TLIC307C - Drive Medium Rigid Vehicle - Learner Guide

8/14/2019 TLIC307C - Drive Medium Rigid Vehicle - Learner Guide

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TLIC307C Drivemedium rigid

vehicle

Learner Guide


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Contents

What this Learners Guide is about........................................ 1Planning your learning ........................................................... 2How you will be assessed...................................................... 5

Section 1............................................................................................. 7Licensing requirements and traffic laws ................................. 7

Section 2........................................................................................... 55Vehicle preparation .............................................................. 55

Section 3........................................................................................... 84Drive vehicle in a safe efficient manner ............................... 84

Section 4........................................................................................... 96Completing a drivers log book............................................. 96

Additional resources..................................................................... 102Feedback on activities .................................................................. 104


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TLIC307C Drive medium rigid vehicle

Australian National Training Authority 2003 Page 1Customised and Developed by Armstrongs Driver Education P/L April 2008 ADELG1014

What this Learners Guide is about

ThisLearnersGuideisabouttheskillsandknowledgerequiredtodriveamediumrigidvehiclesafelyincludingsystematicandefficientcontrolofallvehiclefunctions,monitoringoftrafficandroadconditions,managementofvehicleconditionandperformanceandeffectivemanagementofhazardoussituations.Assessmentofthisunitwillusuallybeundertakenwithinalicensingexaminationconductedby,orundertheauthorityof,therelevantstate/territoryRoadTrafficAuthority

Personsachievingcompetenceinthisunitwillneedtofulfilalloftherelevantstate/territorylearnerpermitordriverlicencerequirements

beforedrivingamediumrigidvehicleonapublicroad.

TheElementsofCompetencyfromtheunitTLIC307CDrivemediumrigidvehiclecoveredinthisLearnersGuidearelistedbelow.

Drivethemediumrigidvehicle

Monitortrafficandroadconditions

Monitorandmaintainvehicleperformance

ThisunitofcompetencyisfromtheTransportandLogisticsTrainingPackage(TLI07).


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Page 2 Australian National Training Authority 2003ADELG1014 Customised and Developed by Armstrongs Driver Education P/L April 2008

Planning your learning

ItisimportanttoplanyourlearningbeforeyoustartbecauseyoumayalreadyhavesomeoftheknowledgeandskillsthatarecoveredinthisLearnersGuide.Thismightbebecause:

youhavebeenworkingintheindustryforsometime,and/or

youhavealreadycompletedtraininginthisarea.

Togetherwithyoursupervisorortrainerusethechecklistsonthefollowingpagestohelpyouplanyourstudyprogram.Youranswerstothequestionsinthechecklistwillhelpyouworkoutwhichsectionsof

thisLearnersGuideyouneedtocomplete.

ThisLearnersGuideiswrittenwiththeideathatlearningismademorerelevantwhenyou,thelearner,areactuallyworkingintheindustry.Thismeansthatyouwillhavepeoplewithintheenterprisewhocanshowyouthings,discusshowthingsaredoneandansweranyquestionsyouhave.Alsoyoucanpractisewhatyoulearnandseehowwhatyoulearnisappliedintheenterprise.

IfyouareworkingthroughthisLearnersGuideandhavenotyetfoundajobintheindustry,youwillneedtotalktoyourtraineraboutdoingworkexperienceorworkingandlearninginsomesortofsimulatedworkplace.


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Section 1: Licensing requirements and trafficlaws

Areyouableto: Yes No

1. describeandexplainthelicencecategoriesforheavyvehicledrivers,asgivenintherelevanthandbook?

2. describeandexplaintrafficlawsandregulationsforamediumrigidvehicles,asgivenintherelevantroadtrafficandsafetylegislation?

3. describeandexplaintrafficregulationsrelatedtospecialrequirementsofmediumrigidvehicledrivers,asgivenintherelevantroadtrafficandsafetylegislation?

4. describeandexplainemergencyandreportingproceduresinthecaseofaccidentsorbreakdowns,asgivenintherelevantroadtrafficandsafetylegislation?

5. steer,manoeuvreandpositionthevehicleinaccordancewithtrafficregulations,vehiclelimitationsandroaddimensions?

6. monitorandanticipatetrafficandroadconditionsinordertoavoidaccidentsandmaximiseprogress?

Section 2: Vehicle preparation


1. maintainvehicleperformancethroughpre-operationalinspectionsandchecksofthevehicle?

2. monitortheperformanceandefficiencyofthevehicleduringuse?

3. stopthevehiclesafelywithoutdangertopassengers,vehicle,propertyorload?


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Section 3: Drive vehicle in a safe efficientmanner

Areyouableto: Yes No1. manageenginepowertoensure

efficiencyinperformanceandtominimiseenginegeardamage?

2. monitorthevehicleformalfunctionsandmakesureofmaximumoperationalefficiency?

Section 4: Completing a drivers log book


1. ensurevehiclerecordsaremaintained/updatedandinformationisprocessedinaccordancewithcompanyprocedures?


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How you will be assessed

AssessmentofthisUnitofCompetencywillincludeobservationofrealorsimulatedworkprocessesusingworkplaceproceduresandquestioningonunderpinningknowledgeandskills.Itmustbedemonstratedinanactualorsimulatedworksituationundersupervision.

Youwillberequiredto:

adjusttyrepressure/inflatetyre

changeawheel

tiltandlowercab

cleanvehicle

completeapre-departurecheck

drivearigidvehicleprofessionally.


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Section 1

Licensing requirements andtraffic laws


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Section outline

Areascoveredinthissection

Licensing

Thedrivingtest

Roadtestinformation

Defensivedriving

Observationskills

Safedriving

Driverstress

Alcoholandotherdrugs

Loadingandlashing

Dangerousgoods

Emergencyoraccidentsituation


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Licensing

AnAustralia-wideinitiativetoimplementcommonandsimplified

categoriesforvehiclesabove8tonnesGrossVehicleMass(GVM)inallstates/territorieswasintroducedinSeptember1995.

ThisregulationchangemakesiteasierfortheTransportIndustrytooperateacrossstate/territoryborders.Italsoassistsprofessionaldriverstotransferlicenceswhenmovingtoanotherstate/territory.

Whenyoureceiveaheavyvehiclelicence,youbecomeeligibletodrivetrucksandbusesinthatcategory,andalllessercategories.

WhatisGrossVehicleMass(GVM)?

GVMmeansthemaximumpermissiblecombinedweightandsizeofthemotorvehicleanditsloadasstatedontheregistrationcertificate.

