An MR licence qualifies you for local freight and courier work, two-axle tippers, smaller waste trucks, tow trucks, removals and route buses across Brisbane. Great Heavy Driving School has trained heavy vehicle drivers at its Mansfield depot since 2014, with over 2,000 passes, and MR opens the widest range of local driving work for the shortest wait.
What an MR licence covers in Queensland
A Medium Rigid (MR) licence is a driver licence class issued by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). It covers a truck or bus over 8 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) with no more than two axles, and lets you tow a trailer up to 9 tonnes GVM.
The line that matters is axle count, not weight. There is no upper weight limit on MR. A two-axle truck at 12 tonnes is an MR vehicle, while a three-axle truck at the same weight needs a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence.
MR also includes everything a Light Rigid (LR) and a car licence already allow. And the wait is the same as an LR: 12 months on a car licence, with provisional time counting. That combination is why so many local driving jobs list MR as the minimum.
The jobs an MR licence opens up
Most of the trucks working Brisbane's suburbs during the day are two-axle rigids. If you see one making deliveries in Sunnybank or Chermside, there's a good chance an MR licence is what's needed to drive it. Check the compliance plate and count the axles on any truck you're offered work in.
Local freight and courier work
Pantechs, curtainsiders and refrigerated trucks on metro delivery runs are the core of MR work. These roles usually involve multiple drops a day, so they suit drivers who want to be home at night.
Freight depots often hire MR drivers who can also load their own truck, which is where a forklift licence becomes useful (more on that below).
Trade and supply deliveries
Building suppliers, landscaping yards and hardware outlets run two-axle trucks for site and residential deliveries. That includes smaller tippers delivering soil, mulch, sand and gravel, and tray trucks carrying timber, steel or plumbing supplies.
Site deliveries mean working around construction zones and tight residential streets. Reversing and clearance judgement count for a lot here.
Waste and recycling collection
Some waste, recycling and skip bin trucks sit within MR, particularly smaller two-axle units used for commercial and residential runs. Larger three-axle compactors need an HR, so check the vehicle before you apply.
Tow trucks and vehicle recovery
Tilt-tray and tow trucks over 8 tonnes GVM commonly fall under MR. Towing work can carry its own industry requirements on top of your licence, so confirm with the operator what they need before you start.
Removals
Furniture removal trucks are often two-axle rigids over 8 tonnes. Removals work is physical, and it rewards drivers who are confident manoeuvring a long body into driveways and loading zones.
Buses and passenger transport
An MR covers buses built to carry more than 12 adults including the driver. Carrying passengers commercially can require a driver authorisation from TMR on top of the licence, so check what your employer needs before you book.
Condition A vs Condition B: how your test vehicle shapes your job options
The transmission in the truck you sit your practical test in decides what you can drive afterwards. This is the part of the MR that most directly affects which jobs you can take.
- Automatic test: TMR adds an automatic (A) condition. You can only drive automatic MR vehicles.
- Synchromesh manual test: you may carry a synchromesh (B) condition. You can drive synchromesh manuals, but not a constant-mesh, Road Ranger style gearbox.
- Test in a vehicle with no gearbox restriction: no condition at all.
Many newer metro delivery trucks are automatic, so an A condition can be enough for some roles. But if a freight, tipper or removals fleet still runs manual trucks, an A condition rules you out of driving them.
Removing a condition later means passing another practical test. Tell us at booking what you expect to drive at work, and we'll recommend which vehicle you should test in.
Tickets that pair well with an MR
Adding one or two tickets alongside your licence can make you a more useful hire, particularly for freight and site delivery roles.
- Forklift licence: Depot and warehouse-based driving jobs often ask drivers to load and unload their own trucks. A forklift licence is a High Risk Work Licence (LF class) issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).
- White Card (CPCWHS1001): Delivering to construction sites usually means you need a White Card to go on site.
- Basic Fatigue Management (BFM): Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), fatigue rules apply to trucks over 12 tonnes GVM. Because MR has no upper weight limit, some MR trucks fall into that category. BFM training (TLIF0005) is recognised by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
Where an MR leads: the shortest route to HC
MR isn't just a job licence. It's also the fastest legitimate path from a car licence to a semi-trailer.
After holding your MR for 12 months, you can upgrade straight to a Heavy Combination (HC) licence without sitting an HR test. That's 12 months to MR and another 12 months to HC. Going for HR first means waiting two years on your car licence before you can even start.
If you'd rather move into three-axle rigids like concrete agitators or larger tippers, MR also upgrades to HR after 12 months.
Training for your MR licence in Brisbane
The MR Full Package at our Mansfield depot includes three hours of practical training in our truck, and we book both of your TMR tests for you: the road rules knowledge test and the practical driving test.
Training covers vehicle checks, controls, road positioning, turning and clearances, reversing, mirror use and managing the length of the vehicle. Most people who book have never driven anything bigger than a ute, and there's no pressure to sit the test before you're ready.
Our depot is easy to reach from across Brisbane, including Logan, Carindale, Mt Gravatt and the Redlands. We're open seven days, 7am to 5pm.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an MR licence with a provisional car licence?
Yes. You need a valid Australian car (class C) licence held for at least 12 months, and provisional time counts. The 12 months must fall within the last five years and doesn't have to be continuous, but time spent suspended, cancelled or expired isn't counted.
Can I drive a tipper with an MR licence?
Yes, if the tipper has two axles. MR has no upper weight limit, so a two-axle tipper over 8 tonnes GVM is an MR vehicle. A tipper with three or more axles needs an HR licence. Always count the axles on the specific truck you'll be driving.
Does an automatic MR limit my job options?
It can. An automatic (A) condition means you can only drive automatic MR vehicles. Plenty of metro delivery trucks are automatic, but if an employer's fleet includes manual trucks, you won't be able to drive them. Removing the condition later requires another practical test.
Should I get an MR or an HR licence?
It depends on the trucks you'll drive. HR is needed for three or more axles, but requires two years on your car licence. MR needs only 12 months and leads to HC after another 12 months. If two-axle work or a semi-trailer is your goal, MR is usually the faster route.
Do I need previous truck driving experience?
No. Most people who book an MR have never driven a truck before. Training starts with vehicle familiarisation and basic control before moving onto the road, and you can add extra hours if you want more time before your practical test.
Can I drive a bus for work with an MR licence?
The licence class covers buses built to carry more than 12 adults including the driver. Carrying passengers commercially can require a driver authorisation from TMR as well, so check your employer's requirements before you book your training.
Book your MR licence training
If local freight, trade deliveries or a pathway to HC is where you want to head, an MR licence is the place to start. Great Heavy has been training heavy vehicle drivers in Brisbane since 2014, and we'll check your eligibility and recommend the right test vehicle before you pay for anything. Book your MR licence training or see our current pricing.