VIC Heavy Rigid Knowledge Test flashcards

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Heavy Rigid (HR) licence

A Victorian licence class covering rigid vehicles with a GVM over 8 tonnes, or 3 or more axles, and towing a trailer up to 9 tonnes GVM.

Heavy Combination (HC) licence

Covers articulated vehicles and rigid vehicles towing a trailer over 9 tonnes GVM, such as a prime mover and semitrailer combination.

Multi-Combination (MC) licence

Covers multi-combinations of two or more trailers, including B-doubles, B-triples and road trains.

Zero blood alcohol limit

In Victoria a zero blood alcohol concentration limit applies to drivers of vehicles over 15 tonnes GVM, buses and driving instructors.

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)

The maximum loaded mass a vehicle is designed to carry, set by the manufacturer: tare mass plus the maximum payload.

General Mass Limits (GML)

Default legal mass limits: 6 tonnes on a steer axle, 9 tonnes on a single axle with dual tyres, 16.5 tonnes tandem and 20 tonnes tri-axle.

Tare mass

The unladen mass of a vehicle with fuel and fluids but no load or occupants; payload equals GVM minus tare mass.

Higher Mass Limits (HML)

Mass limits above the general limits, available only on approved routes to accredited vehicles with road-friendly suspension.

Pre-start check

An inspection before driving covering tyres, lights, fluids, brakes, steering, mirrors and load security, used to find defects before departure.

Air brake pressure test

With the engine off and brakes applied, air pressure loss must stay within the manufacturer's limit, and the low-pressure warning must operate.

Heavy vehicle tyre tread

Heavy vehicle tyres must have at least 1.5 millimetres of tread across the tread width and no cuts, bulges or exposed cords.

Coupling check

For articulated vehicles, confirm the kingpin is locked in the turntable, the safety clip is engaged and the trailer is secure before moving.

Major defect

A defect making a heavy vehicle unsafe or non-compliant, such as brake or steering failure; the vehicle must not be driven until repaired.

Minor defect

A defect that does not significantly affect safety but must be recorded and repaired within the time set by the operator or regulator.

Defect reporting

The driver must report any defect to the operator and record it; driving a defective heavy vehicle is an offence.

Defect notice

Issued by an authorised officer for a non-compliant vehicle; a major defect notice prohibits the vehicle from being used until cleared.

Load restraint standard

The restraint system must withstand 0.8 g deceleration forward and 0.5 g rearward and sideways, relative to the mass of the load.

Tie-down restraint

A method where lashings or straps clamp the load down onto the vehicle deck; the lashings must be rated for the required restraint force.

Direct restraint

A method where a headboard, barrier, gate or twistlock holds the load directly; components must be rated for the forces involved.

Curtainsider

A trailer with flexible side curtains; the curtains provide weather protection only and must not be relied on to restrain a load.

Four-second following gap

A safe following gap for a heavy vehicle is at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead, longer in rain or poor visibility.

Engine braking

Using a lower gear so the engine slows the vehicle on a descent, reducing brake fade; select the gear before the descent begins.

Brake fade

Loss of braking power when brakes overheat from continuous use, common on long descents; avoided by gearing down and using retarders.

Off-tracking

The tendency of the rear wheels of a long vehicle to cut inside the path of the front wheels when turning.

Maximum vehicle width

The maximum legal width for a heavy vehicle in Australia is 2.5 metres unless an oversize permit applies.

Maximum vehicle height

The general maximum height for a heavy vehicle is 4.3 metres; low bridges and tunnels may impose lower limits on a route.

Keep left rule

On multi-lane roads with a speed limit over 80 km/h, a driver must keep left unless overtaking.

Passing cyclists

A driver must leave at least 1 metre when passing a cyclist at up to 60 km/h, and 1.5 metres above 60 km/h.

Standard fatigue hours

Solo drivers must not work more than 12 hours in 24 or 72 hours in 7 days, and need 7 continuous hours stationary rest in 24 hours.

Work diary

A record of work and rest required for drivers of heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes GVM travelling more than 100 km from their home base.

24-hour rest requirement

A solo driver must have at least 24 continuous hours of stationary rest in each 7-day period.

Breakdown procedure

Move the vehicle off the road, switch on hazard lights, place warning triangles and call 000 if anyone is injured.