowledge of the major weight and dimension
limits as they apply to vehicles in the UK. All gross
• kerbside weight
weight questions will relate to vehicles fitted with
• gross vehicle weight, maximum authorised mass, road friendly suspension (RFS).
permissible maximum weight
Candidates will be expected to have knowledge of
• gross train weight
the principal limits applying to EU member states.
• design weight.
No questions will be asked regarding weights for
G1.2 Identify and apply the weight limits for various types of specialist areas, other than those that would apply
vehicles including total vehicle and axle weight limits. to a UK registered vehicle.
Be familiar with the rules
concerning the weights and G1.3 Vehicle dimensional limits including those relating to:
dimensions of vehicles in • length
the member states and the
X G1 • width
procedures to be followed in
the case of abnormal loads that • height.
constitute an exception to these G1.4 Identify countries in Europe that operate weight or
rules. dimension limits other than those provided by EU
26

legislation.
G1.5 Projections and overhangs.
G1.6 Special provisions applying to the movement of
abnormal indivisible loads including special types of
vehicles and the requirements for attendants, notification
and speed limits.
G1.7 Role of enforcement agencies and knowledge of
enforcement procedures.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
G2.1 Take into account operational requirements, economy Tutors should explain how particular vehicles may
of operation, environmental impact and accessibility be more suited to a specific type of service. Tutors
regulations; from information supplied, choose should identify the Euro numbering system used
appropriate vehicles and vehicle components including: for limiting vehicle emissions and the methods
• vehicle type adopted by manufacturers to comply.
• engine type Tutors should describe the features included
Be able to choose vehicles and on vehicles that satisfy the PSV Accessibility
their components (chassis, engine, • transmission
Regulations 2000. Dimensions will not be
transmission system, braking • braking systems
questioned.
X X G2 system, etc.) in accordance with • passenger comfort equipment including climate
the needs of the undertaking. control and entertainment equipment Tutors should explain the significance of the
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
• toilet provision
(DiPTAC).
• galley provision
• suspension
• wheels, tyres and axles
• loading and other ancillary equipment
• emission standards.
G3.1 Procedures including those relating to: Candidates will be expected to have knowledge
• type approval of the procedures and documents involved in
27

acquiring new vehicles, testing them and ensuring

• plating and testing
that they are kept in a roadworthy condition.
Be familiar with the formalities • Tempo 100
relating to the type approval, Tutors should explain the procedures and forms
X X G3 • Vitesse 100
registration and technical used in roadside checks and the consequences to
inspection of these vehicles. • enforcement powers including inspection and the operator’s OCRS rating.
prohibitions.
Tutors should explain the difference between a
G3.2 Main features of PSV Fitness regulations. PCV and a PSV and the testing regime used to
comply with PSV Fitness Regulations.
Understand what measures must G4.1 Questions will be limited to items mentioned in section This part of the syllabus will feature questioning
be taken to reduce noise and to G2. related to the vehicle itself rather than any
X X G4
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

combat air pollution by motor considerations about the operating centre.

vehicle exhaust emissions.
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
G5.1 Construct maintenance plans taking relevant factors into
account:
• legislative requirements
• DVSA guidance
• best practice. Guidance can be found in the DVSA publications
‘Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness’.
Be able to draw up periodic G5.2 Relative advantages of in-house and third-party planned
X X G5 maintenance plans for the and preventative maintenance provision. Candidates will be expected to be able to
vehicles and their equipment. construct a maintenance plan given operational
G5.3 Requirement for, and content of, driver walk around criteria.
checks, preventative maintenance and vehicle
inspections.
G5.4 Requirement for vehicle and equipment testing and
calibration.
G5.5 Documents to be used and record keeping requirements.
Road Haulage only
Be familiar with the different types G6.1 Devise procedures and write instructions relating to Guidance can be found in the Department for
of cargo-handling and the safe loading and unloading of vehicles, taking into Transport Code of Practice, ‘Safety of Loads on
account relevant factors including: Vehicles’.
loading devices (tailboards,
28

containers, pallets, etc.) and • legislation and codes of practice

• weight distribution
X X G6 be able to introduce
• stacking and stowing of loads
procedures and issue instructions
• securing loads
for loading and unloading goods
(load distribution, stacking, • use of load-handling equipment
stowing, blocking and chocking, • staff training.
etc.).
G7.1 Define services offered by third parties ancillary to the Questions will be based on the primary functions
provision of road haulage including: of these services.
Be familiar with the various
• tunnel, ship and ferry operations (including the use
techniques of ‘piggy-back’
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

X G7 of roll-on/roll-off and lift-on/lift-off services and

and roll-on roll-off combined
container operations)
transport.
• intermodal operations (including the carriage of
road vehicles on railway wagons).
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
G8.1 Dangerous goods regulations (ADR) relating to:
• consignments subject to regulation
• vehicle marking and equipment requirements
• documentation
• training requirements for drivers and other staff
involved in the carriage of dangerous goods Candidates will be expected to be able to apply
• requirement to appoint a dangerous goods safety the legislative requirements in respect of both the
Be able to implement procedures adviser and the functions and qualifications of the national and international carriage of dangerous
X X G8
to comply with the rules on the adviser. goods.
carriage of dangerous goods
G8.2 Requirements relating to the carriage of waste including:
and waste, notably those arising
from Directive 2008/68/EC3 and • types of waste that are regulated
Regulation (EC) No 1013/20064. • licensing
• documentation.
G8.3 The requirements of the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods code (IMDG).
G9.1 Rules relating to:
• the carriage of temperature controlled foodstuffs
29

• hygiene
Be able to implement procedures • segregation
to comply with the rules on the • prevention of contamination.
carriage of perishable foodstuffs, Tutors should provide examples of typical
G9.2 The main provisions of both UK and ATP rules relating to
notably those arising from the movements when the ATP will apply.
X X G9 the international carriage of certain perishable foodstuffs
Agreement on the International including those relating to: Tutors should provide examples of plates and
Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs
• the types of perishable foodstuffs covered by the certificates used to confirm a vehicle is compliant
and on the Special Equipment to
agreement with the requirements of the ATP agreement.
be used for such Carriage (ATP).
• requirements for temperature control and
associated record keeping
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• regulations in relation to vehicles and containers in

respect of testing, certification and marking.

