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	The Driving Competency Standard
		Introduction
			Preface
			Disclaimer
			What is a competency standard?
			What is competence?
			Why have a Driver Competency Standard?
			How is the standard structured?
		The units

			Unit 1	Operate the vehicle
				Element 1	Ensures that the vehicle is in operational order
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Ensures that the vehicle is clean
					PC (b)	Detects faults in the vehicle and its equipment
					PC (c)	Takes the necessary action to fix faults detected in the vehicle or equipment
					PC (d)	Ensures that the vehicle is secure
				Element 2	Makes adjustments for best control and safety
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Checks for and secures loose items
					PC (b)	Carries out pre-drive adjustments to enable control of the vehicle
					PC (c)	Ensures that all occupants are correctly restrained
					PC (d)	Prepares the vehicle for night driving
				Element 3	Makes himself or herself familiar with the vehicle
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Conducts a stationary familiarisation
					PC (b)	Conducts a moving familiarisation
					PC (c)	Seeks assistance if unsure of the vehicle's characteristics
					PC (d)	Compensates for unfamiliarity with the vehicle
				Element 4	Uses the controls
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Starts and shuts down the vehicle
					PC (b)	Monitors and responds to the instruments
					PC (c)	Uses radios to communicate with the Communications Centre
					PC (d)	Adapts the application of the accelerator to match the driving situation
					PC (e)	Adapts the application of the brakes to match the driving situation
					PC (f)	Matches steering to the desired path
					PC (g)	Adapts use of the transmission to match the vehicle's requirements and the environment
					PC (h)	Coordinates brake, steering, and accelerator input
				Signs of competence in this unit

			Unit 2	Drive in road and traffic
				Element 1	Complies with law and policy
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Holds the appropriate licence
					PC (b)	Complies with the licence's conditions
					PC (c)	Drives legally
				Element 2	Uses driving procedures
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Checks one or more mirrors for following traffic before signalling, significantly altering position and when vulnerable to a rear-end collision
					PC (b)	Checks the appropriate blind spot before moving sideways more than one vehicle's width or before merging
					PC (c)	Uses a driving sequence of mirror, signal, blind spot, brake and then gear, when any of those items need to be used
				Element 3	Drives efficiently in traffic system
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Makes progress when required
					PC (b)	Balances progress with smoothness
					PC (c)	Selects a route through traffic and adopts positions that aid progress
					PC (d)	Times movement into traffic to assist progress
					PC (e)	Coordinates the elements of an overtaking manoeuvre
					PC (f)	Cooperates with other road users
					PC (g)	Lets others know own intentions
				Element 4	Moderates driving when it is harder to see
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Makes appropriate adjustments to compensate for poor visibility
					PC (b)	At night, uses headlights effectively
					PC (c)	Minimises the impact of others' headlights
					PC (d)	At night, responds early to the movements of road users and to the road conditions
					PC (e)	At night, adjusts speed and position to suit the amount of road lit by headlights
				Element 5	Moderates driving for adverse road surfaces
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Detects changes in road surface
					PC (b)	Adjusts speed and gear for best control
					PC (c)	Selects the path for best control
				Signs of competence in this unit

			Unit 3	Keep people and vehicles safe
				Element 1	Acts to ensure mentally and physically able to drive
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Ensures that he or she is physically and mentally fit to drive
					PC (b)	Refrains from driving when alcohol or drugs could impair performance
					PC (c)	Recognises the work and driving situations that increase the chances of being influenced by fatigue
					PC (d)	Detects behaviours that indicate the presence of fatigue
					PC (e)	Makes considered decisions about driving under the influence of fatigue
				Element 2	Drives in a manner that reflects valuing of life and property
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Complies with OH&S policy and legislation
					PC (b)	Provides reasons for risk-taking that demonstrate considered thought
					PC (c)	Exercises self-control when emotions and motivations could affect safety
					PC (d)	Acts to avoid possible crash situations regardless of what others are legally required to do
					PC (e)	Helps others remain safe
				Element 3	Responds to hazards
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Sees hazards
					PC (b)	Adjusts speed and position to help see hazards and to be seen by other road users
					PC (c)	Recognises how hazards could threaten safety
					PC (d)	Makes early adjustments in response to hazards
					PC (e)	Continues to make adjustments in response to specific hazards until it is reasonable to resume normal driving
				Element 4	Fits in with other road users
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Responses to hazards permit other road users to maintain normal driving behaviour
					PC (b)	Adopts a position that minimises the need to slow down for hazards
					PC (c)	Balances smoothness and safety
					PC (d)	Responds considerately when other road users could become impatient or annoyed
				Element 5	Reviews and adjusts driving
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Recognises own poor driving
					PC (b)	Requests feedback on own driving from others
					PC (c)	Analyses own driving
					PC (d)	Acts to fix gaps and lapses in driving performance
					PC (e)	Judges own performance accurately
					PC (f)	Recognises good performance
				Signs of competence in this unit

