A refreshing new approach will introduce experience-based licence-progression pathways to allow Australia’s truck drivers to gain higher licence classes much more rapidly
Australia’s transport ministers have agreed in-principle to an improved, nationally‑consistent approach to the training and licence progression of heavy vehicle drivers, that improves road safety and productivity.
The changes were approved by infrastructure and transport ministers in December through the agreement by the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) to endorse the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework Decision Regulation Impact Statement (Decision RIS). The changes are designed to increase the safety and job‑readiness of heavy vehicle drivers.
Landmark reforms
The new approach will introduce experience-based licence-progression pathways to allow drivers to gain higher licence classes more rapidly. For each licence upgrade, drivers would be able to choose a different pathway option: tenure, driving experience, or completion of a supervision program.
Once the pathways are in place, drivers will be able to upgrade from a medium rigid (MR) licence to a multi-combination (MC) licence in as little as six months – instead of a minimum of two years under current arrangements.
Experience-based progression pathways will allow drivers to gain higher licence classes quicker
This more rapid progression will be available because of the risk mitigation strategies that are being introduced at the same time, including:
- Requiring driving experience, not just a 12-month period on a lower class licence which may involve no actual behind the wheel time; providing fastest progression to drivers who have also been mentored by an experienced professional driver;
- Putting in place minimum training and assessment times addressing the number of unusually short courses which are currently available; and
- More fully defining the competencies that must be progressively developed and demonstrated, and building in practical learning and application throughout the learning process.
Research commissioned by Austroads and referenced in the Consultation-RIS and Decision-RIS showed that the existing approach to the training and licensing of truck and bus drivers in Australia could be substantially improved.
Truck drivers will be able to upgrade from a medium rigid licence to a multi-combination licence in as little as six months.
The research found training and licensing arrangements are not sufficiently focused on key driver related risks to road safety, is not nationally consistent, which is unproductive and a concern to industry; and is slower than it needs to be, which dampens productivity.
Other proposals contained in the Decision-RIS include strengthening heavy vehicle driver skills and knowledge through redesigned learning and assessment requirements specific to each licence class; requiring minimum course lengths and minimum behind-the-wheel time; and delivering some training and assessment online to allow licence applicants greater flexibility.
Co-operative federalism
Austroads Chief Executive Geoff Allan says the support of ministers and agencies for the proposals demonstrates Australia’s cooperative federalism at work.
“Major national reform is always challenging. The states and territories have agreed to changes that could be challenging to implement, in order to achieve a better overall outcome for the Australian community. This deserves to be recognised and applauded,” he says.
SA-based Fennell Forestry has led the way in the introduction of competency-based training
“Ministers have been considering a range of options to improve the safety of trucks and buses, and we have appreciated working with them and their departments.
“Recent major incidents, such as the tragic NSW Hunter Valley bus crash, have highlighted the need for significant change, with the NSW Bus Safety Task Force looking to review bus driver training, competency, and skill levels in their future reports.”
“The changes will facilitate the delivery of harmonised heavy vehicle training and assessment, strengthening driver competencies and improving licensing policy to fast-track job readiness.”
Austroads will work with each state and territory government and the different industries to fully scope the implementation program, identify policy, service and stakeholder issues and options, and seek to develop a coordinated plan to deliver the anticipated safety and productivity benefits of the reform.
The driving licensing reforms will provide fastest progression to drivers who have also been mentored by an experienced professional driver.
It will also develop best-practice standards and training material to support consistent delivery of the enhanced heavy vehicle competencies and assessments.
“We will be actively engaging with the driver training and heavy vehicle industries, providing information as well as opportunities for input into on-the-ground delivery elements,” Allan says.
“National project scoping and resolution of policy and related issues will be undertaken in stages with Australia’s transport ministers kept up to date on both national and jurisdictional progress.”
Background
Austroads was invited to work with registration and licensing authorities to improve the Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework because Australian Transport Ministers identified that the existing approach to the training and licensing of heavy vehicle drivers was flawed and needed to be improved.
In January 2022, the National Cabinet agreed that Austroads would, through its review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework, consider ways to increase the number of skilled and safe heavy vehicle drivers.
Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Heather Jones has been a leading advocate of better driver training
Austroads published a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on August 24, 2022 and consulted for over nine weeks, to October 28, 2022.
Promotion of the Consultation RIS was extensive and targeted heavy vehicle operators, drivers (current and prospective), and the driver training industry as those most impacted, as well as state and territory driver licensing authorities.
Austroads received about 250 submissions, including formal submissions to the Consultation RIS and survey-based submissions to specific reform options outlined in the Consultation RIS.
A summary of the engagement approach, feedback to the Consultation RIS and Austroads’ response in settling recommended reforms in the Decision RIS is provided here.
The states and territories have agreed to changes that could be challenging to implement, in order to achieve a better overall outcome for the community.
The recommendations in the Decision RIS refine options presented in a preceding Consultation RIS, such that the recommended reforms deliver safety benefits while aligning with industry feedback and driver licensing authorities’ preferences.
In December 2023, all Ministers approved in-principle reforms to the National Heavy Vehicle Competency Framework subject to the agreement of feasible implementation plans.
The review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency framework completes an action of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023–25O, to enable Austroads to work with States and Territories to plan and implement change.
Webinar
Autroads will hold a webinar on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 1pm AEDT to reveal more about the changes to the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework. Registration is essential here.
