Driving must be carried out in compliance with the licence requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to heavy rigid vehicles.

Driving is performed with limited or minimum supervision, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Driving involves the application of routine vehicle driving principles and procedures to maintain the safety and operation of a heavy rigid vehicle across a variety of driving contexts.

Licensing/Legislative Requirements

The primary legislative requirements applicable to this unit of competency are State/Territory legislation in relation to road use and driver licensing.

This unit addresses the underlying knowledge and skills necessary for the granting of a Heavy Rigid Driver Licence. Drivers may require additional training to drive particular vehicles of the class or in particular contexts.

Obtaining this competency is a necessary pre-requisite for obtaining a Heavy Rigid Driver Licence. However, it is only one of several criteria for obtaining the licence. Prospective licence applicants should check with the State/Territory driver licensing authority for other criteria (for example: licence tenure and medical fitness) to confirm compliance with other eligibility requirements before undertaking training and/or assessment.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Drive the heavy rigid vehicle

1.1 The heavy rigid vehicle is started, steered, manoeuvred, positioned and stopped in accordance with traffic regulations and manufacturers instructions

1.2 Engine power is managed to ensure efficiency and performance and to minimise engine and gear damage

1.3 Braking system of heavy rigid vehicle is managed and operated to ensure effective control of the vehicle under all conditions

1.4 Driving hazards are identified and/or anticipated and avoided or controlled through defensive driving

1.5 The heavy rigid vehicle is driven in reverse, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning.

1.6 The heavy rigid vehicle is parked, shut down and secured in accordance with traffic regulations, safe and secure

1.7 Load is safely and effectively restrained

1.8 Where required, overwidth and overweight permit applications are undertaken in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements

1.9 Appropriate procedures are followed in the event of a driving emergency

2Monitor traffic and road conditions

2.1 An appropriate route of travel is observed taking into account prescribed routes.

2.2 Traffic and road conditions are constantly monitored and acted upon to enable safe operation and ensure no injury to people or damage to property, equipment loads and facilities

2.3 Interaction with other road users is conducted courteously and in accordance with road rules to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow

3Monitor and maintain vehicle performance

3.1 Vehicle performance is maintained through pre-operational inspections and checks of the vehicle

3.2 Appropriate signage, lights and the like are checked for operational effectiveness and for conformity to prescribed traffic regulations

3.3 Performance and efficiency of vehicle operation is monitored during use

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Relevant road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements of the relevant state/territory road traffic authority

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Heavy rigid vehicle controls, instruments and indicators and their use

Heavy rigid vehicle handling procedures

Procedures to be followed in the event of a driving emergency

Engine power management and safe driving strategies

Efficient driving techniques

Pre-operational checks carried out on heavy rigid vehicle and related action

Differences between transmission types

Principles of operation of air brakes and procedures for their use

Map reading and navigation of the vehicle and related action (including prescribed routes)

Driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques

Principles of stress management when driving a vehicle

Factors which may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can be taken by a driver

Causes and effects of fatigue on drivers

Fatigue management strategies and on-road techniques

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when driving a heavy rigid vehicle

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to when the driving of a heavy rigid vehicle

Complete documentation related to the driving of a heavy rigid vehicle

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when driving a heavy rigid vehicle

Monitor and anticipate traffic hazards and take appropriate action

Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

Monitor performance of the vehicle and its equipment and take appropriate action where required

Carry out pre-operational checks

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills

relevant legislation

other relevant aspects of the range statement

Assessment of competency for this unit must be subject to the successful completion of the Mandatory Assessment Instrument as approved by the Licensing Authority

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations on road or in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

The mandatory assessment tool provided by the Licensing Authority must be used to conduct the final assessment.

The Licensing Authority may prescribe approved routes which must be used for the conduct of the final assessment

Practical driving aspects must be assessed in a vehicle typical of the class as approved by the Licensing Authority. The use of simulators for driver testing is not permitted.

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations on road or in the workplace

The assessor must use the mandatory assessment tool provided by the Licensing Authority to conduct the assessment for this unit in accordance with Licensing Authority requirements

Practical driving aspects must be assessed in a vehicle typical of the class as approved by the Licensing Authority. The use of simulators for driver testing is not permitted.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Type of vehicle includes:

all heavy rigid vehicles, for example any rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles, including trucks or buses, greater than 8 tonnes GVM

Driving may be carried out in typical road transport situations, including:

operations conducted at day or night

typical weather conditions

on the open road

on a private road

while at a depot, base or warehouse

while at a client's workplace or work site

Driving must be carried out in typical road transport situations, including:

negotiating hills

negotiating a range of more complex traffic infrastructure (for example; roundabouts, traffic lights, stalemate intersections, level crossings of railways)

Vehicle handling procedures may include:

starting a vehicle

steering and manoeuvring a vehicle

accelerating and braking

positioning and stopping a vehicle

reversing a vehicle

operating vehicle controls, instruments and indicators

using air brakes

using defensive driving techniques

managing engine performance

Pre-operational checks may include:

visual check of vehicle

checking and topping up of fluid levels

checks of tyre pressures

checks of operation of vehicle lights and indicators

checks of brakes

Driving hazards may include (examples only):

wet and iced roads

oil on road

animals and objects on road

fire in vehicle

leaking fuel

faulty brakes

parked vehicles on the road

faulty steering mechanism on vehicle

pedestrians crossing the road

flooded sections of road

windy sections of road

foggy conditions

Factors that can cause traffic delays and diversions may include:

traffic accidents

flooded sections of road

road damage

bridge/tunnel damage

road works

building construction

emergency situations such as bushfires, building fires, etc.

road closures for special events such as marches, parades, sporting events, etc

holiday traffic

road closures for utility works such as electricity, water, sewerage, telecommunications, gas, etc.

Documentation/records may include:

state/territory heavy rigid vehicle driving licence and permit requirements

vehicle log book or record book (where required)

relevant standards and certification requirements

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence/permit requirements pertaining to heavy rigid vehicles

relevant state/territory road rules

relevant state/territory permit regulations and requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.