CPC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CPC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Why is it important to check mirrors and camera systems before moving off? → To identify vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians in blind spots
2. How often must an HGV undergo an annual test (equivalent to MOT) in the UK? → Annually, from 1 year old
3. What is the speed limit for an HGV over 7.5 tonnes on a motorway in England and Wales? → 60 mph
4. A driver smells strong fumes inside the cab whilst driving. What is the correct action? → Stop in a safe place, leave the vehicle, and investigate the source before continuing
5. What is the legal requirement regarding a driver's responsibility for vehicle condition? → The driver shares responsibility and must not drive a vehicle they know to be defective
6. What does DVSA prohibition notice category 'S' (serious) mean? → The vehicle must not be driven until the defect is repaired and the prohibition is cleared
7. What type of fire extinguisher should be carried in the cab of an HGV, and what class of fire is it for? → Dry powder or CO₂ suitable for Class A (solids), B (liquids) and electrical fires
8. What do speed limiters fitted to HGVs restrict goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to in the UK? → 56 mph
9. How long must a driver take as a break after 4.5 hours of driving? → 45 minutes (which may be split as 15+30 in that order)
10. After a road traffic accident involving injury, within what time must a driver report it to the police if details could not be exchanged at the scene? → 24 hours
11. What does the acronym PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher? → Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
12. Which driving practice wastes the most fuel on urban HGV deliveries? → Repeatedly accelerating hard followed by hard braking at traffic signals and junctions
13. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Road Traffic Act 1988, what is the legal limit for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, cannabis) in blood for a driver? → 2 µg/L
14. When conducting a daily walkaround check on an HGV, which of the following should be inspected? → Tyres, lights, mirrors, brakes, fluid levels, bodywork, and load security
15. What is the maximum authorised mass (MAM) threshold above which a driver requires a Driver CPC? → 3.5 tonnes
16. How often must data from a digital tachograph vehicle unit be downloaded? → At least every 90 days
17. How does tyre pressure affect fuel consumption? → Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, increasing fuel consumption by up to 3%
18. Why is customer service important for a professional HGV driver? → The driver represents the company and good service builds reputation and repeat business
19. Where should vehicle occupants wait after a breakdown on a motorway? → Behind the safety barrier away from the carriageway
20. What is the purpose of a digital tachograph? → To record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and other work
21. What is the minimum age for a professional driver to hold a Category C licence for HGV driving? → 18 years
22. What does 'duty of care' require of a professional driver at the scene of an emergency incident? → A legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to others
23. If a load shifts during transit causing the vehicle to become unstable, the driver should: → Stop safely as soon as possible, secure the load or arrange assistance before resuming
24. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, what is the legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales (blood alcohol)? → 80 mg per 100 ml of blood
25. What is the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone while driving in the UK (as of 2023)? → £200 fixed penalty and 6 points on the licence
26. What type of fire extinguisher is most appropriate for an electrical fire in a vehicle cab? → CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguisher
27. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for drivers who exceed driving hours can be issued by: → DVSA examiners and police officers at the roadside
28. When is it permitted to use hazard warning lights whilst the vehicle is moving? → On a motorway to warn drivers behind of a sudden obstruction or queue ahead
29. What information should a driver communicate to the customer upon arrival at a delivery point? → Their name, company, purpose of visit, and any relevant delivery documentation
30. What is the main danger when an HGV driver is overtaking a cyclist? → The HGV's blind spots and air displacement can pull the cyclist towards the vehicle