8 Brakes

Correct technical decisions

You thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether the vehicle brakes comply with all Transport Agency requirements, taking into account technical information provided by the Transport Agency such as the VIRM: Entry certification.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• observe you at work
• inspect vehicles which you have certified
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect information you enter into the Transport Agency computer system.

The Transport Agency may:

• take into account outcomes from complaints, random re-inspections and ‘mystery shopper’ exercises since your last review.

Technical competence

You are competent in all technical aspects relating to vehicle brakes.

This means you are competent in:

• the assessment of vehicle brakes
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to vehicle brakes and the assessment of vehicle brakes
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle brakes
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle brakes.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• ask questions to check your competence relating to vehicle brakes and the assessment of service brakes and park brakes
• observe you at work
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect your Training record.

The Transport Agency may administer a short test on vehicle brakes.

Technical equipment

You have:

• an Transport Agency-approved brake testing device, and
• a hand-held inspection lamp.

The equipment is in good condition and working order.

The Transport Agency will inspect your technical equipment.

Correct technical decisions

You do not thoroughly inspect all components or correctly determine whether the service brakes and park brakes comply with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

The area of non-compliance is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• a brake that is required to comply with an approved brake standard did not comply, or cannot be demonstrated to have complied, with an approved standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured
• a brake drum or a brake disc is fractured or otherwise damaged, seriously compromising the ability to safely brake the vehicle
• brake friction material is separated from the brake pad backing pad or brake shoe, or is contaminated, cracked or otherwise damaged.

You do not thoroughly inspect all components or correctly determine whether the service brakes and park brakes comply with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

The area of non-compliance may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• brake friction material is worn below the Transport Agency’s specifications, but the backing plate is not yet exposed
• brake drum ovality or diameter, or brake disc runout or thickness, is just outside the vehicle or brake manufacturer’s service limits
• a brake fluid sample shows signs of dirt or contamination
• a brake that is required to comply with an approved brake standard has brake friction material that cannot be demonstrated to have been manufactured by a recognised vehicle or brake friction material manufacturer, or supplied by a recognised supplier.

You do not thoroughly inspect all components or correctly determine whether the service brakes and park brakes comply with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

The area of non-compliance is unlikely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• You do not take a brake fluid sample, flexible brake lines are not inspected under pressure.

You thoroughly inspect all components in accordance with Transport Agency instructions and correctly determine whether the service brakes and park brakes comply with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

Technical competence

You demonstrate:

• little or no competence in the technical aspects relating to service brakes and park brakes, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, or
• a level of competence that is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are significant gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of service brakes and park brakes
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to service brakes and park brakes
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to service brakes and park brakes
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing service brakes and park brakes.

You demonstrate:

• some competence in the technical aspects relating to service brakes and park brakes, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, or
• a level of competence that may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are some gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of service brakes and park brakes
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to service brakes and park brakes
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to service brakes and park brakes
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing service brakes and park brakes.

You demonstrate:

• adequate competence in the technical aspects relating to service brakes and park brakes, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, or
• a level of competence that is unlikely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are minor gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of service brakes and park brakes
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to service brakes and park brakes
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to service brakes and park brakes
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing service brakes and park brakes.

You can demonstrate comprehensive competence in the technical aspects relating to service brakes and park brakes, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards.

This means you can demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of service brakes and park brakes
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to service brakes and park brakes
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to service brakes and park brakes
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing service brakes and park brakes.

Technical equipment

Not all of the specified equipment is available. Where equipment is available, some or all of it is not in working order.

All specified equipment is available and in working order, but some or all of it is in poor condition.

All specified equipment is available, in working order and in at least adequate condition.

All specified equipment is available and in good condition and working order.