Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver
Vacancy Overview
Company / Business Unit: Astral – Festive
Business Unit / Division: Consumer
Job Title: Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver
Reference Number: UNI260904-6
Location: Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa
Employment Type: Permanent – Normal
Minimum Education Level: Grade 12 / National Certificate
Closing Date: 11 September 2026
About the Opportunity
An opportunity has become available for a high-calibre Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver to join the Consumer business unit under Astral – Festive. The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe and efficient transportation and distribution of goods to various clients.
This position is suited to an experienced heavy-vehicle driver who has the required driving licence, professional driving permit, practical ultra-heavy vehicle experience, and a strong understanding of road safety and vehicle operations. The successful applicant will be expected to operate ultra-heavy-duty vehicles responsibly while ensuring that goods are transported safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company procedures and applicable road-traffic legislation.
The role requires someone who is dependable, safety-conscious, physically capable of performing the requirements of the position, and comfortable working according to operational demands. Because transportation operations may require coverage outside standard working hours, the successful candidate must be prepared to work shifts, weekends and public holidays.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of the Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver is to prepare, operate and maintain an ultra-heavy-duty vehicle while transporting goods to various customers and destinations.
The driver will be responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is roadworthy and properly prepared before each trip, that loads are safely secured and within the permitted legal limits, and that goods are delivered and offloaded appropriately. The position also involves maintaining the required documentation, following safety procedures and standard operating procedures, and interacting professionally with customers.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Preparing the vehicle for each trip and safely operating ultra-heavy-duty motor vehicles.
- Loading, transporting and offloading goods as required.
- Ensuring that vehicles are not overloaded in accordance with the National Road Traffic Act.
- Ensuring that all loads are correctly and securely fastened before departure.
- Responsible handling of goods throughout the transportation process.
- Operating offloading equipment where applicable or overseeing the offloading process.
- Opening and closing vehicle tarpaulins where applicable.
- Completing and handling all required transportation and vehicle documentation.
- Performing ancillary duties associated with the role.
- Conducting vehicle inspections and reporting defects or emergencies according to the correct procedures.
- Applying defensive driving techniques and maintaining a safe driving record.
- Maintaining good housekeeping of the vehicle, uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Adhering to and promoting company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety procedures.
- Maximising vehicle cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
- Dealing with customers in a professional, courteous and efficient manner.
- Following all reasonable instructions issued by the Supervisor.
- Working shifts, weekends and public holidays when operationally required.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Education
- Grade 12 / Matric / Senior Certificate.
- Applicants must be verbally and numerically literate.
- The advert also specifies a Grade 10 literacy level in terms of verbal and numerical literacy.
Driving Requirements
- Valid Code EC driver’s licence.
- Valid PrDP (DGP).
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience driving an ultra-heavy vehicle.
- Must be 25 years of age or older.
Additional Knowledge and Competencies
Candidates should have knowledge or competency in:
- Defensive driving techniques.
- The function and location of vehicle components.
- Vehicle inspection procedures.
- Reporting procedures for emergencies and vehicle defects.
- Correct operation of a fire extinguisher.
- Vehicle loading techniques.
- Maximising vehicle cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
- Safe and responsible transportation practices.
Personal Attributes and Skills
The ideal candidate should be responsible, safety-conscious and able to operate independently while remaining aligned with company procedures. Because the position involves transporting goods to customers, professional communication and customer-service skills are also important.
A successful driver should demonstrate:
- Strong attention to safety.
- Responsibility and accountability.
- Good verbal communication.
- Numerical literacy.
- Knowledge of heavy-vehicle operations.
- Defensive driving ability.
- Good vehicle inspection and reporting practices.
- Ability to follow instructions and SOPs.
- Professional customer interaction.
- Good housekeeping standards.
- Ability to work under operational pressure.
- Flexibility regarding working hours.
Safety and Compliance
Safety is a key responsibility within this position. The successful candidate must operate the vehicle in a manner that protects themselves, other road users, company property and the goods being transported.
The driver must ensure that vehicles are not overloaded and that loads are properly secured before departure. Vehicle inspections, defect reporting, emergency procedures and adherence to road-traffic requirements are essential components of the role.
The successful applicant must also maintain a clean criminal record and comply with the company’s required safety, training and verification processes.
Mandatory Assessments and Training
Successful applicants will be required to successfully undergo or complete the following:
- Medical evaluation.
- USCS training modules.
- Company induction processes.
- Practical driving evaluation.
- Verification of a clean criminal record.
These processes form part of the company’s requirements for ensuring that drivers are suitably qualified, medically fit, appropriately trained and capable of safely performing the duties associated with an ultra-heavy vehicle.
Working Conditions
This is a permanent, normal employment position based in Midrand, Gauteng.
The successful candidate must be prepared to work according to operational requirements, including:
- Shifts.
- Weekends.
- Public holidays.
- Extended or varying working hours where required.
The role involves driving ultra-heavy vehicles, transporting goods, loading and offloading activities, vehicle inspections and customer-facing responsibilities.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is particularly suited to experienced ultra-heavy vehicle drivers who hold a valid Code EC licence and PrDP (DGP) and have at least three years of ultra-heavy vehicle driving experience.
Applicants should be at least 25 years old, safety-conscious, professionally presented and comfortable working flexible operational hours. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of vehicle safety, loading, inspections, emergency reporting and defensive driving.
Application Information
Position: Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver
Reference: UNI260904-6
Company / Contract: Astral – Festive
Division: Consumer
Location: Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa
Employment: Permanent – Normal
Minimum Education: Grade 12 / National Certificate
Experience: Minimum 3 years’ ultra-heavy vehicle driving experience
Licence: Code EC + valid PrDP (DGP)
Age Requirement: 25 years and above
Closing Date: 11 September 2026
Interested and suitably qualified applicants should ensure that they meet the stated education, licensing, experience, age and safety requirements before applying. Applicants should also be prepared to complete the required medical evaluation, training, induction, practical driving assessment and criminal-record verification.
Quick Summary
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver |
| Company/Contract | Astral – Festive |
| Division | Consumer |
| Reference | UNI260904-6 |
| Location | Midrand, Gauteng |
| Job Type | Permanent – Normal |
| Education | Grade 12 / Matric / Senior Certificate |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years ultra-heavy vehicle driving |
| Licence | Code EC + valid PrDP (DGP) |
| Age | 25 years and above |
| Working Hours | Shifts, weekends & public holidays |
| Criminal Record | Clean criminal record required |
| Closing Date | 11 September 2026 |