Heavy Vehicle Licensing: Classes, Scope and Obligations
Where HR sits in the ladder
Victorian heavy vehicle classes are cumulative and are defined by axle count and gross vehicle mass. Light rigid (LR) covers a rigid vehicle from 4.5 to 8 tonnes GVM and may tow a trailer up to 9 tonnes GVM. Medium rigid (MR) covers a two-axle rigid vehicle with a GVM over 8 tonnes, again towing up to 9 tonnes. Heavy rigid (HR) covers a rigid vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes. Above HR sit heavy combination (HC) and multi-combination (MC), which you need for semi-trailers, B-doubles and trailers heavier than 9 tonnes GVM.
Because the classes stack, an HR licence also lets you drive LR and MR vehicles. It does not let you drive a prime mover, a B-double, or a truck towing a trailer heavier than 9 tonnes GVM. Knowledge questions exploit this constantly: a scenario describing a three-axle truck pulling a 12-tonne dog trailer is an HC job, not HR.
Getting and keeping the licence
The pathway is: hold a current non-probationary car licence, pass the heavy vehicle knowledge test, be issued a heavy vehicle learner permit, complete supervised driving or accredited training, then pass the driving assessment. Medical and eyesight standards apply, and conditions such as an automatic-transmission restriction carry across.
Heavy vehicle drivers are held to a higher standard. In Victoria, a zero blood alcohol concentration applies to drivers of vehicles over 15 tonnes GVM and to bus drivers, and heavy vehicle offences attract demerit points, suspension and disqualification.
Rule of thumb: if the trailer's GVM is 9 tonnes or less, HR can tow it; anything heavier moves you to HC.