3
Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport dangerous goods (OJ L 260, 30.9.2008, p. 13)
4
Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste (OJ L 190, 12.7.2006, p. 1)
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
G10.1 Rules including those relating to: Questions will be limited to the commercial
• feeding and watering requirements movement of:
• route planning • cattle
Be able to implement procedures
X G10 to comply with the rules on the • record keeping requirements • sheep
transport of live animals. • vehicle construction requirements • horses
• vehicle cleaning and disinfecting • pigs.
• training.
H ROAD SAFETY
Applicable to all
H1.1 The qualifications for drivers including categories of Guidance can be found on the www.gov.uk
driving entitlement including: website.
• restrictions Initial qualification:
• licence issue, validity and renewal • preserved entitlements to Driver CPC
• medical requirements • exemptions from Driver CPC
• enforcement and disciplinary procedures • tests to be passed to gain the Driver CPC
Know what qualifications are • employer’s responsibility to check driving qualification
required for drivers (driving entitlement including those holding non-UK • validity and renewal of the qualification
30

X X H1 licences
licence, medical certificates, • requirements concerning the Driver
certificates of fitness, etc.). • provisional licence holders Qualification Card
• theory and practical driving test and vehicles that
Periodic training requirements for:
can be used.
• approved trainers
H1.2 International driving permits.
• approved courses
H1.3 Drivers’ initial CPC. • duration of each training course
H1.4 Driver CPC periodic training. • number of hours required and deadlines for
completion
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
H2.1 Knowledge of: Candidates will be expected to know the
• speed limits for various types of vehicles and roads speed limits that apply within the UK and have
elementary knowledge of the speed limits in other
• restrictions on waiting, parking, and the loading and
EU countries.
unloading of passengers
• traffic signs and signals Candidates will be expected to be able to specify
supplementary items of safety equipment required
• bus lanes and bus ways
in individual countries.
• rules applicable to various types of road including
motorways, clearways and road lanes restricted to Candidates will only be tested on road signs
Be able to take the necessary
specified vehicles. covered in the European Agreement on Main
steps to ensure that drivers
International Traffic Arteries (AGR).
comply with the traffic rules, H2.2 Awareness of differing traffic rules in other EU member
prohibitions and restrictions in states.
X H2
force in different member states
(speed limits, priorities, waiting H2.3 Demonstrate knowledge of the requirement to carry
and parking restrictions, use of certain equipment, including safety equipment, in
lights, road signs, etc.) specific member states.
H2.4 Demonstrate knowledge of movement restrictions that
operate in specific member states.
H2.5 Demonstrate knowledge of the powers of enforcement
agencies to apply immediate penalties relating to alleged
31

traffic offences.
H2.6 The main criteria to be met to achieve Tempo 100 and
Vitesse 100, the period of validity of certificates.
H3.1 Draw up instructions for drivers to undertake daily walk Candidates should familiarise themselves with the
Be able to draw up instructions for
around checks, including: recommendations for driver walk round checks
drivers to check their compliance
• nil defect reporting contained in the DVSA publication ‘Guide to
with the safety requirements
Maintaining Roadworthiness’.
X X H3 concerning the condition of • exception reporting.
the vehicles, their equipment
H3.2 Knowledge of items which should be included in a daily
and cargo, and the preventive
walk around check and the contents of the daily defect
measures to be taken.
report sheet.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
 CPC COMBINED SYLLABUS
Certificate of Professional Competence

UNIT UNIT
REF Assessment Objective REF Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (KUS) Guidance on Teaching
MC CS
H4.1 Legislative requirements relating to the action to be Candidates should be familiar with the legal
taken following a road traffic accident including: requirements in the Road Traffic Acts and the
• reporting requirements guidance contained in ‘The Highway Code’.
Be able to lay down procedures
to be followed in the event of • document production A knowledge of the procedures to be followed
an accident and to implement • information to be given at the scene or in member states will also be a requirement
X X H4 subsequently including knowledge of ‘The European Accident
appropriate procedures to prevent
the recurrence of accidents or Statement’.
• evidence collection
serious traffic offences. • action to assist those involved
• action to secure the accident scene
• preparation of insurance claims.
H5.1 See section G6
Be able to implement procedures
Drivers’ responsibility for the security and integrity of
to properly secure goods and be
X X H5 passenger luggage.
familiar with the corresponding
techniques. The principles of safe loading and manual handling
requirements
Passenger Transport Only
H6.1 Elementary knowledge of the major traffic arteries in the Questions will be restricted to the ‘E route’ network
32

Have elementary knowledge of EU member states and the physical mountain and water within Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and
X X H6 the layout of the 'E route' network barriers that constrain movements. the Netherlands, including tunnels for which tolls
in the member states. are levied.
H6.2 Knowledge of the AGR Convention (E routes) regarding
the international system of road numbering.
Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide
ADMINISTRATION
CENTRE APPROVALS ENTRIES AND ADMINISTRATION
All venues must meet the JCQ conditions for storing
SUPPORT SERVICES
confidential CPC examination materials. The only OCR For information regarding candidate entry and administration
deviation from these stipulations is that, for CPC, we arrangements for CPC please follow the link to OCR’s
do not expect the secure room to be solely assigned Administration area on our website:
to examinations. Nonetheless, other security measures www.ocr.org.uk/administration/
detailed in the JCQ Instructions for conducting As part of our ongoing support to centres, OCR’s Customer
examinations (ICE) booklet must be observed and the Support Managers are on hand to support you in the
materials must be stored in a safe or appropriately administration of our qualifications. Our highly experienced,
secured cabinet within that secure room. Please refer to friendly and professional Customer Support Managers cover the
the JCQ ICE booklet, available from the JCQ website at UK and offer you:
www.jcq.org.uk, for more information.

