About this course

Build your 4WD skills and learn how to recover safely

Taking a 4WD off-road can be an exciting and practical way to access difficult terrain, but things can quickly go wrong if you’re not prepared. Knowing how to choose the right track, avoid hazards and safely recover your vehicle can help keep you and your vehicle safe.

You’ll learn how to:

  • carry out checks, routine maintenance and minor repairs on a 4WD vehicle
  • safely operate a 4WD on unsealed surfaces, uneven ground and steep slopes
  • identify hazards and plan for different off-road conditions
  • select and safely use vehicle recovery equipment
  • plan and carry out safe recovery methods in different situations.

Whether you're new to off-road driving or want to improve your existing 4WD skills, this course will help you prepare for challenging conditions and handle recovery situations safely.

Is this course right for me?

Before registering, check that you meet the requirements for this course.

You’ll need to:

  • hold at least a P2 (Green P’s) driver licence
  • provide your own roadworthy four-wheel drive vehicle, with rated recovery points for the practical training.

The course involves practical off-road driving and vehicle recovery activities. You should be comfortable driving on uneven and steep terrain, following safety instructions and safely using recovery equipment. If you meet these requirements and want to build your off-road driving and recovery skills, click on the register now button.

At a glance:

Location: Statewide
Course duration: 2 days
Start date: Multiple intakes
Number of units: 2
Indicative fees: $880 GST-free
Accredited Course: Yes

Details

  • Identify four-wheel drive specific terms and terminology
  • Conduct checks of 4 x 4 vehicle and equipment
  • Prepare for 4 x 4 operations
  • Operate 4 x 4 vehicle on unsealed terrain types
  • Operate 4 x 4 vehicle on a steep slope
  • Perform maintenance and minor repairs on 4 x 4 vehicles
  • Plan 4 x 4 recovery
  • Apply safe recovery method
  • Use vehicle recovery equipment safely
  • Maintain vehicle recovery equipment

$880 GST-free

Day One:

  • Four wheel driving theory
  • Maintenance and vehicle set-up
  • Field exercises - dirt road driving, slopes, rugged terrain driving

Day Two:

  • Stall recovery
  • Vehicle recovery techniques - snatch straps, Jacking, electric and hand winching
  • Field exercises - negotiating mud, sand, and water crossings

Please note: This program may vary due to venue, weather and client requirements.

Participants are provided with Department of Primary Industries –  A Field Guide to Four Wheel Driving manual.

This course is delivered using both indoor and outdoor instruction.

Participants must:

  • Hold at least a P2 (Green P's) Provisional Driver Licence or higher.
  • Provide their own roadworthy 4WD vehicle equipped with rated recovery points for practical training activities.
  • Have the physical capability to undertake outdoor vehicle recovery tasks, including positioning recovery gear, attaching shackles/straps, operating recovery equipment, and carrying out routine under-bonnet and under-body vehicle checks.
  • Be comfortable driving across uneven, steep, and unsealed terrain while strictly following instructor safety directions.
  • Not have disqualifying medical conditions that could impair driving ability, physical coordination, or the safe handling of heavy recovery equipment.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Capability Requirements

To complete this course successfully, participants will need:

  • Reading: Interpreting vehicle manufacturer manuals, tyre pressure charts, slope/angle ratings, and safety instructions for rated recovery equipment (winches, snatch straps, recovery tracks, and shackles).
  • Writing: Completing pre-trip vehicle checklists, risk assessment worksheets, and basic maintenance logs.
  • Numeracy: Calculating tyre pressure adjustments for varied terrain, estimating vehicle Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), and assessing Minimum Breaking Load (MBL) ratios for recovery gear.
  • Oral Communication & Hearing: Communicating clearly via two-way radio or hand signals, coordinating recovery maneuvers with a spotter, maintaining situational awareness, and responding immediately to safety cues.
  • Digital Literacy: Basic computer or smartphone skills

This course is mapped to the following national units of competency:

For information on students rights and responsibilities, and the Tocal College Code of Practice see Industry qualification student policies.



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