Announcement date
19 December 2023
Link to announcement
https://austroads.com.au/latest-news/ministers-approve-reform-package-to-improve-road-safety-and-productivity
Problem being addressed
The National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework (NHVDCF) establishes minimum competency and assessment standards for heavy vehicle drivers across Australia. In August 2022, Austroads released and consulted on possible reform options to improve Australia’s heavy vehicle licensing framework, as part of its draft Regulation Impact Statement for consultation (Consultation RIS). The final Regulatory Impact Statement (Decision RIS) is the next phase of the review.
Proposal
The proposed reforms to the NHVDCF considered in this Decision RIS are primarily aimed at delivering improved road safety outcomes by better considering these risk factors in licensing. They also include considerations of reforms to arrangements governing heavy vehicle training and assessment which may help improve the quality of driver training.
Two options for improving the NHVDCF have been proposed:
Option 1: (‘competency refresh’ option) consists of a number of elements designed to enhance the standard of driver training and assessment by increasing the focus on factors known to improve driver competency.
Option 2: (‘eligibility criteria’ option) prevents inexperienced drivers and individuals with a recent history of driving offences from obtaining or upgrading a licence through the introduction of two new licence eligibility criteria:
- requiring an applicant to hold an open licence before gaining a Medium Rigid or above licence.
- excluding drivers with a licence suspension or disqualification within the last two years from gaining or upgrading a heavy vehicle licence.
These criteria could be implemented in isolation or in combination.
Assessed Impact Analysis outcome
Compliant decision RIS