SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Occupational Certificate: Truck Driver

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
93793	Occupational Certificate: Truck Driver
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-TETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 11 - Services		Transport, Operations and Logistics
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	130	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2018-07-01	2025-12-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30		2029-12-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Truck Driver.
Truck drivers operate trucks with a GVM in excess of 3,500 kilograms and ensure the safe transportation of cargo from point of departure to point of arrival.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Plan and prepare a truck for transportation.

Operate a truck.

Maintain operational documents and records.

Rationale:
The Transport Industry requires a training system for truck drivers for energy efficient and environmentally friendly trucks with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) in excess of 3,500 kilograms. The overall objective is to enhance the skills and competences of truck drivers to improve road safety and customer services. This new occupational qualification includes all the relevant aspects required to comply with the new legislation pertaining to energy efficiency and safety.

This qualification resides as one of several in the transport industry and makes allowance for any feeder occupations to gain access to operate a truck with a GVM in excess of 3,500 kilograms. The Truck Driver qualification also makes provision for people to progress within the transport industry.

The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner:

Has an opportunity to be recognised as a qualified heavy vehicles driver with well-structured, relevant and current competencies.

Is able to provide enhanced customer service.

Has access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the road freight industry.

Society will be served by qualified truck drivers who not only undertake work with improved skills but are also undertaking this work with a full awareness of the importance of energy efficiency requirements.
The economy requires efficient and effective truck driver competencies for economic growth purposes as well as assisting in the global move to a greener world by contributing towards utilising energy efficient heavy vehicles.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:

NQF Level 2 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge/Theory and Practical Skill Modules:

Knowledge/Theory Modules:

Health, Safety, Quality and Legislation, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.

Environment, Energy Efficiency and Ethics, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.

Industry Contexts, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.

Business Essentials, NQF Level 3, 9 Credits.

Transport Risk, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.

Operating a truck, NQF Level 3, 14 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 52.

Practical Skill Modules:

Prepare truck for loading, offloading and transportation, NQF Level 3, 15 Credits.

Operate a truck, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.

Inspect vehicles and complete inspection reports, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 33.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

Planning for transportation of cargo, NQF Level 3, 15 Credits.

Complying with road traffic regulations, NQF Level 3, 15 Credits.

Documentation and reporting procedures and processes, NQF Level 3, 15 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 45.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Plan and prepare a truck for transportation.
2. Operate a truck.
3. Maintain operational documents and records.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Vehicles are parked, shut down and inspection combinations carried out according to a checklist.

Documentation and loading instructions are issued and reconciled according to standard operating procedures.

Tarpaulins/straps/safety, lashing equipment are used according to standard operating procedures.

Pre-trip vehicle inspection forms are completed to conform to legislation, standard procedures and checklist.

Different loads are compiled and checked according to specification.

Loads are secured according to accepted norms and company standard operating procedures.

Knowledge and understanding of planning and preparing a truck for transportation are demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Vehicle is started, steered, maneuverer, positioned and stopped in accordance with traffic regulations and manufacturer's instructions.

Engine power is managed to ensure efficiency and performance and to minimize engine and gear damage according to manufacturer's specifications.

Engine operation is maintained within manufacturer's specified torque range and temperature through effective gear selection and smooth transition in gear changes.

Braking system of vehicle is managed and operated to ensure effective control of the vehicle under all conditions.

Driving hazards are identified and/or anticipated and avoided or controlled through defensive driving.

Vehicle is driven in reverse, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning.

Vehicle is parked, coupled, shut down and secured in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, traffic regulations and workplace procedures.

Vehicle is shut down according to manufacturer's specification.

Parking brake is applied and neutral gear selected according to manufacturer's specification.

Engine is allowed to idle (if required) and switched off according to manufacturer's specification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Vehicle combination is inspected according to National Legislation and standard operating procedure.

Vehicle checklist is completed according to accepted norms and standards.

Defects are recorded and reported according to accepted norms and standards.

Delivery note/Waybill/Packaging slip is received and produced according to organisational standard operating procedures.

