Safe Driving of Heavy Vehicles

This Product is for any person who is required to drive a heavy vehicle* on company business, is employed as a driver (in the plant or on public roads) or is a local hire driver under company responsibility. This training also applies to personnel using a heavy vehicle on behalf of a company.

*The definition of what constitutes a heavy vehicle is subject to regional or country-specific variations and may be determined but either the vehicle kerb/unladen weight or the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)/laden weight. For the purposes of this training, the definition of a heavy vehicle is one that has a minimum kerb/unladen weight of 2.5 metric tons (5500lbs), unless deemed otherwise by regional definitions where training is to be conducted

The aim of the training is to ensure that all personnel required to drive a heavy vehicle can do so safely and in line with relevant driving-related laws/ regulations

The objectives of this training are that learners will be able to:

1) Identify and gain an understanding of local driving laws/regulations, heavy vehicle driving hazards, vehicle familiarisation and safety features, journey planning, and safety/preventive measures when driving a heavy vehicle

2) Demonstrate driving a heavy vehicle safely, using the right techniques and following road appropriate procedures.

Learners must hold a valid driver’s license for the type of heavy vehicle intended to be used and which is valid in the location where training is to be conducted.

Medical entry requirements

Training activities contained within this Product may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements. All personnel who participate in such activities must be capable of participating fully.

Therefore, OPITO-approved training centres are required, as a minimum, to ensure that prior to participating in practical exercises the learner is declared fit, in that they:

a)Possess an employing company approved medical certificate equivalent to an offshore medical certificate.

OR

b)Undergo medical screening by completing an appropriate medical screening form provided by the OPITO-approved Centre

The OPITO-approved Centre shall keep a record of the learners’ declaration(s) of fitness in accordance with their document control policy(s) or procedures. This information, along with summary details of the type of physical activities the learner will be asked to perform, will be given to learners by the OPITO approved Centre and, if applicable, to their sponsoring company as part of the joining instructions. The responsibility for declaring any current or pre-existing medical conditions that could have adverse effects to the individual’s state of health while undertaking the training and/or assessment activities lies with the learner and/or company sponsoring the learner. Where doubt exists regarding the fitness of any learner, the OPITO-approved Centre must direct the individual to consult a medical officer familiar with the nature and extent of the training.

Note: Practical exercises must be designed and delivered solely to meet this Product and must not place on the learners any demands other than those required to meet the Product.

To achieve the Safe Driving of Heavy Vehicles Training the learner will need to complete the 6 mandatory units. If required, and time permits, extra coaching may be given to learners by the centre to enable them to reach the standard which leads to the award of a certificate. However, the time available during a programme may be limited and it should be recognised there may be occasions where other arrangements need to be made for further training. If any learner fails to meet the standard, in the opinion of the assessor and after reasonable tuition, the entire Safe Driving of Heavy Vehicles Training programme must be repeated for the learner to be awarded the certificate.

The optimum guided learning hours for this training programme is 24 hours.

Upon completion of the Safe Driving of Heavy Vehicles Standard and in compliance with employer and/or regional regulations and requirements, the learner will have the relevant knowledge and skills to operate heavy vehicles as defined by their employer, in the workplace, therefore allowing for further progression in professional development. For certain types of heavy vehicles including but not limited to tankers, articulated buses, refuse collection vehicles, emergency response vehicles and multi trailer vehicles, additional, specialist training may be required (regional variations may apply). In such instances it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure appropriate training and assessments are undertaken by drivers

Please note: If the expiry date on the learners previous certificate is within 3 months prior of the course enrolment date then the date of the new certificate should correspond with the expiry date of the existing/previous certificate unless stated otherwise by the Duty Holder or Asset Owner or Operator.