NZQA Expiring unit standard
3389 version 4
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Title
Flat tow a heavy commercial vehicle and/or on-road machine
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 and/or on-road machine for towing purposes; and carry
out a flat tow.
Classification
Motor Industry > Vehicle Recovery
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and
safety prerequisites
Appropriate driver's licence for the towing vehicle or machine.
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 heavy 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, air brake
operation.
Reasons for releasing air brakes and disconnecting drive shafts 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
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prevention of further damage to components, mobility.
Towing techniques that demonstrate good driving and towing practices are
identified.
Range
smooth progressive power transfer, braking, keeping the tow
distance constant to avoid sharp jerking and movement, clear
signalling and communication between vehicles, hazard warning
to other road users.
Outcome 2
Inspect vehicle and/or on-road machine for towing purposes.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Towing points on a vehicle and/or on-road machine are located and identified
as those recommended by the motor vehicle manufacturer.
2.2
The capability of a vehicle and/or on-road machine to be towed is determined.
Range
air brake connections between vehicles and reservoir capacity,
steerability, lights and warning indicators, mechanical and body
damage, weight ratio comparison, security and certified approval
of towing anchor points, beams and eyes.
Outcome 3
Carry out a flat tow.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The towing vehicle and vehicle or machine to be towed are securely connected
with a Land Transport Safety Authority certified towing attachment.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
3.2
The driver of the towing vehicle communicates with the driver of the towed
vehicle and/or machine, so that no unsafe action results during the tow.
Range
3.3
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planning the route, pre-arranged signals, visibility.
The towing operation is carried out in a safe manner.
Range
adherence to the Traffic Regulations and the Road Code, safe
towing procedure, hazard and towing warning requirements, air
line attachment.
3.4
No further damage has occurred to the towed vehicle and/or machine as a
direct result of the recovery procedure.
3.5
The vehicle or machine is recovered to the employer's and customer's
instructions.
3.6
The vehicle and/or machine is secured on completion of the tow.
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
3389 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