Isn’t it fascinating to consider what others are thinking? How they process information and why they hold certain beliefs and opinions? For a driving instructor, mastering this understanding isn’t just interesting – it’s essential.
For a dedicated heavy vehicle driving trainer, one of the greatest challenges is identifying each student’s unique learning needs and determining the most effective way to support their development. Recognising differences and building independence.
If you do it right, your candidate enters the transport industry as a safer operator – one who might survive Australia’s most dangerous workplace.
Perspective refers to the way an individual views or interprets a situation or concept, shaped by their experiences, values, and knowledge. Attitude describes a person’s established way of thinking or feeling about something, which influences their actions and behaviours.
Attitudes can be positive, neutral, or negative and have a profound impact on decision-making, relationships, and, critically, road safety.
A road user’s choices are influenced by the dynamic interplay of both perspective and attitude. A heavy vehicle licence candidate’s perspective is largely shaped by their personal circumstances, while their attitude is refined through effective training.
Road safety in the heavy vehicle transport sector is not a single-issue concern, it intersects with public safety, workforce shortages, regulatory compliance, economic demands, and cross-jurisdictional challenges. It impacts every industry sector and involves countless stakeholders, each with their own distinct perspective.
A professional heavy vehicle instructor must acknowledge and work with these differing viewpoints to help students achieve a positive outcome.
While we may not be able to change perspectives, with patience, dedication, and a commitment to quality training, we can help shape attitudes – and that could make all the difference.
Drivers are driven by a combination of personal, professional, and financial motivations.
Many are compensated based on the number of kilometres driven, shifts completed, or loads delivered, directly impacting their earnings. Most take pride in their work, seeing themselves as essential custodians of road safety and highway performance.
They play a vital role in keeping road freight, public transport, and the broader economy moving.
The freedom and independence of the job are significant motivators. The opportunity to work autonomously, combined with a love for driving, draws many to the profession.
Their unique perspective is shaped by the view from behind the wheel, influenced by the realities of long hours, time away from home, and the challenges of managing fatigue and compliance requirements.
For new drivers, job security, financial stability, and building a professional reputation are key concerns. In an industry where reliability and expertise are paramount, building a strong personal reputation is as important as meeting basic safety and regulatory obligations.
Most candidates enter the industry as novices, equipped with minimal training and a shiny new licence. However, a driver’s licence is not a qualification – it is permission to drive.
To ensure they develop the skills and awareness needed for the job, it is crucial that new entrants receive comprehensive industry training under the mentorship of experienced drivers who can guide, coach, and instil safe driving practices.
Truck driving instructors operate in an industry that lacks consistent standards, making uniform training difficult. They must navigate an ever-changing landscape of regulations while striving to uphold high training and assessment standards within tight timeframes.
Despite these challenges, dedicated instructors remain committed to professionalism and road safety, ensuring that students are not only competent but also prepared for the realities of life on the road.
However, the high demand for qualified drivers and the financial pressures on training providers create an ongoing challenge: the temptation to fast-track students through the licensing process at the expense of thorough road safety education.
A driving instructor’s unique perspective is shaped from the passenger seat, where they must balance personal, professional, and ethical responsibilities while preparing students for work in one of Australia’s most challenging jobs.
Their role goes beyond teaching technical skills; it involves instilling attitudes and behaviours that can ultimately save lives. Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) operate within a highly regulated environment.
Managers must ensure compliance with national training standards, as failure to meet these requirements can result in severe penalties, including the loss of accreditation. At the same time, they must balance financial viability with the need to deliver high-quality road safety education.
The most effective RTOs find ways to remain profitable while genuinely improving heavy vehicle road safety through comprehensive training, the hiring of skilled instructors, and the promotion of a strong safety culture.
However, in cases where financial pressures take precedence, road safety outcomes can suffer. The unique perspective of an RTO manager is shaped in the CEO’s chair.
One that is affected by demands of business leadership. They must balance commercial growth, regulatory compliance, and ethical responsibilities while ensuring their organisation remains competitive in an industry driven by student demand and funding constraints.
Transport business owners face the constant challenge of balancing financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, workforce management, and road safety responsibilities.
Their unique perspective is shaped by the need to keep operations profitable while adhering to strict safety and legal requirements, including Chain of Responsibility laws, fatigue management, vehicle maintenance standards, and many more.
Recruiting and retaining skilled drivers is a major challenge, particularly as the workforce ages and fewer young people enter the industry.
Providing extensive road safety training, managing fatigue risks, and prioritising driver well-being are crucial but can be resource-intensive – especially for smaller operators, who make up the majority of Australia’s road freight sector.
Some owners prioritise safety by investing in training, telematics, and proactive risk management, while others feel pressured to cut corners under financial strain. However, those who take a long-term view recognise that a well-trained workforce, regulatory compliance, and a commitment to road safety ultimately lead to greater operational efficiency and business success.
In addition to the unique perspectives outlined above, there are many more across every area of industry and government.
There are as many perspectives about how to improve road safety in our transport sector as there are people involved in it.
So how do we create consensus on reforming Australia’s training and licensing systems to help promote positive road safety outcomes? Heavy vehicle instructors play a vital role in shaping the next generation of drivers, influencing attitudes, and ensuring students develop the skills necessary to navigate Australia’s road networks safely.
Instead of striving for a single viewpoint, we must acknowledge that everyone sees road safety through a different lens, shaped by their experiences and responsibilities.
While perspectives differ, we should work towards harmonising attitudes toward road safety, fostering a shared commitment to prioritising it in every decision we make.
- Andy Hughes is the Director of Hughes Training Group.