How do I get a truck licence in Queensland?

Want to drive a truck and you live in Queensland? Here’s all you need to know about how to go about getting your heavy vehicle licence…

The trucking industry forms a crucial cog in the wider Australian economy, and driving trucks can be a rewarding and fulfilling role that can take you across the city or across the continent, depending on how far you want to take it.

If you live in Queensland and you want to get your truck licence, here is an overview of the process, requirements and regulations involved. The State Government body in charge of licencing in Queensland is the Department of Transport and Main Roads, or TMR. Click here to visit the TMR website.

What are the heavy vehicle licence classes in Queensland?

You will require a heavy vehicle licence in Queensland to drive any vehicle on the road that has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of over 4.5 tonnes or is built or fitted to carry more than 12 adults, including the driver.

The different heavy vehicle licence classes in Queensland are as follows:

Light Rigid (LR)
Medium Rigid (MR)
Heavy Rigid (HR)
Heavy Combination (HC)
Multi Combination (MC)

What can I drive on each heavy vehicle licence in Queensland?

Holding a specific licence class in Queensland means you can drive vehicles specifically attributed to that class as well as those of lower vehicle classes, excluding motorcycles (RE and R classes). For example, if you hold a Multi Combination licence you can also legally drive passenger cars as well as light, medium and heavy rigid trucks, plus heavy combination vehicles. But if you hold a Light Rigid licence, you can only drive light rigid trucks and passenger cars.

You are permitted to drive the following vehicles on each licence class…

Light Rigid: A bus or truck (including a prime mover or a mobile crane) with a GVM of not more than eight tonnes. You may also tow a trailer with a maximum GVM of nine tonnes.
Medium Rigid: A bus or truck (including a prime mover or a mobile crane) with a GVM of over eight tonnes with a maximum of two axles. You may also tow a trailer with a maximum weight GVM of nine tonnes.
Heavy Rigid: A bus or truck (including a prime mover or a mobile crane) over a GVM of over eight tonnes with more than two axles. You may also tow a trailer with a maximum weight GVM of nine tonnes. You may also drive an articulated bus (a bus that can bend in the middle).
Heavy Combination: A truck (including a prime mover or mobile crane) with a GVM of over eight tonnes with a trailer with a GVM of more than nine tonnes.
Multi Combination: A B-double (ie a prime mover towing two semi-trailers, with one semi-trailer supported at the front and connected to the other semi-trailer), or a road train (ie a truck other than a B-double towing two or more trailers).

What is the eligibility criteria for a heavy vehicle licence in Queensland?

To obtain a truck licence in Queensland, you must have held a current Class C (ie passenger car) driver’s licence (either full or provisional) for at least 12 months to upgrade to a Light Rigid or Medium Rigid licence, or 24 months to upgrade to a Heavy Rigid licence.

Holders of a Light Rigid or Medium Rigid must have held their licence for 12 months before upgrading to a Heavy Rigid licence, while holders of a Medium Rigid or Heavy Rigid licence must have held their licence for 12 months before upgrading to a Heavy Combination licence. Holders of a Heavy Rigid or Heavy Combination licence must have held their licence for a period of 12 months before upgrading to a Multi Combination licence.

In addition to the above, when learning to drive in a higher licence class you must also meet the following obligations:

Be accompanied by a supervisor who holds an open licence in the licence class you are learning to drive in
Clearly display ‘Driver under instruction’ plates at the front and rear of the vehicle
Show your provisional or open licence to a police officer if required
Obey a zero blood alcohol limit
Not be under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs
Obey any conditions stated on your licence

And to upgrade your licence to a higher grade you must also:

Provide your current licence or other evidence of identity documents if your licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed
Declare that you are medically fit to drive the intended higher class of vehicle (you may need to provide a medical certificate that states that you are medically fit to drive)
Pay the road rules test fee and pass the test, if required
Pay the practical driving test fee, book and pass the test

Related: How do I get a truck licence in NSW?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in Victoria?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in Queensland?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in South Australia?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in the Northern Territory?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in Western Australia?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in Tasmania?

Related: How do I get a truck licence in the ACT?

Heavy vehicle licence courses and tuition in Queensland

To gain a heavy vehicle licence in Queensland, tuition and training must be undertaken with a registered training organisation (RTO), which will also conduct any necessary knowledge and practical assessments. Click here for the TMR page to find a list of accredited RTOs that offer heavy vehicle licence courses. And click here for the TMR page that lists accredited RTOs that offer training for Multi Combination licence upgrade.

Or visit the TMR website or call 13 23 80 book a practical heavy vehicle test online. The Light Rigid practical test takes around 45 minutes to complete, while the test for higher licence grades takes around 90 minutes. It is strongly recommended that you complete sufficient training with an accredited RTO prior to booking a practical assessment directly.

The practical assessment evaluates your driving skills and knowledge of road rules and safety procedures. It comprises both an on-road driving component and an off-road component, covering exercises such as reversing and, in the case of HC and MC assessments, coupling and uncoupling the trailer.

The cost of a heavy vehicle licence course in Queensland may vary between RTOs, so shop around before choosing who you’d like to undertake your training with.

Okay, then what?

Once you have met all the requirements outlined above, you can apply at TMR for your current licence to be re-issued with the new licence class. The licence will be mailed out to you within 21 days, with heavy vehicle licences in Queensland distinguished by their magenta colour.

Congratulations! You’re now ready to play your part in the industry that keeps Australia rolling. Visit the TMR website for more detailed information relating to licencing in Queensland.