VITS KIT - VicRoads
Training Document for VicRoads AssignmentsMay 2013
Contents
• Purpose
• Overview of VicRoads
• Government Obligations
• Expectations and Requirements
• VicRoads Assignments
• VicRoads Glossary
• Travel and Practical Arrangements
• Contact
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
Purpose
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that all Victorians have equal access to government services,
regardless of their English language skills. Interpreting and translating services are fundamental to good access to
services.
This information pack serves as a practical guide for VITS interpreters when providing their services to VicRoads
customers. It sets out VicRoads obligations to provide language services and provides advice to assist in the practical
planning and delivery of services to people with low English proficiency.
It also sets out the expectations and minimum requirements of an interpreter, along with detailed information
relating to types of assignments being undertaken by VicRoads customers, keywords and sentences used that
require interpretation during the process, and travel arrangements for VicRoads assignments.
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
Overview of VicRoads
VicRoads supports Victoria’s liveability and economic prosperity by shaping the development and use ofVictoria’s road system as an integral part of the overall transport system. This is done by planning, developingand managing the arterial road network and delivering registration and licensing services to the Victoriancommunity.
Our key role is to help provide Victorians with safe and easy connections to the people and places that mattermost to them. This includes connecting people to social activities and workplaces as well as connecting goods todomestic and international marketplaces.VicRoads manages over 22,000 kilometres of roads and 3133 bridges. Additionally VicRoads Registration andLicensing (R&L) business supports road safety outcomes by providing accessible, timely, cost effective andsecure vehicle registration and driver licensing services to the Victorian community. VicRoads processes morethan 20 million registration and licensing transactions each year. These road and registration and licensingservices are delivered by around 3000 staff through a network of more than 50 offices located across the state,together with 2 VicRoads Contact Centres and via VicRoads website.
Effective partnerships with all levels of government, industry and the community underpin VicRoads ability tocontribute to a transport system where all its elements work together to deliver the best outcomes for thecommunity. Road safety outcomes are achieved through the successful execution of road and marine regulatoryactivities. This is evidenced by Victoria having the second lowest number of road deaths in Australia measuredon both population and kilometres travelled (second only to ACT).
Lastly, VicRoads R&L systems are critical for the conduct of business with Government, and impact on areasincluding road safety, law and order, and revenue collection. The R&L systems also assist Victoria Police toidentify individuals and motor vehicles, and facilitate the collection of $3.00 billion in state revenue annually.
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
Government Obligations
The Victorian Government is committed to providing accessible services to all Victorians. As part of thiscommitment, clients who are not able to communicate through written or spoken English should have access toprofessional interpreting and translating services. A range of Government legislation underpin the importance ofproviding access to services through the provision of language services, including-
–The Multicultural Victoria Act 2011
–Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.
–Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
Expectations and Requirements
An interpreter's credentials and VITS identity card must be verified before the commencement of all VicRoadsassignments.
Failure to provide the appropriate Identification will result in the job being cancelled and the interpreter not being paid.
Interpreters with the highest NAATI accreditation will be offered the job first.
While on an interpreting assignment, the interpreter must abide by the following standards. Any breach of these
standards will be recorded at the time by VicRoads and reported to VITS.
The interpreter must:
comply with polite formalities which have social meaning for the customer
comply with the code of behaviour and formalities prescribed by the specific setting of the assignment
be punctual in attending interpreting assignments. Due to the tight test schedule, the client is unable to wait for theinterpreter, even if he/she is only five minutes late.
keep all mobile phones and other equipment turned off prior to and during all assignments
refrain from giving additional assistance which may bias the outcome of an assessment
relay exactly what is said or written without any hints or clarification
not engage in any conversation with the applicant or instructor during assignments
not to interfere with the driving of the car in any way i.e. touching the hand break, steering wheel etc.
observe impartiality in all situations and not allow personal preferences, religious or political opinions, national orcultural considerations to interfere with the performance of his or her duties
without prejudice, decline work if he or she believes it to be beyond his or her linguistic capacity, technicalknowledge of the subject involved or level of accreditation
not accept or solicit any gift or money
be neatly dressed and well groomed
not disclose information obtained during the course of his or her employment
not sub-contract the work to another individual, unless approved by VITS before the assignment
refuse the assignment in case of conflict of interest, i.e: Interpreter is the applicant’s instructor
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
VicRoads Assignments
VicRoads has three main assignments that applicants must pass to be given a Victorian Licence.
As an Interpreter you may be required to be present during any of the below assignments.
Learners test
For a person to get their learner permit they must pass the learner permit knowledge test and an eye sight test at a
VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
The learner permit knowledge test checks that they understand the road rules and responsibilities as a driver, it is
conducted on a computer and consists of 32 multiple choice questions. The pass mark for this test is 78%.
