Guidance

DVSA earned recognition TfL Contractual Requirements module training syllabus

Published 6 January 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. Driving safely and sustainably (environmental awareness training courses) 

1.1 Explain why there is a need to reduce environmental impact and improve air quality 

Learning outcomes: 

• describe how road traffic contributes to climate change, poor air quality and the impact on public health  

• list the types of air pollutants and greenhouse gases produced by road transport 

• outline the UK government’s targets and to commitment to decarbonise road transport 

• list the city measures and restrictions in place to reduce negative impacts of road transport emissions 

1.2 Check your vehicle and in-vehicle technology to reduce emissions 

Learning outcomes: 

• describe the vehicle checks and routine maintenance needed to achieve efficient fuel use 

• describe the importance of wheels and tyre condition and their impact on fuel efficiency 

• explain how vehicle loads and load security can affect aerodynamics and efficiency 

1.3 Plan journeys to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions 

Learning outcomes: 

• reduce road miles driven through efficient journey planning 

• develop and follow route plans and use journey planning tools 

• explain how road type, traffic conditions, weather and other factors can affect journeys taken 

1.4 Apply eco-driving techniques to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions 

Learning outcomes: 

• explain how safe driving techniques improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions 

• compare the main differences between efficient and inefficient driving techniques 

• list the key principles and benefits of eco-driving techniques 

1.5 Describe the latest renewable fuels available for commercial and passenger vehicles 

Learning outcomes: 

• name the Euro standard engine types and their year of introduction 

• describe in-vehicle technology and on-board efficiency features 

• list the advantages and disadvantages of alternative, renewable and non-renewable fuels 

2. Licence obligations and responsibilities

2.1 Establish and maintain continuous and effective management of the fleet operation 

Learning outcomes: 

• outline the operator licensing process 

• list the 11 operator licence undertakings 

• describe the responsibilities of a transport manager and what is meant by good repute and fitness 

• determine the number of transport manager working hours needed to demonstrate effective control of a fleet 

2.2 Manage driver proficiency and competence 

Learning outcomes: 

• describe the licensing criteria for vocational drivers 

• list the minimum legal driver training requirements 

• state the driver qualifications needed for specialist operations 

2.3 Manage vocational driver conduct 

Learning outcomes: 

• assess the road safety requirements of a fleet operation 

• implement driving standards measures such as seatbelts, monitoring speed, mobile phones use policies 

2.4 Manage driver time to ensure compliance with the law 

Learning outcomes: 

• state the EU and GB domestic drivers’ hours rules 

• state rules for working time and mobile workers 

• describe the requirements for tachograph and record keeping 

2.5 Know the vehicle requirements to meet construction and use regulations 

Learning outcomes: 

• state the requirements for maintaining roadworthiness of a vehicle 

• recognise the importance of walkaround checks and defect reports 

• list the types and frequency of vehicle inspections 

2.6 Know the load or passenger requirements to meet construction and use regulations 

Learning outcomes for goods vehicles: 

• state the requirements for safe loading and load restraint 

• explain how to determine vehicle weights, dimensions and abnormal loads 

Learning outcomes for public service vehicles: 

• state the requirements for safe baggage loading and restraint 

• describe the requirements to keep passengers safe 

2.7 Maintain internal fleet quality management procedures 

Learning outcomes: 

• list the fleet management records that need to be kept and for how long 

• conduct managerial checks on driver related undertakings 

• conduct managerial checks on vehicle related undertakings 

• conduct managerial checks on operational undertakings 

2.8 Know the regulatory regime and the consequences of non-compliance 

Learning outcomes: 

• state the role of the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain 

• list the enforcement bodies and their powers 

• identify the key features of enforcement regimes such as Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) and DVSA earned recognition 

3. Counterterrorism and security  

3.1 Appreciate how ISO 28000 (Security Management for the Supply Chain) specifies the requirements for a security management system 

Learning outcomes: 

• describe the general rationale for organisations to adopt ISO 28000:2007, such as developing a security management system, internal compliance with objectives of a security management policy, and external compliance with best practice benchmarks 

• describe supply chain security (SCS) - SCS refers to enhancing the security of the supply chain, the transport and logistics system for the world’s cargo. It combines traditional practices of supply chain management with the security requirements driven by threats such as terrorism, piracy and theft 

• help your company with the implementation of its security management policy, such as the Department for Transport’s guidance for vehicles not being used as weapons 

3.2 Identify possible indicators of suspicious activity and how to report them 

Learning outcomes: 

• recognise the ‘out of the ordinary, at your place of work’ and know who to report them to 

• list possible indicators that have been associated with terrorist activity 

• know what information to record and in what order to help the emergency services shape their plan of action 

3.3 Actively help prevent attack by maintaining security protocols 

Learning outcomes: 

• list the basic drills to prevent loss of live, damage, theft and reputation 

• describe how these basic actions could deter a potential attack 

• list the actions to be carried out on finding a suspicious package or object 

• describe the A to H/S method to describe a person - age, build, characteristics, distinguishing marks, elevation, face, gait, height, sex (male or female) 

• explain evacuation procedures and know the police advice to run­ hide-tell in the event of a terrorist attack 

• know where to find and complete the notification of freight crime offence form