Yourdriverslicence

Driversareentitledtousetheroadsystemaslongas:

theyunderstandtherulesrelatingtodriving,includingboththeTrafficActandMotorTrafficRegulations

holdacurrentlicenceforanyvehicletheydrive

obeytheroadrulesanddrivesafelyandresponsibly

dotheirbesttolessentheimpactoftheirvehicleontheenvironment,andusetheroadsystemefficiently.

Ifadrivercommitsatrafficoffencetherearepenalties,suchas:

fines

licencecancellation

disqualification suspension

imprisonment(inextremecases).


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Heavy vehicle licence

Recentreformstothelicensinglawsmakegoodsenseforthe

followingreasons.

Theheavyvehiclelicencegraduationsystemallowsdriverstogainexperiencewithsimplevehiclesbeforeattemptingtooperatemorecomplexarticulatedvehicles.

InVictoria(checkyourownstate/territoryrequirements),lightrigid(LR)ormediumrigid(MR)licencecanbeobtained12monthsaftergainingacarlicence.

Ifyoualreadyholdaheavyvehiclelicence,youwillnowbeabletotransfertotheequivalentlicencecategoryunder

thenewreformswithoutrequiringanyadditionaltesting.


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The bus industry

Thebusindustryhasitsownsystemtotrainbusdriversinspecific

skills.Ifyoucurrentlyoperatetrucksandwishtogainemploymentasabusdriver,yournewemployerwillbeabletoprovidedetailsofanyadditionaltrainingyoumayrequire.


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Activity 2: How do you get driver training?

If you want to get into the heavy transport industry, how do you go

about training for a Heavy Vehicle Licence?

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Can you drive a semi trailer straight away?

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There is feedback on this activity at the back of this LearnersGuide.


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Thedrivingtest

Thefollowingrequirementsneedtobemettoobtainadrivinglicence.

Youwillhavetoprovideproofofidentity.Yourlicensingpeoplewillexplainwhatisneeded.

Youwillberequiredto:

passadrivingtestinthecorrectvehicleforthelicenceyouareseeking

completeawritten/verbalknowledgetest.

Notethatthedrivingtestinvolvesbothon-roaddrivingandskillsevaluation.

Roadtestinformation

Thistestisdesignedtoassessyourperformanceinthefollowingsituations:

gearchanging,correctchanginginsequence

acceleration

steering

reversing

enteringandleavingyourvehiclesafely

lanekeeping:

onturns

curves

straightlines

positioningthevehiclefora90degreeturn

brakeapplicationandsmoothnesswhenapplying

judgementofbrakingdistancesatnormalstopssuchasstopsigns

indicatorsignallingbeforemovement(minimumof3seconds)andcancellingsignalaftercompletionofthemovement

generalobservationwhile:

adjustingyourmirrors,seatbeltandseat

turning

lanechanging approachingintersections.


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Theroadtestwilltakeabout30minutestocompleteandyoumustachieveaminimumof80%topass.


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Activity 3: Obtain guide to heavy vehicle test

Obtain from your vehicle licensing department a Guide to HeavyVehicle Test (it may be called something else in your

state/territory).

This will give you a description of the performance checks requiredin your on-road test.

Termination of your road test will occur for any of the followingreasons:

disobeying a stop sign or red traffic signal

failing to give way

colliding with a vehicle, pedestrian or fixed object

performing an illegal manoeuvre

exceeding the speed limit

refusing to attempt any manoeuvre

repeated failure to follow instructions

action that required outside help to avoid a collision

lack of control over vehicle (or self)

causing a dangerous situation

mounting a kerb with any one wheel.


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Activity 4: Consequences of driving un-roadworthy vehicle

Tick the correct answer or answers.

If you drive an un-roadworthy vehicle:

you may be liable for a fine

you and the owner may be liable for a fine

you may have your registration plates removed.

You should adjust your vehicles mirrors:

before entering your vehicle

as you move off

after adjusting the seat.

You should do regular mechanical inspections:

once a week

once a month

once every three months.



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Defensivedriving

Beingtechnicallyorlegallyintherightisnocompensationforthedeath,injuryorpropertydamagethatroadaccidentscancause.

Agooddefensivedriverwill:

avoidcausingaccidents

avoidbecominginvolvedinaccidentscausedbyotherroadusers

knowandobeyroadlawsandregulations

minimisedangerbybeingalertandconsiderate.

Observationskills

Gooddefensivedrivingrequiressuperiorobservationskills.Youneedtoknowwhatishappeningallaroundyourvehicle.

Failuretoobservecarefullyisamajorcauseofaccidents.Althoughdriverslookahead,mostdontlookfarenough,nordotheyanalysewhattheysee.Youmustseewhatishappeningaheadofyourvehicleoryouwillnothavesufficienttimetotakenecessaryaction.

Yoursuperiorobservationskillswillinvolve:

scanningtheroadaheadasfaraspossible

frequentcheckingofallmirrorsfortraffictotherearandbothsidesofyourvehicle

payingcloseattentiontoyourownvehiclesperformance.


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Activity 5: What evasive action would you take in thefollowing example?

What action would you take if you sighted a vehicle approachingfrom the rear that was weaving from one side of the road to theother?

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Space cushion

Defensivedriversmaintainasafespacecushionallaroundtheir

vehicle.Thespacecushionisthedistancebetweenyourvehicleandothervehiclesaroundyou.Thisgivesyouroomtostop,changelanesortakeanynecessaryactionwithoutdangertoyou,yourvehicleorotherroadusers.

Spaceahead

Thespaceaheadismostimportant.Followinganothervehicletoocloselyisoneofthemostcommon,avoidablecausesofcollision.Someauthoritiesrecommendthatyouhaveonesecondoffollowinginterval

forevery3metresofvehiclelength.Thus,ifyourvehicleis17metreslong,yourfollowingintervalshouldbeabout6seconds.

MostStateandTerritorieshavelegislationspecifyingaminimumoffollowingdistance(usually60metres)betweenheavyvehiclesoutsidebuiltupareas.Ingooddrivingconditionsyourvehicleshouldbeatleast4secondsbehindthevehicledirectlyinfrontofyou.

Ifconditionsarepoorduetorain,lowvisibilityorbadroadsurfaces,thisspaceshouldbeincreasedto8seconds.Iftheconditionsareverypooritshouldbeincreasedevenfurther.Followinganothervehicletoocloselyisoneofthemostcommon,avoidablecausesofcollision.

Spacetothesides

Thespacecushiononyoursidescanalsobemaximisedbykeepingtothecentreofyourlane.Dontpasstooclosetoparkedcars.Allowatleast1metreandpreferably2metresifspacepermits.Itsbesttoleaveenoughroomforacarelesslyopenedcardoororapersonstandingnexttoaparkedcar.

Keeptotheleftwhenapproachingoncomingtrafficandonmultilaneroads.

Dontdrivebesideanothervehicleforlongerthannecessary.Keepingclearofothervehiclesoneithersideallowsyouanotherwayoutincaseofemergency.


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Spacebehind

Obviously,thespacecushionbehindyourvehicleismainlyunderthecontrolofthedriverfollowingyou.However,youcanhelptheother

driverkeepthecorrectdistanceby: maintainingaconstantspeed

slowingdowngradually

avoidingsuddenstops

signallinganymanoeuvreswellahead.

Ifyouarebeingtailgated,(followedtooclosely),slowdowngradually,andlettheotherdriverpassassoonaspossible.

Spaceabove

Withmosttrucksthespaceoverheadisalsoimportant.Youmustknowtheheightof:

yourvehicle(includingtheload)

powerlinesalongyourroute

bridgealongyourroute

awningsonbuildingsyoudrivenear.


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Activity 6: What space cushion would you leave in thefollowing example?

If you are driving a medium rigid vehicle when visibility and roadconditions are poor due to bad weather or road surface, whatspace cushion should you leave?

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Drivervision

Truckdriverscanseeovertraffic,crestsandaroundbendsbetterthancardriversduetotheirheightabovetheroad,but,allaroundvisionis

restrictedby: cornerpillars

bonnets

rearvisionmirrors

load

trailerbodies

airfilters.

Agooddefensivedriverisalwaysconsciousoftheseblindspotsandwatchesforvehiclesorpedestriansmovingintothem.


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Road rules

Signsandroadmarkingstellyouaboutlawsyoumustobey.

Forexample:keepleftunlessovertakingmeansyoumustkeeptotheleftlaneunlessyouarepassinganothervehicletravellinginthesamedirection.


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Activity 8: Identify road traffic signs?

On the next page, draw (or paste pictures of) the following signs:

Keep left

No right turn

No entry

Stop

Give way

60 kph

100 kph.


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Keep left No right turn

No entry Stop

Give way 60 kph

100 kph



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Toassistyouinrecognisingtheseandotherroadregulationsigns,obtainacopyofyourState/Territory:

RoadRegulations,or

RoadTrafficCode,or TheVictoriaBusandTruckDriversHandbook.


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c. Can you ride on the outside of a motor vehicle?

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d. What are the regulations regarding opening a door and leaving avehicle?

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e. What is the law regarding control and vision of your vehicle?

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f. What is the law regarding interference with drivers control of avehicle?

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g. What is the law regarding trailer weight and control of a vehicle?

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h. What is the law regarding the use of telephones while driving avehicle?

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i. What is the law regarding the safe condition of your vehicle?

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j. What is the law regarding noise and emissions from yourvehicle?

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k. What is the law regarding driving a vehicle in reverse?

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Ask your trainer how you did in the test:



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Activity 10: What would you do in the following examples?

Where would someone stand to guide you when you are reversing?

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Must you give-way to pedestrians when turning?

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Givewayrules

Youwillberequiredtogive-wayinvarioussituations.

Forexample: atintersectionswheretherearenolightsorsigns

whenjoiningastreamoftrafficfromaparkedposition

whenmakingaU-turn

whenchanginglanes

whenenteringorleavingtheroadfromprivatepremises.


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Night driving

Tobeabletoseeclearlyandobservecarefullywhiledrivingatnight,

yourequireacleanwindscreen.Thedazzlefromoncomingvehiclesthroughadirtywindscreenmakesitdifficulttosee.Havingadirtywindscreenalsostrainsyoureyesandbringsonfatigue.Youshouldcleanyourwindscreeninsideandoutandmakesurethatwashersandwipersareingoodcondition.Dontforgettocleanyourmirrors.

Yourlightsmustbe:

ingoodcondition

clean

adjustedcorrectly.

Dazzleisaconstantproblemwithnightdriving.Dontlookdirectlyatthelightsofoncomingvehicles.Ifdriversfailtodiptheirlights,resistthetemptationtogeteven.Switchingyourlightstohighbeamonlyincreasesthechanceofacollision.

Dotherightthingbydippingyourlightsforoncomingdriversandfordriversyouarefollowing.


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Activity 12: How would you avoid being dazzled by oncomingVehicle?

What should you do to avoid being dazzled by oncoming vehiclelights?

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Driver fatigue

Whendrivingatnightthereisahighriskoffatigue.Thisisduetothe

naturalinclinationofthebodytoshutdowninresponsetobiologicalrhythms.Theriskisgreatestintheearlyhoursofthemorning.Bewareofhighwayhypnosisinwhichtheconstantrepetitionofthewhiteoryellowlinesinducesatrance-likestate,leavingthedrivereffectivelyasleepatthewheelwiththeireyesopen.

DriverFatigueisamajorcauseofaccidentsinAustralia.Itaccountsformorethan30%ofallfataltruckcrashesonhighways.

Mostaccidentscausedbyfatigueoccurbetween11pmand8am

becausethisisthebodysnormalsleepingtime.


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Activity 13: What other factors can cause driver fatigue?

What other factors can cause driver fatigue?

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When is the best time to drive?

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What are the signs of driver fatigue?

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Stress

Stresscanalsoaffectyourdriving.Statisticsshowthatifyouhave

problemsatworkorhome,youare5timesmorelikelytobeinvolvedinanaccident.Divorce,forexamplecanaffectyourdriving.Youraccidentratecanmorethandoubleduringthe6monthsbeforeandafterdivorce.


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System driving

Systemdrivingmakessurethedriverapproacheshighwork-load

situations:

atthecorrectspeed

intherightgear

inthecorrectpositionontheroad.

Thisallowsthedrivertosafelyavoidornegotiateahazardanddrivethevehicleclearofit.Thesystemofvehiclecontrolwhichisdescribedbelowiswidelyconsideredtobethemostefficientmethod.

Thesixfeaturesofsystemdrivingareasfollows: plantheapproach:

observethehazardanddecideonthecorrectlinetosafelyandefficientlyapproachandnegotiateit

mirrorsandsignals:

mirrorsareusedtochecksurroundingtrafficwhenchangingcourseoralteringspeed.Alwayssignalyourintentionsbyusingyourindicators

adjustspeed:

slowdowntonegotiatethehazardsafely

gearsandmirrors:

selectthebestgeartosafelynegotiatethehazard,withenoughpowertopullaway.Again,checksurroundingtrafficbyusingyourmirrors.Mirrorsarealsousedtoobservethepositionoftherearwheelswhenturningthevehicle

evasiveaction:

avoidornegotiatethehazardbystopping,turning,accelerating,soundingthehorn,orwhateveractiondoesnotendangerthesafetyofotherroadusers

acceleration:

thecorrectamountofaccelerationisusedtoleavethehazardsafely,takingintoaccountthevehicle,roadsurface,trafficconditionsandload.

Youmustpractisethissystemsothatitbecomesautomatic.

Seethediagramonthenextpageshowingtheprocessesrequiredtocompletealeftturn.


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Concentration

Averyimportantpartoftruckdrivingisconcentration.

Often,adriverisconfrontedwithseveraltasksatonetime.

Thismanyoccurwhennegotiatingahazardorevenduringroutinedriving.

Thesehighworkloadsituationscausestress,skillfailureandaccidents.

Drivingtoasystemhelpsyoutohandlemostdrivercriticalsituations.

Thesystematicsequenceguarantees:

allvitalactionsgettherequiredattention

vitalactionsarecarriedoutatthebesttime

allvitalactionsreceivethedriversfullskillandability

peakworkloadanddriverstressaregreatlyreduced

thedriverisbetterabletodealwithemergencies.


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Dimensions

Bothowneranddriverareguiltyofanoffenceifdimensionlimitsare

exceeded.

Vehicledimension-withoutpermit

Maximumoveralldimensions

Vehicle Height(m)

Width(m)

Length(m)

RigidTruckorBus 4.3 2.5 12.5

ControlledAccessBus 4.3 2.5 14.5

ArticulatedBus 4.3 2.5 18.0

Semi-trailer 4.3 2.5 13.7

APigTrailerorDogTrailer 4.3 2.5 11.0

APrimemoverandSemi-trailerCombination,Pigtrailerandtrailercombinationandabusandtrailercombination

4.3 2.5 19.0

B-Double(onapprovedroutes) 4.3 2.5 25.0

Massweight

Themassweightofavehiclewhichcanbedrivenwithoutpermit,dependson:

vehicletype

vehiclesort

thenumberoftyresat165kpaandnotedloadcapacityofaxle.

Refertoyourvehiclemanufacturershandbookforinformationonthemassweightlimitofyourvehicle.

Thetotalweightandsizeoftheloadedvehicleortrailermustnotexceedthegrossvehiclemass(GVM)ontheregistrationrecord.


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Overdimensionpermits

Whenyouwishtotransportaloadthatisabovethelegallimitformass,height,widthorlength,youwillrequireapermit.

Youmustcontactyourstate/territorylicensingdepartmentbeforeyoudrivethevehicle.

Rememberbothowneranddriverareguiltyifavehicledoesnotcomplywiththeregulations.

Loading

Yourvehicleshouldbeloadedanddriveninsuchawayastopreventdangertoanyperson,ordamagetoanyproperty.

Whyloadsshift

Undernormaldrivingconditions,yourvehicleanditsloadwillbeaffectedby:

forwardbraking

reversebraking

acceleration

cornering

hills

roadcamber

airflowandwind

roadconditions.

Itispartofyourjobasdrivertoseethatanyloadsonyourvehicleareproperlysecured.

Howtocarryaloadsafely

Ifyouwishtocarryasafeloadonyourvehicle,youmust:

chooseasuitablevehicleforthetypeandsizeofload

positiontheloadcorrectlyandaccordingtoacceptedpractice

usesuitablerestrainingequipmentthatisserviceableandfunctional

provideadequateloadrestraintsuitablefortheexpectedconditionsofeachtrip,topreventmovement(theload


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Activity 16: Arrange cargo on your vehicle

Tick the incorrect answer.

In arranging cargo on your truck, you should:

place heavy items at the rear of the load

place heavy items close to the centre-line of the vehicle

distribute the mass as evenly as possible

stack heavy items at the bottom.

Which of the following is incorrect.

you should check the balance of the load and redistribute it if necessary wheneveryou remove or add cargo

friction cannot be relied upon to prevent movement of cargo

keeping the overall load height low reduces stability

braking places higher forces on loadrestraints than does acceleration.

The person responsible for making sure the load is appropriate forany vehicle is:

the owner

the manufacturer of the goods

the driver.



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Dangerous goods

Dangerousgoodsareanychemicalsubstances,productsorarticleswhicharedangeroustopeopleortheenvironment.Thisisbecause

theyare:

poisonous

corrosive

explosiveortheypresentariskoffire.

Emptyuncleanedcontainerswhichhavecontaineddangerousgoodsarealsoclassifiedasdangerous.

Explosivesandradioactivesubstancesarecoveredunderspecific

codes:

TheAustralianCodefortheTransportationofExplosivesbyRailorRoad.

CodeofPracticefortheSafeTransportationofRadioactiveSubstances.

Responsibilities

Thepeopleresponsibleforcarryingdangerousgoodsare:

consignors primecontractors

theownerofthevehicle

drivers

peopleinchargeofloadingandunloading

peopleinchangeoftransportingdangerousgoods.

Yourresponsibilityasadriver

Thedriverofadangerousgoodsvehiclemusthavethecorrectdocuments,suppliedbytheconsignor.ThesedocumentsmustshowinEnglish:

thenameoftheproduct

theclassnumberoftheproduct

subsidiaryriskclassnumber(ifany)

packinggroup

totalnetquantityofeachproduct

numberofpackagesofeachtype


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consignorsname

thetypeofouterpackaging,drum,carton,bags

emergencyproceduresguides(EPGs).

Emergencies

Ifthereisafireorspill,youmust:

firstreporttheaccidenttoapoliceofficerorfireservices

warnpeoplewhomaybeatrisk

followinstructionsgivenbyEmergencyProceduresGuides(EPGs)

displayreflectivewarningsigns

provideassistanceandinformationtothePoliceandfireservices.

Policeandemergencyvehicles

Emergencyvehiclescaninclude:

ambulances

fireunits

policecars

emergencyservices.

Youmustgetoutofthewayofapoliceoremergencyvehiclewhenitssirenorlightsareon.Stop,ifnecessary,evenifyouhaveagreenlight.

Youmustalsostopifthetwinredlightsoutsideafirestationorambulancestationareflashing.


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After an accident

Therearecertainthingsyoumustdoifyouareinvolvedinanaccident.

Theseare:

stopimmediately

protecttheareatomakesureanothercrashdoesntoccur

giveassistancetoanyinjuredperson

sendforpoliceandambulanceifanyoneisinjured

exchangethefollowinginformationwiththeotherdriver:

names

addresses

registrationnumbers

vehicleownersnames

insurancecompanies

removealldebrisfromtheroad

ifthereisonlypropertydamageandtheowner(orrepresentative)isnotpresent,reportthecrashtothenearestpolicestation

reporttothenearestpolicestationifanyoneisinjuredandthePolicedidnotattendthecrashscene.