A dangerous goods declaration is obtained and in accordance to organisational standard operating procedures and SANS 10231 (if required).

A fire permit is obtained and produced (if required) according to organisational standard operating procedures.

Reports are compiled and inspected following rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Knowledge and understanding are demonstrated of preparing reports for management.

Integrated Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The external assessment model requires that the external assessment will be conducted through a combination of a written assessment and practical task at an accredited trade test centre. The written examination will be concluded at an accredited trade test centre and marked by registered assessors. Practical tasks will also be assessed by registered assessors. The combination of the written and practical assessment will be conducted over a period of two working days.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The international comparability study conducted specifically focused on two countries Australia and New Zealand. These were therefore considered during the generation and wider consultation processes with specific reference to functional analysis and occupational mapping processes. In general terms Truck Driving was well covered by the above examples.

On the Australian framework, two qualifications were looked at, one at a level below and one at the equivalent level of the South African qualification. The lower level qualification addresses driver competence, and the higher level qualification requires transport operational competence. The two Certificates in Transport and Distribution (Road Transport) address competence in vehicle operations, transport sector specific operations, depot operations, supervision and leadership, and road transport small business management. The South African qualification does not address depot operations, supervision and leadership.

The lower level qualification (Certificate II in Transport and Distribution (Road Transport) focuses on safety and performance of the driver, enhancing professionalism and awareness, encouraging a positive driving attitude, and achieving Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR), Heavy Rigid (HR) or Heavy Combination (HC) endorsements. Areas of competence required include licence test, road law, system of vehicle control, demonstration drive, pre-trip inspection, cabin checks, starting and stopping sequence, mirror checks, vehicle positioning, left and right turns, roundabouts, lane changing, overtaking, reversing, park or trailer brake start, coupling and uncoupling, occupational health and safety issues, fatigue management principles, dangerous goods, loading and unloading, tarping and tying, mechanical appreciation, route planning, and use of gears.

The Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Road Transport) requires learners to maintain container/cargo records, process receipt and delivery of containers and cargo, transfer cargo, coordinate goods to bond premises, complete receival/dispatch documentation, apply product knowledge to organise work operations, organise dispatch operations, organise receival operations, coordinate stocktakes, organise warehouse records operations, control and order stock, receive and store stock, test equipment and isolate faults, carry out maintenance of vehicles designed to carry special loads, carry out inspection of vehicles designed to carry special loads, set up and rig crane for lift, plan job and set up work areas, maintain mobile cranes, load and unload wheeled or tracked crane, undertake site inspection, de-rig, and pack and store tools and equipment. Similar to the South African qualification, it is aimed truck drivers. In addition, the Australian qualification also incorporates competence required of truck offsiders, delivery drivers, furniture removalists, storepersons, transport clerks, transport managers, and transport operations officers. Therefore, the South African qualification is limited to the following: maintain container/cargo records, complete receival/dispatch documentation, apply product knowledge to organise work operations, carry out maintenance of vehicles designed to carry special loads, carry out inspection of vehicles designed to carry special loads, plan job and set up work areas.

On the New Zealand framework, a number of similar qualifications exist, namely:

National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Goods Service) with strands in Rigid heavy vehicle Driver, and Heavy Combination Vehicle Driver, and optional strands in Dairy Industry Transport, Log Transport, Overdimension and Overweight Load Transport, Bulk Flammable Liquids > Transport, Bulk Gases Transport, Bulk Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transport, and Civil Construction Transport.

National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Large Passenger Service Driver) with strands in School Bus, Urban and Local Route, and Long Distance.

National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Livestock Transport Driver).

National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Logging Truck Driver).

The first two qualifications are the closest to this South African qualification, and are discussed in more detail.

