Getting a heavy vehicle licence
Need a heavy vehicle licence? Find out what to do for the different heavy vehicle licence classes.
What heavy vehicle licence do I need?
There are 2 pathways to get your heavy vehicle licence. These depend on where you live and which heavy vehicle licence class you're applying for.
Before choosing which pathway to take, you must pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test for the class of licence you are after.
Once you have passed the knowledge test, you can then determine which test or assessment you need to take.
Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) – the primary way to obtain a heavy vehicle licence is to complete an HVCBA with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). If you're applying for a Multi Combination (MC) class licence, you must complete the HVCBA.
Heavy vehicle driving test – in areas where the HVCBA is not available, you can take a heavy vehicle driving test with a Service NSW testing officer.
Heavy vehicle licence classes
There are 5 different classes of a heavy vehicle licence. Each class has minimum requirements you must meet to upgrade your licence to the next class. These requirements vary depending on the licence class.
For example, if you are upgrading to a Multi Combination (MC) licence, you must have held a Heavy Rigid (HR) or Heavy Combination (HC) licence for at least 1 year.
LR - Light Rigid – small buses or trucks.
MR - Medium Rigid – medium rigid trucks or buses.
HR - Heavy Rigid – heavy rigid trucks or buses (including articulated buses).
HC - Heavy Combination – heavy articulated vehicles.
MC - Multi Combination – B-doubles, prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader combinations, road trains.
You can also drive vehicles covered by a lighter licence class (all those that are above your licence class in this list). This does not include motorcycles.
The requirements for each heavy vehicle licence class are:
LR vehicles include:
- small trucks with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) up to 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM
- buses that seat more than 12 adults, including the driver, and a GVM up to 8 tonnes.
To apply for an LR licence, you must:
- have held a class C licence (except a learner licence) or equivalent for 1 year or more
- pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
- pass an eyesight test
- successfully complete the HVCBA or pass a heavy vehicle driving test.
MR 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 1 year or more
- pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
- pass an eyesight test
- successfully complete the HVCBA or pass a heavy vehicle driving test.
HR 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 2 years or more
- pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
- pass an eyesight test
- successfully complete the HVCBA or pass a heavy vehicle driving test.
HC 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 1 year or more
- pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
- pass an eyesight test
- successfully complete the HVCBA or pass a heavy vehicle driving test.
An MC licence is the highest level of licence class. This licence allows you to drive all types of vehicles except motorcycles.
MC vehicles include:
- B-doubles
- prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader trailer combinations
- 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
- pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
- pass an eyesight test
- successfully complete the HVCBA. If you hold an HR licence, you’ll need to pass an HC assessment before you can start MC training
- pass a medical assessment.
Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook
The Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook (PDF 3.56MB) will help you understand the rules and regulations for heavy vehicles. It also outlines the obligations for heavy vehicle drivers.
It's essential that you read this handbook before attempting the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test.
Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
All of the information you need for the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test can be found in these handbooks and guides:
You can also read through the test questions in our heavy vehicle question banks or take the free Practice Driver Knowledge Test online to help you prepare for the test.
Once you're ready to take the test, you can book online or visit a service centre.
HVCBA Learner Log Book
Your HVCBA Learner Log Book is used to document your progress in building the skills required to upgrade to a heavy vehicle licence. You will need to log the mandatory heavy vehicle training and assessment hours to take the final assessment.
For more, see Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA).