Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Scheme Review

Over the past 18 months the Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Reference Group, comprising a variety of experienced stakeholders, has met to provide feedback on key matters affecting the sector to improve the professionalism and standards within the industry. Strong progress has been made on matters including, but not limited to, training and competency assessment, the Heavy Vehicle Pilot Code of Conduct, standards and licensing.

The meeting on 18 August 2023 will be the last for some time while HVS undertakes a review, particularly relating to pilot training standards, based on the feedback from the group. When HVS has finalised this, HVS will re-convene the Group to discuss the outcomes. Beyond this, the group may be retained as an ad hoc assembly for future instances of HVS liaison with the pilot industry.

At the August 2023 meeting the Group discussed the following issues, among related matters:

• Pilot training and experience: There was further dialogue about the need for improvement across all areas of training, with an understanding that not everything needs to be taught by the training organisations as there is too much detailed information to include in the course and it is available online. It was recognised that there is a responsibility on the individual pilot to gain further training, mentoring and experience;
• Pilot fatigue management: WorkSafe advised that it is looking at both the Code of Practice for Fatigue Management for Commercial Vehicle Drivers and the Code of Practice for Working Hours. Of interest are the sleeping arrangements for pilots which impact their sleep quality. The Group discussed that managing fatigue is a requirement under the Work Health and Safety legislation and is a responsibility of businesses, agencies, employers, employees and contractor pilots, including individuals who have a duty of care to themselves.

The Group also considered items such as:

• Bollards at Military Road;
• Issues at Calingiri Truck Bay; and
• Hale Road contraflow.

Further information will be provided by Main Roads in due course.

The Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Reference Group continues to progress key issues encompassed by the Review. At the April 2023 meeting the Group discussed the following issues, among related matters:

• Training Providers: Main Roads WA continues to liaise with relevant training agencies and industry bodies regarding Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and the heavy vehicle pilot courses they offer. Main Roads emphasises the standard of instruction and on-road experience as the instructor is required to hold the qualification and have on-road pilot experience. A positive response has been received from RTOs.
• Refresher Training: Main Roads will review the legally required 3 yearly refresher course to increase its relevance. The review will include a balance of theory and practical content. The recently revised Pilots Code of Conduct will be included in the revised content. It was noted that reviewing the refresher course will require a period of time, and this was understood and recognised by the Group.

The Group also considered items such as:

• The availability of places on Pilots refresher courses;
• The roles of Pilots and Traffic Escort Wardens;
• Pilots safety vests;
• Commercial Vehicle Driver Medicals; and
• Pilots fatigue.

The Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Reference Group met in August and December 2022 to progress key issues encompassed by the Review.

At the August meeting the Group discussed the following issues, among related matters:

Training of Pilots

Main Roads WA continues to liaise with relevant training organisations and industry bodies to audit whether Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are adhering to the current registered standards. This is necessary ahead of any suggested changes or improvements to the requirements themselves.

The Pilot Fleet and Attire

The Group considered whether there is potential for standard uniformity of the pilot fleet to make its purpose and function more obvious to general road users and to enhance professionalism.

Members also explored whether there is scope to improve the standard of pilot attire and appearance by introducing a basic standard of attire additional to the safety vest.

It was noted that safety vests are particularly important as the power to direct traffic is only available when dressed as per the requirements.

The December meeting considered items such as:

• Bridge Crossings
• Pilot Vehicle Lighting
• The draft Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Code of Conduct
• The draft Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Business Rules.

The Heavy Vehicle Licenced Pilot (HVLP) Reference Group continues to meet to progress key issues encompassed by the Review. At the June 2022 meeting, the Group discussed the following issues:

• Training of Pilots
  The Group agreed by consensus that in order to establish baseline information, an approach should be made to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to audit whether they are adhering to the current registered standards. This would be ahead of any suggested changes or improvements to the requirements themselves. Main Roads WA is liaising with relevant training organisations and industry bodies in this regard.
• Experience gained after formal training
  It was identified that after pilots receive training they also require experience in the real world environment. This Review may include the possibility of requiring newly qualified pilots to acquire a level of experience. The Group identified possible avenues in this regard, and is considering how other jurisdictions manage this aspect.
• Fatigue experienced by Pilots
  In consultation with WorkSafe, the Group is considering the fatigue management of pilot vehicle drivers, including those for whom their pilot vehicles are also their private/personal vehicles.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety vests, and the current 2004 Government Gazettal relating to attire
  It has been flagged that PPE for pilots needs reviewing. Safety vests are particularly important as the power to direct traffic is only available when dressed as per the requirements. Main Roads will be reminding the industry of the current 2004 Gazettal that relates to attire when directing traffic, and intends to liaise with the WA Police with a view to updating it if required.
• Accidents or crashes and injuries involving Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) loads
  The Group discussed seeking statistics on reported incidents involving OSOM loads and any consequent injuries.
  
  

The August 2022 meeting will consider on-road responsibilities and awareness and the Pilot Code of Conduct, as well as relevant topics the Group brings forward.

As part of the Heavy Vehicle Licenced Pilot Scheme Review, HVS established a reference group to involve the transport industry, pilot associations, individual pilots, the Department of Training & Workforce Development and other stakeholders. The purpose of the Group is to ensure the transport industry and interested parties are able to participate in the considerations arising from the review where possible.

The first meeting of the Heavy Vehicle Pilot Reference Group (HVPRG) was held in March 2022 in which the Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct were accepted by the group. The group also identified the key issues which should be included in the review. These are:

• Training of pilots;
• Pilots on-road responsibilities and awareness, and the Pilot Code of Conduct;
• Public awareness and information regarding Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) movements;
• Compliance aspects, such as pilot vehicle standards and the outcome of training.

The next meeting of the group is planned for late May 2022.

In late 2021, HVS sought expressions of interest to join the HVLPS review stakeholder reference group which will assist in the review process. The stakeholder reference group is made up of the following industry representatives:

1. Maria King - Manager (industry)
2. Jack Collier - Pilot
3. Lisa Redmond - Pilot & Agent
4. Guydon Boyle - Transport Operator
5. Leesa Pegus - Pilot and Agent
6. Eric Vickers - Industry Association
7. Matt Harston Main Roads - Traffic Escort Warden
8. George Foessel - Registered Training Provider
9. Michael Dean - Community Representative
10. Western Roads Federation - Industry Association

WA State Government representatives will join the SRG on an as needed basis and the SRG will be overseen by an independent facilitator.

The first meeting of the SRG is planned for late March 2022 and meeting agenda topics and any meeting outcomes / action items will be made available under the 'documents' section on this page.