Considerations to Make Before Up-Skilling Your Drivers to Handle Heavy Trucks

The transportation and heavy haulage industry are changing by the day, and you may be thinking about equipping your drivers with the skills to handle heavy vehicles. Before getting your team ready for the process, there are a few details that you need to have in mind. They will not only enable you to sail through smoothly, but also ensure that your team gets the right skills to handle heavy vehicles for the kind of transportation business that you conduct. Here are some of the key considerations that you should have in mind.

Licensing regulations 

All states and territories in Australia have the same vehicle licensing classes; however, the laws and legislation surrounding heavy vehicle licensing may vary from state to state. For example, if your drivers currently hold a car license, they may be required to pass a practical driving test to obtain a Heavy Rigid License. Various legislations will apply to different licensing classes; therefore, it is worth verifying them beforehand. Also, ensure that you look into the licensing legislation in the other states and territories that your team will be driving to so as to avoid limitations.

Minimum requirements

There are various conditions that your team needs to attain before being licensed for heavy vehicle driving. For instance, if you wish to equip them for driving heavy combination trucks, they may be required to have held a car license for a specified period. Assuming that your team consists of individuals who have driven before, this should not be a problem. However, if there are new members, you may have to hold off for a particular period so that they can attain the minimum requirements before proceeding with the up-skilling.

Heavy vehicle training

The best way to upgrade and equip your drivers for all heavy vehicle driving is by getting them trained in an accredited school. Various schools in Australia offer heavy vehicle training for new and experienced drivers, and you should consider approaching one of these. What's more, there is a variety of courses that you can choose from depending on the nature of your business. Trainees undergo both classwork and practical driving sessions to sharpen their skills. Once they pass the tests, they can immediately receive their heavy vehicle licenses.

Up-skilling your current team of drivers can be in the best interest and profitability of your business. Consider the above factors to ensure that you go about the process right and that your drivers get the relevant heavy vehicle driving skills. Also, ensure that you choose the ideal training school that's accredited by the Australian government.

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