How do I get accredited?

Accreditation is built on three principles: loading within the legal load limit, driver wellness and vehicle fitness.

Ten rules and requirements have been developed around these principles:

• Maintain an inventory of nominated vehicles
• Assess the vehicle mass before each laden trip
• Verify the mass determination method
• Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition
• Ensure vehicle and load safety
• Manage driver wellness
• Provide training and education
• Assign tasks and responsibilities
• Keep records and documentation
• Perform an internal review (self-audit)

Step 1: Obtain the rules and requirements from SABS, and implement these

The details of these rules and requirements have been compiled into a SABS document:

SANS 1395:1 Road Transport Management Systems Part 1: Operator Requirements – Goods

This document can be purchased at a nominal fee from Standards South Africa:

Tel: 012 428-6883

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: www.sabs.co.za

Step 2: Get overloads within agreed limit

In order for a transport operator to become accredited, no more than 4% of all their trips measured on a monthly basis are allowed to be overloaded. An independent auditor must be able to verify the accuracy of such a claim.

Step 3: Perform an internal audit

The company must perform an internal audit, as laid down in the SABS document, SANS 1395:1, as specified under the requirements.

Step 4: Perform an external Audit

Contact a recognised third party auditor to conduct an audit on the implementation of RTMS in your organization. The auditor will make a recommendation to the RTMS, who will issue a certificate upon the successful completion of the audit.