Application
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to drive a medium rigid vehicle safely in accordance with the licence requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to medium rigid vehicles. It includes systematically and efficiently controlling vehicle functions, monitoring traffic and road conditions, managing vehicle condition and performance, and effectively managing hazardous situations. Types of vehicles include all medium rigid vehicles, for example any 2-axle rigid vehicle, including trucks and buses greater than 8 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM). Driving is performed with limited or minimum supervision, within duty of care responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Drive medium rigid vehicle | 1.1 | Medium rigid vehicle is started, steered, manoeuvred, positioned and stopped in accordance with traffic regulations and manufacturer instructions |
1.2 | Engine power is managed to ensure efficiency and performance and to minimise engine and transmission damage | ||
1.3 | Engine operation is maintained within manufacturer specified torque range and temperature, through effective transmission use | ||
1.4 | Braking system of medium rigid vehicle is managed and operated to ensure effective control of vehicle under all conditions | ||
1.5 | Driving hazards are identified and/or anticipated and avoided or controlled through defensive driving | ||
1.6 | Medium rigid vehicle is driven in reverse, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning | ||
1.7 | Medium rigid vehicle is parked, shut down and secured in accordance with manufacturer specifications, traffic regulations and workplace procedures | ||
1.8 | Appropriate procedures are followed in a driving emergency | ||
2 | Monitor traffic and road conditions | 2.1 | Most efficient travel route is taken through monitoring and anticipating traffic flows and conditions, road standards and other factors likely to cause delays or route deviations |
2.2 | Traffic and road conditions are constantly monitored and acted on to enable safe operation and to ensure no injury to people or damage to property, equipment, loads and facilities | ||
3 | Monitor and maintain vehicle performance | 3.1 | Vehicle performance is maintained through pre-operational vehicle inspections and checks |
3.2 | Performance and efficiency of vehicle operation is monitored during use | ||
3.3 | Defective or irregular performance or malfunctions are reported to appropriate authority | ||
3.4 | Vehicle records are maintained/updated and information is processed in accordance with workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include: |
applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards carrying out pre-operational checks checking and replenishing fluids and carry out lubrication processes completing relevant documentation monitoring and anticipating traffic hazards and taking appropriate action monitoring equipment performance reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures. |
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of: |
causes and effects of fatigue on drivers differences between transmission types driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques efficient driving techniques engine power management and safe driving strategies factors that increase fatigue-related accidents factors that may cause traffic delays and diversions, and related action that can be taken by a driver fatigue management strategies including on-road techniques lifestyles that promote effective long-term management of fatigue map reading and road navigation techniques including the use of a global positioning system (GPS) device medium rigid vehicle controls, instruments and indicators, and their use medium rigid vehicle handling procedures pre-operational checks carried out on vehicle and related action principles of operation of air brakes and procedures for their use principles of stress management when driving a vehicle procedures to be followed in a driving emergency relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations relevant state/territory road traffic authority road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements workplace driving and operational instructions. |
Assessment Conditions
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment. As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment. Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions. Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate. Assessment of this unit may be undertaken within a licensing examination conducted by, or under the authority of, the relevant state/territory road traffic authority. Resources for assessment include: a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals. |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.
Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
C – Vehicle Operation