Truck Driver

The truck driver transports cargo along highways, city streets or within compounds of industrial, construction or mining areas.

• Picking up goods from factories and delivering them to a terminal for further conveyance, or for the final delivery of goods from terminals to stores and homes.



• Checking the conditions of a truck before a journey, ensuring that brakes, lights, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment operate safely.



• Loading the truck and arranging the items in order of delivery or supervising the loading and unloading of the merchandise.



• Driving the truck and maintaining it in a responsible manner.



• Maintaining safety road regulations.



• Receiving money on behalf of the dispatcher and writing out receipts.

Requirements
 
Secondary Education
Possession of at least a Grade 10 certificate, or equivalent qualification, and a heavy drivers’ license (Code 10 or 11) is required. Candidates should be at least 18 years old. To transport hazardous substances, candidates must be 25 years or older.

A truck driver needs driving experience and preferably have knowledge of the city and the whole country. In addition to this, a long distance driver should have knowledge of neighbouring countries.
 
Recommended subject
English (TransNamib)
 
Tertiary Education
Various colleges in South Africa such as "The Operator Training Centre", Emthonyeni Training Centre, Bloemfontein Training Centre and the Driver Training Scheme at Luipaardsvlei, offer professional post-license courses to truck drivers.

In Namibia, candidates can complete a three-months certificate course at TransNamib’s Gammams Training Centre. The course includes: fire-fighting, first aid and conveyance of hazardous substances.

Personality
The prospective truck driver must be responsible, emotionally stable, honest, and have sober habits.

Work Opportunities
Truck drivers are employed by various private transport companies, the public service and TransNamib. Job prospect seem to be favourable.

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