This report examines the feasibility of using psychological or other testing or assessment, in conjunction with competency based training and assessment programs, to identify young drivers that may be sufficiently mature to progress more rapidly (ie fast-track) through heavy vehicle licence classes. It concludes that: the use of psychological testing to identify young drivers with sufficient maturity to progress more rapidly through heavy vehicle licence classes may be possible, but not feasible due to potentially high assessment costs, delivery difficulties in remote areas and criticism on validity/reliability grounds; competency based training and/or assessment alone would not be adequate for the selection of fast-track candidates; given the preference of most transport operators and insurers for older, more mature and experienced heavy vehicle drivers, the need for fast-tracking of younger drivers could be questioned; the fast-tracking concept could be criticised on road safety grounds as even careful selection of fast-track candidates may be insufficient to fully compensate for the higher crash risk carried by younger, less experienced drivers in heavy vehicles - fast-track provisions would increase exposure to risk among younger drivers; the existing provisions that allow licensing jurisdictions to exempt applicants from GLS provisions may be a viable alternative to a fast-tracking system, particularly if uniform exemption procedures were adopted by all jurisdictions. (Author/publisher)
Abstract