The vehicle I want to drive
Rigid
Yes
(Bendi-Buses are
treated as rigid
vehicles)
Number of Axles
3 or more
GVM
GVM not more than
8 tonnes.
Any towed trailer
must not weigh more
than 9 tonnes GVM
HR vehicles can have 3 or more axles.
What you can drive
- A class MR vehicle
- A bus (more than 8t GVM with more than 2 axles) with or without a trailer of not more than 9t GVM
- A truck including a prime mover (more than 8t GVM with more than 2 axles) with or without a trailer of not more than 9t GVM
- An articulated bus
- A specially constructed vehicle, including a tractor(more than 8t GVM with more than 2 axles), with or without a trailer of not more than 9t GVM.
This course is designed for drivers who wish to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to obtain a Heavy Rigid (HR) Drivers Licence. It is ideal for those seeking work in the transport industry driving either a truck or a bus.
Participants will not only learn how to drive a Heavy Rigid vehicle, but also cover skills associated with driving Heavy Rigid vehicles in a safe, professional manner.
Participants do not require previous heavy vehicle driving experience. Pass the practical driving test (Note:. if you pass the practical driving test, your current licence will be reissued free of charge showing the new class)
A HR Licence is the highest class of licence you can obtain from a car licence.
HR Licence Conditions:
- Heavy Rigid Unconditional / Open: Can drive any Heavy Rigid Truck – Automatic, synchromesh and non synchromesh gearboxes i.e. crash box or road ranger.
Training Information
Driving lessons per hour.
How many lessons will be required?
It varies from person to person, but as a rough guide
- 2-4 hours: experienced truck drivers with significant crash-box experience
- 4-6 hours: experienced truck drivers with an some crash-box experience
- 6-8 hours: some truck driving experience and some experience at double-clutching
- 8 + hours: people with no truck driving experience and who may need that extra time to undergo training towards driving skill that will pass a Q-Safe driving test.
Double-Clutching
Double-clutching (also called a double declutching) is a driving procedure primarily used for vehicles with an unsynchronized manual transmission.
The double clutching technique involves the following steps:
- The throttle (accelerator) is released, the clutch pedal is pressed, and the gearbox is shifted into neutral.
- The clutch pedal is then released, the driver matches the engine RPM to the gear RPM either using the throttle (accelerator) (when changing down) or waiting for RPM to decrease (when changing up) until they are at a level suitable for shifting into the next gear.
- At the moment when the revs between engine and gear are closely matched, the driver then instantly presses the clutch again to shift into the next gear. The whole maneuver can, with practice, take no more than a fraction of a second, and the result is a very smooth gear change.
- If you have not changed gears using this technique prior to training, do not be alarmed. We have trained many people from scratch who have successfully passed a driving test and gone on to work in the transport industry driving either a truck or a bus.
Entry Requirements
- Participants must hold a current Queensland Car Licence
- Have held a car licence for at least 24 months
- Provide primary proof of identification
- Be able to drive a car with manual transmission
- Pay the Practical Driving Test fee
- Complete the Queensland Transport Road Rules test
- Wear appropriate clothing, including fully enclosed shoes or runners.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed on the following key elements of driving a heavy vehicle:
- Pre-drive checks
- Manoeuvres – reversing exercise (left and/or right)
- Gear changing
- Hill start
- Specific driving situations
- Vehicle operation skills
- Hazard recognition and decision making skills
Ready to take the next step?
How do I get a heavy vehicle learner’s permit?
Heavy Vehicle Learners Questions to be undertaken at Department of Transport and Main Roads prior to practical driving test at a cost of $20.80. This fee is paid direct to Department of Transport and Main Roads. You can practice the questions on the internet but you physically have to go to a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre and answer 10 multiple choice questions.
How do I study for the learner’s permit?
Click the LICENSING link at www.tmr.qld.gov.au and follow the links to the practice heavy vehicle questions. You can also buy a book to study if you do not use the internet from Queensland Transport and Main Roads customer service centre.
What is the test day procedure?
- Meet a trainer at (Queensland Transport– unless otherwise arranged) for a one hour warm up session before the assessment. Bring your licence
- It is a requirement to arrive at the Test Centre 20 minutes before test time
- Hand in completed yellow application form and driver’s licence at Transport Department
- Read “A Message from your Driving Examiner”
- Go out on test with examiner
- While on the driving test the examiner is required to give clear and early directions. At times examiners will chat with you, and other times they may remain quite. Don’t allow nerves or the examiner’s personality put you off the task at hand which is to drive safely and obtain your licence
- When the test is completed the examiner will discuss errors with you and then inform you if the test was a pass or a fail
- If you pass, you will receive a new licence from the customer service centre when the paper work has been completed (usually 10-15 min)
- If you fail, then another practical test will need to be done
- Make sure you have paid any outstanding driving fines.
Ready to take the next step?
What is the test day procedure?
- Meet a trainer at (Queensland Transport– unless otherwise arranged) for a one hour warm up session before the assessment. Bring your licence
- It is a requirement to arrive at the Test Centre 20 minutes before test time
- Hand in completed yellow application form and driver’s licence at Transport Department
- Read “A Message from your Driving Examiner”
- Go out on test with examiner
- While on the driving test the examiner is required to give clear and early directions. At times examiners will chat with you, and other times they may remain quite. Don’t allow nerves or the examiner’s personality put you off the task at hand which is to drive safely and obtain your licence
- When the test is completed the examiner will discuss errors with you and then inform you if the test was a pass or a fail
- If you pass, you will receive a new licence from the customer service centre when the paper work has been completed (usually 10-15 min)
- If you fail, then another practical test will need to be done
- Make sure you have paid any outstanding driving fines.
How long will the test go for?
The on-road driving test times for the HR vehicle licence classes are:
- HR 60 to 70 minutes
Vehicle Type
Lessons are conducted in a Scania P 420. The truck has a 12 speed manual gear box. The vehicle is air conditioned. People often find if they are graduating from a car licence to a truck licence that these are good trucks to learn in.
I wish to book, what do I do next?
Contact Brisbane Driving School on 1300 752 524 or by email info@brisbanedrivingschool.com.au to discuss your training needs.
Ready to take the next step?