• A named point of contact whom you can contact via

MALPRACTICE direct email and phone number – this means someone is
always on hand to answer questions, listen to your
It is the responsibility of the Head of Centre to report opinions and help solve your problems
in writing all cases of suspected malpractice involving
centre staff or candidates, A JCQ Report of Suspected • One-to-one, bespoke local training can be arranged on
Malpractice form (JCQ/M1), available to download from any administrative topics you may find challenging
the JCQ website, should be completed and emailed to
• An opportunity for you to give us your feedback and for
[email protected].
us to tell you what we’ve done to improve the issues you
When asked to do so by OCR, Heads of Centres are raise – your views are vital to us as it is only with your
required to investigate instances of malpractice promptly input and ideas that we can tailor our services to meet
and report the outcomes to OCR. your needs.
Further information is contained in the publication OCR You can find out more here.
Malpractice Procedures – A Guide for Centres, available
from the OCR website and the JCQ publication: General
and Vocational Qualifications – Suspected Malpractice in
Examinations and Assessments, which is available from CERTIFICATES
the JCQ website. Candidates who reach the required level to pass the
examination for all units that make up a full award will
receive:
• an OCR certificate listing the units and
• an OCR certificate giving the full qualification title
• a CPC certificate, including place of birth, needed
for Operator Licensing purposes.

Candidates achieving one or more units but who do not

meet the requirements for a full certificate will receive a
certificate listing the units they have achieved.
Full qualification certificates are automatically
generated for any candidate who has achieved the
correct combination of units. It is therefore important
that centres record the same details for a candidate for
each unit entered. If an incorrect initial, spelling or
candidate number is used, this will mean that full
awards are not automatically generated for a candidate.

Certificate of Professional Competence 33 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

QUESTIONS
This section of the Syllabus and Student, Tutor Guide 2 Questions that require candidates to choose correct
describes the style of the exam papers and the types of options from a list.
questions that may be asked.
For example, ‘Which of the following days of the week
would normally be regarded as weekend days?’
P1 AND R1 – MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Monday
Candidates are allowed to use a battery-operated, non- 2. Tuesday
programmable calculator and an English dictionary. No
other electronic equipment or written materials may be 3. Wednesday
taken into the examination. 4. Thursday
Both papers ask 60 questions and have a target pass mark 5. Friday
of 42 (70%). Questions are drawn from the syllabus for
each discipline, as summarised in the table below: 6. Saturday
7. Sunday
Syllabus P1 R1
section Number of questions Number of questions
A 2–4 2–4 A. 1 and 5 only
B 2–4 2–4 B. 4, 6 and 7 only
C 8–12 8–12
C. 6 and 7 only
D 2–4 2–4
E 14–20 14–20
D. 1, 2 and 3 only
F 8 12 8 12
G 2–4 8–12
H 4–7 4–7

Two hours are allowed for both P1 and R1 papers.

MULTIPLE – CHOICE QUESTIONS

There are two types of questions in the P1 and R1 papers.
The answer to each question is always A, B, C or D. The two
types are:
1 Simple factual questions.

For example, ‘Which of the following days of the week

would normally be regarded as a weekend day?’
A. Monday
B. Wednesday
C. Thursday
D. Sunday

Certificate of Professional Competence 34 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

P2 AND R2 – THE CASE STUDY HOW DOES OPEN BOOK AFFECT THE
QUESTIONS BEING ASKED?
OPEN BOOK The case studies, and the answers required, are intended
to reflect the ‘real world’. However, candidates should
There are 60 marks available in P2 and R2 papers. There be aware that they are likely to encounter unfamiliar
are between 6 and 8 questions with between 7 and 12 situations and scenarios that may be different from their
marks available for each question, but there may be one personal experience in a particular company or sector.
question of 4 marks and/or one question of between 13
and 15 marks. Examiners will carefully research data to be provided in
case studies so that it is as accurate as possible. However,
Both papers have a notional pass mark of 30 (50%). all information provided will be for examination purposes
Please read the ‘How papers are marked’ section for an only and, again, may differ from candidates’ personal
explanation of what we mean by ‘a notional pass mark’. experience. For example, ferry fares or timetables, journey
Questions are drawn from the syllabus for each discipline, times, average speeds, etc. may be adjusted slightly to
as set out in the Syllabus section of this guide. prevent rounding difficulties or to avoid unnecessary
R2/ P2 papers will always contain at least one question on complications in a driver schedule or costing question.
C4 (Driving time, rest periods and working time rules) and Questions are designed to reward those who read the
one question on E7 (costings). R2/ P2 papers will always case study AND each question carefully, and who apply
contain at least one question from F1 (occupational their knowledge to this information. Some questions are
regs), F2 (undertaking rules) and/or F3 (operating docs). designed to allow candidates to research the information,
R2/ P2 will always contain at least one question from G3 but marks will only rarely be awarded for simple lists
(type approval, registration and technical inspection), copied from learning materials.
G5 (periodic maintenance), G6 (road haulage only -cargo
handling/loading) and/or H1 (driver qualifications).
QUESTIONS REWARD WHAT MATTERS
Candidates may bring any written materials of their
choosing to the P2 and R2 examinations, for their own Answers that demonstrate competency (the factors that
use. They are also allowed to use a battery-operated, non- really matter) and show that the candidate would be a
programmable calculator. No other electronic equipment safe transport manager in the real world, are likely to earn
may be brought into the examination. high marks. Answers that do not address the specifics of
the case study and the requirements of the question are
We want candidates to show they can SELECT and likely to earn fewer marks.
USE information, APPLYING their knowledge to show
understanding of that information. Professional Competence is defined in European
legislation. Candidates’ ability to demonstrate knowledge
Two hours and 15 minutes are allowed for both P2 and R2 and understanding of relevant legislation are key
papers. elements of this. The CPC examinations are designed
to test this knowledge and understanding, and some
OPEN BOOK = NO PRE-RELEASE questions require knowledge of industry best practice.
Candidates should remember that questions are likely
The case studies are not released before the start of the
to address events and issues from sectors in which they
examination. This prevents copying from model answers
do not work, or intend to work. The CPC is a ‘licence to
and helps to ensure that the papers test the ability to
practice’ and requires knowledge of both the successful
APPLY knowledge to unfamiliar circumstances.
management of a business and the specific legal
obligations involved in operating large vehicles in all
settings.

