HRETD’s rigid heavy vehicle course is designed for novice learners and experienced drivers, providing candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a rigid heavy vehicle while performing their daily duties.
A rigid heavy vehicle is defined as (a) a heavy motor goods or passenger vehicle above 3 500kg and not exceeding 16 000kg GMV; (b) a special vehicle (for example an ambulance or fire-fighting truck) above 3 500kg and not exceeding 16 000kg tare; (c) an extra-heavy goods or passenger vehicle above 16 000kg GMV and (d) a special vehicle above 16 000kg tare.
This unit standard forms part of the National Certificate: Professional Driving
(SAQA ID 50285) and focuses on the ability of learners to be able to drive specific types of rigid heavy vehicles in accordance with legal, safety, manufacturer and other relevant requirements and reflect on the manner in which the vehicle is operated.
Entry requirements
Heavy vehicle national driver’s license code C1 (heavy motor vehicle: non-articulated), or national driver’s license code C (extra-heavy motor vehicle: non-articulated).
Advanced driver training
Rigid heavy vehicle driver training
Freight delivery vehicles
Course content
Prepare a rigid heavy vehicle for road transport trips
We discuss with learners the vehicle’s components to be checked and their workings; we conduct pre-trip inspection, record and report any defects and conduct preliminary tests.
Drive a rigid heavy vehicle
We coach learners to drive and manoeuvre the vehicle, K53 standards of driving and driving the vehicle according to manufacturers’ specifications.
Ensure the maintenance of road transport service quality
Consider time schedules and ensure freight quality/passenger safety and comfort, impact of load positioning and adherence to organisational standards, while considering safety and comfort factors.
Handle unexpected situations involving rigid heavy vehicles
We discuss how drivers can improvise and adapt to overcome unexpected situations according to specified safety procedures, as well as reporting unexpected situations.
Park rigid heavy vehicle in accordance with specified requirements
We discuss how the rigid heavy vehicle is parked, shutdown of the vehicle and how to secure the vehicle according to manufacturing specifications, traffic regulations and operational procedures.
Assessment methods
We conduct a formative theoretical assessment at the beginning of the course to gauge the learner’s initial understanding (novices only). At the end of the training, a summative theoretical and practical application assessment is conducted, to find if the learner is competent; if not, additional developmental areas are identified and suggested.