Important heavy vehicle licensing changes have been introduced in South Australia. Learn more.
To get a heavy vehicle licence you need to hold a current class C (car) driver's licence, and meet the minimum driving experience for the licence class you're after.
Heavy vehicle licence classes
There are 5 heavy vehicle driver's licence classes:
- LR Light Rigid
- MR Medium Rigid
- HR Heavy Rigid
- HC Heavy Combination
- MC Multi Combination.
Each class has minimum requirements you must meet to upgrade your licence.
For example - if you're upgrading to a class HR licence, you must have held a class C licence for at least 2 years or a class LR or MR for at least one year.
Driving experience required for each class
Find out below what the minimum driving experience requirements are for the vehicle you want to drive.
To find out more about the licence class, for example what type of vehicle you can drive and tow on the class - visit the licence classes page.
| Licence class | Minimum driving experience required |
|---|---|
| LR | Must have held a class C for at least one year |
| MR | Must have held a class C for at least one year |
| HR | Must have held a class C for at least 2 years or a class LR or MR for at least one year |
| HC | Must have held a class MR or HR at least one year |
| MC | Must have held a class HR or HC for at least one year |
I meet the minimum driving experience requirements
To upgrade your licence class, you will need to undertake a vehicle on road test. The type of assessment required will depend on the licence class you're after. Find out more below.
In the meantime, to build up your experience, you may drive a heavy vehicle under learner's permit conditions and laws, as long as your licence is current.
However, depending on your current licence class, you may not need to be issued a learner's permit to drive under learner's permit conditions. Contact Service SA for more information.
If you don't meet the minimum requirements, there are other options to get a heavy vehicle licence.
Get a LR or MR licence
To get an LR or MR licence, you can choose to pass either:
- a practical driving test - a vehicle-on-road test or Vehicle on Roads Test (VORT)
- a competency-based training course (CBT) with an authorised driving instructor.
You can download trainee information here:
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have held a class C licence for at least one year.
How to apply
Once you have passed the VORT or CBT course, you will be issued a certificate of competency. Present this with your driver's licence to a Service SA centre to have your licence upgraded. A $20 replacement licence fee will apply.
What happens next
When you pay, you'll be given a receipt and your temporary licence.
If you use the mySAGOV app, the new licence class will be displayed on your digital licence immediately.
You should receive your new licence card in the post within 3 weeks.
If you don't receive the licence card within 3 weeks phone Service SA on 13 10 84. If you don't contact Service SA within 30 days, you may need to pay a replacement fee again.
Get a HR licence
To get an HR licence, you can choose to pass either:
- a practical driving test - a vehicle-on-road test or Vehicle on Roads Test (VORT)
- a competency-based training course (CBT) with an authorised driving instructor.
You can download trainee information here:
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 19 years of age
- have held a class C licence for at least 2 years or a class LR or MR for at least one year.
If you don't meet these minimum requirements, there are other options to get a heavy vehicle licence.
How to apply
Once you have passed the VORT or CBT course, you will be issued a certificate of competency. Present this with your driver's licence to a Service SA centre to have your licence upgraded. A $20 replacement licence fee will apply.
What happens next
When you pay, you'll be given a receipt and your temporary licence.
If you use the mySAGOV app, the new licence class will be displayed on your digital licence immediately.
You should receive your new licence card in the post within 3 weeks.
If you don't receive the licence card within 3 weeks phone Service SA on 13 10 84. If you don't contact Service SA within 30 days, you may need to pay a replacement fee again.
Get a HC licence
To get an HC licence, you'll need to pass a competency-based training course (CBT) with an authorised driving instructor.
You can download trainee information here:
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 19 years of age
- have held a class MR or HR licence for at least one year.
If you don't meet these minimum requirements, there are other options to get a heavy vehicle licence.
How to apply
Once you have passed the VORT or CBT course, you will be issued a certificate of competency. Present this with your driver's licence to a Service SA centre to have your licence upgraded. A $20 replacement licence fee will apply.
What happens next
When you pay, you'll be given a receipt and your temporary licence.
If you use the mySAGOV app, the new licence class will be displayed on your digital licence immediately.
You should receive your new licence card in the post within 3 weeks.
If you don't receive the licence card within 3 weeks phone Service SA on 13 10 84. If you don't contact Service SA within 30 days, you may need to pay a replacement fee again.
Get a MC licence
To get an MC licence, you will need to pass a competency-based training course (CBT) with an authorised driving instructor in a B-double vehicle.
You can download trainee information here:
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 20 years of age
- have held a class HR or HC for at least one year.
