Getting a heavy vehicle licence

Heavy vehicle licences

You need a heavy vehicle licence to operate any vehicle that has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4.5 tonnes. Licence classes vary depending on the type and size of vehicle you want to drive.

Heavy vehicles include:

• trucks
• semitrailers
• passenger buses
• livestock vehicles.

To get a heavy vehicle licence, you must:

• hold a car (class C) licence
• meet the assessment requirements
• apply to upgrade to a higher licence class.

For more information, see the Licence classes and conditions page.

If you hold an interstate heavy vehicle licence and want it recognised in the ACT, visit the Drivers with interstate licences page.

Learning to drive a heavy vehicle

You can learn to drive a heavy vehicle licence on your existing licence. You must carry your licence while learning to drive.

To learn and apply for a heavy vehicle licence, you must meet the relevant prerequisites for your licence class:

• light rigid (LR): hold a full or provisional (class C) for at least 12 months
• medium rigid (MR): hold a full or provisional (class C) for at least 12 months
• heavy rigid (HR): hold a full or provisional licence (class C) for at least 24 months
• heavy combination (HC): hold a full medium rigid or heavy rigid licence for at least 12 months
• multi-combination (MC): hold a full heavy rigid or heavy combination licence for at least 12 months.

When driving, you must:

• display learner (‘L') plates
• be supervised by a person who holds a full licence for the same or higher class of the heavy vehicle you are driving.

You can learn with a suitably licenced person or by completing a course with an approved training provider. If you’re applying for a multi-combination licence, you must complete an approved multi-combination course with an approved training provider.

Heavy vehicle assessment requirements

To obtain a heavy vehicle licence, you must meet requirements for the class you are applying for. These requirements include:

• passing a knowledge test
• completing a CDHA (not required for LR unless otherwise specified)
• passing a practical driving assessment.

Knowledge test

You must pass a knowledge test unless you have already passed one for a relevant class.

There are two types of tests:

• Rigid vehicle knowledge test – for classes (LR), (MR) and (H)
• Combination vehicle knowledge test – for classes (HC) and (MC).

If you pass one test, you do not need to pass it again to obtain a higher class of licence unless you are seeking a combination vehicle class (HC or MC).

You must provide a knowledge test certificate before you can take the practical driving assessment.

For more information, visit the Road Ready Centre website.

Commercial driver health assessment (CDHA)

You must complete a Commercial Driver Health Assessment (CDHA) when applying for, and to continue holding, the following licence classes:

• medium rigid (MR)
• heavy rigid (HR)
• heavy combination (HC)
• multi-combination (MC)

A CDHA is not required to apply for a light rigid (LR) licence, unless you have a medical condition or hold a public vehicle licence.  

You can complete a CDHA with your General Practitioner (GP). If you submitted a CDHA to Access Canberra within the last 6 months, you do not need to complete another assessment.

Keeping your licence valid

To keep your heavy vehicle licence valid, you must complete a CDHA every 5 years. You may need to complete a CDHA more frequently depending on your:

• age
• medical conditions
• hold a public vehicle licence

Access Canberra will contact you using your preferred method to remind you when your next health assessment is due. You must complete the CDHA with your GP and submit the form before the due date to: rusmedicals@act.gov.au

If your medical condition changes at any time, you must notify Access Canberra within 7 days by emailing: rusmedicals@act.gov.au

For more information, see the Medical assessments page.

Practical driving assessment

The licence class determines the scope, duration and provider of your practical driving assessment.

If you complete your assessment in a:

• tiptronic transmission vehicle - your licence will be endorsed with condition 'X' stating you may only drive a heavy vehicle with an automatic transmission.
• synchromesh transmission vehicle - your licence will be endorsed condition 'B'

These conditions only apply to the heavy vehicle licence classes, not to licence class C.

For more information, see the Licence classes and conditions page.

Assessments durations are based on classes:

• 1 hour and 30 minutes - (LR), (MR), (HR) ad (HC)
• 2 hours and 40 minutes - (MC)

The assessment is valid for 3 months from the date you pass.

Practical driving assessment providers

Where you complete your practical driving assessment depends on your licence class. Approved providers deliver assessments for most classes, while multi‑combination assessments are delivered by ACT Government contracted providers.

Providers for light rigid (LR), medium rigid (MR), heavy rigid (HR) and heavy combination (HC)

You can complete your practical driving assessment with any of the providers listed below:

Providers for multi-combination (MC)

You must complete a multi-combination course and assessment with one of the ACT Government contracted providers listed below:

Apply to upgrade your licence

Once you have completed all assessment requirements for your licence class, visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.

You will need to bring with you:

• your ACT driver licence
• your passed heavy vehicle knowledge test certificate
• your passed practical driving assessment certificate
• your completed Commercial Driver Health Assessment (CDHA).

If you have submitted a valid CDHA to Access Canberra within the last 6 months, you don’t need to submit another one.

Fees

There is no fee for upgrading your licence.

Licence cards

All cards issued by Access Canberra are posted to you and cannot be collected from an Access Canberra Service Centre. You will be given a temporary licence to use until you card arrives. This can take up to 21 business days.