The Medium Rigid course is conducted under Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) guidelines on a one on one basis. The Training and Assessment given in this situation will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills of driving a Medium Rigid Vehicle and eventually gain a Medium Rigid Licence. The training is customised to suit the requirements and needs of the client.

Types of medium rigid vehicles include:

• Two axle rigid trucks, not being a prime mover, above 8 tonnes GVM or
• A two-axle bus above 8 tonnes GVM.

Gross Vehicle Mass

• GVM greater than 8T
• Any towed trailer must not weigh greater than 9T GVM

Number of Passengers Including the Driver

• More than 12 Adults including the driver

Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA)

Under HVCBA you have to demonstrate that you can perform certain skills or criteria to an RMS-accredited RTO driving assessor. Your assessor records your performance in a log book and once you have successfully completed all the required criteria you can apply to upgrade your licence. When the licence Training and Assessment is undertaken in a truck/bus with a synchromesh gearbox which is like a car manual, or on an automatic you will get a condition “B” placed on your licence that only allows you to drive a synchromesh or automatic vehicle.

HVCBA Assessment While You Learn

You can learn to drive either with a licensed driving instructor or with an appropriate NSW licence holder. You can only be assessed by an accredited RTO assessor. All assessors are licensed driving instructors so they can assess and train you.

• A person who holds a provisional P1 licence is not eligible for a MR licence
• You must hold a current NSW driver licence to be eligible for HVCBA.
• HVCBA with an RMS-accredited RTO assessor is the primary method for obtaining a heavy vehicle licence in Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle regions.

Tiptronic Transmission Vehicles

• An automatic condition is issued to a person who passes their practical driving test in a heavy vehicle with Tiptronic transmission.
• The automatic condition applies whilst driving heavy vehicles only.

Synchromesh Transmission Vehicles

When upgrading from a car class to a heavy vehicle licence, the new licence is endorsed with a ‘B’ condition if the driving test is passed in a vehicle fitted with a synchromesh gear box. These licensees may only drive a heavy vehicle fitted synchromesh gear box. This condition applies to licence classes LR, MR, HR, HC and MC. It does not apply to licence class C.

Samples Of Assessment Criteria For A Medium Rigid Licence

• Ensure vehicle is loaded to 75% (NSW) 60% (ACT) of its capacity.
• Load restraint assessment using ropes, load binders (dogs) and chains, and ratchet/winch and straps.
• Ability to drain the test vehicle’s air tank (where fitted).
• Knowledge of the height of the vehicle’s load
• Ability to perform a pre-test safety check, ie tyres, wheels, wheel nuts, fluid and air leaks etc.
• Thorough knowledge of the test vehicle’s controls
• A comprehensive driving assessment
• The above are some of the components required to pass a driving assessment for this vehicle class

New South Wales

• Have held a class C licence, (except a learner licence) or equivalent for one year or more
• Pass a knowledge test (see this section on Knowledge tests).
  • It is a requirement of the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) of NSW, that prior to any HVCBA training & assessment commencing that you undertake a computer-based Knowledge Test at an RMS office. Once you have passed this test you will be issued with the following:
    • A Guide to Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment
      • The Guide outlines the requirements to pass the assessments as well as the tasks you need to perform to complete each criteria
    • A Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Learner’s Log Book
      • The logbook is the official record of your progress.
• Pass an eyesight test.
• Either pass an RMS driving test or undertake HVCBA.

Knowledge Test

The Computer Knowledge Test may be practiced anytime online at the RMS Website as a Standalone Test – Rigid Vehicle

The Heavy Vehicle driver Handbook can be viewed and downloaded from the RMS Website

Australian Capital Territory

• An applicant for this licence class must have held an Australian driver licence (including a provisional licence) of a class C for a period of at least 12 months.

• Applicants are required to undertake and pass a knowledge assessment for this class of licence

• The knowledge assessment comprises 35 computer-based questions with some mandatory questions and some general questions.
• Applicants can answer up to four (4) questions incorrectly in the general questions group and still pass the assessment.

• Applicants are required to have passed the knowledge assessment before attempting a practical driving assessment for the class they are seeking.

• To undertake a knowledge assessment, applicants must have a current ACT licence and attend one of the following locations

  • Road Ready Centre 72 Townsend Street Phillip (02) 6282 8990

  • Road Ready Centre Canberra Technology Park 47 Phillip Avenue Watson (02) 6162 5152

• A practical driving assessment is required for applicants wishing to obtain a driver licence for this class of licence (a driver licence will be issued appropriate to the class of vehicle in which the applicant passes his or her assessment):

• Display L Plates whilst being given instruction from an appropriately licenced driver

Victoria

You can apply for a MEDIUM RIGID (MR) licence when you have held a car driver licence for 12 months.

When you are learning to drive a truck or bus, you must always display DRIVER UNDER INSTRUCTION plates at the front and back of the vehicle.

These plates must meet the following requirements:

To get a heavy vehicle licence for the first time, you must produce your driver licence as evidence of identity and a secondary evidence document (e.g. a current Medicare Card, credit or account card issued by a bank, building society or credit union).

• An eyesight check where you will be required to read a standard eye chart
• A test of your road law knowledge based on information in the current edition of the Victorian bus and truck drivers’ handbook (note: if you already hold a bus or truck licence, a knowledge test is not necessary.)
• You must pass a driving test in a vehicle of the category of licence you require consisting of
  • An on-road driving assessment
  • An off-road skills assessment

• Once you have finished, you will be given a copy of your results.
• The assessment officer will also give you verbal feedback on your driving performance.
• If you pass your test with an accredited provider, you will be issued with a Vic Roads Certificate of Competence. You will need to take the certificate to your nearest Vic Roads Customer Service Centre to get your licence.