The truck driver assessment process

In order to drive a heavy vehicle, you need a licence of the appropriate class.

The primary way to obtain a heavy vehicle licence is to complete Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) with a registered training provider (Tony is a registered training provider). In areas where HVCBA is not available, you can take a heavy vehicle driving test with a Roads and Maritime Services testing officer.

Heavy vehicle licence classes

  • MR – Medium Rigid
    Medium Rigid vehicles include:

    • Trucks and buses with a GVM more than 8 tonnes and 2 axles
    • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM.

    To apply for an MR licence, you must:

    • Have held a class C licence, (except a Learner licence) or equivalent for one year or more. Any time you’ve spent on a P1 licence counts, but you can’t practice to drive an MR vehicle, or upgrade to an MR licence until you hold a P2 or full class C licence
    • Pass the MR knowledge test
    • Pass an eyesight test
    • Successfully complete HVCBA, or pass a Roads and Maritime driving test.
  • HR – Heavy Rigid
    Heavy Rigid vehicles include:

    • Trucks and buses with a GVM more than 8 tonnes, and 3 or more axles
    • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM
    • Bendy buses. Even though these vehicles are articulated, they’re treated as rigid vehicles.

    To apply for an HR licence, you must:

    • Have held a class C licence, (except a Learner licence) or equivalent for two years or more. Any time you’ve spent on a P1 licence counts, but you can’t practice to drive an HR vehicle, or upgrade to an HR licence until you hold a P2 or full class C licence
    • Pass the HR knowledge test
    • Pass an eyesight test
    • Successfully complete HVCBA, or pass a Roads and Maritime driving test.
  • HC – Heavy Combination
    Heavy Combination vehicles include:

    • Articulated vehicles with 3 or more axles
    • Heavy rigid vehicle trailer combinations including unladen dolly, with 3 or more axles
    • Any towed trailer with a GVM more than 9 tonnes.

    To apply for an HC licence, you must:

    • Have held a class MR or HR licence or equivalent for one year or more. Any time you’ve spent on a P2 MR or HR licence counts, but you can’t practice to drive an HC vehicle, or upgrade to an HC licence until you hold a full class MR or HR licence
    • Pass the HC knowledge test
    • Pass an eyesight test
    • Successfully complete HVCBA, or pass a Roads and Maritime driving test.
  • MC – Multi Combination
    MC vehicles include:

    • B-doubles
    • Road trains

    To apply for an MC licence, you must:

    • Have held a Class HR or HC licence or equivalent for at least 1 year. Any time you’ve spent on a P2 HR licence counts, but you can’t practice to drive an MC vehicle, or upgrade to an MC licence until you hold a full class HR or HC licence
    • Pass an MC knowledge test
    • Pass an eyesight test
    • Successfully complete HVCBA. If you hold an HR licence, you’ll need to pass an HC assessment before you can start MC training
    • Pass a medical examination.

Talk to Tony if you are not sure which licence you require

Contact Tony