11 minute read
Truck licensing called into question
The fatal collision in Melbourne which resulted in four police officers losing their lives when a semi-trailer drove into the emergency lane where they were impounding a Porsche sent Australians into a sense of shock and disbelief and called into question truck licensing across the country.
Truck drivers are getting licences with only a few hours of experience behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle, prompting the Victorian government to consider a dramatic shake-up in a bid to improve road safety.
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With increased fatal collisions on Melbourne’s roads and a spike in the number of truck crashes nationwide the Victorian state government is examining an industryled push to improve what some describe as “dismal” training standards in their state.
Under the current system, ‘anyone’ who has an Australian car licence for two years can upgrade to drive a loaded heavy rigid truck, which can weigh up to 22.5 tonnes, after only a few hours of training which is a similar system across other states.
Within a year they would then be eligible to drive a loaded semi-trailer, which can weigh up to 42.5 tonnes if they passed another quick test.
In Western Australia (see graphs), drivers must pass a Heavy Vehicle Theory Test and a Physical Test through the Department of Transport and can use an authorised Training Organisation to gain their training.
What has also been bought into question is drivers from countries whose road networks, equipment and rules bear little comparison to Australia such as India.
Interestingly, Indian drivers licences (car) are recognised in Australia which is not the same in reverse where India’s motor vehicle act prohibits any foreigner from driving in India.
Some are arguing that without serious reform, the road toll will continue to climb and Australia will suffer ongoing driver shortages because employers are increasingly reluctant to hire people without the necessary experience.
“It’s an easy qualification because all you have to do is pay about $1000 for five hours of your time,” said Victorian
Western Australian Licensing and Vehicle Classes
Light Rigid (LR Class) heavy vehicle
A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass over 4,500kg to a maximum of 8,000 kg (no axle limit) or which carries more than 12 passengers (including the driver) to a maximum of 8,000kg.
Experience required to upgrade your license or remove a restriction
Must have held: a Car (C class) license for at least one (1) year.
When you can start learning to drive
On attaining your Car (C class) license.
License authorisation
If you are authorised to drive LIght Rigid (LR class) vehicles you may drive any: • Motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor carrier, with a GVM exceeding 4,500 kg but not exceeding 8,000 kg • Motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor carrier, not exceeding 4,500 kg that is equipped to seat more than 12 adult (including the driver). • Car (C class) motor vehicle. • Moped (R-N class).
Medium Rigid (MR Class) heavy vehicle
A motor vehicle that has 2 axles and a gross vehicle mass greater than 8,000kg.
Experience required to upgrade your license or remove a restriction
Must have held a Car (C class) license for at least one (1) year.
When you can start learning to drive
On attaining your Car (C class) license or LIght Rigid (LC class) licence.
License authorisation
If you are authorised to drive Medium Rigid (MR class) vehicles you may drive any: • Motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor carrier, that has 2 axles and a GVM exceeding 8,000kg • Light Rigid (LR class) vehicle • Car (C class) vehicle • Moped (R-N class). • A Medium Rigid (MR class) motor vehicle may be used to tow one trailer (not a semi-trailer) that has a GVM not exceeding 9,000kg, and no other trailer.
Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson, who is heading a ministerial committee review into the issue.
“The industry is asking the government to acknowledge the fact that we want to see drivers properly trained before they get a licence. You should know what you’re doing before you get into a truck.”
Figures from the federal department of transport show in the 12 months to December last year, 188 people died from 173 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicle trucks – an increase of more than 27 percent from the year before.
The circumstances surrounding the truck driver accused of killing the four police officers in Melbourne has taken a bizarre turn.
Mohinder Singh Bajwa has said he was trying to avoid hitting a “witch” when he swerved across several lanes on the Eastern Freeway.
At the time of this article, Singh was receiving psychiatric treatment in a Melbourne Assessment Prison while facing four counts of culpable driving.
A source inside the prison told the Herald Sun that he is an “unwell man”.
“He reported that he’s sighted a witch while he was driving and veered into the emergency lane,” the source said.
It was also alleged that he had ice pipes in the cabin of his truck and at his home in Victoria but Police are yet to release his blood tests.
