Types of Truck Driving Licences
There are diverse types of driver's licence categories designed to cater for different personal and commercial requirements. If you are thinking about acquiring a truck driving licence, it is crucial for you to understand the available classes. This will help you identify and choose the right training for a career in the transport and logistics industry. You should note that driver's licence groupings and condition codes are unvarying regardless of your home state or territory in Australia. Here are the main types of truck driving classes to evaluate before signing up for training.
Light Rigid
As implied, this category is reserved for light rigid motor vehicles which include vans, small buses, trucks and special-use vehicles. The pertinent vehicle should have a gross vehicle mass which exceeds four and a half tonnes, but this weight should not surpass eight tonnes. You must have a standard Car C class to qualify for this training. This licence will allow you to drive all motor vehicles covered by the C class category and to tow trailers with your light rigid truck.
Medium Rigid
The medium rigid licence category encompasses motor vehicles which have a gross vehicle mass of more than eight tonnes. These can be trucks, tippers or even buses with two axles and you can tow light trailers with the vehicle. However, the trailer should not be a semi-trailer or have mass that exceeds nine tonnes. You must have a C class or light rigid licence to qualify for the training.
Heavy Rigid
Heavy rigid motor vehicles include standard buses, trucks, articulated buses and other heavy commercial vehicle. These must have gross vehicle mass which exceeds eight tonnes and they should have at least three axles. You can tow a trailer with this vehicle class after obtaining the licence. However, there are combination mass limits and restrictions which are imposed according to the Road Traffic Act 1961. You must hold a valid light rigid or medium rigid licence to qualify for the heavy rigid driver's training.
Heavy Combination
A heavy combination automotive refers to all articulated vehicles as well as rigid vehicles with an attached trailer. Ideally, these must have at least three axles and the total weight should exceed nine tonnes. You must hold a heavy or medium rigid category licence to qualify for a heavy combination driver's training. There is also a multi-combination driver's licence required when driving a combination vehicle with two or more trailers. You can drive any vehicle with this licence, but you must hold a heavy rigid or combination licence before training.
For more information on different truck licences and courses, talk with someone from a specialised driving school like Makene's Driving School.