- AdBlue: a fluid used in modern diesel engines to cut emissions.
- Annual test: the yearly roadworthiness test for goods vehicles and trailers over 3.5 tonnes.
- CPC: Certificate of Professional Competence, either for drivers (Driver CPC) or transport managers.
- Defect: a fault on the vehicle that affects safety, legality or operation.
- DVLA: the agency for driver and vehicle licensing.
- DVSA: the agency for vehicle standards, tests and enforcement.
- Fifth wheel: the coupling plate on a tractor unit that the trailer kingpin locks into.
- GVW: gross vehicle weight.
- Kingpin: the pin under the front of a semi-trailer.
- MOT: annual test for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
- OCRS: Operator Compliance Risk Score.
- O-licence: operator licence for goods vehicles.
- PMI: planned preventive maintenance inspection.
- Prohibition: a DVSA order that stops a vehicle being used until it is fixed.
- Plating certificate: a document showing a vehicle's or trailer's plated weights.
- Rigid: a lorry with the body and cab on one chassis.
- Tachograph: a device that records driving time, breaks and rest.
- Tractor unit: the cab and engine that pulls a semi-trailer.
- Traffic Commissioner: the regulator for operator licences.
- Walkaround check: the driver's daily pre-use check of the vehicle.
See also the HGV walkaround check guide.
Related
DVSA roadworthiness guide explainedA plain English summary of what DVSA expects from operators: driver daily checks, defect reporting, planned inspections, brake tests and records.GuidesPlain English guides to daily walkaround checks, checklists, defect reporting, record keeping and choosing software, written for UK fleet operators and drivers.