Fleet - Glossary of Terms 

People, Roles & Qualifications

Transport Manager (TM)
The person responsible for ensuring vehicles and drivers operate safely, legally, and compliantly.

Fleet Engineer (FE)
Responsible for the maintenance, safety, and roadworthiness of vehicles.

Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
A qualification required for Transport Managers, confirming professional knowledge of transport operations.

Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC)
Ongoing training required for professional drivers to keep their licence valid.

Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA)
Advises on the safe and legal transport of hazardous goods.

Government Bodies & Authorities

DVLA – Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Registers vehicles, issues driving licences, and manages road tax in Great Britain.

DVSA – Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Carries out roadside inspections, vehicle testing, and MOT enforcement.

DVA – Driver and Vehicle Agency
The DVLA/DVSA equivalent for Northern Ireland.

DfT – Department for Transport
The UK government department responsible for transport policy and regulation.

Traffic Commissioner (TC)
Regulates operator licences and oversees compliance.

Legal, Compliance & Enforcement

Operator Licence (O Licence)
A licence required to operate certain goods or passenger vehicles.

Public Inquiry (PI)
A formal hearing where the Traffic Commissioner reviews serious compliance issues.

Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS)
A DVSA rating indicating an operator’s compliance history.

Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
A fine for traffic or parking violations.

Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
A notice stating that a driving offence may be prosecuted.

Vehicles & Terminology

HGV / LGV (Large Goods Vehicle)
Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, often referred to as lorries or trucks.

LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle)
Vans and smaller commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes.

PCV / PSV (Passenger Carrying / Service Vehicle)
Vehicles used to carry passengers, such as buses and coaches.

Maintenance, Testing & Safety

Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI)
Regular inspections to ensure vehicles remain safe and roadworthy.

MOT Test
Annual roadworthiness test required for most vehicles over three years old.

Vehicle Off Road (VOR)
A vehicle that cannot be used until defects are fixed.

Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)
Declares a vehicle is not being used on public roads.

LOLER
Regulations covering lifting equipment safety.

PUWER
Ensures work equipment is safe and properly maintained.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
Electrical safety testing of portable equipment.

Environment, Emissions & Charging Zones

Road Fund Licence (RFL) / Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
The tax paid to use a vehicle on UK public roads.

Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
Areas where higher‑polluting vehicles may be charged or restricted.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
Zones with stricter emissions standards, usually in cities.

Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2)
Emissions testing under real‑world driving conditions.

Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC)
Certification that may allow tax or charge reductions for cleaner vehicles.

Electric & Alternative Vehicles

Electric Vehicle (EV)
Any vehicle powered partly or fully by electricity.

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Fully electric vehicles with no petrol or diesel engine.

Plug‑in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Uses electricity for shorter journeys, with a fuel engine as backup.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
Not plug‑in; charges through driving and braking.

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
Traditional petrol or diesel engine vehicles.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)
Powered by hydrogen, producing electricity onboard.

Batteries, Charging & Performance

Battery Capacity (kWh)
The total amount of energy a battery can store.

State of Charge (SoC)
How full a battery currently is (shown as a percentage).

Charging Speed (kW)
How quickly electricity is delivered during charging.

Charging Time
The time taken to charge a vehicle’s battery.

Charging Window / Dwell Time
The time a vehicle is parked and available to charge.

Miles Per Kilowatt Hour (MPkWh)
Efficiency measure for electric vehicles — similar to MPG.

Charging Types & Infrastructure

AC Charging (Alternating Current)
Slower charging, typically used at homes and workplaces.

DC Charging (Direct Current)
Faster charging, commonly used at public rapid chargers.

Fast / Rapid / Ultra‑Rapid Charging

• Fast: 7–22kW
• Rapid: 50kW+
• Ultra‑Rapid: 150kW+

Charge Point Operator (CPO)
A business that owns and operates charging stations.

Charge Point Management System (CPMS)
Software that manages charging sessions, payments, and performance.

Plug & Charge
Charging starts automatically when the vehicle is plugged in.

Idle Fees
Charges applied when a vehicle remains plugged in after charging is complete.

Grid, Energy & Smart Charging

kW (Kilowatt)
A measure of power.

kWh (Kilowatt Hour)
A measure of energy (capacity or usage).

Load Balancing / Active Load Management
Smart control of electricity across multiple chargers.

Off‑Peak Charging
Charging when electricity is cheaper and greener.

Smart Charging
Charging that adjusts automatically based on grid demand or price.

Grid Connection
The physical connection between chargers and the electricity network.

Decarbonisation & Sustainability

Decarbonisation
Reducing carbon emissions by switching to cleaner fuels and vehicles.

Carbon Neutral
Balancing emissions by reducing them and offsetting the rest.

Net Zero
Reducing emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining emissions.

Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions

• Scope 1: Direct emissions (fuel use)
• Scope 2: Electricity emissions
• Scope 3: Wider indirect emissions

Well‑to‑Wheel Emissions
Measures emissions from energy production through to vehicle use.

Alternative Fuels & Emerging Technology

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
A renewable diesel alternative that can significantly reduce emissions.

Hydrogen (Green / Blue / Grey)
Different hydrogen types based on how they are produced.

Vehicle‑to‑Grid (V2G)
Allows vehicles to send energy back to the grid.

Vehicle‑to‑Load (V2L)
Use an EV to power tools or equipment.

Vehicle‑to‑Home / Building (V2H / V2B)
Electric vehicles supplying power back to homes or buildings.

Cost, Performance & Data

Driving Licence Number (DLN)
A unique identifier for a driver’s licence.

Pence Per Mile (PPM)
A measure of vehicle running cost.

Miles Per Gallon (MPG)
Fuel efficiency for petrol and diesel vehicles.

Kilometres Per Gallon (KMPG)
Metric fuel efficiency measurement.

Motor Insurance Database (MID)
UK database showing insured vehicles.

Schemes, Insurance & Standards

Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS)
A voluntary fleet compliance and best‑practice accreditation.

Earned Recognition (ER)
DVSA scheme offering reduced inspections for compliant operators.

Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)
Insurance covering the difference between vehicle value and finance if written off.