*Last modified June 2020

If you are looking to hire a street sweeper but not sure if you need a license to operate one, the answer is yes, you need at least a class C driver's license. While there are no specific street sweeper licenses you need to hold, you can undertake formal training to ensure you are competent to operate.

A class C driver’s license is generally the accepted license for operating a street sweeper. But if the street sweeper has a gross vehicle mass of over 4.5 tonnes you will need to obtain a light or medium rigid license. These rules apply to anyone that wants to operate a heavy vehicle on public roads.

When hiring a street sweeper they generally come with an operator - wet hire - as construction sites rarely have a spare worker to put in the truck. Street sweeping work is also a demand driven area, when they are needed they’re hired, and when they’re not they finish the hire. This is another reason why street sweepers generally come with operators.

Wanting to drive a street sweeper?

If you’re set on operating a street sweeper yourself but haven’t in the past, you’ll need to obtain training before you can. While most street sweepers drive like a normal truck there are a range of functions and mechanisms that you will need training on. This is to ensure the safety of both the street sweeper operator and those around the vehicle as well as ensuring no damage comes to any structures or other machines.

As with any machine or vehicle, you need to know how a street sweeper functions before you hop in and get to work. You need to know how to complete pre-start checks and general maintenance, as well as safety considerations, equipment design and warning devices. If the street sweeper is a left hand drive you will also need to have training in left hand driving. There are formal street sweeping courses you can take, but most street sweeper operators gain experience on the job.

How to hire a street sweeper with an operator

You may just have realised that operating a street sweeper yourself is going to be too much work, or you always knew you would need an operator. But how do you choose the right street sweeper operator for your job? First, you need to know which street sweeper you need, so you don’t end up with a ride-on street sweeper when you need a road truck street sweeper.

Now when it comes to deciding which street sweeper company to go with there are a few questions you can ask to help you. First, you want to ensure the street sweeper operator has experience in the work you need them to do, ask about other projects they have worked on and grab a reference to call if you feel the need. Also ask about the machines maintenance, all decent machine operators keep a log of their machines maintenance. If the street sweeper operator can prove their experience and maintenance of their street sweeper than they’re going to be a good hire.

Let’s hire a street sweeper

Now that you know what you're looking for when it comes to hiring a street sweeper, it’s time to search! Use iseekplant's Get Rates tool and let us know your project specifications and details. We have street sweeper suppliers located across Australia in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. Alternatively, give us a call on 1300 691 912 or email us to  projects@iseekplant.com.au.

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