Profession cargo vehicle driver

Truck drivers drive and tend heavy motor vehicles to transport goods, liquids and heavy materials over short or long distances.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

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Knowledge

• Mechanical components of vehicles

  Know the mechanical components used in vehicles and identify and resolve potential malfunctions.

• Effective perception of transport environment

  Know the local transport topography, including roads, traffic hotspots, and alternative routes to reach a destination. Use knowledge to transport the vehicle to its destination in the most time and fuel efficient manner, and minimising safety risks.

• Road traffic laws

  Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.

• Vehicle cargo capacity

  The capacity and the limits of the commissioned vehicle in terms of weight, type of cargo it can handle, and other cargo loading specifications.

• Types of cargo

  Distinguish different types of cargo e.g. bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo and heavy materials.

• Road transport legislation

  Know road transport regulations at regional, national, and European level in matters of safety and environmental requirements.

Skills

• Supervise loading of cargo

  Supervise the process of loading equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that all cargo is handled and stored properly in accordance with regulations and standards.

• Parallel park vehicles

  Parallel park motorised vehicles in a variety of spaces.

• Practice emergency stops

  Practice emergency stops. Know the interchange with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), as this must be disabled before the execution of an emergency stop.

• Use different communication channels

  Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

• Supervise unloading of cargo

  Supervise unloading processes for equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that everything is handled and stored correctly in accordance with regulations and standards.

• Operate GPS systems

  Use GPS Systems.

• Stay alert

  Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.

• Control the performance of the vehicle

  Understand and anticipate the performance and behaviour of a vehicle. Comprehend concepts such as lateral stability, acceleration, and braking distance.

• Read maps

  Read maps effectively.

• Use communication devices

  Operate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.

• Interpret traffic signals

  Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.

• Maintain concentration for long periods

  Stay concentrated over a long period of time in order to make correct judgements and appropriate decisions.

• Anticipate foreseeable problems on the road

  Anticipate problems on the road such as punctures, pursuit driving, understeering or, oversteering.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB