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What Do I Need to Know to Hold a Heavy Vehicle Driver Licence?

You have a duty to keep the roads safe for everyone as a professional driver with a heavy vehicle licence.

You must adhere to a number of requirements and regulations that are specific to heavy vehicle drivers in order to hold a heavy vehicle driver licence. The knowledge, abilities, and information in this manual are necessary for obtaining a heavy vehicle driver’s licence.

Which licence do I need for big vehicles?

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.

1. Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) – the main way to get a heavy vehicle licence. HVCBA is completed with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

2. Heavy Vehicle Driving Test – in areas where the HVCBA is not available, you can do a Heavy Vehicle Driving Test.

Transport for NSW accredit RTOs with heavy vehicle licensed driving instructors to conduct HVCBA. The Driving Test is conducted by Service NSW testing officers.

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 Organisations.

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.

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.

  1. Road train or B-double (MC) Multi-Combination
  2. Heavy articulated vehicle (HC) Heavy Combination
  3. Heavy rigid truck or bus (HR) Heavy Rigid
  4. Medium rigid truck or bus (MR) Medium Rigid
  5. Small bus or truck (LR) Light Rigid

The following diagram shows heavy vehicle driver licence classes.