How to Get Your Heavy Vehicle Licence TAS

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Getting a heavy vehicle licence in Tasmania is a must for anyone looking to launch a career in the transport industry. Whether you’re planning to become a bus driver or a truck driver, getting your light rigid licence, medium rigid licence, or something more demanding, knowing what’s required of you and understanding the process of getting your licence will make life that much easier.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the prerequisites for applying, the application process itself, and the specific requirements you’ll need to meet if you’re upgrading your heavy vehicle licence in Tasmania.

Overview of Heavy Vehicle Classes

Before you apply, it’s good to familiarise yourself with the different classes of heavy vehicle licences available in Tasmania. Here’s an overview of the main classes and what they cover:

Light Rigid (LR) Licence

A light rigid (LR) licence allows you to drive vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) over 4,500 kg but under 8,000 kg, or vehicles carrying more than 12 passengers (including the driver) up to 8,000 kg GVM. This class is designed people planning to drive small trucks, buses, and tractors.

Medium Rigid (MR) Licence

A medium rigid (MR) licence class allows you to operate vehicles with 2 axles and a GVM greater than 8,000 kg. It is designed for drivers of larger buses and medium-sized trucks, providing a significant step up from the LR class in terms of vehicle size and capacity.

Heavy Rigid (HR) Licence

The heavy rigid (HR) licence class is designed for vehicles with 3 or more axles and a GVM greater than 8,000 kg. This class includes a wide range of heavy trucks and buses, offering licence holders a large degree of versatility in the types of vehicles they can drive and jobs they can hold.

Heavy Combination (HC) Licence

The heavy combination (HC) licence is for driving prime movers attached to a single semi-trailer, or rigid vehicles towing trailers with a GVM greater than 9,000 kg, including vehicles that can tow additional trailers within specified limits.

Multi Combination (MC) Licence

The multi combination (MC) licence is the most advanced licence class you can hold in Tasmania, and allows licence holders to operate heavy combination units towing one or more trailers, each with a GVM over 9,000 kg. This class is a requirement for anyone planning to drive B-doubles and road trains, and requires comprehensive driving skills and several years’ experience operating heavy vehicles.

Specific Class Requirements

Light or Medium Rigid Licence: You must be 19 years old and have held an Australian car licence for a minimum of 12 months.
Heavy Rigid Licence: Applicants must be at least 20 years old, with a car licence held for at least 2 years, or an LR/MR licence for 12 months.
Heavy Combination Licence: Applicants must be 20 years old, have held a car licence for 2 years or an MR/HR licence for 12 months.
Multi-Combination Licence: You need to be at least 21 years old and have held an HR or HC licence for a minimum of 12 months.

Medical Fitness and Exemptions

For multi-combination licences, you must complete a medical fitness to drive assessment with your doctor to a commercials standard. Exemptions from heavy vehicle eligibility requirements can be applied for by emailing the relevant department, provided you meet the exemption criteria.

Eligibility and Learning Phase

Before applying or upgrading your heavy vehicle licence, you need to understand the licence hierarchy and the learner periods associated with each class. Depending on your current licence status, you may not need to acquire a new learner licence, but the conditions for being a learner still apply. Key resources include the Licence Hierarchy Table and the Heavy Vehicle Handbook available at Service Tasmania or Transport Tasmania.

Steps to Get a Heavy Vehicle Learner Licence

Visit Service Tasmania: Start by visiting a Service Tasmania outlet.
Complete an Application: Fill out the necessary application form.
Identity Verification: Show valid evidence of identity.
Knowledge Test: Pass the rigid or combination heavy vehicle driver knowledge test, which is free of charge.
Eye Test: Undergo an eye examination.
Learner Licence Fee: Pay the applicable fee for your heavy vehicle learner licence.

Learning to Drive

When you’re learning to drive a heavy vehicle, you must be accompanied by a Supervisory Driver who has held the same or a higher class of heavy vehicle licence for at least 12 months. You’re required to display L-plates and adhere to a 90km/h speed limit, regardless of the area’s speed limit.

Heavy Vehicle Competency and Final Competency Assessment

This test involves in-vehicle evaluations aimed at assessing your ability to operate specific classes of heavy vehicles. It involves a hands-on demonstration of your skills in executing key manoeuvres and tasks required for the safe operation of a heavy vehicle.

Applying for or Upgrading Your Heavy Vehicle Licence

After completing the knowledge test and passing the heavy vehicle driving assessment, you can apply to upgrade your licence to the next class:

Service Centre: Locate and visit your nearest Service Centre.
Application Submission: Provide the completed application form, a heavy vehicle certificate of competence, current Tasmanian licence or proof of identity documents, and take an eye test.
Pay the Fee: Complete the payment for the application fee.

Costs and Additional Information

The cost to apply for or upgrade a heavy vehicle licence is $33.39, with no concession fees available. Payment can be made at any Service Centre using various methods.

Start Your Journey Towards a New Career

By following these steps, understanding the eligibility requirements, and making sure you’re properly prepared for your assessments, you can get your heavy vehicle licence and take the next step towards an exciting new career.

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