To drive a truck or bus that is greater than 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass, you need a heavy vehicle endorsement. 

Eligibility
To obtain a heavy vehicle endorsement you must be at least 18 years of age and hold a current Victorian driver licence for a minimum period of time. There are five categories of heavy vehicle endorsements. The category you are eligible for will depend on how long you have held your car driver licence and, for some categories, how long you have held a heavy vehicle endorsement in a lower category. To find out more about heavy vehicle categories and eligibility criteria, refer to Licence categories.


Tests
To get your heavy vehicle endorsement you need to undertake an eyesight test, heavy vehicle knowledge test and heavy vehicle driving test.


Study material
To prepare for your test you can buy the Victorian Bus and Truck Drivers handbook available from VicRoads Customer Service Centres, RACV offices and some newsagents and bookshops.


Make an appointment for your test and training
Call any Heavy Vehicle Test and Training Provider. VicRoads does not provide heavy vehicle testing and training or conduct Multi Combination driving tests or training.


Fees
Training and Tests - the fees for the heavy vehicle tests and training will vary according to the provider you attend.

A fee will apply to include the 'heavy vehicle endorsement' category to your licence, refer to driver licence and learner permit fees.


Evidence of Identity
On the day of your test you need to bring your driver licence as evidence of identity. If you do not have your driver licence, you need to bring original evidence of identity documents.

IMPORTANT: All drivers issued with a heavy vehicle licence must be included in the National Heavy Vehicle Drivers Licence Scheme. If you have not already been included in the scheme, when you attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to do your driving test or present a Certificate of Competence from an Accredited Heavy Vehicle Provider, you must bring one primary evidence and one secondary evidence of identity documents.


Forms
You will need to complete the Application for a Licence or Learner permit form.


Test vehicle
The test vehicle must be appropriate for the category of heavy vehicle endorsement you are seeking and have seatbelts for all occupants present during the assessment.

If you attend a Heavy Vehicle Training and Test Provider, you will not be required to supply a vehicle and accompanying driver.

Driving on a Heavy Vehicle Endorsement
After you get your heavy vehicle endorsement you can drive the vehicle under certain conditions and restrictions. 

• If you get your licence in a vehicle fitted with a synchromesh gearbox, your licence will show a B restriction. This means you can only drive a bus or truck with synchromesh or automatic transmission.
• If you get your licence in a vehicle fitted with non-synchromesh transmission (commonly known as Road Ranger, crash box or constent mesh), this means you can drive a bus or truck with any type of transmission.
• You must have a zero blood alcohol limit when driving any bus or any truck that exceeds 15 tonnes gross vehicle mass
• You must carry your licence at all times while driving any bus or any truck greater than 15 tonnes gross vehicle mass. This requirement does not apply if the vehicle is being used on a journey wholly within a 80 kilometre radius from the place of business or wherever the vehicle normally operates.