Code 14 driver duties cover the safe operation of heavy articulated vehicles, the loads they carry and the paperwork that goes with them. A Code 14 licence, formally Code EC, allows you to drive an articulated combination such as a truck-tractor and semi-trailer, and the responsibilities that come with it extend well beyond driving. This page sets out what the role involves day to day, the requirements employers expect, and how to phrase these duties on a CV or in a job description.
What Does a Code 14 Driver Do?
A Code 14 driver operates heavy combination vehicles, most commonly long-haul trucks moving freight between depots, distribution centres, ports and customer sites. The role covers the full trip cycle: inspecting the vehicle before departure, confirming the load is correct and secured, driving safely and legally, managing delivery documentation, and reporting defects or incidents on return.
South African Code 14 drivers must hold a valid Code EC licence and, because the work involves goods for reward, a Professional Driving Permit. Drivers are responsible for keeping both current, along with any load-specific requirements such as a dangerous goods endorsement. For related roles in this cluster see General Worker Logistics Duties.
Key Code 14 Driver Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and recording defects.
- Checking that the load matches the manifest before departure.
- Securing loads correctly using straps, chains or load bars appropriate to the freight.
- Operating the vehicle in accordance with the National Road Traffic Act and company policy.
- Planning and following assigned routes, adjusting for road, weather or traffic conditions.
- Managing delivery documentation including waybills, delivery notes and proof of delivery.
- Obtaining signatures and recording any shortages, damages or refusals on delivery.
- Monitoring fuel usage and completing fuel and trip records.
- Complying with permitted driving hours and taking required rest breaks.
- Reporting accidents, breakdowns, hijack attempts or route deviations immediately.
- Ensuring the vehicle is not overloaded and that axle mass limits are observed.
- Maintaining vehicle cleanliness and basic serviceability between formal services.
Beyond the task list, a Code 14 driver carries real accountability. They are usually the only company representative present at collection and delivery, so their conduct, accuracy on paperwork and judgment on the road directly affect both safety and the customer relationship.
Daily Code 14 Driver Duties
- Completing a pre-trip inspection covering tyres, brakes, lights, coupling, fluids and mirrors.
- Collecting trip instructions, route details and delivery documentation.
- Verifying the load against the manifest and checking that securing is correct.
- Driving the assigned route while observing speed limits and rest requirements.
- Communicating delays, breakdowns or route changes to the controller.
- Offloading or supervising offloading at each delivery point.
- Obtaining signed proof of delivery and noting discrepancies.
- Refuelling and recording fuel, mileage and trip data.
- Completing a post-trip inspection and submitting defect reports and paperwork.
Code 14 Driver Skills and Requirements
- A valid Code EC (Code 14) driving licence.
- A valid Professional Driving Permit for goods.
- A clean driving record, which most employers verify.
- Experience with articulated combinations, including reversing and coupling.
- Understanding of load securing and mass distribution across axles.
- Knowledge of the National Road Traffic Act as it applies to heavy vehicles.
- Ability to complete trip sheets, waybills and defect reports accurately.
- Basic mechanical awareness to identify faults before they become breakdowns.
- Route familiarity and map or navigation competence.
- Patience, alertness and sound judgment during long shifts.
- Clear communication with controllers, warehouse staff and customers.
Some employers add requirements specific to the freight carried, such as a dangerous goods endorsement, refrigerated transport experience, or cross-border documentation familiarity for regional routes.
Code 14 Driver Duties for a CV
A driver CV is stronger when it shows the vehicles operated, the routes covered and evidence of a safe record. Employers screen heavily on licence class, permit validity and incident history, so make these easy to find.
- Operated Code 14 articulated combinations on long-haul routes between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
- Completed daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections, reporting defects before they caused breakdowns.
- Maintained an incident-free driving record over four years of continuous service.
- Managed delivery documentation for multi-drop routes, recording discrepancies accurately.
- Secured mixed palletised and loose freight in line with company load-securing procedure.
- Monitored fuel consumption and contributed to a reduction in fuel usage on assigned routes.
State your licence code, PrDP status and expiry, and years of heavy vehicle experience near the top of the CV. For a closely related role, see truck driver duties.
Code 14 Driver Job Description Template
If you are writing the advert, be explicit about the vehicle type, the routes and the shift pattern, since these determine who applies. State whether the role is long-distance, regional or local, whether nights away from home are expected, and what the load type is.
List the licence and permit requirements precisely, including whether a dangerous goods endorsement is needed. Be clear about whether the driver is expected to assist with loading and offloading, since that materially changes the physical demands of the job. Avoid copying a general driver advert, because the requirements for a Code 14 role differ substantially from a light delivery vehicle position.
FAQs
What are the main code 14 driver duties?
The main duties are inspecting the vehicle before and after each trip, verifying and securing the load, driving the assigned route legally and safely, managing delivery documentation and proof of delivery, complying with driving hour and rest requirements, and reporting defects, delays or incidents.
What are examples of code 14 driver duties?
Practical examples include completing a pre-trip inspection covering brakes, tyres, lights and coupling, checking a load against the manifest and securing it with appropriate restraints, driving a long-haul route between provinces, obtaining signed proof of delivery at each drop, and submitting a defect report on return.
How do code 14 driver duties differ by workplace or seniority?
Long-haul roles involve nights away, cross-border paperwork and greater independence. Local distribution roles mean multi-drop routes, more customer contact and more loading assistance. Experienced drivers are often assigned higher-value or more complex loads and may mentor newer drivers.
How should code 14 driver duties be written in a job description or CV?
On a CV, state your licence code and PrDP status clearly, then describe the vehicle combinations operated, the routes covered and your safety record. In a job description, specify vehicle type, route pattern, shift arrangement, load type and whether loading assistance is expected.
Which related duties page should I read next?
For the broader driving role, read truck driver duties. For other warehouse and logistics roles, browse General Worker Logistics Duties.