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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of heavy rigid vehicle dynamics and handling for safe driving
Level / 3 / Credits / 3
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe heavy rigid vehicle dynamics; describe heavy rigid vehicle stability and handling characteristics; describe the effects of loads on heavy rigid vehicle dynamics and handling, and describe techniques to manage these effects; and describe safe practices for driving heavy rigid vehicles.
Classification / Commercial Road Transport > Commercial Road Transport Skills
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Assessmentsmust incorporate safe working practices and are in accordance with applicable manufacturer’s specifications, company and legislative requirements.
2Legislation, regulations and/or Industry Standards relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the current version of including updated amendments to, and replacements of -Land Transport Act 1998, Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004,Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002, Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicle Brakes 2006, Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004.
3Definitions
Company requirements refer to instructions to staff on policy and procedures which are documented in memo or manual format and are available in the workplace. These requirements include but are not limited to – company specifications and procedures, work instructions, manufacturer specifications, product quality specifications and legislative requirements.
Handling characteristics are how a vehicle behaves as a result of its design and the dynamics present at the time.
Heavy rigid vehicle dynamics means the motion of the vehicle, and the interaction of the various physical forces that affect that motion.
The system of vehicle control means placing the vehicle in the correct place on the road, at the right speed and in the right gear in all driving situations but particularly when approaching and negotiating hazards.
4Reference material
Professional Skills for Driving Trucks, Wellington, MITO New Zealand Incorporated, 2009. Available from MITO New Zealand Incorporated and public libraries.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe heavy rigid vehicle dynamics.
Evidence requirements
1.1The effects of speed on vehicle stability are identified.
Rangewhen travelling in a straight line, cornering, and negotiating intersections.
1.2The effects of vehicle weighton acceleration, deceleration, and braking are described.
1.3The relationship between momentum and kinetic energy and a vehiclesweight and speed are described.
Rangeincludes effects on braking, cornering, and the consequences of an impact.
1.4The effect the location of a vehicle’s centre of gravity has on handling is described.
1.5How friction can assist vehicle controlis described.
Rangeincludes at least two friction examples.
1.6The effectsof centrifugal force on heavy rigid vehicle handlingaredescribed.
Rangevehicle weight, speed,centre of gravity.
Outcome 2
Describe heavy rigid vehicle stability and handling characteristics.
Evidence requirements
2.1The effects on driving and manoeuvring of vehicle wheelbase and rear overhang are described.
2.2The influences of road camber, road surface, and lateral wind on vehicle handling are described.
Outcome 3
Describe the effects of loads on heavy rigid vehicle dynamics and handling, and describe techniques to manage these effects.
Evidence requirements
3.1The effects of load placement on vehicle dynamics and handlingare described.
Rangeincludes but not limited to - effects of varying the location of the load within the length, width, and height of the vehicle.
3.2Techniques used to minimise the height of the centre of gravity are described.
3.3The effects and management of live loads on vehicle stabilityare described.
3.4Techniques used to minimise load shift are described.
Outcome 4
Describe safe practices for driving heavy rigid vehicles.
Evidence requirements
4.1Techniques for reducing the likelihood of loss of control situations are described.
RangeThe 4-second rule, 12-second rule, vehicle inspections (including on-road checks), the system of vehicle control.
4.2Safe cornering techniques, including observance of recommended cornering speeds, and how they can reduce the likelihood of a roll-overare described.
4.3Techniques for descending steep grades and how they can reduce the likelihood of a runaway vehicleare described.
Planned review date / 31 December 2021Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 12 February 2001 / 31 December 2016
Review / 2 / 22 March 2005 / 31 December 2016
Review / 3 / 22 October 2010 / 31 December 2016
Review / 4 / 16 April 2015 / 31 December 2017
Review / 5 / 16 June 2016 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0014
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
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MITO New Zealand IncorporatedSSB Code 101542 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018