Certificate of Professional Competence 35 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

IF WE WANT A CANDIDATE TO DO Questions are explicit about the number of responses
required:
SOMETHING, WE:
‘Give FIVE documents…’.
• tell them that we want them to do it
‘Identify SIX items... ‘.
• tell them in how much detail
‘Describe FOUR actions...’.
• give them marks for doing it.

WE ALSO: QUESTION TYPES AND HOW TO

• tell them what gains marks APPROACH THEM
• tell them how many marks they can gain.
There are very few marks for showing JUST ‘what you The aim of this section is to give you information about:
know’. Candidates may still be asked to ‘give’ or ‘state’, but • the level of questions
these won’t just be items that can be easily found in texts. • the types of question we ask
For example, ‘For the loading operatives, give FIVE actions • common mistakes made by candidates when
to be taken BEFORE starting to load’ (Sept 2012, R2). interpreting question types
We are unlikely to be looking for simple facts stated • tips and techniques for approaching types of
in standard notes or documents. Instead, answers to questions.
questions like this require responses that directly relate to Regulation EC 1071/2009 states that the professional
the circumstances described in the case study. competence exam must be at Level 3: ‘The knowledge to
In this example, answers that gave actions to be taken be taken into consideration for the official recognition of
by the driver, and actions to be taken DURING or AFTER professional competence by Member States…may not be
loading earned no marks. below level 3‘.

QUESTIONS ARE TRANSPARENT ABOUT LEVEL 3

WHAT WILL AND WON’T GAIN MARKS The independent regulator, Ofqual, defines Level 3 as:
Examiners try very hard to be absolutely clear about what
Intellectual skills and Processes
candidates are expected to do. attributes
Questions are explicit about format: Apply knowledge and Operate in a variety of
'Draw a single combined chart’. ‘Show ALL your workings’. skills in a range of complex familiar and unfamiliar
activities, demonstrating contexts using a range of
‘Name each cost’. comprehension of relevant technical or learning skills
‘Complete the table below’. theories
Select from a considerable
‘Show start time, finish time and work mode for all activities’. Access and evaluate choice of procedures
information independently
Questions are explicit about instructions:
Analyse information and
‘Without amending running time, minimum stand time or make reasoned judgements
frequencies’. Employ a range of responses
‘Include in your answer any criteria which would have to be to well defined but often
met to achieve this’. unfamiliar or unpredictable
problems
‘Tachograph symbols are NOT acceptable’.
‘Give your answer to the nearest penny’.

Certificate of Professional Competence 36 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

When reading the case study and the questions,
candidates must be able to:
TIME MANAGEMENT
• evaluate the information in the case study Candidates should think about how much time to allocate
• analyse that information, and make judgements to each task in the exam. For example, a time plan for a
based on it 2-hour 15 minute paper might be:
• use technical and educational skill to manage • 15 minutes to read the case study, allowing a
unfamiliar and unpredictable information and further
questions. • 120 minutes to answer the questions.
When answering the questions, candidates must be able This would allow an average of (120/60 marks =) 2
to: minutes per mark.
• evaluate a question
However, candidates may choose to spend a little more
• choose the appropriate way to respond to its time on scheduling and costing questions, that have a
demands higher calculation element, and a little less time on the
• respond in a range of different ways more narrative style questions. Some candidates choose
• not just give facts but show they can apply the to start with the questions they feel most confident about;
knowledge they have some will start with a driver schedule or costing question;
• take part in ‘complex’ activities, such as some will simply answer the questions in the order they
are presented.
-- reflect complex information from a scenario
-- give a comprehensive explanation Practice with sample papers and past papers (available on
the relevant qualification page of the OCR website) should
-- complete a complex schedule or calculation. help candidates to plan time management in the exam
itself.
THE CASE STUDY – TIPS
• read ALL of the case study carefully TIPS
• highlight things that might be missed on a second Scan the questions after reading the case study to get
read an idea what the examiners are looking for, and to start
• remember: thinking about in which order to answer the questions.
-- We are not trying to ‘catch candidates out’. The next logical step would be to think about where the
-- The information needed is in the case study. necessary information can be found.
This case study is as short as possible, but Answer every question, if possible. Do not assume that
it must give enough information to allow enough marks have been earned and skip or skimp on the
candidates to understand the circumstances remaining questions.
being described, and to allow candidates to
select relevant information from a range of Don’t spend so much time on one question that another
items. question cannot be answered well or at all.
-- Relate answers to the case study. For Make sure the answer is to the question asked! Having
example, if a question asks for implications to redo a question takes time that could be better spent
for an operator’s licence, then candidates earning marks elsewhere.
must give the PARTICULAR implications for
the company whose licence is discussed in
the case study.
-- Reread the question and your response and
think ‘Have I answered the question?’

