Operators currently registered in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme (TFMS) are able to access the Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) option of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) Fatigue Management Module. This means that drivers can drive up to 14 hours each day. However, if by 29 September 2009 you are not accredited in either BFM or Advanced Fatigue Management you will revert back to Standard Hours (12 hours in 24).

To access the TFMS transitional arrangements drivers must do the following things:

• carry TFMS Driver Certification Manual
• carry and complete Work Diary
• comply with all other TFMS requirements
  

Introduction

The Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme (TFMS) aims to

• reduce the number of driver fatigue related accidents
• improve road safety within the heavy vehicle transport industry.

Developed by the National Transport Commission, the scheme will

• increase industry awareness of the causes of driver fatigue
• encourage those involved to take greater responsibility for driver health
• promote the principles and practices of safe driving and fatigue management.

The scheme provides for greater flexibility and productivity within regulated hours. It allows registered heavy truck drivers to drive for up to 14 hours in a 24 hour period and enables their driving, working and rest times to be rostered over a 14 day period.

The Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme is not available to drivers when driving buses.

Definitions of terms used in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme (TFMS)

Employer’s obligations

An employer who is participating in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme is required to register with Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) and undertake to

• manage the employment of participating drivers so that they can comply with the scheme’s requirements
• ensure that participating drivers have regular medical examinations
• ensure that participating drivers and employees responsible for driver rostering and trip scheduling complete an approved training course in fatigue management
• endorse each driver’s participation in the scheme and certify his or her Driver Certification Manual (DCM)
• arrange a review of management practices and an assessment of the performance of employed and responsible employees in the scheme. The review must be carried out within nine months of becoming registered in the scheme and annually thereafter.

Participating employers must be able to demonstrate that they are complying with the requirements of the scheme. Employers are required to

• maintain a record of
  • the names, addresses and driver licence numbers of all participating drivers
  • all trip schedules and driver rosters to demonstrate that drivers are complying with the working and rest requirements of the scheme
• demonstrate that a system is in place for the review of each driver’s log book daily sheets
• produce evidence that drivers and employees have completed the approved training course in fatigue management and that drivers have current medical examinations
• retain copies of review and assessment reports for at least 2 years.

Driver’s obligations

Drivers are only able to participate in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme if their employer is registered. Drivers are required to

• have regular medical examinations in accordance with the scheme’s requirements
• complete an approved training course in fatigue management
• obtain their employer’s endorsement
• register with any Customer Service Centre
• carry their Driver Certification Manual when driving a heavy truck
• record driving, working and rest times in an authorised log book
• produce their Driver Certification Manual and log book when requested to by an authorised officer.

Self-employed driver’s obligations

• Drivers that are self-employed must meet both employer and driver obligations.

Driver Certification Manual – DCM

Drivers in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme must carry a completed DCM when driving a heavy truck.

The appropriate tables must be endorsed

• Table 1 - details of the driver registered in the scheme
• Table 2 - Authority Registration completed and stamped by a Customer Service Centre
• Tables 3, 4 or 5 - endorsed by the driver’s employer
• Tables 6, 8, 9 or 10 - certified by a medical practitioner
• Table 7 - certification by a qualified trainer that the driver has completed an approved training course in fatigue management.

Copies of the Driver Certification Manual are available from any Customer Service Centre.

Medical examination

Drivers participating in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme must have regular medical examinations and have the medical practitioner certify the appropriate table in the Driver Certification Manual. However, the employer may complete the table in the DCM if the driver has had the appropriate medical examination within the last 12-month from the date of the TFMS application.

Each medical examination must be conducted by a qualified medical practitioner in accordance with the standards contained in the most recent edition of the National Transport Commission and Department of Transport and Regional Services Medical Examinations of Commercial Vehicle Drivers.

Drivers up to the age of 49 years must have an examination every 3 years. Drivers who are 49 years or older must have an examination every 12 months.

A Certificate of Fitness - Heavy Vehicle Drivers form (MR215A) is available from any Customer Service Centre.

Audits by Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI)

DTEI may audit an employer’s, or self-employed drivers, system at any time and may, by written notice, request the employer to provide the information referred to under ‘Employer’s obligations’.

Contacts & further information

For additional information about

• compliance guidelines
• control
• monitoring and review procedures

please contact Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure’s Heavy Vehicle Accreditation and Audit

• ph (08) 8260 0005
• or email us

Training organisations for the Transitional Fatigue Management System

Registered Training Organisations with skilled trainers to deliver the course are available in PDF format.

Definitions of terms used in the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme (TFMS)

"Authority"

The relevant authority administering the TFMS. In South Australia, it is Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI).

"Driver base"

The vehicle's garage address or, if the driver operates and receives instructions from another place that is recorded in the driver's log book, the place that is recorded in the log book. If the log book is not carried, enforcement officers will use the garage address as the driver base to calculate the driver's compliance with the regulations.

"Driver Certification Manual"

A Driver Certification Manual (DCM) is a manual provided by DTEI or corresponding Authority that shows the holder is eligible to operate under the driving hours requirements of the TFMS. The DCM contains information identifying the driver, verification of the medical examination and all training undertaken by the driver, as well as the endorsement by their employer stating their commitment to manage driver fatigue.

"Driving time"

The amount of time of a driver spends driving a heavy truck or bus, and includes:

(a) being in the driving seat of a stationary heavy truck or bus while the engine is running; and

(b) assisting, instructing or supervising someone else to drive a heavy truck or bus.

Driving time includes time spent driving the vehicle and includes all time spent driving on a road or road-related area.

"Employed driver"

A person who is employed by someone else to drive a heavy truck.

"Employer"

A person who employs someone else to drive a heavy truck.

“Medical certification"

Certification given by a registered medical practitioner that a driver has passed a medical examination in accordance with the standard contained in the publication Medical Examinations of Commercial Vehicle Drivers, Revised Edition 1997, or as amended.

"Medical practitioner"

A person registered or licensed as a medical practitioner under State or Territory law that provides for the registration of such persons.

"Responsible employee"

An employee or agent of the employer who is responsible for rostering driving, work or rest time of employed drivers, or scheduling the transport of people or goods by road and if the employer is an individual, includes the employer.

"Rest time"

The rest time of a driver is any continuous period of at least 15 minutes that is not time spent driving a heavy vehicle or bus, or time spent doing other tasks that are included in work time.

"Training certification"

Certification provided by the trainer who conducted the training course that confirms the driver has completed an approved fatigue management course.

"Trainer"

A person who has achieved a minimum of Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training or equivalent.

"Two-up driving"

An arrangement where 2 drivers share the driving of a heavy truck, with a sleeper berth complying with ADR42.

"Work time"

The work time of a driver includes the driver's driving time, and other time spent by the driver doing any of the following tasks:

(a) loading or unloading a heavy truck or commercial bus;

(b) inspecting, servicing or repairing a heavy truck or commercial bus, inspecting or attending to the load on a heavy truck, or attending to the passengers of a commercial bus;

(c) cleaning or refuelling a heavy truck or commercial bus;

(d) performing marketing tasks in relation to the operation of a heavy truck or
commercial bus;

(e) helping with, or supervising, an activity mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c);

(f) recording information, or completing a document, in accordance with the
driving hours regulations or in relation to the operation of a heavy truck or
commercial bus.