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Key Facts: Permis C (Poids Lourd) Exam

10 Qs (min 5)

Written Interrogation (< 5 is eliminatory)

Arrêté du 23 avril 2012

> 16 pts

Plateau Passing Score (strictly > 16)

Arrêté du 23 avril 2012

9h / 10h

Max Daily Driving Time (10h twice/wk)

Regulation (EC) No 561/2006

32 tonnes

Max PTAC for 4-Axle Rigid Truck

Code de la route Art. R. 312-4

French Permis C authorizes driving rigid heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. The state examination under Arrêté du 23 avril 2012 consists of an off-road plateau test (30 minutes, including a mandatory 10-question written interrogation on 8 official themes where fewer than 5 correct answers is eliminatory, vehicle safety checks, oral fiches, and reverse maneuvering, requiring strictly >16 points to pass) followed by an on-road circulation test (60 minutes, requiring min 17/28 points). Tested topics include EU Regulation 561/2006 driving hours, tachographs, pneumatic brakes, axle load limits, speed restrictions, and weekend heavy vehicle bans.

Sample Permis C (Poids Lourd) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Permis C (Poids Lourd) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under EU Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 (Réglementation Sociale Européenne), what is the standard maximum daily driving time for a category C heavy goods vehicle driver?

A.8 hours, extendable to 9 hours twice a week

B.9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week

C.10 hours, extendable to 11 hours once a week

D.9 hours, with no extensions permitted

Explanation: Under Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, standard daily driving time must not exceed 9 hours. It may be extended to a maximum of 10 hours not more than twice during the week.

2What is the maximum total weekly driving time allowed under EU Regulation (EC) No 561/2006?

A.48 hours

B.56 hours

C.60 hours

D.65 hours

Explanation: The maximum weekly driving time for a professional heavy vehicle driver is capped at 56 hours. Additionally, the driver must comply with the maximum weekly working time set by Directive 2002/15/EC (average 48 hours, maximum 60 hours total work).

3What is the maximum accumulated driving time allowed over any two consecutive weeks for a category C driver?

A.80 hours

B.90 hours

C.100 hours

D.112 hours

Explanation: Under EU social regulations, accumulated driving time across any two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours. If a driver accumulates 56 hours in the first week, they may not drive more than 34 hours in the second week.

4After a continuous driving period of 4.5 hours, what is the mandatory minimum break that a heavy vehicle driver must take?

A.30 uninterrupted minutes

B.45 uninterrupted minutes

C.60 uninterrupted minutes

D.15 uninterrupted minutes

Explanation: After a driving period of 4.5 hours, a driver must take an uninterrupted break of at least 45 minutes, unless they take a rest period. During this break, the driver cannot perform any driving or other work.

5If a driver chooses to split the mandatory 45-minute driving break during a 4.5-hour driving period, how must it be partitioned?

A.Three separate periods of at least 15 minutes each

B.A first break of at least 15 minutes followed by a second break of at least 30 minutes

C.A first break of at least 30 minutes followed by a second break of at least 15 minutes

D.Two equal periods of at least 22.5 minutes each

Explanation: Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 stipulates that the 45-minute break may be replaced by a break of at least 15 minutes followed by a break of at least 30 minutes, distributed over the period in that exact order. Inverting the order (e.g., 30 min then 15 min) is non-compliant.

6What is the standard regular daily rest period (repos journalier régulier) required for a single driver within each 24-hour period?

A.At least 9 consecutive hours

B.At least 10 consecutive hours

C.At least 11 consecutive hours

D.At least 12 consecutive hours

Explanation: A regular daily rest period must be at least 11 consecutive hours within each 24-hour period after the end of the previous rest period. Alternatively, it can be taken in two periods (split rest of 3 hours + 9 hours).

7When a driver splits their regular daily rest period (repos journalier fractionné), what are the minimum durations and order required?

