How do I get a truck licence in South Australia?

Whether you already work in the road transport industry or are looking to start, driving trucks offers rewarding career paths both in and out of the cab. With picturesque attractions like the Flinders Ranges, Limestone Coast and Adelaide Hills, who wouldn’t want to see SA through the windscreen of a truck? The best part is, you will be paid to do so!

Thankfully the licensing process in SA is straightforward and there are steps you can take today to kick things off.

A heavy vehicle is defined in SA as any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes, or that seats 13 or more people, as well as a vehicle towing a single trailer subject to the combination mass limits.

In SA, the truck licence types begin with Light Rigid, continuing up to the all-inclusive Multi-Combination category, each class with unique minimum requirements.

Light Rigid (LR) To apply for an LR licence you must have held a C class driver licence for at least one year and must be at least 18 years of age. This licence class will allow you to drive a motor vehicle with a GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes but not exceeding eight tonnes, a bus with a GVM not greater than eight tonnes, or a vehicle with a single trailer subject to the combination mass limits fixed under the Road Traffic Act 1961 or the Heavy Vehicle National Law (SA).

Medium Rigid (MR) Before applying for an MR licence you must also be at least 18 years old and have held a C class driver licence for at least one year. MR licence holders are permitted to drive a motor vehicle with two axles and a GVM greater than eight tonnes, as well as a motor vehicle towing a single trailer (not including semi-trailer) with a GVM not greater than nine tonnes. You will also be allowed to drive a special-purpose vehicle with two or three axles and a GVM greater than eight tonnes but not exceeding 15 tonnes.

Heavy Rigid (HR) A HR licence can be obtained if you are at least 19 years of age and have held a C class driver licence for at least two years or an LR or MR class for one year. This licence class will allow you to drive a motor vehicle, including a bus but not articulated vehicle, with three or more axles and a GVM greater than eight tones. You will also be allowed to drive a special-purpose vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM greater than 15 tonnes.

Heavy Combination (HC) Before applying for a HC licence, you must have held an MR or HR class driver licence for at least one year and must be at least 19 years of age. You will be required to complete Competency-Based Training (CBT) course to obtain your HC class licence in SA.

If you have held a C class licence for at least two years, you may be eligible to complete an approved Training-In-Lieu-Of-Experience (TILE) course, allowing you to obtain a learner’s permit for HC licence class. This class allows you to drive a prime mover with a single semi-trailer attached, including any unladen converted dolly or low loader dolly, or a rigid motor vehicle attached to a single trailer with a GVM greater than nine tonnes.

Multi-Combination (MC) In SA you must be at least 20 years of age and have held a HR or HC class driver licence for at least one year before applying for your MC class. You must also pass a CBT course in a B-double configuration truck. This class permits you to drive B-doubles, road trains and other multi-trailer combinations. You will also be permitted to drive all lower vehicle classes, excluding motorcycles unless already licensed to operate them.

There are three types of gearboxes in trucks, which you must factor in when deciding what licence class you will be obtaining.

An automatic gearbox, much like those found in most modern cars, change gears automatically whereas a manual box requires use of the clutch and manual shifting of the gears.

Lastly, a non-synchromesh manual gearbox requires the operator to syncronise gearbox and engine speed through the use of rev-matching and double clutching.

A gearbox restriction will be added to your licence if you complete your licence requirements with an automatic transmission, however non-synchromesh manual licence holders will be able to drive all trucks regardless of gearbox type. More information on gearbox types can be found in the Heavy Vehicle Driver’s Handbook.

In SA, exemptions for minimum requirements or restricted licences can be issued if you have special circumstances. These relate to those employed in farming or transporting produce, as well as primary producers, and information on exemptions can be found here.

So, it’s time to get your truck licence but where do you start?

In SA you have the option of either completing a Competency-Based Training (CBT) course or Vehicle On-Road Test (VORT), although for HC and MC classes you must complete a CBT course.

A VORT will test your driving competency in real world conditions, with an authorised examiner issuing a certificate of competency upon successful completion.

For HC class you also have the option of completing the previously mentioned TILE course, involving a knowledge test and then CBT course with an authorised examiner.

The CBT and TILE courses are conducted by Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) approved Registered Training Organisations (RTO) and authorised examiners.

A CBT course involves various training tasks completed throughout the course which, upon completion, will result in a certificate of competence that can be presented to obtain your heavy vehicle driver’s licence.
The CBT courses can be found below:

Once you have successfully completed your VORT or CBT course, you will be given a certificate of competence that must be presented at a Service SA customer service centre.

You will have to complete a driver licence replacement application, which involves paying a $20 fee, and your learner’s conditions still apply until your licence is upgraded.

Congratulations, you are now well on your way to becoming a truck driver! Remember, truck licence holders must carry their licence with them at all times when operating a vehicle with a GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes.