With a growing freight task and changing vehicle fleet, Australia requires well-trained and capable heavy vehicle drivers. That starts with effective and robust driver licensing.
The National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework (Framework) was developed collaboratively by governments to establish minimum competency and assessment standards for heavy vehicle drivers across Australia. While the Framework was intended to apply in all states and territories, it has only been implemented in four jurisdictions: New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory.
At the request of transport ministers, Austroads has been undertaking an extensive program of work to review and improve the Framework.
For an update on the status of the project, watch the webinar below.
Background
The project was delivered by a highly qualified consortium, led by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILT-A), in collaboration with the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), the National Road Safety Partnership Program and the National Truck Accident Research Centre.
The consortium was led by Dr Kim Hassall, National Chair of CILT-A and Professor Sharon Newman, former Associate Director of the Systems Safety Team at MUARC.
Frontier Economics prepared the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) and Decision RIS. Engagement and communications work was coordinated by Judy Oswin Consulting.
The review aimed to identify a harmonised Australian licence training and assessment framework that produces safe and competent heavy vehicle drivers and reflects the current and future needs of heavy vehicle operators and the future freight task.
Heavy vehicle operators, the driver training industry, and licensing authorities have been engaged throughout all stages of the review which included:
- reviewing the current approaches to licensing in Australia drawing out similarities, differences, and risks, as well as opportunities
- reviewing overseas licensing practice and seeking to identify trends and areas of better practice
- considering research findings in areas including learning models, factors impacting safe driving and heavy vehicle crash rates, and licensing systems and programs
- seeking industry feedback about issues with the current licensing system, job readiness of licence holders, and the learnings from industry-based training programs.
Based on this program of work, in August 2022, Austroads published a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (Consultation RIS) documenting proposed changes to the Framework.
What we heard in the consultation
The feedback on the Consultation RIS included approximately 250 formal and informal submissions from heavy vehicle operators, governments, drivers, driver trainers and others.
A summary of the feedback details the levels of support for the different proposals, with most of the submissions in support of the proposed changes.
Some concerns and questions were raised about some of the suggestions. Based on that feedback, the following proposals will not be progressed:
- requiring a person to hold an open/full car licence before gaining their first heavy vehicle licence
- splitting the current MC class into three – although other options to build skills in operating the most complex heavy vehicles, such as industry-based learning, will be explored
- requiring drivers to have a period of post licence supervised driving.
Key areas of change
The consultation feedback and updated options for the Framework were documented in a Decision Regulation Impact Statement (Decision RIS) and considered by infrastructure and transport ministers in late 2023.
The Ministers agreed in-principle to the following changes:
- Strengthening driving skill and knowledge through redesigned learning and assessment requirements specific to each licence class as well as setting minimum course lengths and minimum behind-the-wheel time.
- Introducing experience-based progression options enabling those drivers who can demonstrate driving and work experience to move to higher licence classes more rapidly.
- Strengthening training governance and assisting providers with training and assessment support material.
Austroads will lead a program of work to investigate issues associated with the proposal to manage individual driver risk through new licence history eligibility criteria. This will be considered by relevant jurisdictions when deciding whether to progress with this policy reform.
What’s next
Austroads will be leading a national program of work in conjunction with the states and territories to support harmonised implementation. Implementation of each reform will be subject to jurisdictional investigation, resourcing and approvals. The program will be rolled out in stages and is anticipated to be implemented in phases and take a number of years to be put in place.
Austroads will be actively engaging with the driver training and heavy vehicle industries providing information, as well as opportunities for input into on-the-ground delivery elements. More information will be provided over the next few months.
Jurisdictional engagement
The Austroads Registration and Licensing Task Force is providing oversight and a multi-jurisdictional implementation task force will be tasked with overseeing jurisdictional implementation programs. The Austroads Board will be updated on progress every quarter.
Related updates
December 2023 Ministers approve reform package to improve road safety and productivity
August 2022 Have your say on proposed changes to the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework
Nov 2020 Delivering safety for heavy vehicle licensing
Sep 2019 Review of the National Framework for Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency – Phase 2
May 2018 Review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework
Nov 2016 Hazard perception test video clip development world first
Project contacts
Email driver@austroads.com.au if you have any questions about the project.
Sign up to the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework mailing list to receive updates about the project.
Updated: 19 December 2023
