Who is a professional driver?
A professional driver includes :
- Truck Drivers
- Coach Drivers
- Pilot Drivers (this is someone who drives a car/van as part of a wide load convoy to help the wide load truck driver and other road users)
How can you identify a professional driver?
All professional drivers will have ID to show they are a professional driver. This could include:
- Accredited Pilot Licence
- Light Rigid (LR) heavy vehicle class - A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes to a maximum of 8 tonnes (no axle limit) or which carries more than 12 passengers (including the driver) to a maximum of 8 tonnes.
- Medium Rigid (MR) heavy vehicle class - A motor vehicle that has 2 axles and a gross vehicle mass greater than 8 tonnes.
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Heavy Rigid (HR) heavy vehicle class -
A motor vehicle that has 3 or more axles and a gross vehicle mass greater than 8 tonnes.
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Heavy-Combination (HC) heavy vehicle class -
A prime mover to which is attached a single semi-trailer plus any unladen converter dolly, or rigid motor ehicle attached to a trailer that has a gross vehicle mass greater than 9 tonnes plus any unladen converter dolly.
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Multi-Combination (MC) heavy vehicle class -
Any heavy combination unit towing one or more trailers, each having a gross vehicle mass greater than 9 tonnes. Multi-Combination vehicle driver assessments are conducted by private training organisations.
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See below examples of the type of driver's licence to look out for.
Why are professional drivers so important?
A major source of revenue for the business is fuel sales (diesel).
An average car will refuel with around 70 litres of fuel while a truck can fuel around 750+ litres if filling a whole tank.
We make approximately 10 times more profit from a professional driver fuel sale than a normal car. We want to look after these customers and ensure they keep coming back to our sites to refuel as they are one of the businesses main sources of income.
What is the professional driver lounge?
The professional drivers lounge is an area of our sites that is only accessible for professional drivers. Normal customers cannot enter the professional drivers lounge.
Why is a lounge provided?
Professional drivers work long hours and drive long distances - sometimes thousands of kilometres in a week. To help ensure a driver does not fall asleep at the wheel and to ensure their wellbeing, professional drivers have to legally comply with government enforced fatigue management breaks.
Sometimes these breaks must last for over seven hours. With regional Western Australia being so remote, our professional driver lounges provide a much welcomed alternative to their truck.
LOUNGE BENEFITS AND WHY WE OFFER THEM
Just for professional drivers
|
Professional drivers are looking for somewhere to relax and unwind. Our lounges provide a secluded area just for them, without the need to be disturbed by other customers or noise. |
Comfortable chairs | After sitting in a truck over 12 hours a day every day of the week, they are looking for somewhere comfortable to relax. |
Free Wifi | They get limited phone reception on the road so we give them chance to catch up on emails and stay in touch online. |
Free tea / coffee
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It could be 10 hours to the next truck stop, so we offer them free light refreshments. |
Showers | They often sleep in their truck so may want to freshen up when on the road. |
Massage chairs | After sitting in a truck over 12 hours a day every day of the week, they can get a bit stiff. A massage chair is a nice way to unwind, promote circulation and improve wellbeing. |
Free laundry |
They often work in dirty environments in the outback and sleep in their truck so may want to freshen up when on the road. |
Foxtel | Many have to spend hours taking mandatory fatigue breaks, so we provide them with entertainment in our lounges. |
How to access the lounge
Professional drivers have to sign up to be a member of the Professional Drivers Club and get unlimited access to the lounge and a host of other benefits.
What form of identification do drivers have to show to sign up to the Professional Drivers Club?
- Passport
- Drivers licence
- Medicare card
- Bank card
- Proof of age card
Can normal customers enter the professional drivers lounge?
- Yes
- No
Do you have to be a member to get the professional driver club lounge access and other benefits?
- Yes
- No