ATA CEO labels truck driver licensing an insult

ATA CEO labels truck driver licensing an insult

The CEO of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has taken issue with the results of an independent review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework published in May as they relate to Australia’s truck driver licensing system. Findings from the review, which Australia’s transport ministers commissioned, indicate the “current truck driver licensing system is inadequate,” said Ben Maguire, ATA CEO. Stating that the system must be fixed, Maguire more bluntly called the licensing system an “insult” to the country’s truck drivers.

Six out of ten

Maguire noted that the ATA called for the review of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework back in 2016 leading up to that year’s federal election. Australia’s transport ministers commissioned the review in response to ATA concerns related to truck driver training, he said.

“The review is now done. Its findings show that the current truck driver licensing system is inadequate,” Maguire said. An example of this, he pointed out, is that a heavy rigid training unit license (TLILIC2016) in place “fails to address six out of the ten safety risks it identifies. The unit only partly addresses the other four out of ten.”

An infographic the ATA released titled “Urgent action is needed on truck driver licensing” shows the safety risk areas not addressed pertain to physical health, manual handling, managing fatigue, maintaining resilience, managing in-cab distractions, and tow trailers. The risk areas partly covered include loading/unloading, descending steep grades, managing sudden stops, and on-road manoeuvres.

“Take urgent action”

One argument against improving truck driver licensing in Australia concerns the worry it might worsen the shortage of truck drivers already existing. Maguire stated that while there is a shortage of “new starters in the trucking industry,” it’s due instead to the image some have of the industry and that of making a career of truck driving. “By improving the professionalism of the industry, strengthening driver training would make driving more, not less, attractive as a career,” he said.

Maguire said for hard-working, expert truck drivers who’ve spent years learning their profession, the “poor quality of the driver training system is an insult.” He added it’s also an insult to driver trainers committed to safety. As an example, Maguire pointed to ATA member DECA Training, “which offers outstanding post-license courses for drivers who want to be recognised as professionals.” 

Ahead of a meeting of the country’s transport ministers on 18 May, Maguire said they need to take the results of the review into consideration and “take urgent action.”