Course Content

To meet RTA rules there are 46 items of competency for rigid vehicles that must be signed off in your HVCBA logbook, and 47 for combination vehicles. When this is done the RTA use your completed logbook to update your licence over the counter and there is no further testing required.

The following is an example of the Competency Based learning process…which is undertaken after you first pass the RTA Knowledge Test and then buy the RTA Heavy Vehicle Competency Assessment Logbook and Learner’s Guide. The 76 page Learner’s Guide outlines all the compulsory training requirements in detail.

Driver Ready to Drive

Identifying Controls

• Locate, identify and discribe the function and operation of all controls, gauges and warning lights
• Engine start and stop systems
• Indicators/hazard/wig wag lights
• Washers/wipers
• Monitoring devices (warning lights, air pressure warning system, buzzers)
• Gauges (fuel, oil pressure, alternator, temperature, tachometer, voltmeter, air pressure)
• Foot brake (move vehicle forward)
• Park brake
• Trailer brake
• Clutch
• Gear changing mechanisms
• Accelerator/throttle systems
• Steering wheel
• Horn(s)
• Air conditioning/heating/demisting systems
• All lighting controls
• In-cab suspension adjustments (if fitted)
• Passenger stop cords/buttons/warning lights

Pre-Driving Adjustments

• Seat adjustment for posture, comfort and operation of controls
• Control adjustment for posture, comfort and operation of controls
• Mirrors clean and adjusted for effective vision
• Storage of all loose articles
• Seat belt adjustment and fastening
• Windows and windscreen clean

Basic Driving Skills

Start & Stop Engine

Starting the Engine

• Ensure park brake is applied
• Ensure auxilary brakes are off
• Ensure gearbox is in neutral/park (auto)
• Diesel -
  • Push in Bowden Cable (if fitted)
  • Switch on heater (if fitted/required)
  • Allow to warm (if required)
• Petrol – set accelerator and choke to recommended positions
• Push clutch pedal down
• Switch on circuit power, checking guages, warning lights and buzzers
• Activate the starter
• Recheck guages and warning lights

Shutting Down the Engine

• Apply the park brake
• Select neutral/parl (auto)
• Diesel -
  • Allow engine to idle (if required)
  • Bowden Cable to stop (if fitted)
  • Stop engine
• Petrol – stop enginge

Leave & Return to Curb

Moving off from the kerb

• Close all doors
• Depress clutch, put in gear (manual)
• Place foot on brake, select drive (auto)
• Check mirrors (right and left)
• Indicate
• Apply appropriate throttle
• Release clutch to friction point and hold
• Check all mirrors and blindspot
• Release park/trailer brake
• Gently release clutch
• Accelerate smoothly
• Steer vehicle out from kerb
• Cancel indicator

Returning to kerb

• Check all mirrors
• Indicate
• Apply foot brake
• Depress clutch, slightly above stalling
• Stop smoothly, parallel and close to kerb
• Apply park brake
• Select neutral/park (auto)
• Release clutch and foot brake
• Cancel indicator

Stearing Control

Maintain steering control by:

• Both hands on the wheel except when operating controls
• Hands in acceptable steering position
• “Hand over hand” or “push – pull” steering technique
• Maintaining a flexible driving posture

Maintain a steady course on straights and through curves:

• Without over or under correcting
• With minimal, smooth and non-erratic corrections

Braking

Demostrate controlled and safe braking to stop at a specified point.

• Indicate
• Check mirrors for traffic (and passenger security – bus only)
• Slow evenly and smoothly
• Maintain control of the vehicle
• Not skid or slew
• Select appropriate gears
• Maintain an appropriate steering line
• Stop at the nominated point

Apply Road Rules

Indicate

Demostrate consistent indicating both when legally required and when approriate for safe or efficient movement of traffic.

• When legally required to do so
• When diverging or merging for more than one metre
• When leaving a roundabout where practicable
• To the intended direction
• At least 60 metres before turning (unless confusing, or other circumstances prevail)
• Only when required
• Continuing to indicate until the vehicle is in the new road position
• Cancelling within 5 seconds of being in new road position

Controlled Intersections

Demostrate compliance with, and drive safely and efficiently through, intersections controlled by traffic lights and regulatory signs.

