How do I get a truck licence in NSW?

In New South Wales, there are two 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.

There are five 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 one year.

LR – Light Rigid – small buses or trucks. This licence will allow you to drive a light-duty rigid truck or bus of more than 4.5 tonnes but not more than eight tonnes. Also vehicles up to eight tonnes which can carry more than 12 adults including the driver, A any vehicle covered by a class C licence (car), but not motorcycles and scooters.

On this licence, any towed trailer must not weigh more than nine tonnes GVM.

MR – Medium Rigid – This licence lets you drive rigid vehicles with two axles and a GVM of more than eight tonnes (any towed trailer must not weigh more than nine tonnes GVM) and also you can drive any vehicle covered by a class LR licence.

HR - Heavy Rigid – heavy rigid trucks or buses (including articulated buses). HR licence lets you drive rigid vehicles with three or more axles and a GVM of more than eight tonnes (any towed trailer must not weigh more than nine tonnes GVM). You can also drive articulated buses and any vehicle covered by a class MR licence.

HC – Heavy Combination – A Heavy Combination licence lets you drive heavy combination vehicles such as articulated vehicles (semi trailers) with three or more axles and tow trailer combinations with a GVM more than nine tonnes, including an unladen dolly as well as any vehicle covered by a class HR licence.

MC – Multi Combination – Multi Combination licence lets you drive multi combination vehicles such as road trains, B-double and prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader trailer combinations, also any vehicle covered by a class HC licence.

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 Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook 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.

All of the information you need for the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test can be found in these handbooks and guides:

Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook

Road User Handbook

Load Restraint Guide

These handbooks are all available to download from the Transport for NSW website here.

You can also read through the test questions in the 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.

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 information, see Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA).