In December, Austroads announced Australia’s Transport Ministers have agreed in-principle to an improved, nationally consistent approach to the training and licence progression of heavy vehicle drivers (Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework), that improves road safety and productivity.
This is great news for safety considerations and job-readiness of heavy vehicle drivers. Once the pathways are in place, drivers will be able to upgrade from a medium rigid licence to a multi-combination licence in as little as six months. NatRoad has consistently advocated for licence progression based on experience, and competency, not just elapsed time.
Austroads have been instrumental in the development of this reform package and will develop best-practice standards and training material to support consistent delivery of the enhanced heavy vehicle competencies and assessments.
Austroads will continue to work with each state and territory government, and the different industries. The program will be fully scoped to identify policy, service and stakeholder issues and options, and seek to collaboratively develop a coordinated plan to deliver the anticipated safety and productivity benefits of the reform.
To find out more you can register for a webinar on Tuesday 30 January at 1pm AEDT or read the background on Austroads web site.
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