Penalty

Ifyoudonotstopandgiveassistanceafterbeinginvolvedinacrashoraccidentcausingdeathorinjuryyoucanbefinedupto$8,000.00and/orbeimprisonedforuptotwoyears.Youwillalsoloseyourlicencefortwoyears.(ThisisVictorianlegislation,yourstate/territorymaydiffer.)

CrashmanagementandFirstAid

Thekeythingsyouneedtodoare:

makethecrashscenesafe

checkthevictims-seetheyarebreathing

stopheavybleeding

keepvictimstill.


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Activity 17: If you are involved in an accident.

Tick the correct answers.

If your vehicle is involved in a crash you must first stop and then,before doing anything else:

care for the injured

protect the area so another crash wont happen

exchange names, addresses and registration numbers.

If you stop your vehicle at a crash site, you should:

park very close to the crash

put on your hazard lights

first notify the authorities.



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Section 2

Vehicle preparation


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Section outline


Vehiclesuspension

Vehiclesteering

Airbrakes

Vehiclepre-departurechecklist


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Pre-departure vehicle check

Forpartofthisinspectionyoushouldaskyourtrainerforassistance.

Lights,reflectorsandsigns

Lights,reflectorsandsignsonyourvehicleshouldbe:

clean

securelyattached

clearlyvisible.

Also,checkthefollowing:

redandyellowmarkerplates(ifrequired)

dangerousgoodslabelscorrectlydisplayedandreadable

headlights

parkinglights

taillights

numberplatelight

brakelightsandwarningbuzzer

turninglightsandwarningbuzzer

hazardwarninglights

runninglights.

RemembertoturntheignitionkeyandallswitchesOFFafterwards.


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Activity 18: Check your headlights and other globes

Does your company have a headlight tester and aligning board?

Yes No

If yes, ask your mechanic how it works. Ask him to show you onyour vehicle.

Can you change the indicator globes on your vehicle?

Yes No

If not ask the mechanic to show you how.


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Airsuspension

Aftertheairpressurehasbuiltupyoumust:

checkthatthebellowsaresupportingthevehicleandyourvehicleislevel

makesurethebellowsarenotincontactwithotherparts,andnotdamaged

listenforairleaksinthesystem.

Steering

Askyourtrainertohelpyoucheckyourvehiclesteeringsystem.

Withthefrontwheelsinastraightaheadposition,testthesteeringbyturningthesteeringwheelonewaythentheother,checkingforlooseplay.

Ifthevehiclehaspowersteering,thesecheckswillbecarriedoutwiththeenginerunning.Youmustbesuretheparkingbrakeisappliedandtherearwheelsarechocked.

Alsolistenforanyunusualsoundfromthepowersteeringpump.


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Activity 19: Check your vehicle steering

Check the following with the assistance of your trainer:

Yes No

Is there free play in your steering?

Is there looseness in steering joints?

Are there unusual noises in the steering pump?

Are there air leaks in the air system?

If you answered No to all of the above then your steering systemrequires no further action. If you answered Yes to any of theabove then you must have the vehicle checked by your mechanic.


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Clutch

Checkthefreeplayofyourclutchbypushinginthepedaluntilaslightresistanceisfelt.Normalfreeplayisbetween5cmand25cm.

Transmission

Withtheenginerunningandtheclutchpedalhelddown,checkthatthegearleverandothertransmissioncontrolsoperateproperly.

Pedals

Checkthattherubberpadsareproperlyfittedandingoodorder.Inparticular,makesuretopresstheacceleratorfirmlytothefloor(withtheengineswitchedOFF)checkingthatitshowsnosignofstickingorjamming.


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Activity 20: Check vehicle clutch pedal play

Demonstrate to your trainer the checks necessary to show that the

clutch has no free play and the transmission controls are operatingcorrectly.

Are all the pedal pad rubbers properly fitted and in good order?

Yes No

If no, ask your trainer what should you do to correct the problem.List his answer below for future reference.

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________


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Air brakes

Pressuresandtimesquotedinthissectionareintendedastypical

examplesonly.Checkyourvehicleoperatingmanual,oraskyourtrainerwhatthefiguresshouldbeforyourvehicle.

Thefollowingisastepbystepprocedurewhichwillenableyoutocarryoutacompleteweeklyorpre-tripinspectionofyourairbrakesystem.

1. Immobilisethevehicle.Parkvehicleonfirmlevelgroundandapplyparkingbrakes.Allwheelsonatleastonedriveaxleshouldbesecurelychocked,frontandrear.Duringthisinspectionallbrakeswillbereleased.NOTE:Donot

performthisairbrakeinspectioniftheseconditionscannotbemet.

2. Drainallair(wet)tanks.Emptyallairfromthetanksbyopeningthedrainvalves.Thisisdoneinordertoremovecondensedmoisture(water)fromthetanksandtoallowcheckingofotherpartsinthesystem.Waterinthesystemcausescorrosionanddecreasesbrakelife.Watchforsignsofoilinthedrainedwater.Ifanyoilispresent,thecompressormayneedservicing.Closealldraincocksafter

thesystemhasbeendrained.

NOTE:Brakesystemmanufacturersrecommendthatairtanksbe draineddaily.

3. StartEngine.Turntheignitionkeyon.Thelowpressurewarningbuzzerand/orlightshouldbeginoperatingcontinuously.Starttheengineandrunatfastidle(approximately1000rpm)tobuilduppressureinthereservoirs.Whilepressureisbuilding,takecarefulnoteoftheitemsmentionedinsteps4,5and6.

4. Lowpressurewarningcut-off:thelowpressurewarningdeviceshouldcontinueoperatinguntiltheairpressurereachesatleast410kPa.

5. Rateofpressurebuild-up:checkthetimetakenforthepressuretoincreasefrom350kPato600kPa.Thistimewillvaryfromonevehicletoanotherdependingonthetankcapacities,typeofcompressor,andenginespeedused.Youshouldrecordtheactualtimetakenandwatchforanychangeeachtimeyourepeatthetest(alwaysusingthesamespeed).Havethesystemcheckedifthetimevariesbymorethanoneminute(fiveminutesmaybea


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satisfactorytimeiftankcapacityislargeortheenginespeedissetlow,buthaveitcheckedtobesure).

Ifserviceandreservetanksarefedthroughindividualcheckvalves,pressurebuild-upshouldbesteadyandequal

onbothgauges. Inothersystemswherethereservetankisfedfromthe

servicetankthroughachargingvalve,theservicegaugewillreachapredeterminedpressurebeforethereservetankbeginstobuildup.

6. Maximumcut-offpressure:checkthepressureatwhichtheunloadervalveoperates.Thisshouldbeatleast690kPa.Ifoutsidethisrange,haveitchecked.