Certificate of Professional Competence 37 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

QUESTION TYPES AND HOW TO For example, ‘Give FOUR documents that must always be
APPROACH THEM carried on the vehicle outside the UK’.
 community licence isn’t specific enough,
because what actually must be carried is
1. TIPS FOR ALL TYPES OF QUESTION  a certified copy of the community licence.
The verbs used in questions (the ‘command words’) For example, ‘Give three pieces of information on the
tell candidates what is required of them. To get marks, driver daily vehicle check sheet’.
candidates MUST answer the question that has been
 The date isn’t specific enough for a check sheet
asked!
but the
Failing to follow the command word is probably the single
 date of vehicle inspection or date of fault
biggest cause of candidates scoring poorly.
rectification is.

CLARITY For example, ‘Give FIVE actions that a driver should carry
out on his load’.
The simplest tip of all is, BE CLEAR in answers. If an  Restraints is not action; even suitable restraints is
examiner can’t read an answer, they might not be able not action but
to see where it deserves marks. The exam is not a test of
spelling or grammar, but the following are important:  check restraints are suitable for the load IS an
• write tidily action!

• separate each answer

• use good English Caution! Check what comes after the give/state/identify.
Don’t let verbs like ‘give’, ‘state’ or ‘identify’ hide what the
• write in sentences, where appropriate (which is rest of the question asks for. ‘Identify’ is used to signify
usually!) that the simplest items of information is required. With
• show all workings the open book format, marks are rarely given for very
simple items that can come straight out of a book. Now,
• set out any calculations clearly and separately
when we use ‘identify’, we are asking the candidate to
• do NOT write in the right-hand margin, as this is engage in a thought process and give us the result of that.
reserved for the marker to record marks achieved.
• only use loose sheets for answers when there is no For example, ‘Identify where the plan does not meet the
more space in the answer booklet requirements of the legislation’.
• answers given on the additional paper should  The answer to this is not just 1st week but could
reference the question number. be
 The gap between inspection periods (the 1st
QUESTIONS week of January and the 3rd week of January) is
too long.
There are three ‘levels’ of depth required. The verbs used
fall into three categories.
2. Describe/outline/detail
1. Give/state/identify These verbs ask candidates to do more than just give
These are the least demanding of the command words. a simple answer. A broad definition of each of them is,
They do not require a full explanation, or a very detailed ‘characterise, give the main features or various aspects of,
description summarise’.
BUT, they do require the candidate to select the
right information/knowledge and demonstrate it We expect candidates to give details or a description. A
straightforwardly. few words or a list, will not be enough. Candidates should
ask themselves ‘HOW?’ and make sure that those details
These questions might also be phrased, ‘What are covered in their answer.
documents…’ or,
‘What items…’ and answers may need more than a couple
of words to make them item specific.

Certificate of Professional Competence 38 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

For example, ‘Describe TEN defects that would render the For example, ‘Explain the process which would enable
tyres illegal’. each subsidiary company to obtain its own Operator
Licence’.
 Cuts is not a description. Neither is Wear.
(Think: HOW? would each item render the tyres  GV79, TM1, advert. does not give DETAIL does
illegal)) not explain the PROCESS
 ‘Cuts in the tyre in excess of 25 mm’ or ‘Wear  Each subsidiary company needs to complete a
deep enough to expose the ply or cord’ give a GV79 form and submit it to DVSA at least 9 weeks
description – they contain detail. before the licence is required. It must place an
advertisement in a local paper 21 days… (etc.)

Caution! Beware of using ‘ensure’ as the verb in responses.

Usually ‘check’, ‘prove’, ‘submit’ or ‘provide’ etc will outline DON’ T FORGET to look at what comes after the verb:
actions more appropriately. • State which
3. Explain/analyse • Calculate whether or not
These verbs indicate the most challenging kind of • Explain how
question; they ask for depth, reasoning and judgement. A
• Explain why
definition of this command is, ‘define, offer reasons for or a
cause of, justify’. This is part of the question. If candidates miss this,
they may be answering the wrong question and losing
We expect candidates to do more than just describe in
opportunities to gain marks!
their answers. Instead, they must go into thorough detail
AND, where relevant, give reasons.
2. TIPS FOR ‘NON-NUMERICAL’ TYPE
Not all ‘Explains’ require reasons BUT candidates must
still go into detail AND answer the question. They should QUESTIONS
ask themselves ‘WHY?’ and make sure the ‘BECAUSE’ Three specific types of questions require particular
is covered. Candidates should check what they are approaches. This section addresses:
supposed to be explaining (a reason? process?) and make
sure that question is answered. • ‘Give FIVE’ questions
• Paired answer questions
Answers to this type of question need to be full sentences
that provide in-depth detail. • Organisation charts.

If a question asks for a process or steps, then that is what In ‘Give FIVE…’ style questions, only the number of
is required for the marks. answers stated in the question will be marked.
We tell candidates exactly what we expect from them
For example, ‘Explain how NINE additional or higher to gain the available marks and allow them to use their
costs could arise as a result of carrying out international time usefully. We reward candidates who know the right
journeys’. answers and who, therefore, show competency.
 Tolls. does not EXPLAIN how a higher cost arises This style of question prevents reward for ‘saturation
does not give details bombing’ in an attempt to gain marks from the small
 Tolls can create higher costs (WHY?) because percentage which may be right. To do otherwise would
many motorways in Europe charge tolls, unlike disadvantage candidates who respond to the question as
the UK where there is only one toll motorway. asked (and give only five answers).
For example, ‘For the criteria of financial standing, REMEMBER
explain what OCR will need to demonstrate to the Traffic
Commissioner’. ALL questions with numbers in them are marked in this
way and any number and verb can be used. So, you may
 €9 000/€5 000 does not EXPLAIN does not see ‘Explain TWO…’, or ‘Describe NINE…’.
go into detail
 OCR will need to show that it has (details) €9 000
for the first vehicle and €5 000 for every other
vehicle (WHY?) because it has to demonstrate
that there is enough money to keep the vehicles
in a fit and serviceable condition.

