ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test cheat sheet

Heavy vehicle classes in the ACT: light rigid (LR) covers vehicles up to 8 t GVM or a bus seating more than 12 adults; medium rigid (MR) covers 2-axle vehicles over 8 t GVM; heavy rigid (HR) covers 3 or more axles over 8 t GVM; heavy combination (HC) covers a rigid towing a semi-trailer; multi-combination (MC) covers two or more trailers.

Licence progression requires holding the lower class for a qualifying period: at least 12 months on a car licence before LR or MR, and at least 12 months on MR before HR (or 24 months on car for HR in some pathways); HC and MC require prior HR or HC respectively.

A heavy vehicle driver must carry the licence at all times while driving and produce it for inspection by police or an authorised officer on request.

Learner and provisional conditions (zero alcohol, no mobile phone use, display of plates) continue to apply where the heavy vehicle class is held at provisional level.

A medical certificate may be required for heavy vehicle classes, particularly for drivers over 60 or those with a relevant condition; the assessing doctor applies the national commercial driver medical standards.

Demerit points accrue on the licence; exceeding the threshold in a 12-month period (12 points for unrestricted, fewer for provisional) results in suspension or a good-behaviour option.

Heavy vehicles must not be driven if the driver is disqualified, suspended, or unlicensed; doing so is an offence carrying heavy penalties and possible vehicle seizure.

Interstate heavy vehicle licences are recognised in the ACT, but a driver moving to the ACT must transfer the licence within the required period (generally three months).

Default urban speed limit in the ACT is 50 km/h unless signs show otherwise; school zones operate at 40 km/h during posted times; shared zones are 10 km/h.

Following distance rule: maintain at least a 3-second gap in good conditions; increase to 4 seconds or more in rain, at night, or when following a heavy vehicle that blocks forward vision.

A heavy vehicle must not exceed the posted speed limit and must obey the lower speed limit shown on the vehicle's speed limiting compliance plate where fitted.

At a level crossing, a heavy vehicle must stop unless a sign or signal clearly permits proceeding; a long vehicle must ensure the far side is clear before crossing.

Overtaking a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights requires slowing to 40 km/h (or a safe speed if the limit is lower) when passing in the same direction.

Roundabout rule: give way to vehicles already in the roundabout; heavy vehicles must signal left when exiting and must not change lanes within the roundabout without indicating.

Fatigue-related driving is an offence; a driver who is unfit due to fatigue commits an offence equivalent to driving while impaired and may be charged with dangerous driving.

Loads must be secured so no part can fall or be dislodged; a load projecting more than 1.2 m behind the vehicle must display a warning flag or light during the day and a red light at night.

General mass limits (GML) in Australia: single steer axle 6.0 t, single axle (dual tyres) 9.0 t, tandem axle group 16.5 t, tri-axle group 20.0 t, and gross vehicle mass per the manufacturer's rating.

Concessional mass limits (CML) add 5% to GML for eligible vehicles operating under an approved mass management accreditation; higher mass limits (HML) require road-friendly suspension and accreditation and apply on approved networks.

Height limit is 4.3 m; width limit is 2.5 m (2.55 m for refrigerated vehicles and buses in some networks); length limits: rigid 12.5 m, semi-trailer combination 19.0 m, B-double 25.0 m, road train 53.5 m (varies by network).

Rear overhang limit is the lesser of 3.7 m or 60% of the wheelbase for rigid vehicles; for semi-trailers the rear overhang must not exceed 3.7 m.

A load must not project more than 1.2 m to the rear without a flag or warning device; projection to the front is limited and must not obscure the driver's view.

Axle spacing determines the permitted mass for an axle group; tandem groups require at least 1.2 m spacing, and tri-axle groups require at least 1.8 m between the first and last axle.

Load restraint must withstand forces of 80% of the load weight forward, 50% rearward and sideways, and 20% upward; tie-downs and lashings must be rated and in good condition.

A heavy vehicle must be weighed if directed to a weighbridge; exceeding a mass limit by more than 5% attracts significant penalties and possible grounding of the vehicle.

Pre-start checks cover tyres (tread depth at least 1.5 mm for heavy vehicles, no cuts or bulges), brakes, lights, mirrors, couplings, load security, and fluid levels.

Air brake systems require a daily check: build pressure to the governed level, switch off the engine, and confirm pressure loss does not exceed the manufacturer's limit (typically no more than 10 kPa/min with brakes released).

Heavy vehicle tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1.5 mm across the tread width and no visible cord or structural damage; retreaded tyres are permitted on non-steer positions only.

A coupling check for articulated vehicles includes confirming the kingpin is locked, the dog clip is in place, and a tug test is performed before moving off.

Brake system warning: a low-pressure warning buzzer or light indicates insufficient air pressure; the vehicle must not be driven until pressure is restored.

A heavy vehicle defect must be recorded in the daily inspection record and reported to the operator; major defects ground the vehicle until repaired.

Following distance and stopping distance increase with mass: a loaded heavy vehicle may need more than 100 m to stop from 100 km/h, so the 3-second gap is a minimum, not a target.

Load-induced instability: high centre of gravity loads must be restrained low and centred; liquid loads require baffled tanks or reduced speed in curves to control surge.

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law fatigue rules, a solo driver in standard hours must not work more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period and must have at least 7 continuous hours of stationary rest in that period.

Standard hours require a minimum 30-minute rest break after 5 hours of work; the break must be stationary and not count as work time.

Solo driver maximum work time in a 7-day period is 72 hours under standard hours, with at least 24 continuous hours of stationary rest.

Fatigue-regulated drivers must keep a work diary recording work and rest; the diary must be carried and produced on request by an authorised officer.

A driver must stop and rest if experiencing fatigue symptoms; continuing to drive while fatigued is an offence and the driver may be directed to cease work.

Fatigue management options for operators include accreditation under a fatigue management scheme, which can allow flexible hours within approved limits.

Record keeping: work diary entries must be made in chronological order, in ink, and retained for at least 3 years by the operator; false entries are an offence.

A driver who is fit for duty must declare any secondary employment or other work that contributes to total work time, as it counts toward fatigue limits.