Class 5 Theory Test key terms

A New Zealand driver licence that allows a person to drive a heavy motor vehicle with a gross laden weight exceeding 18,000 kilograms, including most large trucks and truck-and-trailer combinations.

A heavy vehicle licence class permitting driving of vehicles with a gross laden weight between 6,000 and 18,000 kilograms, such as medium trucks and heavy rigid vehicles within that range.

A licence class that covers heavy vehicles with a gross laden weight over 18,000 kilograms that are rigid, plus combinations where the towed vehicle does not exceed a set weight limit.

A licence class allowing driving of heavy vehicles weighing over 18,000 kilograms that include a towed vehicle combination, such as a truck towing a heavy trailer, within defined axle limits.

A restricted stage of a driver licence that requires a supervisor when driving and carries conditions such as zero alcohol, allowing a person to gain on-road experience before progressing.

A licence stage between learner and full that permits solo driving but with conditions such as passenger limits or time-of-day restrictions, depending on the licence class and age.

The unrestricted stage of a driver licence, held after passing the required tests and time periods, allowing driving without supervisor or curfew conditions for that class.

A document from a health practitioner confirming a driver meets the health standards required for a heavy vehicle licence, often needed at application and at set ages thereafter.

The minimum visual acuity and field of vision a driver must meet to hold a heavy vehicle licence, checked at application and periodically, with corrective lenses permitted if worn while driving.

The requirement that a licence holder be a fit and proper person, assessed through criminal history and driving record checks, before a heavy vehicle licence or transport service licence is granted.

The practical and theory assessments a candidate must pass to move between licence classes, covering vehicle handling, road rules, and safe operation of heavy vehicles.

The total weight of a vehicle plus its load, including the weight on every axle, used to determine which licence class and weight limits apply to that vehicle.

The total weight of a towing vehicle, its towed trailer or trailers, and all loads carried, used to classify combinations and to check against permitted mass limits.

A heavy motor vehicle whose chassis and body form one unit that cannot articulate at a pivot point, as opposed to a tractor unit that tows a semi-trailer.

A combination in which a tractor unit tows a semi-trailer, with the trailer coupled over the rear of the tractor so the combination bends at the coupling point.

A trailer whose front is supported by the towing tractor unit through a coupling, so it carries no front axle of its own and forms part of an articulated combination.

A trailer with a gross laden weight above the light trailer threshold, towed by a heavy vehicle and subject to its own weight, braking, and coupling requirements.

The rigid arm connecting a trailer to the towing vehicle, through which towing forces are transmitted and which must be strong enough for the trailer's rated load.

The mechanical device joining a towing vehicle to a trailer, such as a fifth wheel or ball hitch, which must be rated for the load and correctly secured before towing.

A secondary connection between a towing vehicle and trailer that keeps the trailer attached if the main coupling fails, required on many light and heavy trailer setups.

A system that automatically applies a trailer's brakes if it separates from the towing vehicle, helping to stop it and reduce the risk of a runaway trailer.

A periodic inspection certificate confirming a heavy vehicle meets required safety standards, including brakes, steering, lights, and structure, and must be current before the vehicle is used.

A document issued after a vehicle passes an inspection against applicable standards, sometimes used in place of or alongside a certificate of fitness depending on vehicle type and rules.

A licence required to operate a transport service such as goods or passenger carriage for hire or reward, issued to the operator and subject to fitness and record checks.

The legal requirements a heavy vehicle must meet for construction, equipment, lighting, braking, and emissions, enforced through inspection and roadside checks.

The systems and methods used to secure cargo so it cannot shift or fall from a vehicle, using lashings, chains, or rated anchor points suited to the load.

The way a vehicle's total mass is spread across its axles and wheels, which affects steering, braking, stability, and legal axle load limits.

The portion of a vehicle's total weight carried by a single axle or axle set, which must stay within legal limits to protect roads and maintain safe handling.

The gap a heavy vehicle driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead, usually measured in seconds, increased for heavier loads, wet roads, and longer stopping distances.

The total distance travelled from the moment a hazard is seen until the vehicle comes to rest, combining reaction distance and braking distance.

A speed appropriate to the road, weather, visibility, load, and traffic conditions, which may be well below the posted limit for a heavily loaded vehicle.

An area around a heavy vehicle that the driver cannot see directly or in mirrors, larger than for cars and requiring extra checks before changing lanes or turning.

The routine of scanning all mirrors before and during manoeuvres to detect vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians in blind spots around a heavy vehicle.

A road user such as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist who has little physical protection and is at greater risk in a collision with a heavy vehicle.

A system that uses engine compression to slow a heavy vehicle on descents, reducing reliance on wheel brakes and helping prevent brake fade from overheating.

The loss of braking effectiveness when brakes overheat from prolonged or heavy use, common on long descents with heavy loads, managed by lower gears and engine braking.

A check of tyres, brakes, lights, couplings, and load security carried out by the driver before starting a journey, to catch defects early and prevent breakdowns.

A record of a driver's work and rest hours kept to show compliance with fatigue management rules, required for many heavy vehicle drivers and checked at roadside.