OVC - Operate a Vehicle Combination

Duration

One Day Refresher, 3 Days Intermediate, 5 Days Novice. Subject to prior experience.

Overview

Designed for both novice and experienced learners who may be expected to drive a Vehicle Combination. The combination vehicle must consist of a drawing vehicle and trailer, or two vehicles, one of which has a Gross Vehicle Mass of less than 3.5 tons. The trailer must be less than 75% of the Gross Vehicle Mass of the vehicle.

1. Prepare a vehicle combination for a trip

  • Introduction
  • Preparation of a vehicle combination for a trip
  • Know the vehicle
  • Documentation of a pre-trip inspection
  • Preliminary tests

2. Drive a combination vehicle

  • Introduction to Defensive Driving
  • K53 standard
  • Basic driving techniques
  • Park, shut down and secure the vehicle combination

3. Couple and uncouple the drawing vehicle and trailers

  • Introduction
  • Coupling truck-tractor semi-trailers
  • Uncoupling truck-tractor semi-trailers

4. Handle emergency situations

  • Introduction
  • Types of different emergency situations
  • Incidents and Accidents
  • Skidding
  • Vehicle breakdowns and mechanical failure
  • Vehicle Fire
  • Basic First Aid Procedures
  • Hi-jack Awareness

5. Reflect on your vehicle and driver performance

  • Introduction
  • Adjustment to different driving conditions
  • Economical Driving
  • Medical Conditions
  • Alcohol, drugs and driving
  • Fatigue

6. Road Transport Service Quality

  • Vehicle Stability
  • Passenger comfort and maintaining freight quality
  • Handling delays