7. Releaseparkingorspringbrakes.Checkthatthevehicleis

onfirmlevelgroundandthewheelsarechocked(asinstep1).Releasetheparkingbrake,makesurethetractorprotectionvalveisinthenormalposition.Thismakessurethatallbrakesarereleased,includingthespringbrakeiffitted.

8. Pressurelosswithsystemstanding:runtheengineuntilmaximumpressurehasbeenreachedandthenshutitdown.Whilethevehiclestandsforfiveminutesnoteanydropinpressure(itmayhelptolightlytapthepressuregaugeifitappearstobesticking).Ifthepressuredropinfiveminutesexceeds35kPathesystemshouldbechecked.

Wheretimepermits,thischeckcanbeperformedmoreaccuratelybyallowingthevehicletostandfortenminutesandwatchingforapressuredropofnomorethan70kPa.

9. Applythebrakesfullyandholdthebrakepedaltothefloor.Whileholdingitthere,thepressuredropshouldnotbemorethan85kPa.Excessivepressuredropasthebrakesareappliedcanbeduetoafaultinthesystemormayindicatethatthebrakesneedadjusting.

Continuetoholdthebrakesonforoneminute,thentwominutes.Anyfurtherpressuredropshouldnotbefasterthan15kPaperminuteforrigidvehicles,or20kPaperminuteforarticulatedorcombinationvehicles.Iftheabovelimitsareexceeded,havethesystemchecked.

10.Lossofpressureprotection:withtheengineswitchedOFF,reduceairpressureinthetanksbyrepeatedlypumpingthebrakepedal.ThelowAirPressurewarningdeviceshouldbeginoperatingwithintherangeof280kPa

to410kPa,andthetractorprotectorvalveshouldswitch


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fromnormaltoemergencypositionwithintherange140kPato310kPa.

11. Re-applytheparkingbrakesandstarttheenginetobuildupfullpressure.


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Activity 21: Drain your vehicles air tanks

Demonstrate to your trainer how to park the vehicle, check the

brakes and drain the air tanks. Explain why it is important to drainthe air tanks daily.



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Activity 22: Check your vehicles low pressure cut-off

Check your vehicle manufacturers manual, and compare the low

pressure warning cut-off. Does the pressure match the examplegiven above? If not, at what pressure does your vehicle warningdevice cut off?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

How long does it take for your air pressure to build up to the correctoperating pressure?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Have you checked to see if the pressure build-up time varies?

Yes No

If no, you should do it now and remember to check it on a regularbasis.


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Activity 23: Demonstrate for your trainer brake checks

Demonstrate to your trainer the recommended checks as listed in

items 7 to 10. These checks are necessary for your safety and forthat of other road users.


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Airbrakesadjustment

Ifairbrakeadjustmentisrequired,itmustonlybedonebyaqualifiedperson.Youwillalsoneedtoaskyourtrainerforhelp.Theprocedure

whichfollowsisdesignedtohelpyoucheckbrakeadjustment.

Pushrodmovement

Withtheairtanksfullychargedandtheparkingbrakesreleased,notethemovementofthebrakechamberpush-rodforoneofthewheelsasyourassistantappliesandreleasesthefootbrake.Totalmovementshouldnotbemorethanthedistancespecifiedinthemanual.

Safetytip

Keepyoufingersoutofthelinkagewhencarryingoutthischeck.

Repeatthecheckforeachoftheotherwheels.Ifpush-rodmovementvariesgreatlyfromonewheeltoanotherorexceedsspecifications,havethebrakeschecked.


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Activity 24: Carry out the following brake checks

With the assistance of your trainer, check the tractor protection

valve and return the system to normal.

From the manufacturers manual, find out what your vehicle brakecylinder push-rod movement should be on each wheel. List thefigures below for future reference.

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

With the assistance of your trainer, check the brake cylinder push-rod movement on your vehicle, compare these with themanufacturers recommendations.

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________


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Hydraulic brakes

Iftheparkingbrakeisnotmountedonthetransmissionitwillneedto

bereleasedforthischecksoyoumustchockthewheels.

Withtheenginerunning:

releasetheparkingbrake

applythefootbrakenormally.

Ifthepedalmovesmorethanhalf-waydown,adjustmentorbleedingofthesystemisrequired.Bleedingtheairfromthesystemmayalsobenecessaryifthepedalfeelssoftorspongyratherthanfirm.NOTE:Reapplytheparkingbrakeafterthischeck.

Pedaltravelfirmness

Slowapplicationcheck

Applythefootbrakeveryslowlytakingabout15secondstoachievefullpedaltravel.Ifthepedalgoesallthewaytothefloorornoticeablyfurtherthanusual,hydraulicsealsinthesystemmaybeleaking.Havethesystemchecked.

Maximisingpressurecheck

Withtheenginerunning,rapidlypumpthepedalthreetimes,thenapplybrakeswiththemaximumforcepossible.Holdtheapplicationforaboutfiveseconds.Ifthepedalmovesfurtherdownduringthistime,serviceisrequired.

Theprevioustwochecksdonotapplytoalloverhydraulicsystems.

Vacuumassistedsystem

Forvacuumassistedbrakes,firstinspectthebrakesasexplainedintheprevioussection,Hydraulicbrakes,thencarryoutthefollowingadditionalchecksofthevacuumsystem:

1. Runtheengineuntilmaximumvacuumisreachedinthevacuumreservoir.

2. Vacuumassistedbrakesareappliedwiththeengineswitchedoff.Fullyapplythebrakesandnotetherateofvacuumloss(tapthegaugeiftheneedleissticking).Ifthe

vacuumislostatarateofmorethan12mmperminute,thesystemshouldbechecked.


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3. Withtheengineswitchedoff,pumpthebrakesuntilthelowvacuumwarningsignaloperates.Ifthesignaldoesnotoperatebeforethepressuredropsbelow200mm,thesystemshouldbechecked.

4. Checkthatallhosesareproperlysecuredandingoodcondition.

5. Checkthattheairfilteronthevacuumassistanceunitisnotblockedandcorrectlyfitted.


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Activity 25: Demonstrate to your trainer the operation of yourvehicles vacuum assisted brake system

Demonstrate to your trainer all the checks necessary to prove thecorrect operation of your vacuum assisted brake system. Carry outthe checks on your vehicle.

Continue the demonstration by checking:

system operation with the vehicle moving

parking brakes

steering.

NOTE: The on road check is completed after driving forapproximately 50 kilometres.


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System operation-check vehicle moving

Inthisfinalpartofyourvehicleinspection,thevehiclewillneedtobedriven.Seektheassistanceofyourtrainertocarryoutthesechecks.