• Stop as near as practicable to, but with no part of the vehicle over the stop line, at a stop sign or when first vehicle at red traffic lights
• Approach traffic lights and give way signs at an appropriate speed, being prepared to stop if necessary
• Slow, stop and accelerate smoothly retaining full control of the vehicle
• Give way to other traffic, where necessary
• Not unnecessarily:
  • Give way to other traffic
  • Delay other traffic
  • Obstruct other traffic
  • Intimidate pedestrians

Pedestrain Awareness

• Demostrate regulatory compliance and an awareness of pedestrian activity
• Be prepared to stop if necessary at pedestrian crossings, and/or school crossings by decelerating, covering the brake, etc.
• Approach areas of pedestrian activity at an appropriate speed, covering the brakes and being prepared to stop if necessary

Lane Positions

Maintain an appropriate steady course on straight and curved sections of road.

Left Intersections

Approach (for vehicles under 7.5m or not displaying ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign)

• Keeping vehicle entirely within left turn lane boundaries
• Where unlaned, adopt a lane as near as practicable to the left boundary of the carriageway

Approach (for vehicles over 7.5m long and displaying sign)

• Approach intersection to discourage inside lanesharing by other vehicles
• Keep the vehicle adequately to the left to efficiently complete the turn

Exit

• Into a lane or unmarked carriageway with due regard for prevailing traffic, parked vehicles, or an upcoming right hand turn
• Where arrowed, into the lane corresponding to the lane from which the turn was entered
• Not laneshare excessively
• Not unnecessarily cross the centre of the road on entry or exit

Right Intersections

Approach
for all vehicles, keeping the vehicle entirely within the:

• Right turn lane boundaries or
• Right turn line of traffic (to the left of, and as near as practicable to the centre of, the carriageway)

Approach
for vehicles over 7.5m displaying ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign:

• Where there are two right turn lanes, turning from left turning lane
• If a one way street, keeping the vehicle adequately to the right

Exit

• When practicable, into the line or lane of traffic to the left of centre of the carriageway
• Where arrowed, into the lane corresponding to the lane from which the turn was entered
• Not laneshare excessively
• Not unnecessarily cross the centre of the road on entry or exit

Safe Driving

Change Gears

• Change gears smoothly and efficiently
• Select step or skip shifts according to road and traffic situations
• Always be in an appropriate gear
• Double de-clutch a constant mesh box / Not double de-clutch a synchronised box
• Not coast in neutral or in gear
• Demonstrate progessive rpm selection

Observation

• Scan continuously to:
  • Both left and right
  • Short, middle and long distance
• Regularly monitor left and right mirrors
• Regularly monitor internal mirrors (bus only)
• Operate controls without diverting attention from road and traffic conditions

Safe Cushion

• Maintain a 4 second gap behind the vehicle directly in front (increasing in adverse conditions)
• Maintain at least 1 (and preferably 2) metres space to the side from parked cars
• Allow at least 3 to 5 metres space to the vehicle in front when stationary
• Approach a stationary vehicle in front with caution

Also on an unlaned road

• Drive in the main carriageway
• Drive to the left of centre of the road so as to maintain adequate clearance from oncoming vehicles
• Not unnecessarily cross the centre of the road

Anticipation

• Adjust speed, course and/or cover brake (as appropriate) in response to actual changes in traffic, road or roadside conditions which warrant adjustment for continued safe driving

System Driving

• Course (ovserving/deciding/selecting correct line of approach)
• Mirrors and signals
• Alter speed
• Gears and mirrors
• Evasive action (avoid or negotiate the situation/hazard by stopping, turning etc)
• Acceleration

Curves & Bends

• Adjust to an appropriate speed and gear prior to entering curve
• Maintain an appropriate speed during the curve
• Position the vehicle in the curve to avoid the rear of the vehicle sweeping out of lane
• Observe and check mirrors, as required
• Competently and smoothly operate the controls throughout
• At all times give due regard to prevailing road and traffic conditions

Speed

• Drive at a safe speed for the road and traffic conditions
• Not exceed posted or vehicle speed limit
• Not exceed advisory sign speeds
• Not unnecessarily slow other traffic
• Demonstrate ability and confidence to drive close to the speed limit when safe to do so

Vision Blockout

• Slowing, if necessary, and being prepared for evasive action
• Proceeding cautiosly, or waiting, until vision is available and it is safe to proceed
• Obeying advisory and regulatory signs, markings, and the road rules

Roundabouts

• Manage controls
• System drive
• Indicate
• Adopt required road positions and, where necessary, guard lanes to avoid other vehicles overtaking during the exercise
• Maintain observation
• Accept safe gaps
• Not unnecessarily mount kerb or load sharing section of roundabout
• Obey regulatory requirements