Certificate of Professional Competence 39 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

TIPS • If candidates have more than the required number
• Lay answers out clearly to avoid any confusion of potential answers, they should use the items
about where one response ends and a further for which they have (the best) explanation(s)/
response begins. reason(s), THEN use the items for which they have
no explanation/reason but feel confident of.
• Make sure each answer is plainly separate.
• Organisation chart questions will usually require
• Only give the number of answers requested. Don’t
candidates to draw a chart based on information
waste time on responses that won’t be marked.
about a transport organisation and its staff.
• If a candidate has more than X potential answers, Organisation charts will no longer have a mark
they should start with the ones they are most sure for a tidy/clear layout, but they may have a mark
of. available for ‘all the staff that are required and no
In ‘Paired answer’ type questions, candidates are asked to staff that aren’t’.
give a certain number of items and, for each item, give (for REMEMBER
example) an explanation or reason.
Candidates should include EVERYONE who they have
REMEMBER been asked to include, but exclude ANYONE who they
Where we ask for a certain number of items, only those have not been asked to include. The roles or titles used
provided by the candidate up to that number are marked, in the case study should be used and staff of ‘equal rank’
along with the explanation/reason that accompanies each should be at the same ‘height’ on the chart. Staff who
one. If an explanation or reason isn’t given for any of the have a manager/superior should be joined with a vertical
first number of required answers, candidates lose the line.
opportunity to gain those marks. TIPS
‘Paired answer’ questions • Draw clearly! If a chart cannot be interpreted, it will
not get full marks.
Give TWO personal documents the driver must carry and,
for each, explain why he/she must carry them. (4 marks) • Lines should be horizontal and vertical. There is
rarely a need for diagonal lines.
The prescription for his painkillers (1 mark) • Lines should be drawn straight, with a ruler.
A Driver Qualification Card (1 mark) • Staff titles should be placed in boxes, so they are
A letter of Attestation showing why the driver has easy to read.
missing driver’s hours records. • Colours should be avoided.
A letter of authority proving the driver has permission
from the owner to drive and use the vehicle. 3. TIPS FOR ALL ‘NUMERICAL’ TYPE
QUESTIONS
All four of the documents listed AND the two
explanations given are correct. But the question Questions requiring candidates to prepare a driver
requires the candidate to give TWO documents, and schedule and answer questions about costing and
FOR EACH give an explanation. So only the first TWO budgeting fall into this category. Marks are usually
items are marked, along with their explanation. As available for workings/calculations. If workings are absent
no explanation is given for either of the first TWO or cannot be read then they cannot be marked.
documents, the opportunity to gain two more marks TIPS
has been lost.
• Make calculations CLEAR.
• Make sure they are laid out TIDILY and can be read
This question asks: ‘WHY does he have to carry them?’. Not:
easily.
‘describe the documents’.
• Make sure each cost or item is NAMED.
TIPS
• Do each calculation separately and give an answer
• Lay answers out clearly. for each calculation. (This will help when making
• Keep each answer with its relevant explanation or corrections.)
reasons, and make each of these sets separate.
• Only give the number of items and explanations/
reasons requested. Don’t waste time giving
answers that won’t be marked.

Certificate of Professional Competence 40 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

• It may help to highlight relevant columns or data TIPS
in the case study before beginning. (Remember • READ the case study carefully. Pay attention to and
that the case study may contain data not relevant comply with:
to a particular question, either because the data is -- the company policies that may affect driving
needed for another question, or to test candidates’ -- the legislation which will affect driving
ability to access and select the correct information.)
-- the detailed requirements of the route.
• Check whether the question gives specific details • Spend time collecting the data needed to
about how much/how many: complete the schedule and use the data to plan
-- Is the answer to be given in £ or in €? your answer. You may be able to identify the key
-- Is the answer to be given to the nearest decisions required.
penny? • ‘Convert’ times correctly! 120 minutes is 2 hours,
-- Is the budget for a week? A day? A year? not 1hr 20 minutes and 2.25 hrs is 2 hours 15
minutes, not 2 hours 25 minutes.
-- Is the cost for a one way trip? A return? One
vehicle only? • Keep a ‘running total’ of accumulated hours down
the side so you can easily see when a driver has,
-- Is the calculation for all the buses? The ones for example, done 4.5 hours driving or worked for
on service A? 15 hours.
-- Is there a profit mark-up to be added? Does • Be clear about the activity – is it a break or a
it apply to all costs? rest? These are different activities and, where the
• Costing questions may require standing costs and distinction is important, marks are only awarded
running costs to be shown separately. Unless the for the correct one.
case study indicates otherwise, standing costs • Consider whether the schedule is, or should be,
include vehicle depreciation, vehicle insurance, single or double manned?
VED and administration costs and running costs • Pay attention and stick to:
including fuel, insurance, tyres and lubricant costs. -- TIMINGS/DURATIONS given. Candidates may
• Some costs do not fall naturally into either need to:
standing or running costs. Case studies will often ›› work forwards from a departure time
indicate how these costs are to be treated. If not ›› work backwards from a ferry, arrival
they may be included in either category without or activity completion time
penalty. ›› bear in mind durations for breaks or
• Examiners will not penalise candidates for loading/unloading/boarding
rounding differences unless the case study or -- when the schedule is to start and when it is
question states that the full number must be used. to finish
›› the end of Monday?
4. TIPS FOR DRIVER SCHEDULE TYPE ›› 24 hours from the driver’s start time?
›› don’t lose marks by giving too short a
QUESTIONS schedule or waste time by giving one
These types of questions require candidates to prepare that is too long!
a driver schedule based on case study information.
Sometimes, the question requires candidates to find error ‘HAVE I ANSWERED THE
and/or illegality in a given driver schedule.
QUESTION?’
REMEMBER
If a candidate’s schedule becomes illegal, then marking Candidates often give good answers, but NOT to the
stops at that point. It is, therefore, vital that candidates question being asked!
pay attention to, and comply with, the legislation that
Ask: HAVE I ANSWERED THE QUESTION I AM BEING
affects driving, breaks and rest periods.
ASKED?
If a particular ferry journey (or choice of sailings) is BEFORE beginning an answer, there are five things to be
involved in the schedule, or particular deliveries or looked for:
collections are required, then marking stops at any point • What?
where these are missed. If the distance to the destination • About?
is exceeded, marking again stops at that point. It is,
• Exactly?
therefore, vital that candidates calculate times accurately,
• Showing?
and pay attention to any company policies or rules that
are mentioned in the case study, as well as to the details • Answer!
of the route.

