Heavy Truck Driver Kaitaraiwa Taraka Taumaha

Physical Requirements

Heavy truck drivers need to have good general health and good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses).

Useful Experience

Useful experience for heavy truck drivers includes work:

• as a driver
• as a truck driver's assistant
• at loading and unloading facilities
• in goods handling and management
• in warehouses or stores
• in an industry related to the materials being transported – for example, farming experience before driving livestock.

Personal Qualities

Heavy truck drivers need to be:

• punctual
• reliable and responsible
• able to follow instructions
• able to remain calm in emergencies
• able to work well under pressure
• courteous and law-abiding on the road.

Skills

Heavy truck drivers need to have:

• excellent driving skills
• basic knowledge of the mechanics of their truck and how to maintain it
• knowledge of how to secure loads using load binders, chains and strops
• knowledge of transport and related industry laws
• knowledge of emergency procedures and how to handle hazardous conditions
• ability to use satellite tracking equipment and on-board computers
• basic literacy and numeracy skills for accurately completing log books and measuring and weighing loads.

Conditions

Heavy truck drivers:

• work varying hours depending on what kind of truck driving they do. The number of hours they are allowed to work is governed by New Zealand Transport Agency regulations
• work in conditions that may be stressful, including poor weather and heavy traffic
• may work locally or travel long distances, which can mean spending nights away from home.