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NSW HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER
HANDBOOK: KEY ROAD RULES AND
LICENSING QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS
What is the purpose of the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook? Ans: To
cover the main road rules and requirements for driving heavy vehicles on
NSW roads and to help obtain a heavy vehicle licence.
Where can you find the complete set of laws for heavy vehicles and
drivers? Ans: At legislation.nsw.gov.au for Road Rules and nhvr.gov.au
for Heavy Vehicle National Law and Regulations.
What are some important publications for heavy vehicle drivers
mentioned in the handbook? Ans: Road User Handbook, A Guide to the
Driving Test, Load Restraint Guide, A Guide to Heavy Vehicle Competency
Based Assessment, and Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment
Learner Log book.
What must be read along with the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook to
prepare for the heavy vehicle driver knowledge test? Ans: The Road
User Handbook and Load Restraint Guide.
What are the two pathways to obtain a heavy vehicle licence? Ans: 1.
Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) with a Registered
Training Organisation (RTO). 2. Heavy Vehicle Driving Test where HVCBA
is not available.
Who conducts the Heavy Vehicle Driving Test? Ans: Service NSW testing
officers.
What is illegal concerning obtaining a heavy vehicle licence? Ans:
Offering, requesting, or accepting bribes or favours to get a licence
without passing the required tests.
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What are the consequences of bribing for a heavy vehicle licence? Ans:
Severe penalties including fines and imprisonment, with all cases
reported and investigated.
What must you complete when applying for or renewing your heavy
vehicle licence? Ans: A medical assessment form with questions about
your fitness to drive a heavy vehicle safely.
What might be required based on the medical assessment form for a
heavy vehicle licence? Ans: A visit to your doctor to complete a medical
online.
What is the significance of the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook's
language? Ans: It is written in plain, easy to understand language.
What does the handbook emphasize about professional drivers? Ans:
They have a responsibility to keep the roads safe for everyone.
What is the focus of the section on 'Driver fatigue' in the handbook?
Ans: To address the importance of managing fatigue while driving heavy
vehicles.
What is the purpose of the 'Load Restraint Guide'? Ans: To provide
guidelines on how to properly secure loads in heavy vehicles.
What does the 'Dangerous goods' section cover? Ans: Regulations and
safety measures for transporting hazardous materials.
What is included in the 'Compliance and Enforcement' section? Ans:
Information on penalties and traffic offences related to heavy vehicle
operation.
What is the role of Transport for NSW regarding heavy vehicle licences?
Ans: To accredit RTOs and oversee the licensing process.
What should you do if you suspect corruption involving a NSW
Government employee? Ans: Call Transport for NSW or the Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
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What is the importance of the 'Pre-departure checks' section? Ans: To
ensure that vehicles are safe and ready for operation before driving.
What does the 'Vehicle dimensions and loading' section address? Ans:
Regulations regarding the size and weight limits for heavy vehicles.
What does the handbook state about 'Safe driving' practices? Ans: It
outlines techniques and attitudes necessary for safe operation of heavy
vehicles.
What is the 'Glossary' section for in the handbook? Ans: To define key
terms and concepts related to heavy vehicle driving.
What is the purpose of the 'Index' section in the handbook? Ans: To help
readers locate specific information quickly.
What are the five heavy vehicle licence classes? Ans: Multi-Combination
(MC), Heavy Combination (HC), Heavy Rigid (HR), Medium Rigid (MR),
Light Rigid (LR).
What vehicles can be driven with a Multi-Combination (MC) licence?
Ans: Road trains, B-doubles, prime movers, low loader dolly, low loader
trailer combinations, and any vehicle covered by a class HC licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Heavy Combination (HC) licence?
Ans: Articulated vehicles with three or more axles, tow trailer
combinations with a GVM over 9 tonnes, and any vehicle covered by a
class HR licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence? Ans:
Vehicles with 3 or more axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes, articulated
buses, and any vehicle covered by a class MR licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Medium Rigid (MR) licence? Ans:
Rigid vehicles with 2 axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes, and any vehicle
covered by a class LR licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Light Rigid (LR) licence? Ans: Rigid
vehicles with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes, vehicles
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carrying more than 12 adults, and any vehicle covered by a class C
licence.
What are the requirements to obtain a Light Rigid (LR) licence? Ans:
Must have a class C licence for 1 year or more, pass a knowledge test,
eyesight test, and either a Driving Test or HVCBA.
What are the requirements to obtain a Medium Rigid (MR) licence? Ans:
Must have a class C licence for 1 year or more, pass a knowledge test,
eyesight test, and either a Driving Test or HVCBA.
What are the requirements to obtain a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence? Ans:
Must have a class C licence for 2 years or more, pass a knowledge test,
eyesight test, and either a Driving Test or HVCBA.
What is the minimum test vehicle for a Heavy Rigid (HR) Driving Test?
Ans: A three axle rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 15 tonnes,
excluding bobtail prime mover.
What is the GVM limit for a towing trailer with a Heavy Rigid (HR)
licence? Ans: Up to 9 tonnes.
What is the GVM limit for a towing trailer with a Medium Rigid (MR)
licence? Ans: Up to 9 tonnes.
What is the GVM limit for a towing trailer with a Light Rigid (LR) licence?
Ans: Up to 9 tonnes.
What is the GVM limit for vehicles driven under a Light Rigid (LR) licence?
Ans: More than 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes.
What is the maximum GVM for vehicles driven under a Medium Rigid
(MR) licence? Ans: Over 8 tonnes.
What is the maximum GVM for vehicles driven under a Heavy Rigid (HR)
licence? Ans: Over 8 tonnes.
What is the maximum GVM for vehicles driven under a Multi-Combination
(MC) licence? Ans: No specific limit stated, but includes multi-
combination vehicles.
NSW HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER
HANDBOOK: KEY ROAD RULES AND
LICENSING QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS
What is the purpose of the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook? Ans: To
cover the main road rules and requirements for driving heavy vehicles on
NSW roads and to help obtain a heavy vehicle licence.
Where can you find the complete set of laws for heavy vehicles and
drivers? Ans: At legislation.nsw.gov.au for Road Rules and nhvr.gov.au
for Heavy Vehicle National Law and Regulations.
What are some important publications for heavy vehicle drivers
mentioned in the handbook? Ans: Road User Handbook, A Guide to the
Driving Test, Load Restraint Guide, A Guide to Heavy Vehicle Competency
Based Assessment, and Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment
Learner Log book.
What must be read along with the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook to
prepare for the heavy vehicle driver knowledge test? Ans: The Road
User Handbook and Load Restraint Guide.
What are the two pathways to obtain a heavy vehicle licence? Ans: 1.
Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) with a Registered
Training Organisation (RTO). 2. Heavy Vehicle Driving Test where HVCBA
is not available.
Who conducts the Heavy Vehicle Driving Test? Ans: Service NSW testing
officers.
What is illegal concerning obtaining a heavy vehicle licence? Ans:
Offering, requesting, or accepting bribes or favours to get a licence
without passing the required tests.
, Page | 2
What are the consequences of bribing for a heavy vehicle licence? Ans:
Severe penalties including fines and imprisonment, with all cases
reported and investigated.
What must you complete when applying for or renewing your heavy
vehicle licence? Ans: A medical assessment form with questions about
your fitness to drive a heavy vehicle safely.
What might be required based on the medical assessment form for a
heavy vehicle licence? Ans: A visit to your doctor to complete a medical
online.
What is the significance of the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook's
language? Ans: It is written in plain, easy to understand language.
What does the handbook emphasize about professional drivers? Ans:
They have a responsibility to keep the roads safe for everyone.
What is the focus of the section on 'Driver fatigue' in the handbook?
Ans: To address the importance of managing fatigue while driving heavy
vehicles.
What is the purpose of the 'Load Restraint Guide'? Ans: To provide
guidelines on how to properly secure loads in heavy vehicles.
What does the 'Dangerous goods' section cover? Ans: Regulations and
safety measures for transporting hazardous materials.
What is included in the 'Compliance and Enforcement' section? Ans:
Information on penalties and traffic offences related to heavy vehicle
operation.
What is the role of Transport for NSW regarding heavy vehicle licences?
Ans: To accredit RTOs and oversee the licensing process.
What should you do if you suspect corruption involving a NSW
Government employee? Ans: Call Transport for NSW or the Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
, Page | 3
What is the importance of the 'Pre-departure checks' section? Ans: To
ensure that vehicles are safe and ready for operation before driving.
What does the 'Vehicle dimensions and loading' section address? Ans:
Regulations regarding the size and weight limits for heavy vehicles.
What does the handbook state about 'Safe driving' practices? Ans: It
outlines techniques and attitudes necessary for safe operation of heavy
vehicles.
What is the 'Glossary' section for in the handbook? Ans: To define key
terms and concepts related to heavy vehicle driving.
What is the purpose of the 'Index' section in the handbook? Ans: To help
readers locate specific information quickly.
What are the five heavy vehicle licence classes? Ans: Multi-Combination
(MC), Heavy Combination (HC), Heavy Rigid (HR), Medium Rigid (MR),
Light Rigid (LR).
What vehicles can be driven with a Multi-Combination (MC) licence?
Ans: Road trains, B-doubles, prime movers, low loader dolly, low loader
trailer combinations, and any vehicle covered by a class HC licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Heavy Combination (HC) licence?
Ans: Articulated vehicles with three or more axles, tow trailer
combinations with a GVM over 9 tonnes, and any vehicle covered by a
class HR licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence? Ans:
Vehicles with 3 or more axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes, articulated
buses, and any vehicle covered by a class MR licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Medium Rigid (MR) licence? Ans:
Rigid vehicles with 2 axles and a GVM over 8 tonnes, and any vehicle
covered by a class LR licence.
What vehicles can be driven with a Light Rigid (LR) licence? Ans: Rigid
vehicles with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes, vehicles
, Page | 4
carrying more than 12 adults, and any vehicle covered by a class C
licence.
What are the requirements to obtain a Light Rigid (LR) licence? Ans:
Must have a class C licence for 1 year or more, pass a knowledge test,
eyesight test, and either a Driving Test or HVCBA.
What are the requirements to obtain a Medium Rigid (MR) licence? Ans:
Must have a class C licence for 1 year or more, pass a knowledge test,
eyesight test, and either a Driving Test or HVCBA.
What are the requirements to obtain a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence? Ans:
Must have a class C licence for 2 years or more, pass a knowledge test,
eyesight test, and either a Driving Test or HVCBA.
What is the minimum test vehicle for a Heavy Rigid (HR) Driving Test?
Ans: A three axle rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 15 tonnes,
excluding bobtail prime mover.
What is the GVM limit for a towing trailer with a Heavy Rigid (HR)
licence? Ans: Up to 9 tonnes.
What is the GVM limit for a towing trailer with a Medium Rigid (MR)
licence? Ans: Up to 9 tonnes.
What is the GVM limit for a towing trailer with a Light Rigid (LR) licence?
Ans: Up to 9 tonnes.
What is the GVM limit for vehicles driven under a Light Rigid (LR) licence?
Ans: More than 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes.
What is the maximum GVM for vehicles driven under a Medium Rigid
(MR) licence? Ans: Over 8 tonnes.
What is the maximum GVM for vehicles driven under a Heavy Rigid (HR)
licence? Ans: Over 8 tonnes.
What is the maximum GVM for vehicles driven under a Multi-Combination
(MC) licence? Ans: No specific limit stated, but includes multi-
combination vehicles.
