SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate a vehicle combination 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123254  Operate a vehicle combination 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Transport and Logistics Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
10974  Operate a vehicle combination, consisting of a drawing vehicle and trailer/s  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of learning is to ensure safe, professional operation of vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tons, and consisting of a drawing vehicle and trailer/s. Credited learners can drive a specific vehicle combination in accordance with legal, safety, manufacturer and other relevant requirements and reflect on the manner in which the vehicle is operated.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Preparing a vehicle combination for road transport trips according to specification.
  • Driving a vehicle combination in accordance with specified requirements.
  • Ensuring the maintenance of road transport service quality.
  • Handling unexpected situations according to specified procedures.
  • Parking vehicle combination in accordance with specified requirements.
  • Coupling and uncoupling a drawing vehicle and trailer/s according to specified procedures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners have already attained NQF Level 2 Mathematic literacy and Communication and Language competence. It is also assumed that the learner can already drive a light vehicle (less than 3.5 tons gross vehicle mass), and can plan road transport service delivery. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The combination vehicle must consist of a drawing vehicle and trailer, or two vehicles, one of which has a gross vehicle mass of less than 3,5 tons. The trailer must be less than 75% of the gross vehicle mass of the vehicle.

    The scope of this unit standard is as follows:
  • Trailer refers to one of the following:
    > Drawbar trailer with a turn table.
    > Semi-trailer (i.e. a trailer coupled through a 5th wheel).
  • Articulation point refers to any coupling point either through:

    > A fifth wheel; or
    > A turn table of a drawbar trailer; or
    > Couple interface between drawbar and drawing vehicle.
  • Competence on the driving outcome for vehicles over 3,5 tons gross vehicle mass, should be assessed on:
  • At least one of the following gearbox types:

    > Synchro-mesh.
    > Non-synchro mesh.
    > Automatic.
  • At least 1 of the following retardation systems (refers to a braking system fitted on a vehicle, in addition to brake systems, as required by law).

    > Engine brakes.
    > Drive line retarders (electro-magnetic and Hydraulic).
    > Exhaust brakes.
  • Service brake system.
  • Competence should be proven on a loaded vehicle. Loaded implies a vehicle loaded with goods and/or passengers to at least 25 percent of its rated capacity.
  • The learner's portfolio should prove that the learner has accumulated at least 100 logged hours of driving which includes the following compulsory conditions:

