Application
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 combination 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 combination 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 Combination 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 Combination 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. |
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1Drive the heavy combination vehicle | 1.1 The heavy combination 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 combination 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 combination vehicle is driven in reverse, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning 1.6 The heavy combination vehicle is parked, uncoupled, 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 Prime mover and trailer are correctly aligned and coupled 3.4 Coupled vehicle is checked and tested to ensure it is correctly secured and to confirm that it is fully operational 3.5 Performance and efficiency of vehicle operation is monitored during use |
Required Skills
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 combination vehicle controls, instruments and indicators and their use |
Heavy combination 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 combination vehicle and related action |
Differences between transmission types |
Principles of operation of air brakes and procedures for their use |
Driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques |
Map reading and navigation of the vehicle and related action (including prescribed routes) |
Factors which may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can be taken by a driver |
Principles of stress management when driving a vehicle |
Causes and effects of fatigue on drivers |
Fatigue management strategies including on-road techniques |
Required skills: |
Communicate effectively with others when driving a heavy combination vehicle |
Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the driving of a heavy combination vehicle |
Complete documentation related to the driving of a heavy combination vehicle |
Monitor and anticipate traffic hazards and take appropriate action |
Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments |
Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques |
Apply map reading and road navigation techniques to the operation of a heavy combination vehicle |
Monitor performance of vehicle, its trailers and its equipment and take appropriate action where required |
Evidence Required
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 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. EXCEPTION Where the candidate is already the holder of a valid Australian driver licence of the Heavy Combination class, the Licensing Authority has already deemed the candidate to be competent against this standard for the purposes of issuing a driver licence. In this case the requirement to conduct the assessment using the Mandatory Assessment Instrument provided by the Licensing Authority is waived and the assessor may use any suitable process and materials for conducting the assessment. |
Range Statement
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 combination vehicles that may be driven on public and private roads and work sites |
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 checks of coupling equipment |
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 (examples only): | 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 combination vehicle driving licence/permit requirements vehicle log book or record book (where required) |
Applicable procedures and codes may include: | relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence requirements pertaining to heavy combination 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 |
Sectors
Not Applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor