NZ Heavy Vehicle Theory Test cheat sheet
NZ Heavy Vehicle Theory Test · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Heavy vehicle licence classes and what you can drive
Class 1 covers cars and light vehicles up to 4500 kg gross vehicle mass; a car licence is Class 1.
Class 2 allows a rigid vehicle with gross vehicle mass between 6001 kg and 18000 kg, including a vehicle towing a trailer up to 3500 kg laden.
Class 3 allows a rigid vehicle with gross vehicle mass over 18000 kg, and combinations where the trailer is up to 3500 kg.
Class 4 allows a heavy rigid vehicle over 18000 kg plus a trailer, and a rigid towing a heavy trailer, where the combined mass is up to 25000 kg.
Class 5 allows any rigid vehicle and any combination of vehicles, including articulated trucks and B-train units, with no upper mass limit.
A Class 1 licence holder may drive a vehicle up to 4500 kg GVM; tractors and specialist machines up to that mass fall within Class 1.
Each class requires passing the theory test for that class and a practical assessment; a Class 2 learner can drive only while supervised by a holder of Class 2 or higher.
From 1 July 2023 the licence classes align with the GVM/GCM thresholds above; a Class 5 covers every class below it, but lower classes do not cover higher ones.
Driving a truck or heavy vehicle safely
Stopping distance rises with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, and a laden truck needs far more distance than a car.
Safe following gap for a heavy vehicle is at least 4 seconds in good conditions, increased to 6 or more seconds in rain, on gravel, or when laden.
Heavy vehicles must use a lower gear on long descents and avoid riding the brakes; brake fade occurs when continuous braking overheats drums or discs.
Swing-out: the rear of a long vehicle cuts inside the path of the front wheels, so check mirrors and allow extra room when turning left.
A truck's blind spots (no-zones) extend along both sides, directly behind, and in front; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Load must be secured so it cannot shift; an unrestrained load changes the centre of gravity and can cause rollover in corners.
Rollover risk increases with a high centre of gravity: slow down before corners, keep steering smooth, and avoid sudden swerves.
Use engine braking and retarders on descents, select a gear that holds speed without constant service braking, and never coast in neutral.
Heavy vehicle safety and inspection requirements
A certificate of fitness (CoF) is required for heavy vehicles and must be renewed at intervals set by vehicle type, generally every 6 months for most heavy vehicles.
A CoF inspection checks brakes, steering, tyres, lights, glazing, exhaust, load security, and structural condition; a failed item must be fixed and re-inspected.
Tyres must have at least 1.5 mm tread depth across the full width of the tread for heavy vehicles, and no cuts or bulges exposing cord.
The driver must carry a valid CoF and produce it on request; operating without a current CoF is an offence and may invalidate insurance.
Pre-trip checks: tyre pressure and condition, wheel nuts, lights and indicators, brake operation, fluid levels, mirrors, and load restraints.
Loads must not exceed axle and gross mass limits; axle groups have individual limits and overloading damages roads and is penalised.
Brake systems on heavy vehicles are typically air-operated; a daily check includes listening for air leaks and confirming the low-pressure warning works.
Logbooks record work time and rest breaks; a driver must carry the logbook and be able to show it to an enforcement officer.
Road user charges and heavy vehicle operation
Road user charges (RUC) are paid per 1000 km by distance licence; a heavy vehicle must have a current RUC licence covering its actual distance.
RUC rates depend on vehicle type, weight, and number of axles; heavier vehicles pay higher rates per 1000 km.
A RUC licence is bought in units of 1000 km and displayed on a distance recorder or licence label; the odometer reading must match the licence.
Operating beyond the licensed distance is an offence; buy additional distance before the licence runs out, not after.
RUC applies to vehicles powered by fuel not taxed at the pump; diesel heavy vehicles are the main group, while petrol vehicles pay excise in the fuel price.
Keep RUC records and odometer readings; enforcement checks compare licence distance with the vehicle's actual distance.
Overweight and over-dimension permits may be needed for loads exceeding legal mass or size limits; operating without a permit attracts penalties.
A heavy vehicle operator must ensure the vehicle's RUC licence is current before each trip and that the correct vehicle class and weight are declared.
General road code and safe driving habits
Keep left except when passing, turning right, or avoiding an obstruction; on multi-lane roads use the left lane unless overtaking.
At an intersection with no signs or signals, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas unless signed otherwise; open road default is 100 km/h for light vehicles, and heavy vehicles may have lower limits.
Blood alcohol limit for drivers aged 20 and over is 50 mg per 100 mL of blood (250 mcg per litre of breath); lower limits apply to those under 20.
Use headlights when visibility is poor and at night; heavy vehicles must show lights and reflectors, and a following vehicle should dip headlights.
At a pedestrian crossing, give way to pedestrians on the crossing; do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crossing.
A yellow traffic signal means stop unless you are so close that stopping safely is not possible; a red signal means stop and remain stopped.
Rest breaks reduce fatigue: take a break at least every 2 hours on long trips, and stop driving if drowsy.
Heavy vehicle licence classes and what you can drive
Class 2: rigid vehicle 6001-18000 kg GVM, may tow a trailer up to 3500 kg laden.
Class 3: rigid vehicle over 18000 kg GVM, may tow a trailer up to 3500 kg laden.
Class 4: heavy rigid plus trailer, or rigid towing heavy trailer, combined mass up to 25000 kg.
Class 5: any rigid or combination, including articulated and B-train, no upper mass limit.
Class 1: car or light vehicle up to 4500 kg GVM, including light trailers within limits.
Learner heavy vehicle drivers must be supervised by a holder of the same class or higher.
A higher class covers all lower classes, but a lower class never covers a higher one.
Driving a truck or heavy vehicle safely
Following gap: 4 seconds minimum in fine weather; increase to 6 seconds or more in rain, gravel, or when heavily laden.
Braking distance grows with the square of speed; a laden truck needs much more distance than a car at the same speed.
Use a low gear and engine braking on long descents; continuous service braking causes brake fade.
Rear wheels cut inside the front wheel path on turns: check mirrors and leave room for swing-out.
Blind spots exist beside, behind, and in front of a truck; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Secure loads so they cannot shift; a shifting load changes the centre of gravity and raises rollover risk.
Reduce speed before corners and steer smoothly; a high centre of gravity makes sudden swerves dangerous.
Heavy vehicle safety and inspection requirements
A certificate of fitness (CoF) is required for heavy vehicles, generally renewed every 6 months.
CoF inspection covers brakes, steering, tyres, lights, glazing, exhaust, structure, and load security.
Minimum tyre tread for heavy vehicles is 1.5 mm across the full tread width, with no exposed cord.
The driver must carry a current CoF and produce it on request; operating without one is an offence.
Pre-trip checks include tyres, wheel nuts, lights, brakes, fluids, mirrors, and load restraints.
Axle and gross mass limits must not be exceeded; overloading is penalised and damages roads.
Daily air-brake check: listen for leaks and confirm the low-pressure warning operates.
Carry the logbook and show work and rest times to an enforcement officer on request.
Road user charges and heavy vehicle operation
RUC is paid per 1000 km through a distance licence; the licence must cover the vehicle's actual distance.
Rates depend on vehicle type, weight, and number of axles; heavier vehicles pay more per 1000 km.
The RUC licence label shows the licensed distance; the odometer reading must match the licence.
Running beyond the licensed distance is an offence; buy more distance before the licence expires.
RUC applies to vehicles using fuel not taxed at the pump, mainly diesel heavy vehicles.
Keep RUC and odometer records; enforcement compares licence distance with actual distance.
Overweight or over-dimension loads may need a permit; operating without one attracts penalties.
General road code and safe driving habits
Keep left except when passing, turning right, or avoiding an obstruction.
At an uncontrolled intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
Urban default speed limit is 50 km/h unless signed otherwise; open road default is 100 km/h for light vehicles.
Adult blood alcohol limit is 50 mg per 100 mL of blood (250 mcg per litre of breath); lower limits apply under 20.
Use headlights at night and in poor visibility; dip headlights when following another vehicle.
Give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing and do not pass a vehicle stopped at one.
A yellow signal means stop unless stopping safely is not possible; red means stop and stay stopped.
Take a rest break at least every 2 hours on long trips and stop driving if drowsy.
Heavy vehicle licence classes and what you can drive
Class 1: light vehicle up to 4500 kg GVM; includes a car licence.
Class 2: rigid 6001-18000 kg GVM, trailer up to 3500 kg laden.
Class 3: rigid over 18000 kg GVM, trailer up to 3500 kg laden.
Class 4: heavy rigid plus trailer or heavy trailer combination up to 25000 kg combined.
Class 5: any rigid or combination, including articulated and B-train, no mass limit.
Learner heavy vehicle drivers must be supervised by a same-or-higher class holder.
Higher classes cover lower classes; lower classes do not cover higher ones.
Driving a truck or heavy vehicle safely
Minimum 4-second following gap in fine weather; 6 seconds or more in rain, gravel, or when laden.
Braking distance grows with the square of speed; a truck needs far more distance than a car.
Use low gear and engine braking on descents to avoid brake fade.
Rear wheels cut inside the front wheel path on turns; allow for swing-out.
Blind spots lie beside, behind, and in front of a truck; if you cannot see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Secure loads so they cannot shift; shifting loads raise rollover risk.
Slow before corners and steer smoothly; a high centre of gravity makes swerves dangerous.
Heavy vehicle safety and inspection requirements
A certificate of fitness (CoF) is required for heavy vehicles, generally renewed every 6 months.
CoF inspection covers brakes, steering, tyres, lights, glazing, exhaust, structure, and load security.
Minimum tyre tread for heavy vehicles is 1.5 mm across the full tread width, with no exposed cord.
The driver must carry a current CoF and produce it on request; operating without one is an offence.
Pre-trip checks include tyres, wheel nuts, lights, brakes, fluids, mirrors, and load restraints.
Axle and gross mass limits must not be exceeded; overloading is penalised.
Daily air-brake check: listen for leaks and confirm the low-pressure warning works.
Road user charges and heavy vehicle operation
RUC is paid per 1000 km through a distance licence covering the vehicle's actual distance.
Rates depend on vehicle type, weight, and number of axles.
The RUC licence label shows licensed distance; the odometer reading must match.
Running beyond the licensed distance is an offence; buy more distance before expiry.
RUC applies to vehicles using fuel not taxed at the pump, mainly diesel heavy vehicles.
Keep RUC and odometer records; enforcement compares licence distance with actual distance.
Overweight or over-dimension loads may need a permit; operating without one attracts penalties.
General road code and safe driving habits
Keep left except when passing, turning right, or avoiding an obstruction.
At an uncontrolled intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
Urban default speed limit is 50 km/h unless signed otherwise; open road default is 100 km/h for light vehicles.
Adult blood alcohol limit is 50 mg per 100 mL of blood (250 mcg per litre of breath); lower limits apply under 20.
Use headlights at night and in poor visibility; dip headlights when following another vehicle.
Give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing and do not pass a vehicle stopped at one.
A yellow signal means stop unless stopping safely is not possible; red means stop and stay stopped.
Take a rest break at least every 2 hours on long trips and stop driving if drowsy.