Eligibility for heavy vehicle licence

Regulations impose minimum age and licence requirements when progressing from one licence class to another (higher) class.

If you don't meet the requirements you may undertake an approved training course, or seek an exemption from the requirements by writing to The Registrar of Motor Vehicles, stating your reasons for requesting an exemption. If you qualify The Registrar will give you a letter, which you must bring with you when you attend a licence course or test.

You need a learners licence when progressing more than one licence class (except when progressing from car to Medium Rigid).

Eligibility, learner licence requirements, and upgrade options are summarised in the following table.

Class - to - class

Minimum age

Licence requirements

Learner licence

Test only

Training course

Car - to - LR 19 years Australian Car licence for at least 1 year NO Yes Yes
Car - to - MR 19 years Australian Car licence for at least 1 year NO Yes Yes
LR - to - MR 19 years Australian Car licence for at least 1 year NO Yes Yes
Car - to - HR 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years Yes NO Yes
LR - to - HR 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and LR Less than 1 year Yes NO Yes
LR - to - HR 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and LR more than 1 year Yes Yes Yes
MR - to - HR 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and LR or MR less than 1 year NO NO Yes
MR - to - HR 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and LR or MR more than 1 year NO Yes Yes
Car - to - HC 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years Yes NO Yes
LR - to - HC 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years Yes NO Yes
MR - to - HC 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and MR less than 1 year Yes NO Yes
MR - to - HC 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and MR more than 1 year Yes Yes Yes
HR - to - HC 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and MR or HR less than 1 year NO NO Yes
HR - to - HC 20 years Australian Car licence for at least 2 years, and MR or HR more than 1 year NO Yes Yes
HR - to - MC 21 years Australian HR licence for at least 1 year Yes NO Yes
HC - to - MC 21 years Australian HR or HC licence for at least 1 year NO NO Yes

 

Resources

Download heavy vehicles driver licence information and guidelines (PDF 552 KB)