How to apply
Once you have passed the CBT course, you will be issued a certificate of competency. Present this with your driver's licence to a Service SA centre to have your licence upgraded. A $20 replacement licence fee will apply.
What happens next
When you pay, you'll be given a receipt and your temporary licence.
If you use the mySAGOV app, the new licence class will be displayed on your digital licence immediately.
You should receive your new licence card in the post within 3 weeks.
If you don't receive the licence card within 3 weeks phone Service SA on 13 10 84. If you don't contact Service SA within 30 days, you may need to pay a replacement fee again.
Options if you don't meet the minimum driving experience
The MC Licence Program gives heavy vehicle drivers who don't have the minimum driving experience a way to get their MC licence.
To apply for the program, take your completed application form to a Service SA Centre.
Application to participate in the MC License Program - MR1703 (289.5 KB PDF)
Heavy vehicle drivers will complete a structured learning program with their employer’s support.
Drivers can follow the current minimum driving experience pathway if they don't want to complete the new MC Licence Program. To get a MC Licence under the current minimum driving experience pathway, drivers must hold a HC or HR licence for at least 12 months.
I don't meet the minimum driving experience requirements
You may still be able to get a heavy vehicle licence by either:
- passing a training in lieu of experience (TILE) course available for class HC
- applying for an exemption to get a restricted licence available for classes HR and HC in special circumstances, such as employment in farming or transporting produce
- applying for a restricted licence to operate a heavy special purpose vehicle, such as heavy tractors, farm machinery and forklifts.
Complete the TILE course to get a HC licence
To get a HC class licence, you can undertake an approved training in lieu of experience (TILE) course and undertake the CBT component of the course in SA.
Find accredited TILE course providers
You can download trainee information here:
For more information, phone 13 10 84 or visit a Service SA centre.
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 19 years of age
- have held a class C licence for at least 2 years (time spent on a provisional licence counts towards this minimum period).
How to apply
Complete the first 2 components of the TILE course. Before the in-vehicle training can begin, you'll need to apply for a learner's permit.
Present your TILE certificate with modules one and 2 signed off and your driver's licence to a Service SA centre to be issued with a HC learner's permit. A $46 learner's permit fee will apply. The learner's permit will be issued for 12 months which allows you to complete module 2 of the course (practical driving component).
Once you have completed all modules of the course, your certificate will be signed off and you'll be issued a certificate of competency. Present this with your driver's licence and HC learner's permit to a Service SA centre to have your licence upgraded. A $20 replacement licence fee will apply.
What happens next
When you pay, you'll be given a receipt and your temporary licence.
If you use the mySAGOV app, the new licence class will be displayed on your digital licence immediately.
You should receive your new licence card in the post within 3 weeks.
If you don't receive the licence card within 3 weeks phone Service SA on 13 10 84. If you don't contact Service SA within 30 days, you may need to pay a replacement fee again.
Complete MC Competency Based Training Course
Accredited MC Competency Based Training Course
List of accredited providers that deliver the course:
Accredited training provider | Contact |
Adelaide Truck Training Centre, Regency Park | Phone: 8244 4374 |
Australian Workplace Training, Elizabeth | Phone: 8944 2999 |
Courtesy Driving School, Wingfield | Phone: 8345 4911 |
G & L Heavy Vehicle Driving Centre | Phone: 8359 0099 |
Logging Investigation and Training Association (LITA), Mount Gambier | Phone: 8725 6082 |
Regional Transport Training Services, Nuriootpa | Phone: 8562 2258 |
Get a restricted HR or HC licence as a primary producer, immediate family member or employee of a primary producer
An exemption from the minimum driving experience requirements for the issue of a class HR or HC licence may be granted to a primary producer, immediate family member or employee of the primary producer, who requires a heavy vehicle licence class to assist in the running of a farm - eg transport of produce to a silo.
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have held a class C licence for at least 12 months.
How to apply
A restricted licence application form must be completed and signed by both the applicant and the primary producer. If the primary producer is the applicant there is no need to sign as both.
Restricted licence application (268.3 KB PDF).
The following information must be included on the application form:
- the applicant's name, address, date of birth and relationship to the primary producer operating the property
- the name and address of the primary producer who operates the farming property and the location of the property
- the nature of the agricultural or horticultural pursuits in which the applicant will be engaged
- the details of the truck or truck and trailer that the applicant will be required to drive - ie number of axles, gross vehicle mass and gross combination mass.
These applications must be submitted at a Service SA centre.
What happens next
If your application is accepted you will be issued a restricted learner's permit for class HR or HC.