The transport industry has worked hard to change the public’s perception of their industry, and regardless if Singh is found to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the tragedy or not, this will reflect on industry as a whole.
Singh said he was genuinely sorry and saddened about the deaths of the police officers, in a statement released by his lawyer Steve Pica.
Police later went on to raid several properties in Sydney and Melbourne that were linked to his employer and trucking company Connect Logistics.
It is understood that officers seized log books but haven’t made any other arrests. Singh did not apply for bail and is due to return to court on October 1.
Heavy Rigid (HR Class) heavy vehicle
A motor vehicle that has 3 or more axles and a gross vehicle mass greater than 8,000 kg.
Experience required to upgrade your license or remove a restriction, must have held
• a Car (C class) license for at least two (2) years; or Light rigid (LR Class) licence for at least one (1) year; or Medium Rigid (MR Class) licence for at least one (1) year.
When you can start learning to drive
• 12 months after attaining your car licence (C class); or • On attaining your LR (Light Rigid class) licence; or • On attaining your LR (Light Rigid class) or MR (Medium Rigid class) licence.
License authorisation
If you are authorised to drive HR class vehicles you may drive any: • Motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor carrier, that has at least 3 axles and a GVM exceeding 8,000 kg. • MR (Medium Rigid class) vehicle • C (Car class) vehicle • Moped • A H class motor vehicle may be used to tow one trailer (not a semitrailer) that has a GVM not exceeding 9,000 kg, and no other trailer.
Heavy Combination (HC Class) heavy vehicle
A prime mover to which is attached a single semi-trailer plus any unladen converter dolly, or rigid motor vehicle attached to a trailer that has a gross vehicle mass greater than 9,000 kg plus any unladen converter dolly.
Experience required to upgrade your license or remove a restriction, must have held
• Car (C class) licence for at least three (3) years; and • Medium Rigid (MR Class) licence or
Heavy Rigid (HR class) licence for at least one (1) year.
When you can start learning to drive
• On attaining your Medium Rigid (MR class) licence, or Heavy Rigid (HR class) licence.
License authorisation
If you are authorised to drive Heavy Combination (HC class) vehicles you may drive any: • Motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor carrier, that is attached to a semi-trailer or trailer that has a GVM exceeding 9,000kg; • Heavy Rigid (HR class) vehicle • Medium Rigid (MR class) vehicle • Light Rigid (LR class) vehicle • Car (C class) vehicle • Moped (R-N class) vehicle
VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 5
Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Last month I covered the depreciation incentives business can take advantage from a stimulus package and what has been little promoted is the fact that businesses can get an increased INSTANT ASSET WriteOff that is a 100% tax deduction this year on new and used vehicles, trailers and equipment – up to $150K. This can also be financed however, you only have until June 30, 2020, to take advantage of it. What it could mean for you is, for example, If you purchase a $120K truck it would save a company $33,000 in tax for the 2020 financial year (see Page 7 for more help).
I realise a lot of people are struggling but if you can afford to invest in your business, now is the time to do so.
In this edition (Page 13) Carol Messenger covers the G2G App, regional and interstate border checks and Two-up, drivers. The WA Premier Mark McGowan has indicated that it will be a long time before WA borders are open to all but essential services. With most regional border restrictions being lifted in WA it is an ongoing job for transport operators to navigate the different state and territory requirements. Welcome to all the new readers of the magazine and thank you to everyone who supports this little West Australian business who works hard {me} to keep you informed and inspired.
Best,
Karen
CONTENTS
2 ..............................................Truck licensing called into question
6 ..............................................Route planning requirements for OSOM vehicles
8 ..............................................Additional regional services for REX
9 ..............................................Port community working together through COVID-19 pandemic
12 ...........................................Truck registration freeze – But what about WA?
14 ...........................................Western Roads Federation – The group who kept WA’s Freight Industry moving
16 ...........................................LRTAWA – Youth and experience are a constructive mix
17 ............................................Fuel tax increase cancelled
18 ...........................................Major projects fast tracked in WA
19 ...........................................VALE – Sergio Casotti
22 .........................................Truckie mental and physical health in Television focus
Every Month
7 ...............................................Questions to WA State Government
10 ...........................................Fair Go for Owner Drivers
13 ...........................................Bird’s Eye View
20 .........................................HCVC
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