    > Night driving - at least 5 hours.
    > Driving in wet weather conditions - at least 5 logged hours.
    > Freeway driving - at least 20 logged hours.
    > Driving in low and high density traffic - at least 20 logged hours.
  • The relevant driving license will have to be obtained, before the learner can be credited against this unit standard. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare a vehicle combination for road transport trips according to specification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vital vehicle combination components are inspected in a systematic way in order to comply with the relevant legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Relevant legislation currently includes the Road Traffic Act of 1993.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Rigid heavy vehicle inspection is recorded legibly and in accordance with operational requirements/specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Vehicle combination defects are identified and reported accurately, comprehensively and timeously, so that the necessary actions to rectify defects are initiated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All prescribed and or other relevant preliminaries are executed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preliminaries can include brake tests and start up procedures.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Drive a vehicle combination in accordance with specified requirements. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Specified requirements include legal, manufacturer, and defensive driving requirements; current legal requirements include K53. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vehicle combination is driven and manoeuvred in accordance with the specified standard. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    K53.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Vehicle combination is driven in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and to actively prevent accidents, injury to people or damage to property/vehicle, despite the incorrect actions of others or adverse conditions, by applying defensive driving principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Vehicle combination is driven and manoeuvred in accordance with legal provisions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The Road Traffic Act of 1993.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Vehicle combination is driven in a manner which takes cognisance of the articulation point/s. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Ensure the maintenance of road transport service quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Time schedules are considered, implications for freight/passengers are established, and appropriate action is taken to ensure the maintenance of freight quality/passenger safety and comfort. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of load positioning on the stability of the vehicle combination is accurately described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of additional trailers on the dynamics of the vehicle combination is explained in terms of the interaction of the following aspects and their impact on the stability of the vehicle combination:
  • Mass of individual vehicle units in the combination.
  • Speed of the combination.
  • Direction of travel.
  • Road surface.
  • Load distribution.
  • Jack-knifing. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Driving style is adapted in order to maintain freight quality/passenger safety and comfort during transportation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Organisational standards are adhered to with full consideration of safety and comfort factors and actions are implemented to rectify problems for specific contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safety factors can include stopping only at scheduled locations, passenger door only opened and closed when completely stationary, load (e.g., number of passengers, freight mass, loading of coach and trailer, etc.) restricted to design and legal limit of vehicle, luggage and emergency doors fully secured, attachment of luggage trailer confirmed; Comfort factors include acceleration and deceleration forces applied gradually; cornering speeds maintained within comfort levels; moving off only when passengers are seated or standing securely.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Handle unexpected situations according to specified procedures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Unexpected situations can include, but are not limited to incidents, accidents, breakdowns, fire on vehicle, medical emergency, hi-jacking, mechanical failure (e.g. burst tyre), spillage/load loss, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vehicle and cab instruments are monitored for malfunctions and appropriate action is taken, where required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Driving is adapted to unexpected situations safely and according to specified procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Unexpected situations are reported according to operational procedures and legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Corrective actions to get freight/passengers to their destinations in the event of route deviations, delays experienced and breakdowns, as well as the company guidelines for consideration in selecting course of action are described using practical examples for specific contexts. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Park vehicle combination in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vehicle combination is parked within designated or reserved areas in accordance with manufacturer specifications, traffic regulations and operational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Vehicle combination is shut down in accordance with manufacturer specifications, traffic regulations and operational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Vehicle combination is secured in accordance with manufacturer specifications, traffic regulations and operational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Security and convenience factors are taken into account. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors include proximity to main pedestrian entrances, access to luggage compartments and ease of conveyance and loading, security of parked and unattended vehicle, etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Couple and uncouple a drawing vehicle and trailer/s according to specified procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Procedures for coupling and uncoupling a drawing vehicle and trailer/s are appropriate for specific trailer type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All systems connecting trailer to drawing vehicle are functional when coupling. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Systems include suzi-pipes, electrical connections, fifth wheel, and locking pin.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All systems are correctly disconnected, when uncoupling. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by the relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Vehicle components location, characteristics and functionality.
    Range: Relevant vehicle components include the electrical system, cooling system, lubrication system, fuel, clutch, gearbox, differential lock, brake system, tyres, retardation devices, and cab instruments and warning devices.
  • Road Traffic Act 1993 pertaining to the operating a vehicle combination.
  • The effect that weather, road and traffic conditions have on a vehicle's performance, as well as driver actions.
  • Coupling and uncoupling procedures.
  • Procedures for and reporting of emergencies.
  • Application of fire extinguisher fitted on vehicle.
  • Operational rationale for vehicle inspections.
  • Defect reporting procedure.
  • Measures to minimize risk of hi-jacking.
  • Measures to maximise cost-effectiveness and efficient operation of vehicle.
  • Effects of psychological responses and physiological condition on driving performance.
  • Effect of the following aspects on the stability of the vehicle combination:

    > Mass of individual units in the combination
    > Speed of the combination
    > Direction of travel
    > Road surface
    > Load distribution
  • Procedures for coupling and uncoupling a drawing vehicle and trailer/s.
  • Functionality of systems connecting trailer to drawing vehicle. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions so that environmental risks and mechanical problems are foreseen and timeously resolved, or when an emergency situation arises. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to ensure the maintenance of road transport service quality. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively to meet deadlines. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when monitoring vehicle and cab instruments for malfunction. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation so that problems are reported. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others to drive a vehicle combination in accordance with specified requirements, and to couple and uncouple drawing vehicle and trailer/s. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by taking conditions and other road users into account, when driving. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 10974, ''Operate a vehicle combination'', Level 4, 10 credits.

    Notes to assessors

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the unit standard title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember that the person must be declared competent in terms of the overall unit standard outcome. Where assessment at unit standard title level is unmanageable, focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    The following assessment methods must be regarded as minimum requirements for the assessment of learner competence:
  • Questioning.
  • Practical Driving Test.
  • Portfolio of evidence of past driving experience as per Range Statement.

    Credit Certification must stipulate the following aspects regarding learner assessment:
  • License Code.
  • Vehicle make.
  • Type and configuration, used in assessment.
  • Gearbox type used in assessment.
  • Retardation system used in assessment.
  • If the Learner is assessed on any additional aspects, as mentioned above, these may be added to the certificate. However, no additional credits will be awarded. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  50285   National Certificate: Professional Driving  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. AAH Skills and Development 
    2. Academics Dynamics (Pty) Ltd 
    3. ACT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    4. Afro Fleet (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Akhule Development Institute CC 
    6. Aldabri 106 Institute for Quality Pty Ltd 
    7. Algoa Bus Company 
    8. All-in-one Driving Academy 
    9. Andebe Group 
    10. Andzanie Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd 
    11. Bakubung Driver Training and consultants CC 
    12. Bev Short Training Consultants 
    13. BPL Academy 
    14. Brilliant Skills Development & Training Solutions 
    15. Bumbene Safety Consultants (Pty) Ltd 
    16. Buscor 
    17. Cathy Hill Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Centre for Logistics Excellence (Pty) Ltd 
    19. CHAMDOR DRIVER TRAINING CC 
    20. Circleway College 
    21. Commercial professional driver academy (PTY) Ltd 
    22. Commercial professional driver academy PTY Ltd 
    23. Commercial Transport Academy CTA Pty Ltd 
    24. Crossroads Distribution (Pty) Ltd - Johannesburg 
    25. Dee's Training (PTY) LTD 
    26. Dee-Bravo Training Centre 
    27. Dees Driver Training Centre 
    28. Dionysus Skills Development Initiative (Pty) Ltd 
    29. Diversity technology Training Institute 
    30. Drive for Africa Training and Evaluation 
    31. DRIVERHEALTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 
    32. Durban Driver Training Centre Pty Ltd 
    33. Dynalift cc 
    34. Dynamic Institute of Training S.A 
    35. Econo Driver Training 
    36. EDU - FLEET 
    37. Edu Wize Group Pty Ltd 
    38. Enviroserv Waste Management Pty Ltd 
    39. Evaflex 
    40. Excellect 209 (PTY) LTD 
    41. Excellect 209 PTY LTD 
    42. Exclusive Training and Services 
    43. Exclusive Training Services 
    44. Exodec 388 CC 
    45. Fantique Trade 1092 
    46. FBT Consultants CC 
    47. Gedaliah Training College 
    48. Golden Arrow Bus Services_pty Ltd 
    49. Green Light Training and Projects 
    50. GREENRIM TRAINING PTY LTD 
    51. Hazchemwize (PTY) Ltd 
    52. He and She Driver Training Centre 
    53. Human Resources Education Training & Development 
    54. Humrec Human Resource Training 
    55. Imperial Logistics & Transport A Div Of Imper 
    56. Imperial Logistics Group t/a Dedicated Contracts 
    57. Impilo 4x4Driver Training cc 
    58. Inkqubela Consultants 
    59. Inkwenkwezi Private College & Skills Development cc 
    60. Innovative Shared Services 
    61. Interstate Bus Lines 
    62. Iyanda Holdings(Pty) Ltd 
    63. Izingaah Group 
    64. Juan-Tech Training Centre 
    65. Julifa Trading Enterprise cc 
    66. KDS Centre for Skills Development and Training Pty Ltd 
    67. Kempston Driver Academy 
    68. Kempston Driving Academy 
    69. Khabanyane Training and development 
    70. Kitta Transport Training Academy 
    71. KKH Operator Training and Projects Pty Ltd 
    72. Learncorp 
    73. Learning Exchange Pty (Ltd) 
    74. Licence Wise 
    75. LTM Training & Remote Learning Solutions 
    76. LTM Training and Remote Learning Solutions 
    77. Lwaze Lwanda General Traders CC 
    78. Madabukela Code 14 Drivers Training 
    79. Magas Training and Development (Pty) Ltd 
    80. Makwedeng Training 
    81. Maliwa Investment (Pty)Ltd 
    82. Masakhane Further Education and Training 
    83. Merrod Trading 122 Pty Ltd 
    84. Miclos Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    85. Mpofu Engineering Projects 
    86. Mziphela Training and Projects Pty. Ltd 
    87. Ncameni Kasizane Skills Development PTY LTD 
    88. Ndikho Ndinani Protection (Pty) Ltd 
    89. NDWAMATO TRAINING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    90. Ndwamato Training Solutions PTY LTD 
    91. Nelko Training MP (Pty) Ltd 
    92. Netcobrite (Pty) Ltd 
    93. Nirvana Training Academy 
    94. NOSA LOGISTICS PTY LTD 
    95. Nowethu Learning Institute cc 
    96. NS Traders 
    97. Ntsoaki Driving School 
    98. OHS Legislative Training CC 
    99. ongoye driving school 
    100. Orion Industrial Training Services (Pty) Ltd 
    101. OSR Trading 
    102. Pal Passenger Bus Services 
    103. Paradise Skills Development CC 
    104. Phephani Learnerships cc 
    105. PPLE Group Pty Ltd 
    106. Precision skills development and training 
    107. Primeserv Corporate Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    108. Pro Driver Training (Pty) Ltd 
    109. Pro-Driver Trucking Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    110. PUTCO Limited 
    111. PUTCO Pty Ltd 
    112. Quantum Leap College Pty Ltd 
    113. Rasehlo Transport and Tourism 
    114. Royal Impression Academy 
    115. Safe and Eco Driving Pty Ltd 
    116. Sediba Sabasadi Skills Training Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    117. Segaole Driving School 
    118. Seng''khona Trading Enterprise 129 cc 
    119. Seshego Risk Management Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    120. Siyashayela Training and Development 
    121. SN Pool Transport 
    122. Sobabini Group Pty Ltd 
    123. Sophia''s Excellence Driving Academy 
    124. Sophia's Excellence Driving Academy 
    125. SPINA Consultancy cc Cape Town 
    126. SSS Advanced Driver Training 
    127. Strat Training 
    128. SUCAT Management 
    129. THABO Training and Services 
    130. The Assessment Zone (Pty) Ltd 
    131. The Skills Authority 
    132. The Skills Matrix 
    133. Thwala Training Services (Pty) Ltd 
    134. TIESPRO (Pty) Ltd 
    135. Total Fleet Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    136. Training Force 
    137. Transvaal Legislative Training 
    138. Transvaal Training 
    139. Triton Express (Pty) Ltd 
    140. Triton Express Pty Ltd 
    141. Tshireletso Multi-skills and Training 
    142. Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (Pty) LTD 
    143. Uthingo Training Centre 
    144. Uzoyithola Training and Consulting 
    145. Value Logistics Limited 
    146. Vhonisani Training Academy & Projects 
    147. Victoria driving School (PTY) LTD 
    148. Victoria driving School PTY LTD 
    149. Vulindlela Training Centre 
    150. Wheelman S A 
    151. White Horse Carriers Pty (Ltd) 
    152. Workplace Skills Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    153. Yellow Jersey Logistics (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.