Introduction
Our driving course, 4WD Training Operate Vehicles in the Field – Gladstone, is nationally accredited; it is suitable for you if you use 4WD vehicles in the field and more diverse areas for work either accessing or moving between work sites for example.
The focus of our Gladstone 4WD Training Operate Vehicles in the Field Course is the safe operation of work 4WD vehicles. With this primary emphasis plus hands-on practical 4WD driving, you reduce risks of accidents or incidents that could impact productivity or prevent a safe return home. Even though Gladstone may be close to many rural areas, you still need to learn techniques on how to adapt your driving for work 4WD vehicles and apply appropriate defensive driving techniques for on & off-road situations with our Gladstone-located training area, proper journey planning, checks, maintenance, recovery, policies and your obligations.
This is a broadly relevant 4WD operational course for those who may be based in Gladstone yet work in more remote or regional areas and need to drive official work vehicles – which are predominantly 4×4’s. Our trainers ensure specialised and contextualised training making this a relevant and practical driving-related training course.
Course Dates
- UOC: PMASUP236 - Operate vehicles in the field | RIIVEH201E - Operate a light vehicle
- Cost: From $POA
- Duration: 1 day
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| Start Date | End Date | Time | Location | Avail. Spaces | Course Cost | Self Funded | Multi Enrolments |
| 18/07/2025 | 18/07/2025 | 08:00 am - 04:30 pm | GLADSTONE | 4 | $550.00 | ||
| 13/08/2025 | 13/08/2025 | 07:30 am - 04:00 pm | GLADSTONE | 6 | $550.00 | ||
| 10/10/2025 | 10/10/2025 | 07:30 am - 04:00 pm | GLADSTONE | 6 | $550.00 | ||
| 20/11/2025 | 20/11/2025 | 07:30 am - 04:00 pm | GLADSTONE | 6 | $550.00 |
| Start Date | End Date | Time | Location | Avail. Spaces | Course Cost | Self Funded | Multi Enrolments |
| 18/07/2025 | 18/07/2025 | 08:00 am - 04:30 pm | GLADSTONE | 4 | $550.00 | ||
| 13/08/2025 | 13/08/2025 | 07:30 am - 04:00 pm | GLADSTONE | 6 | $550.00 | ||
| 10/10/2025 | 10/10/2025 | 07:30 am - 04:00 pm | GLADSTONE | 6 | $550.00 | ||
| 20/11/2025 | 20/11/2025 | 07:30 am - 04:00 pm | GLADSTONE | 6 | $550.00 |
Introduction
Course Details
Price
From $POA
Duration
1 day
Locations
Refresh
2 yrs
Delivery Methods
- Classroom
- On-site
- In-person
- Groups
Unit Of Competency
PMASUP236 - Operate vehicles in the field | RIIVEH201E - Operate a light vehicle
Training Prerequisites
Throughout our 4WD Operate Vehicles in the Field – Gladstone training, our focus is on the following 6 key areas to ensure you are adequately trained in all the skills necessary to Operate Vehicles in the Field. Hands-on driving and practicals ensure you practice checks, different terrain driving, basic recovery & safety aspects – noting this is not a specific teaching of four wheel driving techniques course.
More information on each of these is provided below.
- Preparing the 4WD vehicle
- Learn about proper journey management
- Appreciate operating activities with the Vehicle
- Finalise journey
- Recover vehicle
- Maintain vehicle safety
6 primary areas of focus for the 4WD Operate Vehicles in the field Training Course include:
Preparing the 4WD vehicle
- Familiarise yourself with the vehicle and its features
- Conduct pre-start checks to identify and correct any defects
- Secure all loads both inside and outside of the vehicle to prevent them from shifting during transit.
Learn about proper journey management
- Route familiarisation and planning it ahead of time
- Obtain relevant authorisations prior to departure
- Monitor driving and vehicle conditions
- Establishing communication channels to ensure journey progresses smoothly
Appreciate operating activities with the Vehicle such as
- Driving on various terrains utilising both 2WD and 4WD functions of the vehicle
- How to drive defensively & use defensive driving techniques
- Do driving that suits road conditions
Finalise journey
- Communication channels to ensure a successful conclusion of the journey
- Reporting on faults and unsecuring any loads
Recover vehicle
- Jump starts, operate recovery equipment and execute various recovery techniques, changing a wheel etc.
Maintain vehicle safety
- Ensuring appropriate speeds are kept, seat belts are worn, vehicle restrictions and other requirements
List of key topics covered within the 4WD Training Operate Vehicles in the Field Course:
- Important differences applicable to 4WD vehicles including general principles, how they work and when to/not to use high and low range four-wheel drive use
- Technical Differences applicable including Gearbox, transfer case, clutch, tyres, freewheeling hubs, usage practices
- Precautions, power take off (PTO) Operations, transmission wind Up, Axle Twist.
