Friday, 4 May 2018
Austroads has published a review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework.
The Framework established minimum competency standards for heavy vehicle drivers. The review of the Framework evaluated the governance of heavy vehicle driver training and assessment as well as the content of training courses and the competencies required for heavy vehicle driver training and trainers.
The review identified that the standard of training and assessment is often inadequate, with some drivers obtaining a heavy vehicle licence after undertaking training that ran for less than one day. The review recommends that minimum training lengths, including behind the wheel time, be established with stronger regulator input to training content.
The review found that while the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector provides some level of oversight it is not sufficient to ensure the quality and integrity of outsourced licensing services. The review recommends transport regulators take a more active role in setting and monitoring training standards.
The review also recommends a training-based approach to heavy vehicle driver skill development and, despite some issues with the VET sector, suggests this training is best delivered through VET providers. It also recognises a need for specific training to up-skill trainers and assessors in licensing competencies.
Current licence progression is based on time served on lower licence classes. The review recommends an approach that recognises competency based on genuine skill development to ensure safety outcomes. Practical on-road supervised experience is highly regarded by industry and the review recommends the inclusion of minimum supervised driving hours, like that required in most jurisdictions for young drivers.
The report recommends that the Framework cater for both insourced and outsourced delivery and provide an equivalent level of competency attainment, under a training or test-based approach to assessment.
While the future Framework must cater for specific jurisdictional requirements, its focus should be to promote nationally consistent high quality heavy vehicle licensing standards.
Report link: Review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework