Exams

Home / Education & Exams / Exams / CPC in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management

CPC in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management is designed to meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009.

CILT is the examining body for the CPC in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Achievement of the TM CPC demonstrates that the holder of the qualification is qualified to perform effective and continuous management of undertakings engaged in road transport operations within any EU member state.

This TM CPC is for managers who wish to become transport managers or who want to set up their own transport business.

Businesses transporting 8+ people per vehicle require a transport manager with a CPC in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management.

Transport Manager CPC in Road Passenger Transport

Key Facts
Qualification: TM CPC (Road Passenger Transport)
Purpose: Professional competence for Transport Manager role
Awarding Body: CILT Ireland (on behalf of Department of Transport)
Training Requirement: Minimum 100 hours tuition
Assessment: Multiple Choice + Case Study
Coverage: National & EU passenger operations
Outcome: Qualification required for Operator Licence

Overview

The Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (TM CPC) in Road Passenger Transport is a legally required qualification for those responsible for managing passenger transport operations.

It is designed to meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 and demonstrates that the holder has the professional competence to manage passenger transport services safely, legally and efficiently.

CILT Ireland acts as the examining body on behalf of the Department of Transport. Courses are delivered by approved training providers.

Who is this qualification for?

Individuals who wish to become a Passenger Transport Manager
Operators setting up or managing bus or coach businesses
Supervisors responsible for compliance, scheduling or operations
Professionals in public transport, private hire or coach services

Course Content

While EU Regulation 1071, Annex 1 establishes 8 topic areas and 52 Learning Outcomes, CILT have refined the TM CPC syllabus to be structured around four key areas:

1. Managing Business Operations

Business law and organisation
Financial management and cost control
Commercial and operational planning

2. Managing Drivers and Staff

Drivers’ hours and working time rules
Driver licensing and qualifications
Employment law and staff management

3. Managing Compliance & Risk

Operator licensing requirements
Passenger safety and legal obligations
Vehicle maintenance and inspections

4. Managing Passenger Transport Operations

Timetabling and scheduling services
Route planning and operational control
Fares, revenue and ticketing systems
Public service and customer considerations

Course Requirements

Minimum of 100 hours tuition with an approved provider
Additional independent study is strongly recommended
Courses must be completed before sitting the examination

TM CPC Examination

Structure

The examination consists of two papers taken on the same day:

Paper 1 – Multiple Choice
2 hours, closed book, 40 questions
Paper 2 – Case Study
2.5 hours, open book, based on a passenger transport scenario

Case Study Approach

The case study requires candidates to analyse a passenger transport operation, identify issues and apply appropriate management decisions.

Questions typically involve areas such as scheduling, passenger safety, compliance and operational decision-making.

Marks are awarded for applying knowledge to real-world scenarios rather than simply recalling facts.

Pass Requirements

Overall pass mark: 60%
Minimum of 50% in each paper
Re-sit of one paper may be permitted under certain conditions

Exam Schedule 2026

Exam Date: 2 December 2026

Application Deadline: 18 November 2026

Locations

Dublin – Westmanstown Sports & Conference Centre
Cork – Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa
Galway – The Connacht Hotel

Exam Fees

€285

Full fee applies even where only one paper is re-sat under a ‘Fail Special’.

Results

Issued within 40 working days
Results are provided by email only

Frequently Asked Questions

Qualification

Is the TM CPC on the NFQ?
No. It is a professional qualification required under EU legislation.
Do I need to renew it?
No renewal is currently required.

Examination

How do I apply?
Through your approved course provider.
Can I appeal my result?
Yes. Appeals must be submitted within 15 working days.

General

Does Driver CPC qualify me?
No. This is a separate qualification.
CPC vs Operator Licence?
The CPC qualifies a Transport Manager; the Operator Licence allows a business to operate.

CPC Exam

Candidates must sit two exams to achieve a CPC in Road Transport Operations Management.

Once the candidate has chosen an approved CPC provider to study with, the provider will then register the candidate as an exam candidate via the CILT website before the course begins.

An automated email of log in details will be sent to the candidate. This will provide the candidate with:

‘M’ Number and Password
Link to Member / Candidate portal of the website
There, the candidate can check their personal details are correct
Book and pay for the exam, upon reciept of fees CILT will activate an e-book license and post a hard copy of the approved training manual.

A minimum of 100 hours of tuition must be provided by the course provider.
Along with attending classes, students are also ADVISED to spend a further 100 hours in home study, to read and widen their knowledge, to revise and prepare for examinations.

