What is the commercial vehicle driver required to do?

A commercial vehicle driver has a duty to comply with the following requirements:

• to drive in accordance with the commercial vehicle operating standard; and 
• to hold a current medical certificate that confirms his or her fitness to drive a commercial vehicle.

Employees who drive commercial vehicles also have general duties under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. 

These general duties include:

• reporting hazards to their employer; 
• ensuring they follow their employer’s safety instructions; 
• reporting for work rested and fit for duty; and 
• producing accurate records showing their work times, breaks from driving and non- work time.

Other resources

• Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, 'Division 10 - Driving commercial vehicles, regulation 3.130'.  
• Code of practice: Fatigue management for commercial vehicle drivers.
• Code of practice: Working hours.
• Guidance on driver fitness for duty.
• Developing a fatigue management plan for commercial vehicle drivers and operators.
• Austroads - Assessing fitness to drive for commercial and private vehicle drivers 2016.
• Commercial vehicle drivers medical for Western Australian heavy vehicle accreditation. 
• Commercial vehicle driver fatigue management training package.