Ultra-Heavy Motor Vehicle Driver – Astral / Goldi
Company: Unitrans
Business Unit / Division: Consumer
Contract: Astral – Goldi
Position: Ultra-Heavy Motor Vehicle Driver
Employment Type: Temporary – Fixed Term
Location: Standerton, Mpumalanga
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Reference Number: UNI260814-17
Minimum Education: Grade 12 / National Certificate
Job Overview
An opportunity is available for a high-calibre Ultra-Heavy Motor Vehicle Driver to join the Astral – Goldi operation in Standerton, Mpumalanga.
The successful candidate will be responsible for safely operating ultra-heavy vehicles while transporting and distributing goods to various clients. This position requires an experienced heavy vehicle driver who understands road safety, vehicle inspections, load security, legal compliance and professional customer service.
The role is offered on a temporary fixed-term basis and requires the successful candidate to be flexible regarding working hours, including shifts, weekends and public holidays.
The driver will be responsible for preparing the vehicle for each trip, ensuring that loads are properly secured and that the vehicle is not overloaded, transporting goods safely and overseeing or completing the offloading process at the required destination.
Because this is an ultra-heavy vehicle driving position, applicants must have substantial experience operating ultra-heavy motor vehicles and must hold the required Code EC driver’s licence and valid Professional Driving Permit.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Grade 12 / Matric / Senior Certificate.
- Applicants must be verbally and numerically literate.
- A valid Code EC driver’s licence.
- A valid PrDP (DGP).
- At least 3 years’ experience driving an ultra-heavy motor vehicle.
- Must be 25 years of age or older.
- Must be willing to work weekends and public holidays.
- Must have a safe driving record.
- Must have a clean criminal record.
- Must understand defensive driving techniques.
- Must understand the function and location of vehicle components.
- Must understand emergency and vehicle-defect reporting procedures.
- Must understand vehicle inspection procedures.
- Must know how to operate a fire extinguisher.
- Must understand vehicle loading techniques.
- Must understand how to maximise vehicle cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
The required driving experience is particularly important because the successful candidate will be responsible for operating ultra-heavy vehicles while transporting goods to various customers.
Vehicle Preparation and Operation
The driver will be responsible for preparing the assigned vehicle before each trip and ensuring that it is suitable for safe operation.
Duties include:
- Preparing the vehicle for trips.
- Conducting required vehicle inspections.
- Operating ultra-heavy-duty vehicles safely.
- Checking the vehicle before departure.
- Identifying and reporting defects.
- Ensuring the vehicle is maintained in a suitable operating condition.
- Following all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Following company safety procedures.
The driver must take responsibility for identifying potential problems before commencing a trip and must report emergencies or defects through the correct channels.
Loading, Transport and Offloading
A significant part of the role involves transporting goods safely from the relevant facility to customers.
The successful driver will:
- Load goods correctly.
- Ensure that loads are secured before departure.
- Transport goods safely.
- Ensure the vehicle is not overloaded.
- Offload goods at the required destination.
- Operate offloading equipment where required.
- Oversee the offloading process when appropriate.
- Ensure goods are handled responsibly.
- Open and close tarpaulins where applicable.
Load security is essential because improperly secured or overloaded goods can create serious safety risks and may result in non-compliance with road traffic legislation.
Legal and Road Safety Compliance
The driver must operate within the requirements of the National Road Traffic Act and all applicable company procedures.
This includes ensuring that:
- The vehicle is not overloaded.
- The load is properly secured.
- Safe driving practices are followed.
- Vehicle inspections are completed.
- Defects are reported promptly.
- Emergency procedures are understood.
- Defensive driving techniques are applied.
- Company safety procedures are followed.
The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong safety mindset and understand the responsibility involved in operating an ultra-heavy vehicle on public roads.
Customer Service
The driver will interact directly with customers when delivering goods and must maintain a professional and efficient approach.
Responsibilities include:
- Dealing with customers professionally.
- Communicating respectfully.
- Ensuring deliveries are handled efficiently.
- Supporting a positive customer experience.
- Following delivery and documentation requirements.
The driver represents the organisation when interacting with customers and must therefore maintain appropriate professional standards at all times.
Documentation and Administration
The position also involves handling required documentation and completing ancillary duties associated with the transportation process.
The driver must ensure that relevant documentation is completed accurately and submitted according to company procedures.
Attention to detail is important because accurate documentation supports effective tracking of goods, deliveries, vehicle operations and compliance requirements.
Vehicle Housekeeping and PPE
The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining appropriate standards of housekeeping.
This includes:
- Keeping the vehicle clean and orderly.
- Maintaining the required uniform.
- Taking care of issued PPE.
- Following applicable housekeeping procedures.
- Ensuring PPE is worn correctly when required.
Maintaining a clean and safe working environment is part of the driver’s responsibility.
Training and Assessments
Successful candidates will be required to successfully complete a number of company processes and assessments.
These include:
- Medical evaluation.
- USCS training modules.
- Induction processes.
- Practical driving evaluation.
- Verification of a clean criminal record.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to participate in all required pre-employment and operational training processes.
Working Conditions
This position requires flexibility.
The successful candidate must be prepared to:
- Work shifts.
- Work weekends.
- Work public holidays.
- Follow operational schedules.
- Work according to the requirements of the business.
- Follow reasonable instructions from the Supervisor.
This is a temporary fixed-term position, and applicants should be comfortable working in a demanding transport and distribution environment.
Key Responsibilities
The Ultra-Heavy Motor Vehicle Driver will be expected to:
- Prepare vehicles for trips.
- Operate ultra-heavy-duty vehicles.
- Load goods.
- Secure loads before departure.
- Transport goods safely.
- Offload goods or oversee the offloading process.
- Operate offloading equipment where required.
- Complete required documentation.
- Conduct vehicle inspections.
- Report defects and emergencies.
- Maintain vehicle housekeeping.
- Maintain uniform and PPE standards.
- Follow SOPs and safety procedures.
- Ensure compliance with legal load requirements.
- Provide professional customer service.
- Follow all reasonable instructions from the Supervisor.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an experienced ultra-heavy vehicle driver who is safety-conscious, reliable and comfortable working in a fast-paced transport environment.
They should have strong knowledge of vehicle operations and be able to identify potential safety issues before they become problems. They should also understand load security, vehicle inspections, defensive driving and legal weight requirements.
A strong sense of responsibility is essential because the driver will be responsible for the vehicle, its load and the safe transportation of goods to customers.
Position Summary
Position: Ultra-Heavy Motor Vehicle Driver
Company / Contract: Astral – Goldi
Business Unit: Consumer
Location: Standerton, Mpumalanga
Employment Type: Temporary – Fixed Term
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Reference: UNI260814-17
Education: Grade 12 / Matric
Licence: Code EC + valid PrDP (DGP)
Experience: Minimum 3 years’ ultra-heavy vehicle driving experience
Age Requirement: 25 years and older
Schedule: Shifts, weekends and public holidays required
This opportunity is suited to an experienced ultra-heavy vehicle driver who meets the licensing and experience requirements and is ready to take responsibility for the safe, efficient and compliant transportation of goods.