How do I get a heavy vehicle licence?
You'll need a Victorian heavy vehicle licence to drive a vehicle with a gross mass of more than 4.5 tonnes.
To get your heavy vehicle licence you’ll need to:
- Check you’re eligible.
- Learn how to drive a heavy vehicle.
- Pass an assessment.
Can I get a heavy vehicle licence?
To be eligible for this licence type, you must:
- hold a current Victorian driver licence or have held an Australian driver licence (this includes probationary P1 or P2 for the minimum period, depending on the category applied for*)
- pass an eyesight test
- pass a heavy vehicle knowledge test
- pass an on-road heavy vehicle driving assessment
- pass an off-road heavy vehicle skills assessment
- complete a formal training course (heavy combination and multi-combination applicants only)
- meet national medical standards for private and commercial vehicle drivers (make sure you don’t have any active sanctions with Fines Victoria when you take the assessment)
- pay the licence variation fee.
- Start by reading the Victorian Bus and Truck Drivers’ Handbook.
- Get professional training from a driving school, training provider, or your employer. If you know a person with a current heavy vehicle licence, they may be able to help with your training.
- When learning, you must show “Driver Under Instruction” plates at the front and back of the vehicle.
The bus industry has its own system for training bus drivers. If you drive trucks and want to drive a bus, the company that employs you will let you know if you need special training.
To drive a commercial or local bus, you'll need a Commercial Passenger Vehicle and Bus Driver Accreditation. To learn more about the accreditation, visit Safe Transport Victoria.
Book a heavy vehicle assessment
To do your assessment:
- Find an approved assessment provider and book your assessment.
- Pay the assessment fees directly to the provider.
- Take the test.
- The provider will upload your score and information to our partner portal.
When you book, you’re obligated to tell the accredited provider if you:
- are currently or have ever been disqualified from driving in Australia
- are currently subject to a Fines Victoria sanction
- have ever had your driver licence or learner permit cancelled or suspended
- wear corrective lenses, a hearing aid, have a medical condition(s) or physical disability that may affect you driving
- are taking any prescription medicine.
If you pass, you’ll:
- get a temporary paper licence on the same day
- get your new licence card with heavy vehicle endorsement in the mail within 7-10 working days.
If your existing photo is over 5 years old, you may need to visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to get a new photo for your licence. Your provider will let you know if you need a new photo.
To learn more, see Heavy vehicle licence assessment at the Transport Victoria website.
When you’ve got your new licence
Once you have your licence, you’ll need to follow all the applicable conditions and restrictions.
This includes keeping work diaries or logbooks. You can buy your work diaries from a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
For more information see Heavy vehicle licences on the Transport Victoria website.
*If your licence has been suspended or you’ve been disqualified from driving, that period will be removed from your minimum. Learn more about minimum holding periods and apply for an exemption on Transport Victoria.