Both New Zealand qualifications contain many lower level credits (only between 29% and 44% are at or above the level of the qualification). The National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Goods Service), at an equivalent level, requires learners to be able to describe and evaluate the application of road usage law, communicate information in a specified workplace, apply listening techniques, fill in a form, write an incident report, select and record routes as a road transport operator, carry out start up and shutdown procedures on a heavy motor vehicle and make ready for use, demonstrate knowledge of driving hours law and complete driving hours log book, demonstrate knowledge of heavy motor vehicle systems and components, load and unload a goods service vehicle, demonstrate knowledge of stress and health for driving, demonstrate knowledge of traffic law for the purpose of safe driving, describe driving hazards and risk reduction responses to driving hazards, apply risk reduction techniques while driving, maintain personal presentation in the workplace, and perform calculations for the workplace.

The remainder of the so-called core elective credits (between 8% and 18% of the 20% to 30%) are elected from the following domains: civil plant operation, bitumen surfacing, interpersonal communications, commercial road transport skills, goods service, transportation of waste and recoverable resources, crane operation, core driving knowledge and skills, driver licence classes, driver licence endorsements, and powered industrial lift trucks.

Rigid heavy vehicle Driver Strand: Demonstrate knowledge of heavy rigid motor vehicle dynamics and handling for safe driving, Drive a heavy rigid motor vehicle, Meet requirements for full Class 4 driver licence and demonstrate knowledge of licence requirements, Operate a heavy rigid motor vehicle for a Class 4 driver licence.
Heavy Combination Vehicle Driver Strand: Drive a heavy combination motor vehicle, Demonstrate knowledge of heavy combination motor vehicle dynamics and handling for safe driving, Meet requirements for full Class 5 driver licence and demonstrate knowledge of licence requirements, Operate a heavy combination motor vehicle for a Class 5 driver licence.

Optional strands in addition to one of the above complete the qualification, and include:

Dairy Industry Transport Optional Strand: Demonstrate pathogen control in the dairy industry, Explain cleaning processes and safe handling of cleaning chemicals in the dairy industry, Explain milk production, collection and reception in the dairy industry, Explain clean in place systems used in the dairy industry.

Log Transport Optional Strand: Demonstrate knowledge of the log loading process, Demonstrate knowledge of the general requirements for employment in a plantation forest, Drive heavy vehicle on unsealed road surfaces, Transport logs by heavy motor vehicle.

Overdimension and Overweight Load Transport Optional Strand: Drive heavy vehicle in off-road environments, Transport overdimension or overweight loads by road, Transport building structures by road.

Bulk Flammable Liquids Transport Optional Strand: Load, convey and unload dangerous goods by road transport, Transport flammable bulk liquids by road, Demonstrate knowledge of law and practice for transport of Dangerous Goods by road.

Bulk Gases Transport Optional Strand: Load, convey and unload dangerous goods by road transport, Transport bulk gases by road, Demonstrate knowledge of law and practice for transport of Dangerous Goods by road.

Bulk Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transport Optional Strand: Load, convey and unload dangerous goods by road transport, Transport bulk liquefied petroleum gas by road tanker, Demonstrate knowledge of law and practice for transport of Dangerous Goods by road.

Civil Construction Transport Optional Strand: Convey civil construction plant by transporter, Deliver, stockpile, and spread aggregates with truck and trailer, Maintain, transport, and store roadwork signs for civil construction works.

Conclusion:
The proposed Occupational Certificate: Truck Driver is comparable to examples in most developed countries. The industry recognises the need for transformation in emerging economies, and therefore provides for learning and career pathways for those involved in transport operations. It will encourage the development of skills to internationally comparable standards, and provide leadership, for the development of transport in Africa.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally with the "National Certificate: Professional Driving NQF Level 3".

It will articulate vertically with qualifications currently in development is envisaged that there will be a vertical learning pathway for parts of the transport sector that will allow for vertical articulation.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience.

Foundational learning:
Foundational learning competence is a pre-requisite for access to the external integrated summative assessment,
the awarding this qualification.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
Relevant Code of drivers licence (where relevant, also the additional conditions must also be met).

The absence of any impairment which will prohibit the issuing of a valid driving license.

Part Qualifications:
This qualification does not have any associated part qualifications.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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