Army Driver

The Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) plays a pivotal role within the distribution network of the Australian Army. The men and women of the RACT plan and deliver the required Combat Service Support (CSS) through the distribution process utilising road, sea and air assets.

The RACT has many tasks to perform including operating the Army fleet of landing craft and amphibious vehicles, all forms of road transport, cargo terminals and specialist units that prepare, pack and dispatch supplies dropped from the air. To perform these tasks the RACT is equipped with a large selection of vehicles including motorcycles, Land Rovers, light trucks, heavy cargo and specialist vehicles (Mack MC3 and Mack Fleet Liner MC2), 60 tonne semi-trailers, amphibious and small landing craft.

A driver (DVR) is a soldier who operates and manages Army vehicles in combat, combat support and combat service support roles, by day and by night, on all forms of roads (including off road) as required, carrying a variety of loads including cargo, personnel and dangerous goods (DG). A DVR is required to load, drive and maintain a vehicle and its associated equipment with a payload up to and including 12 tonnes (20 tonnes with trailer). The driver may be employed to drive a variety of specialist vehicles including Truck Tanker Water and Truck Tanker Fuel.

Main Job Functions
An ECN 109 DVR can operate a range of vehicles from Motorcycle to Heavy Rigid Class on all forms of roads and off-road as required. Additionally, an ECN 109 DVR can tow a single trailer (other than a semi-trailer) up to 20 tonnes.

The main job functions for an ECN 109 DVR are as follows:

• drive loaded and unloaded vehicles under all conditions, by day and by night, on formed roads and cross country;
• camouflage a vehicle;
• operate Material Handling Equipment, as necessary;
• operate all ancillary equipment fitted to a vehicle ie. vehicle mounted crane;
• supervise and assist with the loading and unloading of vehicles;
• conduct non-technical inspections and operator servicing of a vehicle and or assist tradesmen with the repair of that vehicle when required;
• recover ditched and damaged vehicles using vehicle recovery equipment;
• operate radio/communications equipment if fitted to a vehicle;
• perform the function of Assistant Driving Instructor after a qualifying period of 12 months;
• transport Dangerous Goods and Commonwealth Explosives in accordance with Defence and civilian regulations and legislation;
• maintain transport documentation;
• convey VIPs up to Brigadier or equivalent rank;
• navigate in built up areas and in the field using civil maps, military maps and / or route cards;
• operate a military vehicle on public roads in accordance with both military and civilian legislation; and
• operate in an environment of threat

Recruit Training

Recruit training is conducted at the Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka. Here recruits are trained in basic soldier skills from weapon handling, infantry minor tactics and living in the field to military life and drill.

After Kapooka soldiers are provided with on the job training in first aid and navigation, by day and by night.

Basic Driver Training

Basic driver training consists of learing how to operate and maintain the armys fleet of landrover 110s and mercedes benz unimogs. Soldiers are trained in defensive driving, on road and off road driving techniques, minor servicing and vehicle recovery techniques.

Tactical Driver Training

After basic driver training, soldiers must learn how to drive their vehicles in and environment of threat. Such training includes camoflague and concealment, vehicle counter ambush drills and driving using night fighting equipment. This training qualifies drivers to be deployed on operational service.

Heavy Vehicles and Trailers

After completing the training above soldiers can chose to learn how to operate the multitude of other vehicles operated by the Army, from sedans to mack trucks. See the vehicles page for the other vehicles operated by the army.