Glossary
The words of driving,
explained plainly
The acronyms and terms that keep coming up in driver training, road safety and work-related road risk. For the words of day-to-day management — packages, record books, initial assessments, payment schedules, credit notes —, see the words of running a driving school.
- REMC — the official driver training framework (Référentiel pour l'Éducation à une Mobilité Citoyenne)
- The official syllabus for category B licence training. It builds learning around skills rather than plain hours: controlling the vehicle, moving in traffic, sharing the road, and driving independently and safely.
- DUER — the single risk assessment document (Document Unique d'Évaluation des Risques)
- A document every employer must keep, listing occupational risks — road risk among them — and the preventive action taken. A training certificate can be filed in it.
- Work-related road risk
- The risk of a crash on journeys made for work, whether commuting or travelling on business. The leading cause of fatal accidents at work in France.
- OPCO — skills funding body (Opérateur de Compétences)
- The body that funds vocational training for companies in its industry sector. It can cover all or part of a road safety course.
- Qualiopi
- The national quality certification for training providers. Without it there is no access to public or pooled funding, the OPCOs included.
- Eco-driving
- A set of driving techniques that cut fuel use, wear on the vehicle and CO₂ emissions: reading the road ahead, engine speed, a steady pace. Good for the budget and for the environment.
- A1 / A2 / A licences
- The categories of the motorcycle licence: A1 (from 16, up to 125 cm³), A2 (limited power), A (full access, after two years on A2 and a bridging course).
- AAC — accompanied driving from 15 (Apprentissage Anticipé de la Conduite)
- Learning to drive alongside a supervising adult: open from the age of 15, to build up experience before the test. It raises the pass rate and safety markedly.
- Plateau & circulation
- The two practical tests of the motorcycle licence: the plateau (handling, off the road) and the circulation (riding in real traffic).
- ANTS — Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés
- The State agency that handles official documents: registering for the driving test (the NEPH number), then producing and tracking the licence itself.
- Prefectural approval (agrément préfectoral)
- The authorisation issued by the prefecture to run a driver training establishment. Governed by the arrêté du 9 février 2026 on driving schools.
- Road safety awareness session
- A preventive session, often half a day or a full day, for employees, volunteers or public servants: the risks, good practice, sharing the road. Not the same thing as a qualifying course.
A term missing?
The glossary grows regularly. Tell me a term that is not here and I will add it.