You can only drive vehicles in the categories shown on your driver licence and vehicles in lesser categories.
Compulsory carriage requirement
A heavy vehicle licence holder must carry their licence card or receipt at all times when driving or in charge of a:
- heavy vehicle
- bus
- light vehicle which is towing a heavy trailer
Zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
You must have a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at all times if you are the driving:
- a heavy vehicle, or
- a bus, or
- a light vehicle which is towing a heavy trailer
Work diaries
In accordance with National Heavy Vehicle Law drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles who drive 100km or more from their home base or operate under Basic Fatigue Management or Advanced Fatigue Management must complete a work diary to record their work and rest times.
To find out more information about Fatigue Management visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website (External link)
Heavy Vehicle licence holders can get a work diary from any VicRoads Customer Service Centre by paying a fee. You must apply in person and present current drivers licence. If you are applying for a replacement to an existing work diary, you must also present your current work diary.
For more information see Work diaries.
Transmission types
Synchromesh Transmission
When applying for a heavy vehicle licence, if you were tested in a vehicle fitted with a synchromesh transmission you will:
- have a synchromesh (B) condition placed on your licence, and
- only be permitted to drive a heavy vehicle with a synchromesh or an automatic transmission, and
- if you were a holder of a probationary driver licence with an automatic condition, the A condition will be removed and the synchromesh (B) condition will be applied to your licence.
If you already hold a Victorian, interstate or New Zealand heavy vehicle licence which does not have a B restriction, then a B restriction will not be imposed.
Removing Synchromesh Transmission restriction
If you wish to drive non-synchromesh vehicles (commonly known as crash boxes, constant-mesh or ‘Road Ranger’ gears) and hold a driver licence with a 'B' condition, you will have to be re-tested in a vehicle fitted with that type of transmission.
If you get your automatic bus and truck driver licence while you hold a manual car driver licence, the synchromesh (‘B’) condition will apply immediately.
Contact an accredited provider to book in your test to remove the B condition.