Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:26 PM AWST

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Drive a 4WD vehicle in difficult terrain

Drive a 4WD vehicle in difficult terrain

Unit of competency
National Code
SISODRV404A
State Code
D6360
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
030515 - Automotive Vehicle Operations
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select and use appropriate range, gear and techniques to drive a four wheel drive vehicle through and over difficult terrain. This includes the performance of maintenance and minor repairs on four wheel drive vehicles.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan the four wheel driving activity.
  • 1.1. Determine contextual issues impacting on the activity according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.2. Access relevant sources to identify and interpret weather and environmental information.
  • 1.3. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues.
  • 1.4. Access required equipment and check serviceability according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
2. Drive a four wheel drive vehicle in difficult terrain.
  • 2.1. Perform routine pre-departure checks and take action to correct any deficiency.
  • 2.2. Apply safe vehicle loading practices and secure personal items according to organisational policies and procedures
  • 2.3. Engage front free wheel hubs where appropriate.
  • 2.4. Survey track to identify hazards and risks, and select the best route to minimise damage to the environment.
  • 2.5. Advise passengers of any special safety precautions to be taken when traversing difficult terrain.
  • 2.6. Use appropriate range, gear, speed, driving and braking technique to negotiate a range of difficult terrain types while maintaining control of vehicle at all times.
  • 2.7. Perform a safe stop and forward or reverse start on a steep incline where required.
  • 2.8. Demonstrate appropriate use of handbrake.
  • 2.9. Apply risk management procedures relating to blind corners and oncoming traffic according to organisational policies and procedures.
3. Perform maintenance and minor repairs on four wheel drive vehicles.
  • 3.1. Access maintenance equipment and conduct routine maintenance and repair tasks.
  • 3.2. Check, where necessary, brakes and undercarriage after negotiating difficult terrain.
  • 3.3. Use a jack to support a four wheel drive vehicle on uneven ground, according to organisational policies and procedure and manufacturer's specifications.
  • 3.4. Perform wheel removal and or replacement.
  • 3.5. Complete vehicle performance reports and notify designated personnel.
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
area restrictions
national and state or territory track classification guides
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
land management and minimal impact codes
vehicle reporting and notification procedures
travelling in convoy with other vehicles
code of ethics.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods and drinks
perishability
storage
energy content.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Equipment may include:
navigation equipment
maintenance equipment
recovery equipment
chains.
Routine pre-departure checks may include:
engine
body
mirrors
tyres
accessories.
Difficult terrain may include:
long, steep inclines and declines
cross slope driving
deep water crossings
tracks with narrow, twisting, irregular terrain
irregular sandy and or muddy terrain
very rough rocky ground
snow and ice
slippery incline and declines.
Routine maintenance and repair tasks may include:
change wheels in uneven terrain
puncture repairs
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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the activity and conducts routine pre-departure checks of vehicle or vehicles and takes action to correct deficiencies
surveys track and assesses risk for both day and night driving, and selects route that reduces environmental impact and risk to self and others
performs maintenance and minor repairs on four wheel drive vehicle, and reports details on vehicle performance and action taken to appropriate personnel.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure application of driving techniques to negotiate difficult terrain types that reflect local conditions and are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable outdoor environment with difficult terrain for four wheel driving
a suitable four wheel drive vehicle with low range
maintenance, navigation and repair equipment
resources and information to plan and select equipment for the activity
legislation and organisational policies and procedures that impact on the conduct of four wheel driving.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe four wheel driving technique on difficult terrain
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of difficult terrain features and risks
observation of safe maintenance and repair performance
third-party reports from supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISODRV405A Coordinate recovery of 4WD vehicles
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6165 SRODRV002B Drive a 4WD vehicle in difficult terrain using advanced technique Unit of competency