A.Two periods of at least 6 hours each

B.A first period of at least 3 consecutive hours followed by a second period of at least 9 consecutive hours

C.A first period of at least 4 consecutive hours followed by a second period of at least 8 consecutive hours

D.A first period of at least 9 consecutive hours followed by a second period of at least 3 consecutive hours

Explanation: Under EU rules, a split regular daily rest requires a total of at least 12 hours taken in two tranches: the first must be an uninterrupted period of at least 3 hours, and the second an uninterrupted period of at least 9 hours. The order cannot be reversed.

8How does Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 define the 'week' used to count the two extended daily driving periods and the 56-hour weekly driving limit?

A.Any rolling period of 7 consecutive days starting from the driver's first shift

B.The period from 00:00 on Monday to 24:00 on Sunday

C.The employer's payroll week, which each undertaking may define in its own working rules

D.The period between two weekly rest periods, whenever they happen to fall

Explanation: Article 4(i) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 defines a week as the period between 00:00 on Monday and 24:00 on Sunday. That fixed calendar frame is what caps weekly driving at 56 hours and limits the extension of daily driving to 10 hours to twice per week. It is not the same reference as the two-consecutive-week 90-hour ceiling or as the interval between two weekly rests, which are counted separately.

9What is the duration of a standard regular weekly rest period (repos hebdomadaire régulier)?

A.At least 36 consecutive hours

B.At least 45 consecutive hours

C.At least 48 consecutive hours

D.At least 60 consecutive hours

Explanation: A regular weekly rest period must be at least 45 consecutive hours. Under the Mobility Package, this regular 45-hour rest cannot be taken inside the vehicle cab and must be taken in suitable gender-friendly accommodation paid for by the employer.

10When a driver takes a reduced weekly rest period (repos hebdomadaire réduit) of at least 24 hours, how and when must the reduction be compensated?

A.It must be compensated en bloc by equivalent rest attached to another rest period of at least 9 hours before the end of the third week following the week in question

B.It can be compensated in 1-hour increments added to daily breaks within 14 days

C.It does not need to be compensated if the driver takes two full days off in the following month

D.It must be paid out in financial compensation on the driver's monthly payslip

Explanation: Any reduction in weekly rest (the difference between 45 hours and the rest taken, which must be at least 24 hours) must be compensated en bloc before the end of the third week following the week in question, attached to another rest period of at least 9 hours.

About the Permis C (Poids Lourd) Exam

Category C of the French driving licence authorizes driving rigid commercial motor vehicles intended for the transport of goods whose maximum authorized mass (PTAC) exceeds 3,500 kg (with an optional trailer not exceeding 750 kg). Governed by the Arrêté du 23 avril 2012, the examination is conducted by an IPCSR and comprises a 30-minute off-road plateau test (incorporating a 10-question written interrogation drawn from 8 official themes, comprehensive vehicle safety inspections, an oral safety fiche interrogation, and precision reverse maneuvering) followed by a 60-minute on-road circulation test. Candidates must hold a valid category B licence and be at least 21 years old (or 18 if enrolled in a qualifying professional transport qualification such as FIMO, CAP, or Titre Professionnel). This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation covering EU driving hours (Regulation 561/2006), tachograph management, pneumatic braking circuits, truck dimensions and axle weight limits, transport documentation, and road safety protocols.

Exam sponsor: Délégation à la Sécurité Routière (DSR) / Ministère de l'Intérieur. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The state examination has two stages under Arrêté du 23 avril 2012: (1) Épreuve hors circulation (30 minutes) comprising a 10-question written interrogation (min 5/10 to avoid elimination), vehicle safety checks (vérifications courantes de sécurité), an oral interrogation fiche, and a reverse maneuvering test, requiring strictly > 16 points; (2) Épreuve en circulation (60 minutes) on varied roads requiring min 17 points.

Time Limit

90 minutes (30 min plateau + 60 min circulation)

Passing Score

Strictly > 16 points on off-road plateau test with min 5/10 on written interrogation; min 17/28 on circulation

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 30 (Code de la route ETG fee if not exempt) plus professional driving school training fees

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

European Social Regulations (RSE) and Tachographs

EU Regulation 561/2006, 9h daily driving (10h twice/week), 45-minute breaks (split 15+30), daily/weekly rest, and digital tachograph cards

20%

Vehicle Dimensions, Masses and Transport Law

Maximum rigid length (12m), width (2.55m/2.60m), gross weight limits (19t 2-axle, 26t 3-axle, 32t 4-axle), and consignment notes (lettre de voiture)

15%

Pneumatic Braking and Mechanical Systems

Compressed air generation, air dryer, four-circuit protection valve, spring brakes (vases à ressort), dual pressure gauge, and auxiliary retarders

15%

Traffic Regulations and Driving Restrictions

Specific HGV speed limits (80/90 km/h), weekend driving prohibitions (Saturday 22h to Sunday 22h), and 50m minimum following distance

15%

Vehicle Equipment and Driver Fitness

Speed limiter set to 90 km/h, mandatory Class IV/V/VI mirrors, blind-spot markings (Angles Morts), alcohol/drug limits, and medical evaluations

15%

Degraded Situations, Accidents and Safety Checks

Tire blowout protocols, engine fires, hazardous cargo leaks, emergency triangles, and systematic walk-around pre-trip inspections

Preparing for the Permis C (Poids Lourd) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Strictly > 16 points on off-road plateau test with min 5/10 on written interrogation; min 17/28 on circulation
Assessment: The state examination has two stages under Arrêté du 23 avril 2012: (1) Épreuve hors circulation (30 minutes) comprising a 10-question written interrogation (min 5/10 to avoid elimination), vehicle safety checks (vérifications courantes de sécurité), an oral interrogation fiche, and a reverse maneuvering test, requiring strictly > 16 points; (2) Épreuve en circulation (60 minutes) on varied roads requiring min 17 points.
Time limit: 90 minutes (30 min plateau + 60 min circulation)
Exam / certification fees: EUR 30 (Code de la route ETG fee if not exempt) plus professional driving school training fees Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Permis C (Poids Lourd): Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the 8 official themes of the written interrogation: accidents, driver, equipment, RSE, transport rules, weights/dimensions, traffic rules, and mechanics

2Memorize EU driving and rest rules: 4h30 driving followed by 45 min break (or 15 min then 30 min), 11h daily rest (or 9h reduced max 3 times/week), and 45h weekly rest

3Understand the pneumatic braking circuit: compressor, air dryer (dessiccateur), governor, reservoir tanks at 8-10 bar, service chambers, and spring brakes

4Learn the exact statutory weight limits: 19t (2 axles), 26t (3 axles), 32t (4 axles), and maximum rigid vehicle length of 12.00 meters

5Practice the systematic walk-around check (vérifications courantes de sécurité): fluid levels, belt tension, tire condition and lug nuts, lighting, mirrors, and safety equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure and pass mark of the Permis C written interrogation (interrogation écrite)?

The interrogation écrite takes place at the start of the off-road plateau test. It consists of 10 questions selected from an official bank covering 8 themes. Scoring fewer than 5 correct answers is an eliminatory failure (note éliminatoire) which terminates the examination immediately.

What total score is required to pass the Permis C off-road plateau test?

Under the Arrêté du 23 avril 2012, admission to the circulation test requires obtaining strictly more than 16 points (i.e. at least 17 points) across the written test, vehicle safety checks, oral interrogation fiche, and maneuvering exercise, with no eliminatory marks.

What are the standard daily and weekly driving time limits under EU Regulation 561/2006?

The maximum standard daily driving time is 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per calendar week. Maximum weekly driving time is 56 hours, and maximum fortnightly driving time across two consecutive weeks is 90 hours.

What are the maximum statutory gross weights (PTAC) for rigid heavy goods vehicles in France?

Under the French Code de la route: 19 tonnes for a 2-axle rigid truck, 26 tonnes for a 3-axle rigid truck, and 32 tonnes for a 4-axle rigid truck. Single driving axle load is capped at 13 tonnes in France (11.5 tonnes in cross-border EU traffic).

What are the weekend driving restrictions for heavy goods vehicles in France?

General road freight vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes PTAC are prohibited from driving throughout France on Saturdays and eves of public holidays from 22:00 until Sundays or public holidays at 22:00, subject to specific derogations for perishable goods or livestock.