NZQA Expiring unit standard
3388 version 4
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Title
Flat tow a car or light commercial vehicle
Level
3
Credits
1
Purpose
This unit standard is for people in the automotive repair
industry. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
demonstrate knowledge of safe flat towing practices; inspect
vehicle for towing; and carry out a flat tow.
Classification
Motor Industry > Vehicle Recovery
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and
safety prerequisites
Driver's licence.
Explanatory notes
1
The following legislation, regulations, publications, and their amendments are
required to be consulted and followed where applicable:
– Health and Safety in Employment Act, 1992
– Transport Services Licensing Act, 1989
– Traffic Regulations, 1976
– New Zealand Road Code, Land Transport Safety Authority
2
This unit standard requires the assistance of a driver for the towed vehicle.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of safe flat towing practices.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The legal requirements for a vehicle to flat tow another on the road are
described according to regulations.
Range
Traffic Regulations and amendments, Transport Services
Licensing Act exemptions.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
1.2
The towing factors that affect vehicle stability are identified.
Range
1.3
maximum permissible towing weight, towing points, brake booster
operation.
The procedures necessary to avoid damage to automatic transmissions of
towed vehicles when flat towing are described according manufacturer’s
workshop manual recommendations.
Range
1.5
transverse stability (yawing), directional stability (loss of effective
steering).
Reasons for adherence to vehicle manufacturer's towing specifications before
undertaking any tow are identified.
Range
1.4
3388 version 4
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where transmission oil pump is affected: driveshaft disconnected,
manufacturer's specified towing distance and speed.
Towing techniques that demonstrate good driving practices are identified.
Range
smooth progressive power transfer, braking, keeping the tow
distance constant to avoid sharp jerking, clear signalling.
Outcome 2
Inspect vehicle for towing.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Towing points on a vehicle are located and identified as those recommended by
the motor vehicle manufacturer.
2.2
The capability of a vehicle to be towed is determined by inspection.
Range
braking, steerability, lights and warning indicators, mechanical and
body damage, weight ratio comparison, security of towing points
and connections.
Outcome 3
Carry out a flat tow.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The towing vehicle and vehicle to be towed are securely connected with a
towing attachment so that the effective length between vehicles does not
exceed Traffic Regulations.
3.2
The driver of the towing vehicle communicates with the driver of the towed
vehicle, so that no unsafe action results during the tow.
Range
planning the route, pre-arranged signals, visibility.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
3.3
3388 version 4
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The towing operation is carried out in a safe manner.
Range
adherence to Traffic Regulations and Road Code, safe towing
procedure, warning requirements.
3.4
No further damage has occurred to the towed vehicle as a direct result of the
recovery procedure.
3.5
The vehicle is recovered to the employer's and customer's instructions.
3.6
The vehicle is secured on completion of the tow to the employer's and
customer's instructions.
Replacement information
This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard
23943 and unit standard 23944.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
27 February 1995
31 December 2016
Review
2
21 February 1999
31 December 2016
Review
3
21 September 2007
31 December 2016
Rollover
4
19 November 2010
31 December 2016
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0014
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or
an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can
report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading
to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
3388 version 4
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Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016