Beforestartingyoushould:

applytheparkingbrake

removethewheelchocks

checkthatthesurroundingareaisclearoftrafficandotherobstructions.

Brakes

Parkingbrakes

Stopthevehicle,firmlyapplytheparkingbrakesandgentlytrytomoveoffagain.Thevehicleshouldnotmove.Ifitdoes,theparkingbrakeshouldbecheckedbeforethevehicleisdriven.

Checkbrakeoperation

Drivethevehicleforwardinfirstgearatabout5km/h(walkingpace)andthenapplythefootbrakesashardasyouwouldinanemergency.Ifthebrakespulltooneside,respondsluggishlyorfeelunusualinanyway,theyshouldbecheckedandadjustedbeforedrivingthevehicle.

Toadjustbrakes,locatevehicleinasafesecurelocation.Chockwheelsandraisevehicleoffthegroundandsupportonsuitablestands.

Removeadjustmentslotcoversfromrearofsupportplate.Insertthecorrectadjustingtoolandrotatestarwheeluntilliningdragsonthe

drum.Totighten,movetoolhandletowardaxlewhileusinginnersideofadjusterslotasafulcrumfortool,rotatingstarwheelteethawayfromaxle.Backoffstarwheelwhilerotatingdrumforward,untildragisjustrelieved,fromthispointbackoffadjusteranadditional8to10notchestoproviderunningclearance,replaceslotcovers.

Lowervehicleoffsupportstandsanddrivecheckbrakes.


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Steering

Drivevehicleslowlyforward(5km/h,)andturnthesteeringwheeltorightfulllockthenleftfulllock.Checkforanythingunusual,particularlystrangenoises,scrapesorknocks.

Onroadcheck

Afterdrivingthefirst50kilometresofatrip,stopinasafeplaceawayfromtrafficflowandbrieflycheckaroundthevehicle.Forexample,youshouldcheckthe:

temperatureofthetyres

hubs

brakedrums.

NOTE:Hightemperaturescouldindicateanunderinflatedtyre,abindingbrakeorfaultywheelbearing.

Checkfor

oilleaks

waterleaks

otherleaks.

Makesuretheloadisstillsecure.


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Activity 26: Carry out vehicle safety pre-departure check

Carry out a vehicle safety pre-departure check.

Vehicle pre-departure check

Date:_________________________________________________________

Vehicle registration number: ______________________________________

Inspected by: __________________________________________________

Under bonnet OK Product added Details

Engine oil

Coolant

Fuel

Clutch fluid

Brake fluid

Screen wash fluid

Ancillary drive belts

Inside vehicle before startingengine

Immediate response Faulty response

Oil pressure gauge

Alternator gauge

Air pressure gauge

Fuel quantity gauge

other gauge(s)

Parking brake on


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Inside vehicle start engine OK Unfit/stop engine

Oil pressure engine

Alternator

Air pressure

Windscreen wipers

Windscreen washers


In side vehicle turn on lights Fit Details

Headlights - low beam

Headlights - high beam

Hazard lights

Visual rear brake

Right front Fit DetailsRight front tyre

Appearance/rebound

Wall damage

Abnormal tread wear

Right front wheel

Nuts/wedges tight

Right front indicators

Regular blinking

Clearly visible


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Centre front Fit Details

Headlight high/low both on even

Park lights - clearly visible

Clearance lights - clearly visible

Plates/signs - present/legible

Windscreen - clear vision

Oil leaks

Weeps

Drips

Pools

Exhaust leaks

Visible emissions

Noise leaks

Vehicle posture - chassis even onwheels


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Left front Fit Details

Left front tyre

Appearance/rebound

Wall damage

Abnormal tread wear

Left front wheel

Nuts/wedges tight

Left front indicator

Regular blinking

Clearly visibleLeft lockers/door(s) - latchesfunctional

Left side window(s) - clear visibility

Cab tit lock - Functional and locked

Spare wheel

Tread

Pressure

Security

Wheel change tools

Jack

Stand

Socket

Wrench

Bar

Warning trianglesWarning signs

Accessory tools

As per company requirements


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Left rear Fit Details

Left rear tyres(s)

Appearance/rebound

Wall damage

Abnormal tread wear

Left rear wheel(s)

Nuts/wedges tight

Wheel guard/mud flaps


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Centre rear Fit Details

Tail lights - clearly visible

Brake lights - clearly visible

Indicator lights - clearly visible

Plates/signs - present/legible

Oil leaks

Weeps

Drips

Pools

Exhaust leaks

Visible emissions

Along tailpipe

Vehicle posture - Chassis even withwheels

Right rear Fit Details

Right rear tyre(s)

Appearance/rebound

Wall damage

Abnormal tread wear

Right rear wheel(s)

Nuts/wedges tight

Wheel guard/mudflaps

Air wet tank Fit Details

Service air wet tank

Emissions quality


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Return to inside vehicle Fit Details

Right side door(s)

Latches functional

Right side window(s)

Opening functional

Clearly visible

Service brakes functional

Warning horn functional

Seat adjustment

Personal requirement

Check adjustment

Lock secure

Rear view mirrors

Adequate rear vision

Registration certificate

Current registration andlicence

Inside vehicle equipment

First Aid kit

Log book

Invoices

Carte notes

Maps, etc

Passenger comforts

Magazines

Pillows

Videos, CDs

Rest room supplies

Dangerous goods safety equipmentto meet legislative requirements


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Section 3

Drive vehicle in a safe efficientmanner


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Section outline


Commonsteeringfaults

Frontwheelskid

Gearselection

Safebraking


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Common steering faults

Keepinggoodcontrolofyourvehiclerequiresthatyouavoidanyof

thecommondrivingfaultslistedbelow:

removingbothhandsfromthesteeringwheel

removingeitherhandfromthesteeringwheelforalongtime

allowingyourhandstodroptothelowerhalfofthesteeringwheel

turningthesteeringwheeltoomuchortoolittle

maintainingaturntoolongresultinginthevehicle

followinganerraticcourse

makingsuddenorsharpdeviationslikecuttinginorouttoosharplywhenovertakingcancauseresonanceroll

enteringbendsorcornerstoofast

brakingwhiledrivingthroughbendsandcorners.

Frontwheelskid

Frontwheelskidoccurswhenthetyreslosetheirgripontheroad

surface.

Ifthisoccursduringacceleration:

easeofftheaccelerator

straightenyourfrontwheels

applybrakestosloworstopthevehicle

accelerategentlyanddrivemorecarefully.

Ifthisoccursduringbraking:

easeoffbrakes

straightenthefrontwheels

recommencebrakingandsteeringmoregentlywhenskiddinghasstopped.