Driving in Traffic

Position in Traffic

• Maintain a safe gap behind the vehicle in front (increasing in adverse conditions)
• Maintain sufficient distance from parked cars in restricted situations, consistent with leaving adequate clearance to the right
• Position in lanes and narrow situations to allow adequate clearance from oncoming and same directional traffic and allowing for tracking of rear of vehicle
• Approach staionary or slow moving vehicles in front with caution
• Efficiently maintain forward progress by selecting suitable speeds (and gears), lanes and lane positions in relation to forward and adjacent traffic

Safe Gaps

• Selection of gaps which are safe and do not slow traffic flow
• Rejection of gaps which are unsafe or which would slow traffic
• Not giving way unnecessarily

Intersections in Traffic

• Manage controls
• System drive
• Indicate
• Adopt required road positions
• Maintain ovservation
• Accept safe gaps
• Obey regulatory requirements

Manage Controls

• Gears
• Clutch
• Accelerator
• Brakes
• Steering
• Indicators
• Other controls (demisters, wipers, etc.) as required
• Not looking at the main controls

Open Road

Brake

• Smoothly and efficiently operate all controls (throttle, clutch, gear changes, etc.
• Demonstrate system driving (including observation, indicating, etc.)
• Adopt suitable road/lane positions
• Not obstruct other traffic
• Safely execute the manoeuvre

Accelerate

• Smoothly and efficiently operate all controls (throttle, clutch, gear changes, etc)
• Safely leave the stationary position (ovservation, indicate, etc.)
• Adopy suitable road/lane positions
• Achieve a speed close to vehicle or posted speed limit when safe to do so
• Not exceed the vehicle or road speed limit

Hills & Bends

• Competently and efficiently operate all controls (throttle, brake, clutch, gears, etc.)
• Drive at maximum safe and comfortable road speeds for the road, traffic and vehicle conditions
• Adopt suitable road positions (on curves, crests, straights, etc.)
• Not unnecessarily use noisy auxilary brakes in traffic

Open Highway

• Competently and efficiently operate all controls
• Adopt suitable lane positions
• Keep to the left except when overtaking or allowing merging
• Maintain a safe buffer zone to other vehicles
• Maintain legal seperation distance from other vehicles
• Maintain speeds close to vehicle or posted limits when safe to do so
• Maintain concentration and observation throughout

Breakdown

• Slow vehicle in a controlled manner
• Stop and secure the vehicle in a suitable off-road or non-obstructing position as soon as posibile (motor may be left running)
• Switch on the hazard lights

And describe the following:

• Placing triangles at front and rear of vehicle (between 50 and 150 metres away depending on vehicle position)
• Placing a triangle at side of vehicle nearest the centre of the road

Manoeuvres

Stop & Start on Inclines

• Indicate
• Check all mirrors
• Stop parallel to and with wheels within 400mm of kerb/road edge
• Secure vehicle when stopped
• Not roll back when leaving kerb
• Not roll forward in neutral or clutch coast
• Operate all controls smoothly and efficiently
• Conduct the manoeuvres with due regard for the safety and convenience of other road users

Reversing

• Operate hazard lights
• Maintain ovservation for traffic
• Not have any wheel cross the edge line (or seal edge, or kerb)
• Not have any wheel greater than one metre from the edge line (or seal edge, or kerb)
• Not make any forward adjustment (except that articulated vehicles may make one forward adjustment)
• Secure the vehicle at the completion of the exercise
• Switch off hazard lights

Pre-Departure Check

The driver will:

• Locate
• Identify
• Inspect
• State required condition of and reasons for inspection (the first time only that any item is inspected)
• All listed items in attached pre-departure check report for both bus and truck

Parallell Reverse Park

When drawing into the exercise start position

• Check mirrors
• Indicate, if necessary
• Operate hazard lights

When manoeuvering into parked position

• Take four or less direction changes
• Indicate if moving into traffic stream
• Not reverse more than one vehicle length behind the rear of the exercise vehicle
• Achieve final position:
  • 1 to 2 metres behind exercise vehicle
  • Wheels within 500 mm of kerb
  • Body of vehicle parallel to kerb
• Safely secure the vehicle

When leaving the parked position

• Check mirrors (left and right)
• Reverse
• Cancel hazard lights
• Indicate
• Drive safely into main carriageway

In general

• Not touch kerb or exercise vehicle
• Competently operate controls throughout

U (Three-Point) Turn

Driver will, safely demonstrate a U-turn and in particular:

• Indicate when drawing into the left kerb and when commencing the first right turn
• Observe throughout the exercise
• Complete the manoeuvre in 3 to 5 direction changes
• Achieve adequate turn in each movement
• Steer only while vehicle is in motion
• Not use driveways to assist
• Not touch kerb or any other obstacle
• Competently operate controls throughout