Certificate of Professional Competence 41 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

WHAT? Ask: EXACTLY what am I being asked to give?
• are there any specifics?
This is what the question is asking for. It is where the eye
goes first. It’s the ‘meat’ of the question. How long/much/when exactly?
• for the return journey
Ask: WHAT do they want from me? For example:
• the daily cost
• a schedule
• up until the departure from Milan
• documents
• defects What exactly?
• a tender • items other than vehicle parts and components
• personal documents
Make sure the given answer is what is asked for!
Who exactly?
For example, if asked for tyre defects that would make a
tyre ILLEGAL, don’t give examples of what makes a tyre • the drivers engaged on this service
LEGAL. • the loading operatives

ABOUT? SHOWING?
This is what the question is about. This is what candidates must SHOW in their answer and
Ask: I know what I have to give, but what ABOUT? how they should SHOW (present) their answer.
I have to give a schedule… about what? (The private hire Ask: what am I being asked to SHOW?
for the Reading Voice Choir)
Explicitly Implicitly And/For each
I have to give a tender… about what? (School contract
• Show all your • Give reasons for • For each,
A34)
workings your answer explain why
I have to give required documents… about what? (The • Name each cost • Show lines of • And what
operation to the Italian lakes) • In local time/ communication provisions
I have to calculate the costs... about what? (The delivery to in UTC/Add an • Include any apply to these
hour criteria that journeys
Nantes)
• Show standing/ need to be met • Include any
This information can usually be found: running costs criteria you’d
• immediately around the ‘what?’ separately need to meet
• in the stem or start of a sentence. • In GBP
A schedule for the wrong route/a costing for the wrong • A single
combined chart
contract = no marks!
• Give FIVE

EXACTLY?
This is the specifics of the question, the details about
exactly what is required. ANSWER?
This is the most crucial. It is the question candidates are
being asked to answer.
Ask: What question am I being asked to ANSWER?

Certificate of Professional Competence 42 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

Am I being asked to:
• EXPLAIN? Am I about to just state?
• DESCRIBE? Am I about to just give a list?
The VERB is what’s key (see ‘The verbs we use’)
• Doing this last may help candidates have the most
• important thing in mind as they put pen to paper.
• This is also an opportunity to take a step back and
ask again, ‘AM I ANSWERING THE QUESTION BEING
ASKED?’
How about exactly showing my answer?
An example:
• Consider the optional extras for the new vehicle to
be purchased for RBAS Schedule 1. For each of any
SIX items on the list, outline TWO benefits for the
driver or the company.
• What? Benefits
• About? Optional extras on Schedule 1 vehicle
• Exactly? For the driver or the company
• Showing? TWO benefits for any SIX I choose
• ANSWER? Give an OUTLINE!

CHIEF EXAMINER REPORTS

After the case study papers for each session have been
marked, and the pass mark has been set, the chief
examiner for the relevant exam (P2 and R2) publishes a
report that outlines the key performance issues arising
from the questions, and how they were answered.
These reports are published promptly on the OCR
website. They still give common wrong answers but are
now intended to put more emphasis on:
• giving help and guidance
• giving a guide to correct answers/calculations/
schedules
• outlining how any issues raised by centres and
candidates were addressed.

Certificate of Professional Competence 43 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

HOW PAPERS ARE MARKED
MULTIPLE-CHOICE PAPERS Symbol Means circled/underlined part is
Correct
The answer to each multiple-choice question is A, B, C or 1
Gains an available mark
D in every case. Every candidate response is, therefore,
awarded either one mark or no marks. Correct

No mark available for this calculation/line
The notional pass mark for the P1 and R1 papers is 70% of
the marks available (42 marks out of 60 marks). A notional 
Incorrect
pass mark is one which we have estimated may be applied Whether or not a mark is available
if the questions we have prepared enable candidates to
perform to the expected standard.
TICKS/CROSSES/‘1’S AND CIRCLING/
UNDERLINING
CASE STUDY PAPERS In long calculations/schedules, not every calculation/line
has an available mark.
Both the R2 and P2 papers have 60 marks available and
Ticks/crosses are there to help revision. They show what is
have a notional pass mark of 30 (50%).
correct/incorrect even when marks are not available.
Each candidate script is marked by an experienced
Circling/underlining is there to show which part of an
assessor, working from a mark scheme, as described
answer has been awarded or denied a mark.
below. Assessors submit a sample of the scripts allocated
to them to another assessor for quality control. The
second assessor re-marks the script and reports on any FIRST ‘X’ ANSWERS ONLY AND PAIRED
material differences. The sampling process does take ANSWERS
time, and is a major reason why results take some weeks
to emerge, but it is an important measure in achieving If a question specifies a certain number of items or
accuracy and consistency in marking. explanations, only that many are marked. So, you may see
a line and ‘first X answers only’. For example:
Marking – what you will see on a marked script and what
it means (see ‘Access to Scripts’ below)
‘Give TWO documents the driver must carry’ (2 marks)
• margin marks - ticks, crosses and ‘1’s The prescription for his painkillers (1)
• circling and underlining A letter of authority (1)
• ‘first five only’ A letter of Attestation first 2 only
• paired answers

Certificate of Professional Competence 44 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

FLEXIBILITY FOR CANDIDATES It is very important that all candidates are treated fairly,
regardless of which session they sit the paper. Having
to achieve a higher score on a more accessible paper is
We recognise that candidates are under exam conditions
the same as having to achieve a lower score on a more
and time pressure. For these reasons, we are considerate
demanding paper. We achieve this through ‘Awarding’, a
with regard to the answers candidates give. We do this via:
process that follows the marking of all scripts.
• mark schemes
• standardisation. AWARDING
MARK SCHEMES The awarding meeting is chaired by the chair of examiners
for the CPC. At the meeting, examiners who have marked
These documents are written at the same time as the the scripts look at a range of scripts and identify the mark
question paper and will list more correct answers than level achieved by the minimally competent candidates, by
marks available. This gives flexibility for assessors to consensus.
reward different ways of saying things and allows for As part of this consideration, examiners also review scripts
alternative answer formats. For example, in answer to representing the previous session’s minimally competent
a question about professional competence, the mark candidates (known as an archive). The pass mark is then
scheme may specify, ‘accept transport manager OR set. The number and percentage of candidates passing is
qualified professionally competent person’. Note that only considered afterwards.
while either answer will gain a mark, a candidate who
writes both answers will still only earn one mark.
Different methods of arriving at the right answer are taken
into account. For example, in a double-manned driver-
scheduling question, a mark scheme may specify, ‘accept
any legal division of driving/other duties’ and assessors
will award marks accordingly.

STANDARDISATION
Once marking has started, acceptable answers not
originally in the mark scheme are added by the
examiners. This allows other ways of calculating/
scheduling and rewards creativity. It also allows examiners
to be responsive to any issues candidates might have
encountered and to issues raised by centres.

FAIRNESS FOR CANDIDATES

All question papers go through a rigorous setting process,
which includes setting and revising of the content,
and culminates in an Assessment Materials Evaluation
Committee (AMEC) meeting. The meeting is chaired
by the chair of examiners for the CPC qualification. The
subject experts committee evaluates the question paper,
the mark scheme and (where applicable) the case study,
to ensure that the content is within the specification,
is error free and of a consistently demanding level
compared with previous papers to maintain comparability
of demand of these question papers. The outcomes of
how accessible a question paper is can only be fully
judged once an entire cohort of candidates have had their
papers marked.

Certificate of Professional Competence 45 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

ADMINISTRATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR CPC
For full details of the administration arrangements for CPC please follow the link to OCR's Administration area on our
website www.ocr.org.uk/administration/.

POST-ASSESSMENT SERVICES
Our post-assessment services promote fairness by
allowing centres to see how a candidate’s script was
POST-ASSESSMENT SERVICES –
marked and request a review of that marking. The services TIPS
available are ‘Access to Scripts’ and ‘Enquiries about
• Use the ATS service first. This may save you/your
Results’.
candidate time and money.
They MUST be requested by the centre (NOT by the • Use i. or ii. if a candidate is near to the pass mark
candidate), directly from the ATS/EAR team. and wishes to have their script reviewed in case it
Centres should go to the OCR website: changes their result.
http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/request-a-post-results- • Use iii. if a candidate wishes to have feedback
service/ to assist them with revision and improve their
chances of passing a future paper.
ACCESS TO SCRIPTS (ATS)
This service delivers a scan of a candidate’s marked script.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT RESULTS (EAR)

This service provides for a review of the marking of a
script. There are three levels of EAR available:
i. marking is clerically checked
ii. marking is reviewed by another examiner, without
a report
iii. marking is reviewed by another examiner, with a
report (also available for a group).
Reviewing examiners mark the script again to give a
second opinion. They are not trying to ‘find marks’ or
upgrade a candidate and they are not trying to ‘preserve’
the original result.

Certificate of Professional Competence 46 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

APPENDIX A: USEFUL DOCUMENTS
It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list, but past
experience shows that some of the below may be useful
when answering questions in the open book case study
examination.

• RHA/FTA Conditions of Carriage

• PSV Conduct Regulations
• Articles of Association
• Memorandum of Association
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Trading Certificate
• IN01
• Working Time Regulations
• EU 165/2014
• EC 561/2006
• EC 1071/2009
• Directive 2002/15/EC
• Directive 2006/22/EC
• Directive 2003/59/EC
• Directive 96/53EC
• Package Travel Regulations
• Operator Licencing documentation- see
specification F1
• DVSA’s Operator Compliance Risk Score guidance
• Community Licences
• TIR Convention
• PSV Accessibility Regulations
• DVSA ‘Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness’
• The Safe Operators Guide
• The Code of Practice - Safety of Loads on Vehicles
• Directive 2008/68/EC
• Regulation EC 1013/2006
• Highway Code
• Road Traffic Acts
• European Accident Statement
• The appropriate DVSA Guide to Drivers Hours
• PSV 437 - PSV Operator Licensing, a Guide for
Operators
• PSV 350 - Application to Register a Local Bus
Service

Certificate of Professional Competence 47 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide

Contact us
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Certificate of Professional Competence 48 Syllabus, Student and Tutor Guide