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Adrivewheelskid

Drivewheelspinorlockupisusuallyduetoexcessiveaccelerationorbraking(sometimesmadeworsebyoversteering).Thiscanbe

controlleddependingonthecause. Ifduetoexcessiveacceleration,easeofftheaccelerator

untiltractionisregainedandthengentlyre-applytheaccelerator.

Ifduetoexcessivebraking,easeoffthebrakesuntiltractionisregainedandthenbrakemoregraduallyandgently.

Iftheskidhascausedthedrivewheelstobegintomovesidewaysyouwillalsoneedtomakesteeringcorrections.Steerintotheskid,thatis,steertowardsthedirectioninwhichthedrivewheelsareskidding.


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Gear selection

Whentochangegears

EnginemanufacturersspecifytheengineRevsPerMinute(RPM)rangeformaximumtorque.

Asabasicrule,whenacceleratingorclimbingahillwithaload,youshouldup-shiftwhentheenginespeedisapproachingthemaximumlimit.

Onaflatroadwherepowerisnotcritical,youshouldselectthegearthatenablestheenginetorunatitsmosteconomicalspeed.This

enginespeedmaybespecifiedbythemanufacturerandmaybeslightlyabovetherangespecifiedformaximumtorque.

Othergearchangingindicators

Ifyourvehicleisnotfittedwithatachometer(revcounter),themanufacturermaysometimesrecommendroadspeedrangesforeachgear.Thebasicruleinthiscaseistochangeuptothenextgearatthehighendofthespeedrangeanddownatthelowend.

Experiencedtruckdriversalsobecomeusedtothesoundandfeel(i.e.

vibrations)oftheengineandmayusetheseasguidesingearshifting.Thismethodshouldbeusedcautiouslyinmodernvehiclesbecausetheimprovedsound-proofingandtheintroductionofturbo-chargedengines(withmaximumtorqueverylowintherevrange)canmisleaddriversintoshiftinggearsatthewrongspeed.

Thehightorquerangeofapetrolengineisathigherspeedandisnotasbroadasthatofadieselengine.Thismeansthepetrolenginedoesnothavethesameabilitytohangoninagearasadiesel.Gearchangeswillthereforeneedtobemorefrequentandathigherengine

speed.


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General gear shifting rules

Goinguphills

Youmayhaveenoughspeedtoclimbahillwithoutchanginggears.However,ifyoubegintolosespeed,youmustdown-shifttopreventtheenginefromlabouring.Rememberclimbingabilityisgreaterifenginespeedisclosetotherecommendedmaximum.

Beforegoingdownahill

Enginecompressioncanhelptoholdthevehicletoasafedownhillspeed.Brakesalonecanoverheatandfade(losebrakingpower).

Attemptingtochangegearsonasteephillcanresultingettingstuckinneutralandlosingcontrolofthevehicle.Alwaysreducespeedanddown-shifttotherequiredgearbeforeyoubeginthedescent.

Beforeenteringasharpcurve

Beforeyouenterasharpcurveoracorner,reduceyourspeed.Thendown-shifttothegearthatkeepstheenginerunningnearthemiddleofitsrange.Thisenablesyouto:

slightlyincreasepowerthroughthecurve,foraddedstability

acceleratesmoothlyasyoucomeoutofthecurve

usetheenginetoslowthevehicletoavoidhazards.


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Activity 28: What is the purpose of the gears in your vehicle?

Tick the correct answer.

The purpose of gears in a truck is to:

increase the engine energy capacity

spread the friction over more components

match road speed to best engine speed.

When driving up a steep hill, the best gear to engage is:

the lowest gear possible

the highest gear possible

the highest gear that maintains specified engine speed.

When driving down a steep hill, a driver should:

engage a higher gear

engage a lower gear during the descent

engage the required gear before descent.

When slowing or stopping, gear changing should:

include all intermediate ratios available

engage only the gear that will be next needed.

When negotiating a sharp corner, the required gearis engaged:

before entering the corner

at the sharpest point of the corner

during exit from the corner

immediately after leaving the corner.

The gear changing difference between petrol and the dieselengines is:


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diesel engines have higher torque at lower RPM

petrol engines pull better at low RPM.

The term skip shifting means that the driver:

avoids de-clutching during gear shifts

engages the most suitable gear regardless of sequence.

To engage a lower gear while moving on a slightdowngrade:

decrease speed to well below that of the lower gear

retain vehicle speed/gently decrease engine revs.



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Activity 29: Using your vehicle brakes safely

Tick the correct answers.

On steep downhills, service brakes should be used:

very few times during the descent

only for emergencies and unexpected conditions

by applying and releasing quickly and frequently.

Brake performance can be dangerously affected by:

water on the road surfaces

overheating through overuse

using gears which are too low for the hills

the nature of the road surface.

To use brakes safely and efficiently you should:

avoid braking in curves or corners if possible

use less braking for lighter loads

test your brakes after driving through water

press hard on the brake pedal.



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Activity 30: What are four points of good defensive driving

Write in the space below four points of good defensive driving.

1.___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

4.___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________



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Section 4

Completing a drivers log book


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Section outline


Instructionforcompletingdriverslogbook

Completingadailydrivinghourslogsheet

Completinga4weeksummarypage


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Activity 33: Completing a daily driving hours log

Using the daily driving hours log sample, record how much time

you spent driving your vehicle today.


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Four week summary page

Whenyoucompleteandsignadailydrivinghoursloginthelogbook,

writethetotalnumberofhoursforeachactivityforthatdayintherelevantsectionofthe4weeksummarypageasshowninthesample.(Note:sampleisfortruckdrivinghours.)

Driversshouldalsoincludeinthe4weeksummarypageperiodsof24(continuous)hours:

inthecaseoftrucknondriving

inthecaseofbusestimeawayfromactivitiesassociatedwith

thebusoranyloadcarriedbyit.Youmustcompletetheremainderofthe4weeksummarypagebyfollowingtheexamplesshownintheattachedsample4weeksummarypage.

Withinfourteendaysofcompletinga4weeksummarypage,youmustsignitandsendtheduplicateofthecompletedandsignedsummarypagetoyouremployersmainplaceofbusiness.

Ifyouareanemployeddriverandyouhaveworkedformorethanone

employerduringthe4weekperiod,theduplicateshouldbesenttothemainemployerandcopiestoallotheremployers.

Ifyouareanowner/driver,theduplicateshouldbesenttoyourmainplaceofbusiness.


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Activity 32: Four week summary

Using the 4 week summary page sample, record how much time

you spent driving your vehic

TLIC307C - Drive Medium Rigid Vehicle - Learner Guide

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