Heavy vehicle tests and assessments

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the tests needed for a heavy vehicle licence.
• You can explain the difference between a competency-based assessment and a driving test.
• You can describe the checks and manoeuvres assessors look for.
• You can prepare a suitable test vehicle.

What you need to know and understand

• In NSW you pass one Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test: rigid (for LR, MR or HR) or combination (for HC or MC).
• Most NSW applicants complete a Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) with a registered training organisation.
• The NSW heavy vehicle driving test is for people who cannot access the HVCBA; MC applicants must do the HVCBA.
• To pass the NSW driving test you need at least 95% with no fail items, and any unsafe or unlawful action is a fail.
• Testing in an automatic or synchromesh vehicle adds a licence condition limiting you to similar gearboxes.
• Queensland sets minimum MC training of 16 hours for HR holders and 8 hours for HC holders.

What the assessor watches

In the NSW driving test the testing officer marks a list of checks throughout the drive. Some are continuous, such as how you use the controls. Others are checked at set points.

• Braking to a stop line and keeping safe buffer zones around the vehicle
• Merging and entering traffic safely
• Mirror use, signalling and speed when turning
• Positioning the vehicle for turns with long or articulated bodies
• Coordinating gears and clutch smoothly

Checks and manoeuvres by class

• Pre-departure check: describe it for MR, HR and HC tests (not LR).
• Coupling and uncoupling: describe it for HC tests.
• Kerbside stop and reverse park: most classes, including HC.
• Long reverse: MR truck, MR bus, HR truck, HC bus and HC.
• Bus stop skills: MR and HR buses.
• U-turn (three-point turn): LR truck and LR bus.

Preparing the vehicle

These are NSW rules. Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT set their own vehicle and assessment requirements.

1. Use a registered, roadworthy vehicle of the correct type for the class.
2. Make sure the front passenger seat has a lap-sash seat belt for the tester (not needed for MR or HR buses).
3. For HR, use at least a three-axle rigid with a GVM over 15 tonnes, not a bobtail prime mover.
4. For HC, use at least a three-axle prime mover with a two-axle semi-trailer, or a heavy rigid with a trailer over 9 tonnes GVM.
5. Load trucks to at least 75% of the lowest of the legal mass limit or the vehicle's rating (buses excepted).
6. Do not use a vehicle carrying dangerous goods or livestock, or one with dual controls or a non-switchable dash cam.

Common mistakes

• Skipping mirror checks in turns. Long vehicles cut in, so watch the trailer and inside wheels.
• Rushing the pre-departure check description. Practise it out loud.
• Testing in an automatic and then expecting to drive a manual or constant mesh truck.
• Turning up with an empty or wrongly loaded truck.

Test yourself: Heavy vehicle tests and assessments

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.