You will then be required to undertake a practical assessment in the class of vehicle you are applying for. This test must be conducted by an authorised or accredited instructor.
Note: for the issue of a class HC licence you must complete the Competency Based Training and Assessment method.
Once you have successfully completed your practical driving test go to a Service SA centre to have your driver's licence issued with the new restricted class.
A $20 fee will apply for a replacement licence.
The licence class will be restricted for the first 12 months and will only allow you to drive HR or HC class vehicles for the purpose required - ie transporting produce to a silo and only within South Australia.
Removing a restriction
Once the holder of a restricted licence has held the licence for 12 months, the applicant may apply to have the restriction removed.
If the original HR or HC practical driving test was conducted by a safety education officer or an authorised or accredited instructor, the applicant can apply to have the restriction removed after 12 months without the need to undertake a further practical driving test. The applicant is then issued with an unrestricted HR or HC licence class.
More information on heavy vehicle licences can be found on the mylicence website.
Get a restricted LR, MR, HR or HC licence for worksite purposes
An exemption from the minimum driving experience or practical driving test requirements for the issue of a class LR, MR, HR or HC licence may be granted to applicants, who for employment reasons, are required to operate heavy vehicles on roads within a specific work site or industrial area and do not hold the appropriate class of licence.
Who can apply
You must either be:
- at least 18 years of age and have held a class C licence for at least 12 months for the issue of a restricted class LR, MR or HR
- at least 19 years of age and have held a C licence for at least 2 years for the issue of a HC licence.
How to apply
A restricted licence application form must be completed and signed by both the applicant and their employer.
Restricted licence application (268.3 KB PDF).
The following information will need to be included in the application:
- the applicant's name, address, date of birth and licence number
- indicate that they require a worksite licence for use on road related areas
- the name and address of the applicant's employer (the person who owns or manages the worksite) and the location of the worksite
- confirmation the applicant has been trained and deemed qualified to operate the nominated vehicles
- a signed declaration from the employer confirming the applicant's employment
- the address and description of the worksite in which the vehicles will be used
- the details of the truck or truck and trailer combinations that the applicant will be required to drive - ie number of axles and gross vehicle mass and gross combination mass.
These applications may be submitted at a Service SA centre.
What happens next
If your application is approved you will be issued a new licence with a restriction added to it, allowing you to operate these vehicles within a particular worksite or industrial area.
Your class of licence however will not change unless you complete a practical driving test for that class of licence.
A $20 fee will apply for a replacement licence.
Removing a restriction
A restricted heavy vehicle licence for worksite purposes cannot be upgraded to an unrestricted class of licence unless the person passes a practical driving test for that class licence.
Get a restricted licence to operate a heavy special purpose vehicle
If you have a class C (car) driver's licence you can operate small special purpose vehicles such as farm machines, small tractors and forklifts with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) not greater than 4.5 tonnes without a restricted licence.
Special purpose vehicles with a GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes require a person to hold a class of licence higher than C class, with the class being dependent on the GVM of the special purpose vehicle and its number of axles.
If you intend to operate a forklift – irrespective of GVM – you will also need a licence to perform high risk work from Safework SA.
If you don't have the necessary class of licence and do not meet the minimum driving experience requirements, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted licence.
Who can apply
You must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- hold a class C licence (a provisional licence is acceptable).
A restricted licence may be granted to:
- a primary producer, immediate family member or employee of the primary producer, who is required to drive a heavy purpose vehicle over 4.5 tonnes to assist in the running of a farm - eg transport of produce to a silo
- an employee of a business, company or organisation who is required to drive heavy special purpose vehicles in the course of employment, such as:
- operating special purpose vehicles for other types of primary production like aquaculture - ie fishing or oyster farming
- operating fire trucks within an industrial complex or area
- operating heavy tractors and farm machinery for a dealership or service repairer
- operating heavy forklifts (evidence of a high risk work licence will be required)
- operating road maintenance and construction machinery.
How to apply
Download the application for a restricted licence form. It must be completed and signed by both you and the primary producer or employer and presented at your nearest Service SA centre.
The application will need to include information on:
- the types of special purpose vehicles required to be driven
- the nature of operation - ie farm, mine site or industrial complex
- whether the vehicles will be driven on the road network
- confirmation that the applicant has been trained and deemed qualified to operate the vehicles.
Restricted licence application (127.0 KB PDF).
What happens next
If your application is approved you will be issued a new licence with a restriction added to it, allowing you to operate these vehicles.
A $20 fee will apply for a replacement licence.
Your class of licence however will not change unless you complete a practical driving test for that class of licence.
