As most goods are moved by road in Australia, training to be a truck driver ensures that you will always have work, and in this short article, we outline the process to obtain a Medium Rigid (MR) or Heavy Rigid (HR) Vehicle licence.
Prerequisites
There are certain prerequisites that you must have in order to apply for a truck driving licence, which are as follows:
- Existing driving licence – You must have held a full Class C Australian Drivers Licence for at least 1 year to apply for the LR (Light Rigid) or MR (Medium Rigid) licence, and 2 years to apply for an HR (Heavy Rigid) licence.
- Clean driving record – You must have a clean and safe driving record in Australia.
- Medical Certificate – You must pass a medical examination to ensure you are fit to drive a heavy vehicle.
- Age – You must be at least 20 years old to apply for a truck licence.
You might have been working in a truck trailer manufacturers plant and decided that you would like to work as a long-haul driver and see the country you love so much.
Different Vehicle Classes
There are different vehicle classes, which are as follows:
- LR – Light Rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a maximum GVM of 8 tonnes.
- MR – Medium Rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes.
- HR – Heavy Rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles and a GVM of more than 8 tonnes.
- HC – Heavy Combination – Prime mover with single semi or dog trailer.
- MC – Multi Combination; road trains or doubles.
If you are eligible for driver training, you need to approach a driving school that is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to go through the HVCBA, which is a practical driving test. Click here to find out why you need window shades in Australia.
Passing the Medical
Of course, you need to be checked to see if you are fit and healthy, which is a requirement when driving heavy vehicles. Any doctor can provide this; we recommend that you contact your regular physician and arrange for the examination.
Background Check
Certain industries require that drivers have no criminal history, in which case, you might have to obtain a police background clearance certificate. This would apply to moving high-value cargo such as precious metals and some technical equipment.
See the Country
Becoming a long-haul truck driver enables you to see the wonders of this amazing country. You could start with the HR and move on to road trains, which is the ultimate for a goods driver. Get a few years of hands-on experience under your belt before you go for the MC licence, and basically, this allows you to drive just about anything!
We hope that this short blog has helped you to get a clearer understanding of what is involved for Australians who wish to drive trucks for a living.
