What licences do you need to drive a truck in Australia?
Understand the different categories and requirements before you hit the road, and how they change across state linesIf you’re aiming to drive heavy vehicles professionally in Australia, you’ll be dealing with a national licence class system.
However, rules and criteria surrounding training, testing, and upgrade timelines vary from state to state, so being aware of your state’s requirements is crucial.
Related: How do I get a truck licence?
National heavy vehicle licence classes
Nationally, the standard heavy vehicle licence classes are:
- LR (Light Rigid)
- MR (Medium Rigid)
- HR (Heavy Rigid)
- HC (Heavy Combination)
- MC (Multi Combination)
While each state has their own rules, a Light Rigid licence will generally let you drive trucks at the light-duty end of the spectrum with GVMs up to eight tonnes.
A Multi Combination licence, on the other hand, allows you to drive any truck on the road.
To step up to the next class, you’ll need to meet eligibility criteria including age, driving history, medical clearance, and pass both theory and practical tests. While the classes are national, each state runs its own licensing system, meaning the pathway to upgrade can look quite different from state to state.
National baseline rules
No matter where you’re licensed, a few ground rules apply:
- You must hold a lower-class licence for a set period before upgrading (e.g. HR before HC).
- Medicals are often required, especially for MC licences.
- Accredited training and assessments, both theory and practical, are mandatory.
And if you move interstate, you’ll need to transfer your heavy vehicle licence through the new state’s authority.
When can you upgrade?
While most states follow a similar licence progression path, the timing and requirements can vary significantly.
- LR and MR are generally easier to obtain, but some states still require two years on a car licence.
- Victoria and Western Australia — three years on a car licence and one year on HR/HC before you can go for HC or MC.
- New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia —one year on HR or HC before stepping up.
- In South Australia and Tasmania, you’ll need a Heavy Vehicle Learner’s Permit before formal training – a step not required elsewhere.
That means you could be upgrade-ready in one state but not yet eligible in another.
Medical requirements
While medicals are common for higher classes, the rules differ:
- New South Wales and Tasmania require mandatory commercial medical for MC.
- Other states may only require medicals for declared health issues or MC applications, but enforcement varies.
Regardless, if you’re going for MC, be prepared to pass a medical no matter the state.
Fast-track options
Some states offer industry-based exemptions:
- In South Australia, training can replace experience and primary producers can get exemptions.
- Victoria offers exemptions for essential workers such as ambulance, fire, and agriculture.
- In Queensland and New South Wales, there are no fast-track options; you must meet all standard requirements.
This can make a big difference if you’re in farming or emergency services.
Gearbox restrictions
The gearbox you train and test in can affect your licence, but not everywhere:
- Queensland, ACT and Northern Territory licence conditions apply for automatic or Synchromesh gearboxes.
- There are no printed restrictions in NSW, VIC and SA but instead the states rely on training providers to assess manual or automatic competency.
This matters when you're planning to drive manual trucks so make sure your licence permits it.
Who’s in charge
Across the states, licensing is handled by the below bodies:
- NSW — Service NSW / Transport for NSW
- VIC — VicRoads
- QLD — Department of Transport and Main Roads
- WA — Department of Transport WA
- SA — Service SA
- TAS — Service Tasmania
- ACT — Access Canberra
- NT — Motor Vehicle Registry
Plan ahead
Upgrading your truck licence isn’t one-size-fits-all. The classes are national, but the process isn’t.
Therefore, it is important that you check your local authority’s rules before you book training or upgrade, and don’t assume your experience will carry over if you cross a border.
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?
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