Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:42 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Operate a four wheel drive on unsealed roads

Operate a four wheel drive on unsealed roads

Unit of competency
National Code
FPICOT3259
State Code
WF822
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
07/02/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
030515 - Automotive Vehicle Operations
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the outcomes required to safely operate a four wheel drive (4x4) vehicle on unsealed roads and tracks.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify four-wheel drive specific terms and terminology
  • 1.1 Access, interpret and apply documentation relevant to the work activity
  • 1.2 Identify the structural and handling differences between a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle and a four-wheel drive vehicle
  • 1.3 Use terminology specific to operating a four-wheel drive vehicle
  • 1.4 Identify four-wheel drive techniques
2 Conduct checks of 4x4 vehicle and equipment
  • 2.1 Perform pre-start checks
  • 2.2 Secure loads in line with organisational and legislative requirements
  • 2.3 Select suitable navigation equipment where necessary
  • 2.4 Advise passengers of any special safety precautions to be taken when traversing rough terrain
  • 2.5 Check that tyre pressure is suitable for terrain and that it is changed as required in line with organisational procedures
  • 2.6 Select and access maintenance equipment prior to departure after considering the contextual issues
3 Prepare for 4x4 operations
  • 3.1 Identify and follow occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to operating a 4x4 vehicle
  • 3.2 Determine type of operation and ensure safe operating conditions
  • 3.3 Establish communication with others and choose the required safety mechanisms in line with organisational requirements
4 Operate 4x4 vehicle on a range of terrain types
  • 4.1 Continually monitor the track to identify hazards, assess risks, and select the best route in line with OHS and environmental requirements
  • 4.2 Identify situations where the engagement of four-wheel drive is required and engage front hubs or centre differential lock where fitted
  • 4.3 Use appropriate range, gear, speed, driving and braking technique to negotiate a range of terrain types while maintaining control of vehicle at all times
  • 4.4 Check brakes and undercarriage after negotiating varying terrain
  • 4.5 Park and shut down 4x4 vehicle in line with manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements
5 Operate 4x4 vehicle on a steep slope
  • 5.1 Inspect intended 4x4 vehicle path prior to negotiation of slope
  • 5.2 Use appropriate range, gear, speed, driving and braking technique to negotiate a steep slope, while maintaining control of vehicle
  • 5.3 Use control braking to ascend and descend, and avoid skidding
  • 5.4 Maintain traction in line with requirements of 4x4 vehicle
  • 5.5 Apply appropriate automatic and manual techniques when 4x4 vehicle cannot proceed any further on a steep slope due to traction problems
  • 5.6 Park and shut down 4x4 vehicle in line with manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements
6 Perform maintenance and minor repairs on 4x4 vehicles
  • 6.1 Perform routine maintenance and repair tasks and report defects to the appropriate person
  • 6.2 Demonstrate safe use of a jack to support a four-wheel drive vehicle on uneven ground while changing a tyre
  • 6.3 Clean and store 4x4 vehicle and equipment after use in line with manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures
  • 6.4 Document maintenance and minor repairs in line with organisational procedures
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Documentation must include:
owner’s manual
manufacturer guidelines and specifications

Structural must include:
recovery hooks and mounting features
purpose and use of front wheel hubs if fitted
factors affecting tyre size, fitment, rating and pressure

Four-wheel drive vehicles may include:
manual and automatic four-wheel drive
all-wheel drive

Pre-start checksmust include:
fuel, including diesel, gas and petrol
water
oil
brake and transmission fluid levels
battery water levels and electrolyte checks
tyres
belts
leads
hydraulic lines and connections
air cleaners
air conditioners
brakes
off-road safety equipment
fitting of traction devices

Maintenance equipment may include:
spares
fluids

OHS requirements:
are to be in line with federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:
personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing
safety equipment
current first aid equipment in vehicle
current vehicle firefighting equipment
hazard and risk control
fatigue management
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include:
legislation
organisational policies and procedures
workplace practices

Legislative requirements:
are to be in line with applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:
award and organisational agreements
industrial relations
Australian standards
confidentiality and privacy
OHS
the environment
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:
legal compliance documentation
organisational and site guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
procedural manuals
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
ethical standards
recording and reporting requirements
equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements, including waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines

Safe operating conditions must include:
interpreting weather conditions to determine suitability for driving
determining food, water, PPE (sunglasses, high-visibility vest, etc.) and clothing requirements for journey
selecting routes to minimise damage to the environment
on and off-road conditions
traffic pattern and density
visibility
loading of four-wheel drive, including techniques to reduce overloading

Communication may include:
verbal and non-verbal language
radio protocols

Mechanisms may include:
personal location beacon (PLB)
flares
markers
phone
radio
V-Sheet

Hazards and risks may include:
rocks and other unexpected obstacles
damage to vehicle
tidal influences
fire in vehicle
faulty brakes
leaking fuel
faulty steering mechanism on vehicle
animals and objects in vehicle path
crocodiles and snakes in some areas
windy or foggy sections of terrain
steep slopes
side slopes
slippery surfaces
land slides
overhead tree limbs
black ice
towing trailers
other vehicles
fallen trees, limbs and logs
icy terrain
flooded terrain
oil on road
parked vehicles on road
pedestrians on or near the road
poor visibility

Hubs may include:
manual
electronic

Range of terrain types may include:
smooth
rough
uneven
slippery
wet
boggy
sandy
steep or hilly
rock
icy
snow
mud, including:
brown clay
black silt
salt pan mud
red
hard ground
water

Manufacturer specifications may include:
engine characteristics
system warning function
four-wheel drive operation
radius of turning circle
safety procedures

Automatic and manual techniques may include:
manual gear box stall stop
appropriate automatic transmission safety

Routine maintenance may include:
changing wheels in uneven terrain
fluid top-up
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can operate a 4x4 vehicle on unsealed roads safely and in line with organisational requirements

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:
following applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to operating a 4x4 vehicle
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to operating a 4x4 vehicle
communicating and working safely with others in rough terrain
performing pre-start checks of vehicle and equipment
safely operating a 4x4 vehicle in a range of unsealed road conditions, including negotiating steep slopes

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace
Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards
The following resources should be made available:
workplace location or simulated workplace
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit
specifications and work instructions
4x4 vehicle

Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of together with application of required knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D5911 FPICOT2234B Operate 4x4 vehicle Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AXL04 FWPCOT3259 Operate a four wheel drive on unsealed roads Unit of competency