Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:33 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:33 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.
Tow a disabled heavy vehicle
Tow a disabled heavy vehicle
Unit of competency
National Code
TLIC4070A
TLIC4070A
State Code
S8281
S8281
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/07/2013
Field of Education
030515 - Automotive Vehicle Operations
Original Release Date
04/07/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to hook up and unhook a damaged or disabled heavy vehicle. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare and respond to call
- 1.1 Equipment is checked, serviced and operationally ready for use
- 1.2 Tow task information is obtained and the type of heavy vehicle and event is determined
- 1.3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected relevant to the nature of the towing operation
- 1.4 Any further details of the event are received en route
2 Implement road safety procedures to commence hook-up
- 2.1 Disabled vehicle is approached and recovery vehicle is parked in accordance with safe roadside working procedures
- 2.2 Appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety of all occupants of the disabled vehicle
- 2.3 Occupants are moved to the safety of the recovery vehicle, away from the road and recovery vehicle equipment
- 2.4 Beacons are placed at the immediate approach to the breakdown scene
- 2.5 Authorities are notified if there is likelihood of danger or undue delays
- 2.6 All movements between vehicles are confined to the nearside if possible
3 Hook up disabled vehicle
- 3.1 Exact nature of the problem is correctly diagnosed to decide on correct method of towing
- 3.2 Driver is informed of the recovery procedures that will be undertaken
- 3.3 Recovery vehicle is safely manoeuvred into position to facilitate recovery and to minimise inconvenience to traffic flow
- 3.4 Towing hook-up procedures are used to connect up disabled vehicle for recovery, ensuring safety standards adequate for the weight of the tow
- 3.5 Brake control system of the disabled vehicle is interconnected so the brakes can be operated from the recovery vehicle
- 3.6 Driveline is disconnected in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines and secured
- 3.7 Under lift boom is retracted to the shortest position suitable for towing and lock and check turning clearance
- 3.8 Warning lights and signs are attached in accordance with regulatory requirements
- 3.9 Final checks are undertaken and hook-up of disabled vehicle is completed in accordance with organisational and regulatory requirements
- 3.10 Disabled vehicle is safely towed using appropriate defensive driving techniques and procedures
4 Unhook disabled vehicle
- 4.1 Disabled vehicle is safely manoeuvred into position in accordance with job requirements
- 4.2 Brakes of disabled vehicle are engaged and vehicle is chocked
- 4.3 Unhook procedures are used correctly to safely disconnect disabled vehicle
- 4.4 Removed driveline components that were disconnected are placed near disabled vehicle
- 4.5 Disabled vehicle is placed in accordance with organisational and customer requirements
5 Conclude towing operations
- 5.1 Recovery vehicle and equipment are cleaned and serviced in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturer’s guidelines prior to standing down from the operation
- 5.2 Operational documentation is completed in accordance with organisational procedures
RANGE STATEMENT
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. Add any 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.
Authorities include:
police
fire
ambulance
relevant road authority
Disabled vehicles include:
any road registered vehicle with a mechanical failure
any registrable vehicle with a mechanical failure
any vehicle as described in legislation
Classes of heavy vehicle include:
light rigid
medium rigid
heavy rigid
heavy combination
multi combination
special circumstance vehicle
Personal safety measures include:
gloves
safety headwear and footwear
safety glasses
two-way radios
protective clothing
high visibility clothing
eye wash kit
Emergency equipment includes:
emergency shutdown controls
evacuation controls
spill equipment
Documentation and records include:
transport regulations as they apply to the enterprise, including local authority regulations and procedures
workplace policies and procedures
relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
relevant internal data entry books, including log books, data sheets and load sheets
transport emergency response plan (TERP)
Applicable legislative procedures and codes include:
relevant state and territory:
roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence or permit requirements pertaining to operating heavy vehicles on unsealed roads
road rules
OH&S legislation
fatigue management regulations
environmental protection legislation and regulations
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. Add any 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.
Authorities include:
police
fire
ambulance
relevant road authority
Disabled vehicles include:
any road registered vehicle with a mechanical failure
any registrable vehicle with a mechanical failure
any vehicle as described in legislation
Classes of heavy vehicle include:
light rigid
medium rigid
heavy rigid
heavy combination
multi combination
special circumstance vehicle
Personal safety measures include:
gloves
safety headwear and footwear
safety glasses
two-way radios
protective clothing
high visibility clothing
eye wash kit
Emergency equipment includes:
emergency shutdown controls
evacuation controls
spill equipment
Documentation and records include:
transport regulations as they apply to the enterprise, including local authority regulations and procedures
workplace policies and procedures
relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
relevant internal data entry books, including log books, data sheets and load sheets
transport emergency response plan (TERP)
Applicable legislative procedures and codes include:
relevant state and territory:
roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence or permit requirements pertaining to operating heavy vehicles on unsealed roads
road rules
OH&S legislation
fatigue management regulations
environmental protection legislation and regulations
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment section in Section B of the accreditation submission.
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 and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
conducting an equipment check of heavy recovery ancillary equipment
visually checking recovery equipment as per standard, and stowing appropriately
preparing a route to maximise safety and efficiency and meet organisational requirements
using eco-driving techniques when towing a disabled heavy vehicle
planning trip as required by legislation with a towed vehicle
using communication equipment in a recovery situation
correctly positioning vehicle at an incident
using PPE when towing a vehicle
isolating fault to componentry engine, differential, gearbox, chassis, etc.
interconnecting brakes and lights from recovery vehicle to disabled vehicle as per legislative requirements
applying signage as per legislative requirements
driving and operating recovery vehicle as per legislative requirements
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a recovery vehicle that is consistent with current industry standards of a heavy recovery vehicle
a vehicle that can be used as a disabled vehicle for the purposes of assessment
tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
Method of assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed
Simulation is not suitable for final assessment of this unit
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment section in Section B of the accreditation submission.
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 and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
conducting an equipment check of heavy recovery ancillary equipment
visually checking recovery equipment as per standard, and stowing appropriately
preparing a route to maximise safety and efficiency and meet organisational requirements
using eco-driving techniques when towing a disabled heavy vehicle
planning trip as required by legislation with a towed vehicle
using communication equipment in a recovery situation
correctly positioning vehicle at an incident
using PPE when towing a vehicle
isolating fault to componentry engine, differential, gearbox, chassis, etc.
interconnecting brakes and lights from recovery vehicle to disabled vehicle as per legislative requirements
applying signage as per legislative requirements
driving and operating recovery vehicle as per legislative requirements
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a recovery vehicle that is consistent with current industry standards of a heavy recovery vehicle
a vehicle that can be used as a disabled vehicle for the purposes of assessment
tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
Method of assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed
Simulation is not suitable for final assessment of this unit
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWM77 | TLIC4070 | Tow a disabled heavy vehicle | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S795 | TLI42111 | Certificate IV in Driving Operations | Qualification |