Examination Format

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport as of from June 2026 changed
the Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competency examination to the following format:

Overview

Candidates must complete two examination papers.

Paper 1 – Multiple Choice

Closed book
2 hours
40 multiple-choice questions
Pass standard for the paper is 60%, which the manual states as 24 correct answers.

Paper 2 – Case Study

Open book
2.5 hours
Based on a fictitious transport-company scenario
Candidates must read the scenario, analyse it and answer a number of questions

For paper Two, candidates will be allowed to bring in a current copy the TM CPC Training Manual.

A scientific Calculator is allowed, but no "Smart" devices can be utlised in the exam.

The answers to Paper One must be written on the question exam paper. Answers to Paper Two must be written in the Answer Booklet provided. Neither booklet are permitted to leave the examination hall but must be returned to an invigilator.

Examination Marking

Candidates will sit both exam papers on the same day

Morning: Paper One (10:00 to 12:00)

A multiple choice examination containing 40 questions. Two hours will be allowed for the examination and candidates will not be allowed to take any reference material into the examination room. The styles of multi-choice questioning will always require the selection of one correct answer from four alternatives.

Afternoon: Paper Two (14:00 to 16:30)

This examination lasts for two and a half hours and candidates will be permitted to take the approved current TM CPC manual into the case study examination. In the examination room candidates are given a scenario containing information about a fictitious transport company; they must read and analyse this information.

They are then asked to answer a number of questions in the remaining time available.

The candidate must receive an overall pass mark of 60%.

Candidates must also achieve a minimum of 50% in each paper.

Examination Marking Scheme

Both Papers - pass mark is 60% (240 marks)

Examination Format:

Paper One Multiple Choice Questions 10 marks each = 400 marks

Paper Two Case Study = 400 marks

The Case Study question is compulsory in all TM CPC exams. The question is designed to assess a candidates understanding, and or application of the subject matter, not just their knowledge of it.

Note: All students achieving between 55%-59% will automatically have their exam papers rechecked.

Note: A special provision exists for candidates who fail to achieve the overall 60% requirement, but who achieves 60% or over in either Paper One or Paper Two and who also achieve a minimum 50% in the other paper.
Such candidates will only be required to re-sit the failed paper (at the next examination date), this is known as a ‘Fail Special’.

Where a candidate fails to avail of this option or fails to achieve a 60% minimum in the re-sit paper, he/she will be required to re-sit the full examination (Papers One and Two) at their next attempt.

Candidates who have not been successful will receive an email outlining their results and giving details for repeating the examination, if they wish to do so. Based on their results they will be advised as to whether they need to re-sit one or both examinations.

Notification of Results

Candidates will be notified in 40 working days from the date after the exam.

Working days for our office are Monday to Friday and the office is closed on Bank Holidays.

Results will be emailed and NO results will be given out over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement copy of my CPC in Road Transport Operations Management?

Yes you can. To apply for a duplicate or replacement certificate of professional competence it costs €25. Please fill out this Form and return it to us.
Is the TM CPC Certificate on the QQI / NFQ Framework? - NO

QQI stands for Quality and Qualifications Ireland - the body that regulates courses for further education and training and higher education in Ireland.

The TM CPC Certificate is a PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION ONLY and DOES NOT have any QQI / NFQ / FETAC level associated to it.
Course title

This course meets the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 on admission to the occupation of road haulage operator and road passenger operator and the right to freedom of establishment in national and international transport operations.
Sample Exam Papers

The following sample papers have been compiled by our Chief Examiner and are provided solely for the purpose of illustrating how those planning to sit a TM CPC exam can expect to be assessed.

Candidates are required to complete two papers on exam day, Paper one is taken in the morning and Paper two in the afternoon.

STRUCTURE OF THE EXAM

Paper One contains 40 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ’s) which carry 10 marks each. The MCQ’s have a question followed by up to 4 optional answers, from which candidates should pick just one. There is only one correct answer for these questions.

Answers to Paper One questions must be written in the space provided after each question inside the question booklet.

Paper Two is a comprehensive case study with associated questions. These questions should be answered in the answer book provided.

Both question and answer booklet must be handed back to the invigilator beofre departing the exam room.

Whether practicing with a sample paper or sitting the live exam, candidates are encouraged to carefully read and follow the Instructions set-out on the cover page of each paper or section introduction.

Candidates should note that these papers are for illustrative purposes only, none of these questions in either of these two papers would normally appear in any of the live exams.

