NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test cheat sheet

Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows linearly with speed while braking distance grows with the square of speed, so total distance rises faster than speed.

In NSW the general default speed limit on roads outside built-up areas is 100 km/h unless signs state otherwise; heavy vehicles may be subject to lower posted limits or vehicle-specific restrictions.

A heavy vehicle must not follow another heavy vehicle closer than the distance needed to overtake safely where a 'no close following' or long-vehicle following rule applies; general minimum gap for long vehicles is commonly expressed as 40 metres at speeds above 60 km/h.

At a level crossing the driver must give way to trains and trams; a heavy vehicle must not enter unless there is room to clear the crossing completely without stopping on it.

When merging or changing lanes a heavy vehicle driver must indicate for sufficient time and check blind spots; large vehicles have significantly larger no-see zones than light vehicles.

Rail crossings, roundabouts and tight turns require the heavy vehicle to use the full lane width; drivers must not overtake a turning heavy vehicle on the inside.

Low gear should be selected before descending a steep grade; relying on brakes alone risks brake fade, and heavy vehicles should use engine braking and a safe low gear.

On a multi-lane road, heavy vehicles must keep left unless overtaking, and vehicles over 12 metres or with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes towing a trailer are typically restricted from the rightmost lane on roads above a stated speed.

NSW heavy vehicle licence classes progress from LR (rigid, GVM over 4.5 t up to 8 t), to MR (over 8 t up to 12 t), to HR (over 12 t), then HC (heavy combination) and MC (multi-combination).

A heavy vehicle driver must hold the correct class of licence for the vehicle being driven and must carry it (or a digital equivalent) while driving.

Learner and provisional heavy vehicle drivers are subject to conditions including zero alcohol, display of plates where required, and supervision or restricted vehicle categories.

Heavy vehicle driver licensing in NSW is administered under the national heavy vehicle driver licensing arrangements; applicants must meet medical, eyesight and knowledge requirements.

A driver whose licence is suspended or cancelled must not drive a heavy vehicle, and driving while disqualified is a serious offence with heavy penalties.

Condition codes on a licence (for example corrective lenses or automatic transmission only) must be complied with; breaching a condition is an offence.

Heavy vehicle drivers must notify the licensing authority of a change of name or address within the prescribed period (typically 14 days in NSW).

Interstate heavy vehicle drivers operating in NSW must hold a current licence of the correct class from their home jurisdiction; the national licence classes are recognised across states.

GVM (gross vehicle mass) is the maximum loaded mass of a single vehicle; GCM (gross combination mass) is the maximum loaded mass of a vehicle plus its trailers.

Axle load limits and tyre load limits must not be exceeded; the load must be distributed so no axle or tyre exceeds its rated capacity.

The load must be secured so it cannot move or fall; restraints must be rated and the load must be contained within the vehicle's dimensions unless a permit or warning device applies.

Projecting loads: a load projecting more than 1.2 metres behind a vehicle must display a warning device (flag or lights) during the day and at night as required by the road rules.

Overmass or oversized vehicles generally require a permit or must comply with the applicable mass and dimension limits under the Heavy Vehicle National Law and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Load restraint principles rely on containing, blocking or attaching the load; tie-downs must be tensioned and the number and rating must match the load mass.

A heavy vehicle must not be loaded so that the driver's view is obstructed, lights or reflectors are obscured, or the vehicle is unstable or unsafe to drive.

Mass limits apply to the combination as a whole and per axle group; drivers must know the tare mass and the payload to avoid overloading.

Pre-start checks cover tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, coupling, load security and fluid levels; defects found must be rectified before driving.

Heavy vehicles have large blind spots (no-zones) in front, behind and along both sides; the driver must check mirrors and use a spotter or get out to check when reversing.

Brake systems on heavy vehicles include service brakes, a park brake and an emergency/auxiliary brake; air pressure must build to the correct level before the vehicle is moved.

Fatigue, speed and distraction are major contributors to heavy vehicle crashes; safe following distance and reduced speed in poor conditions reduce risk.

A heavy vehicle must be fitted with the required warning devices, reflective markings and lighting, and these must be functioning and clean.

Coupling and uncoupling must follow a set sequence; the driver must confirm the trailer is correctly coupled and the landing legs and air lines are secured before moving.

Wheel chocks or park brake must be applied before leaving the cab; the vehicle must not be left unattended unless secured against rolling away.

Tyres must have legal tread depth, correct inflation and no significant damage; mismatched tyres or under-inflation can cause loss of control or blowouts.

A daily pre-start inspection should check tyres, wheels, brakes, lights, steering, coupling, load security, mirrors and fluids before the vehicle is used.

A defect is any fault that affects the safe operation of the vehicle; major defects make the vehicle unsafe to drive until repaired, minor defects must be recorded and repaired promptly.

Defects must be recorded in the daily inspection or defect log and reported to the operator; the vehicle must not be used if a major defect makes it unsafe.

The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator set out inspection standards and defect categories for heavy vehicles.

A vehicle that fails an inspection or has a major defect must be repaired and, where required, re-inspected before returning to service.

Drivers must carry out and record daily checks and keep records available for inspection by authorised officers.

Defect records must be retained for the period required by the operator and the regulator; falsifying records is an offence.

An authorised officer may inspect a heavy vehicle and issue a defect notice; the driver must comply with the notice and the vehicle may be restricted from use until cleared.

Heavy vehicle drivers in NSW operate under work and rest hour rules; the standard solo driver limits include a maximum of 5 hours work in a 5.5 hour period, a minimum 15 minute rest in a 5 hour period, and a minimum 7 continuous hours stationary rest in 24 hours.

The 24-hour period for fatigue rules begins at the end of the last major rest break; drivers must keep a work diary recording work and rest.

Solo drivers must take a minimum 24 continuous hours stationary rest in any 7-day period (or as specified by the applicable fatigue rules).

Fatigue records must be accurate and available for inspection; a driver must not drive while impaired by fatigue.

The heavy vehicle driver's responsibilities include being fit for duty, complying with work and rest limits, and not driving if fatigued or affected by alcohol or drugs.

A work diary must record work time, rest time and the location of each rest break; entries must be made in the required format and retained for the prescribed period.

Drivers must comply with the applicable fatigue management scheme (standard hours, basic fatigue management or advanced fatigue management) and the associated record-keeping.

Alcohol and drug limits apply to heavy vehicle drivers; a blood alcohol concentration of zero applies to learner and provisional heavy vehicle drivers, and a low limit applies to full licence holders.