			Unit 4	Perform operational driving duties
				Element 1	Drives consistently with job role
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Drives vehicles only as authorised
					PC (b)	Completes the vehicle log
					PC (c)	Matches driving to the response classification or driving task
					PC (d)	Displays a professional driving image
					PC (e)	Responds appropriately to others who give way when they are not required to
				Element 2	Assists in response management
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Complies with radio communication procedures
					PC (b)	Updates the Communications Centre as required
					PC (c)	Responds appropriately if the vehicle needs to be taken out of operation
					PC (d)	Follows the Service's procedure in the event of a crash or breakdown
					PC (e)	Informs the Communications Centre of the ambulance's position or status if it may improve service delivery
				Element 3	Navigates to required location
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Locates destinations and the most efficient route to them
					PC (b)	When the attendant, gives clear directions to the driver
					PC (c)	Interprets directions accurately
					PC (d)	Adjusts the route if problems are encountered
					PC (e)	Stores directories and maps carefully
				Element 4	Manoeuvres the vehicle
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Manoeuvres efficiently
					PC (b)	Requests ambulance personnel (or another reliable person if ambulance personnel are not available) to guide a manoeuvre if there is any risk of error
					PC (c)	Responds appropriately to ambulance personnel's hand-signal(s)
					PC (d)	Responds with additional caution if unsure of the manoeuvre or where there is the potential for damaging the vehicle
				Element 5	Transports non-ambulance personnel
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Transports non-ambulance personnel according to Service policy
					PC (b)	Confirms that the patient's stretcher is located securely
					PC (c)	Ensures that the patient is restrained correctly
					PC (d)	Ensures that the patient's belongings are secure
				Element 6	Transports patient and attending crew with care
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Discusses the patient's condition and confirms the driving requirements with the attendant
					PC (b)	Ensures that the climate in the vehicle suits the patient's needs
					PC (c)	Communicates with the crew during transport
					PC (d)	Maintains a stable patient platform
					PC (e)	Encourages the crew to minimise the time they spend unrestrained
					PC (f)	Considers other road users when transporting patients
				Signs of competence in this unit

			Unit 5	Attend emergencies
				Element 1	Complies with the laws and policy for emergency driving
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Drives in emergency mode only when required to by the patient's condition or by instructions
					PC (b)	Drives on emergency cases according to the Service's policy and guidelines
					PC (c)	Drives on emergency cases according to State laws
					PC (d)	Reports driving incidents involving other road users
				Element 2	Responds promptly to the initial dispatch message
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Minimises the time taken to become mobile
					PC (b)	Ensures the vehicle is ready to respond immediately to an emergency
					PC (c)	Ensures that equipment is ready
					PC (d)	Ensures that responsibilities to operate as crew or driver are agreed beforehand
				Element 3	Drives quickly where appropriate
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Keeps the speed down while mentally adapting to a faster environment
					PC (b)	Minimises the time taken between the hazards that could threaten safety
					PC (c)	Remains responsive to all other hazards
					PC (d)	Uses tyre grip efficiently
					PC (e)	Remains physically prepared to compensate for own errors
					PC (f)	Maintains mental reserves
					PC (g)	Maintains mechanical and physical reserves
				Element 4	Manages traffic events
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Chooses a route early to make progress through traffic
					PC (b)	Alerts road users early
					PC (c)	Chooses emergency manoeuvres that minimise the chances of surprising or confusing other drivers
					PC (d)	Makes a conscious decision about manoeuvres that may catch other drivers by surprise
					PC (e)	Negotiates obstacles safely
				Element 5	Moderates the influence of competing needs or motivations
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Monitors own emergency driving behaviour
					PC (b)	Moderates the need to take unreasonable risks
					PC (c)	Responds in a disciplined way to other road users' actions
					PC (d)	Responds constructively to high levels of anxiety
					PC (e)	Responds constructively when perceiving pressure from others or on others to drive quickly
				Element 6	Manages the situation at the patient's location
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Switches off audible warning devices on approach
					PC (b)	Approaches and stops at the scene to enable a safe and effective working environment and an easy departure
					PC (c)	Alights from the vehicle and walks around the scene only when it is safe
					PC (d)	Ensures that the security of the vehicle and equipment is appropriate to the situation
				Element 7	Transports patient using emergency provisions
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Considers the patient's condition when using sirens
					PC (b)	Considers road users' responses to an ambulance that is using lights or sirens, but is possibly moving slower than usual
					PC (c)	Adjusts emergency driving to take account of patient care and the attending crew's safety
				Signs of competence in this unit

			Unit 6	Drive four wheel drive
				Extra information about this unit
				Element 1	Maintains the 4WD vehicle in operational order
			Performance criteria:		PC (a)	Follows OH&S procedures specific to 4WD operation
					PC (b)	Completes a 4WD vehicle check
					PC (c)	Checks the placement and security of the load
					PC (d)	Completes a check of emergency equipment and maps
					PC (e)	Conducts mid-drive checks, particularly off road and in extreme conditions
					PC (f)	Traces engine faults
					PC (g)	Employs contingencies if faults are experienced