Medium and Heavy Truck Training: What You Need to Know

Heavy and medium trucks provide the backbone of Australian society. Truck drivers transport vital goods and products around the country. Truck drivers are rewarded for the long hours they put in with generous salaries and a sense of camaraderie with others who work in the industry. If being a medium or heavy truck driver is something which appeals to you, you may be interested in finding out more about the qualifications you will need to become a truck driver. Below are details of everything you need to know about heavy and medium rigid truck training.

The training

Medium and heavy truck training will teach you about the different parts of the truck, how they operate and how they fit together to make the vehicle function. You will also learn how to perform checks on the different parts of the truck to ensure that they are in good working order and how to repair or maintain the components such as the engine, the brakes and the oil and cooling systems. You will also learn how to check the pressure of each tyre and how to inflate or deflate them. Before you can learn to drive a truck, you will need to have earnt a standard car licence. This means you will have a working knowledge of how to drive on the roads. However, driving a medium or heavy truck is very different to driving a small car. The lessons you take will teach you how to drive a truck on the highway safely.

The assessments

The assessment you undertake at the end of your course is split into two parts. Firstly, there is an exam which will test your knowledge of the vehicle and its operation. During the course, you will be asked to complete written work which complements the practical skills you are learning. Doing this will prepare you for your final written assessment. However, it is important that you do not overlook the theoretical part of the course during your training. Even if you can drive a truck, you will not be awarded your licence until you have passed the exam. You will also need to take a practical exam. This is very similar to the driving test you completed in order to get your car licence. Your instructor will ensure that you have covered all of the different skills you will need to complete the practical exam.

If you would like more information, you should contact a trade school today.