- Terms and Definitions of the vehicles you will typically use
- Attitudes and Safety, fatigue and human factors on approaching 4WD, Hand signals, other safety considerations
- Obligations including legal requirements, drivers responsibility, OHS responsibilities, vehicle requirements, environmental responsibilities
- Defensive driving, journey management, night operations & lighting, manoeuvring vehicle around large vehicles,
- Inspections internal and external, fuel reserve allowance, servicing and maintenance, regular inspection, maintenance categories
- Emergency repairs, safety points (Radiator Inspection), jacking, en-route inspections,
- Securing loads, rules of loading, positioning of loads, anchor points, centre of gravity, roof racks
- 4W drive techniques, abnormal conditions (Driving in Mud), difficult slopes, driving in sand – general, beach and inland, winter conditions, snow, rocky terrain and post crossing rocks, water crossing, planning, preparation and obstacle assessment
- Towing and trailers, hazardous situations, the towbar, weight (Mass) transfer, torque transfer, the trailer’s weight and dimensions, braking and types, suspension and tyres, lights and electrical couplings, safety chains, manoeuvring and driving trailers
- Winching operations, power winches, hand winches, anchors, minimum equipment, slings, jacking operations (preliminary inspection), jack plates, safety instructions, high-centring recovery, jump starting, changing a flat tyre
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a certificate which indicates the Statement of Attainments as recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework. This is a nationally recognised certification. The Statement is issued by us, Harness Energy (RTO 40521).
The 4WD Training Operate Vehicles in the Field ‘Statement of attainment’ is for the Nationally Accredited Units of Competency:
- PMASUP236 – Operate vehicles in the field –
- RIIVEH201E – Operate a light vehicle
The Certificate is usually needed as evidence for your employer for safety and compliance requirements and enables the holder to load, unload and secure goods for safe transportation.
NOTE: TILID0015 replaces and is equivalent to TLID2004. TLIA1001 is the equivalent replacement for TLIA1001A
Course Prerequisites
You must have a valid drivers Licence. All transport and loading equipment is provided. Wear suitable PPE,, bring water, sunscreen and outdoor protection. Please also review the general important information (relevant to ALL courses) contained in Important Course Requirements
Additional Information
Roles & Industries for 4×4 4WD Operate Vehicles in the Field Training | ||
Jobs
| Industries
| Relevancy
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Frequently Asked Questions
This course is about how to operate vehicles, 4WD vehicles, to ensure safety both as a person but also in relation to the many situations when using 4WD’s for working in remote places including potentially involving off-road driving. Driving a work vehicle is a serious responsibility and due to the potential safety risks, ensuring all relevant staff interact with work 4WD vehicles consistently will help enhance the safety outcomes for all.
When driving a work 4WD vehicle, you do not always know how it was last used or the maintenance history of the vehicle or even all the insights about where it has been. Operate Vehicles in the field is a course that helps ensure everyone operates their work 4WD vehicles in a consistently safe way – from pre-driving checks, defensive driving to eliminate risks from dangerous, careless or reckless driving, journey planning through to driving in various environments and handling basic vehicle recovery.
With regard to industry specific compliance requirements, there are three core general areas of responsibility which go to show that operating 4WD vehicles in the field is a serious responsiblity. All employees should check any industry-specific requirements that are in place. Examples of General Responsibilities include;
1 – Driver Responsibility – where drivers must go above and beyond for safety of themselves, passengers, freights, inspections and ensuring safe vehicles operations
2 – OHS Responsibilities – where you have duty of care responsibilities. As an employee you must not deliberately interfere with, or misuse items intended for Workplace Health and Safety
- Deliberately endanger the workplace health and safety of any other person or
- Themselves and this includes environmental harm or nuisance
3 – Vehicle Requirements such as mechanical and servicing, roadworthy, seatbelts, suitability for purpose.
Rules for operating 4WD Vehicles training can vary by industry and organisation. At Harness, we recommend training every two years – however, your unique environment may require this more or less frequently. It is important that you check with your employer or relevant industry body.
Operate Vehicles in the Field is a course that uses 4WD vehicles to simulate real work scenarios and teaches operational and practical aspects of driving 4WD vehicles as careful consideration and differences exist. This differs from an actual 4WD driving skill course – which is the focus of Operate and Maintain a 4WD Course (LINK). This course is focused on the operational considerations of 4WD vehicles in the day to day work context.
Yes this training is approved for Shell QGC Driver Training. However, if you require Defensive Driving Training, please refer to your contract holder.
Downloads
Important supporting information for 4WD Training Operate Vehicles in the field
- Training.Gov Information on – PMASUP236 – Operate vehicles in the field –
- Training.Gov Information on – RIIVEH201E – Operate a light vehicle –
- VetNet Training on Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining
Enquiry | Group Discounts
Related Courses
4WD Training Operate and Maintain a 4WD
4WD Training Recover 4WD Vehicles
Chain of Responsibility – Drivers Training
Chain of Responsibility – Supervisors Training
Fatigue Management – Drivers Training
Fatigue Management – Supervisors Training
Australian Training Awards
Queensland Winner – Small Training Provider of the Year 2022 | National Finalist and Silver Award Winner 2022
Combine To Save!
Working At Heights + Rescue
- PUAFIR210 – Prevent injury
- PUASAR022 – Participate in a Rescue Operation
- RIWHS204E – Work safely at heights
- PUAEME001 – Provide emergency care