Hazard Perception Test
For a person to get their probationary license they must pass the Hazard Perception Test. They must pass this
computer-based test before they can attempt the on-road Drive Test.
During the test they will watch 28 short videos taken from a driver’s perspective. For each video they must indicate
when they would react if they were the driver (e.g. slow down, overtake, start to turn, move off, or no action). Each
video runs for approximately 30 seconds and they must click the mouse when they think it is safe to perform the
required task, unless they decide no action is required. Their responses will be assessed in terms of safety. They will
have 45 minutes to complete the test. A score of 54% or more is needed to pass.
Drive Test
The Drive Test helps identify drivers who are ready to drive safely on their own. It checks that they can drive safely
and efficiently with other traffic. They must be able to control the car smoothly, obey the road rules and cooperate
with other road users.
Before beginning the Drive Test the applicant will be directed to perform a pre-drive safety check where they are
required to identify and operate certain vehicle controls.
During the test, the applicant is directed to drive around a fixed assessment route and asked to perform specific
driving tasks (such as turns or lane changes) at various locations.
The Drive Test is divided into two stages. Stage 1 involves some relatively simple, low-risk driving tasks in a less
challenging traffic environment.
Applicants who fail Stage 1 are not permitted to attempt Stage 2, which assesses safe driving skills in day-to-day
driving tasks in busier traffic situations. In this way, potentially unsafe applicants are excluded from the test before
they can pose a danger to themselves and others.
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
VicRoads Glossary
While assisting an applicant on a test at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre there will be certain keywords and
sentences that you will be required to interpret.
Be aware that VicRoads expects all words and sentences during a test to be interpreted word for word in your
language and not in English, so if are unfamiliar with any of the below please make sure to learn these before you
accept any jobs for VicRoads.
Please read below for a few examples:
Sentences:
•At the next street turn Left/Right
•At the traffic lights turn Left/Right
•At the traffic lights turn Right from the Left lane
•At the next Roundabout turn Left/Right
•At the end of the street turn Left/Right
•When safe move into Left/Right lane
•Where safe, Stop the car at the kerb
Keywords:
• 3 Point turn
• Automatic
• Breakdown
• Breaks
• Bus
• Conditions
• Cyclist
• Driver
• Emergency
• Experience
• Front Demister
• Give way
• Hand Brake
• Hazard
• Hazard Lights
• Head Lights
• High beams
• Horn
• Indicator
• Kerb
• Learner
• Left
• Licence
• Log Book
• Manual
• Mobile Phone
• Overhead
• Parking
• Pedestrians
• Permit
• Rear demister
• Reverse parallel park
• Right
• Road
• Round about
• Safe
• Signal
• Signs
• Speed limit
• Stationary
• Stop
• Straight
• Successful
• Traffic
• Traffic Lights
• Tram
• Tram Tracks
• Unsuccessful
• Vehicle
• Vehicle
• Washers
• Wipers
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
Travel and Practical Arrangements
Travel Arrangements
VicRoads will pay all travel fees after the initial 40 KM from the interpreters home location to the test location.This applies to both Metropolitan and/or country Victoria assignments. Please refer to the document “Schedule -Contract Interpreter & Translator Payments and Conditions” for applicable rates.
Any applicable travel fees must be filled in by the Interpreter including “Total KM” only on the Contractorside of the Interpreter Services Invoice form prior to commencement of the assignment.
Any travel fees included after completion will not be recorded by VicRoads and may not be paid.
All claimed travel fees are subject to spot checks by VITS using Google Maps.
Interpreters should arrive at the VicRoads office 10 minutes prior to the appointment time.
Interpreters will not get a sign off if they are more than 5 mins late.
Interpreters should inform VITS if they are running late at least 10 mins before the actualappointment. VITS will inform the VicRoads office.
Please allow time to travel to VicRoads assignments. If the interpreter is late for a test, it may go aheadregardless, in which case the interpreter will not be paid for the assignment.
Practical Arrangements
Upon commencement of test in the office, Interpreters will be required to report directly to the testingarea, and hand over the VITS Interpreter Service Invoice to VicRoads staff to record the actual arrival time.
Upon completion of a job, Interpreters will be required to hand over the invoice for VicRoads staff to notedown the completion time and sign off. VicRoads to retain blue copy of the invoice.
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments
Contact
If you require more information please contact VITS:
VITS Contractor Support line: 03 92801933
Translator line: (03) 9280 1941
Office opening hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM (Afterhours only for emergencies)
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VITS Knowledge base for Interpreters & Translators (KIT) - Training Document for VicRoads Assignments