___________________________________________

Most TM CPC training providers include some useful advice and or coaching on how to tackle the exam papers. Some even include a mock exam which can be helpful to many students. However, it is important to study the course material, become familiar with and most importantly to understand it, and its application in the real world of transport management. Our experience is that those who attend the full course, undertake at least the minimum additional home study recommendations generally do very well in the real exam.

The CILT contacts each registered candidate before the exam date and provides useful information to help candidates prepare for the real exam. Take time to carefully study the advice and if you have any questions raise them with your training provider.

Best of luck with your studies and exam preparation.

Chairperson - Education Committee

Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport

Sample RP Paper 1

Sample RP Paper 2
Can I get my CPC Number if I have lost / misplaced my Certificate?

If you cannot find your CPC Number we cannot give this out over the phone due to GDPR reasons.
You will have to apply for a duplicate / replacement certificate of professional competence it costs €25.00.
Please complete the CPC Replacement Form return it to us.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Professional Competence and an Operator Licence?

A Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management is a qualification that allows the holder to act as transport manager in a road transport undertaking. It is not a licence to operate in the road transport sector. Every road transport undertaking must hold an Operator Licence in order to operate for hire or reward, and one of the conditions of the licence is that the operator must have a qualified transport manager i.e. a person who holds a CPC.
I have a Driver CPC. Does this qualify me to act as a transport manager?

No. Driver CPC was introduced by EU regulation to set and maintain high standards of road safety, health and safety and driving among professional drivers of buses and trucks and is administered by the Road Safety Authority. It is not related to the CPC in Road Passenger Transport Management administered by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Can I Appeal my Exam Result?

Yes, there is an appeal system.
1. CPC candidates may appeal their results in writing by email to exams@cilt.ie
2. Quote your Candidate Registration number (e.g. M111234) as reference.
3. On receipt of a letter of appeal, the candidate’s examination paper is sent to the External Examiner for recheck.
4. The appeal process is available for 15 Working Days after a candidate has been notified of their results.
5. Candidates will be given results of their appeal within four weeks of the closing date of the appeal.
6. There is a cost of €45.00 for rechecking your exam. This can be given by cheque or by card payment over the phone.
Will the CPC cover both national and international operations?

This qualification covers Irish and EU requirements for professional competence. It is not valid outside of the EU.
Can I Buy an up-to-date TM CPC Manual for my own reference?

The manual is included in the exam fee for all candidates. We can post it directly to the candidate, with postage charged separately at €20, or the provider can collect it from our office to arrange distribution to their own candidates.

Each copy supplied in this way includes a two-year e-book licence and one annual update pack for the printed manual, available on request.

If you have already completed your TM CPC examination some time ago you can buy the up-to-date TM CPC Manual from us.

Standalone copies are also available to those who are not sitting the exam.

·      Printed copy only (including three annual update packs, available on request): €185 + €20 postage

·      E-book (permanent licence, including annual updates): €85

Please note that annual update packs must be purchased and used in sequence. Each pack contains updates for that year only, so any missed year cannot be covered by buying a later pack.

·      Annual update pack: €30 + postage

Please contact the office on 01 676 3188 or email info@cilt.ie with your request.

Payment can be take over the phone.
Why is there a need for a CPC?

To ensure that there are no barriers that would prevent an operator from plying their trade, for example, in Ireland, France or the rest of the EU, the EU Commission proposed that all transport operators should operate under a common system of rules and that each operator would do the same course across Europe. This course, therefore, seeks to promote awareness of what is required to effectively and continuously manage a transport business anywhere in the European Union.
Do you have to renew your CPC in Road Passenger Transport Operations management at any point?

Currently, no you don’t.
I passed by CPC in the UK / Northern Ireland - How do I get a Copy of my Certificate?

You will have to contact the UK organisation you completed your exam with, these are:

The OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA)
Email contact in CILT UK
Email contact for FTA UK

Approved CPC Course Providers

To be eligible to sit the CPC in Road Passenger Transport Operations Management exams a candidate must first select a course provider approved by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Only approved providers are in a position to put forward candidates for examination.

ADTA

4 Church Avenue, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

Tel: 086 795 8001 / (044) 9345740

Contact: Yvonne Sheehan

Email: Yvonne@adta.ie

Web: www.adta.ie

Pat O Donovan CPC

Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork

Contact: Pat Donovan

Tel: 087 9678754

Email: patodonovancpc@gmail.com