Back to All NewsWhat Is A Yard Shunter And What Are They Used For?
An important part of any fulfilment centre, depot or dockyard is a yard shunter, which makes specialist training for drivers a similarly essential part of professional development and safe operation of the work site.
A yard shunter is a driver who safely manoeuvres large vehicles around an off-road, typically tarmacked work site without specifically holding a license to drive said vehicles on the road.
Their purpose is akin to a railway shunter, although rather than a bespoke vehicle designed to physically tow or push vehicles across a site, a yard shunter is typically a specialised driver who reverses and moves vehicles to a designated location.
Exactly which vehicles depend on the site, but it typically involves heavy goods vehicles and trailers moving from an unloading station to either a dedicated vehicle park or a loading bay, carefully inspecting the connections and minimising the risks of accidents.
Shunter drivers need a full UK driving license to legally operate these vehicles, even if they are only to be driven on private land, but if they are only being driven around a site, the relevant vehicle Certificate of Professional Competence may not always be required, although it is always recommended.
Because of this, shunting can often be one of many options for a prospective HGV driver to learn how to operate a lorry and develop more complex and precise skills whilst waiting to complete their relevant CPC course.
They are also an indispensable part of many work sites which rely on heavy equipment, including warehouses, fulfilment stations, vehicle depots, dockyards and construction sites, and a shunter may be asked to operate a variety of different vehicles during the day.
This is why learning specific skills and techniques, particularly with regard to correct manoeuvring around a site, coupling and uncoupling from the engine, comprehensive checks and inspections of vehicles to ensure they are safe for operation, and integrating this into safety regulations, is essential.
