Thinking about getting your truck licence in QLD but not sure where to start? Queensland has five heavy vehicle licence classes, and the one you need depends on the size of the truck, how many axles it has and whether it tows a heavy trailer.
In this guide, we’ll break down the QLD truck licence classes so you can understand: what each licence lets you drive, who’s eligible, and the fastest way to move up. If you’re in Brisbane and ready to start, our Mansfield depot has been helping local drivers get licensed since 2014.
Truck licence classes in QLD at a glance
Every heavy vehicle licence in Queensland builds on the one below it. Your licence shows your highest class, and you can drive any vehicle in the lower classes too. Here’s a quick visual on how to break this down:
| Licence Class |
What You Can Drive |
Minimum licence held before upgrading |
| LR – Light Rigid |
Trucks or buses over 4.5t and up to 8t GVM, plus a trailer up to 9t GVM |
Car (C) licence for 1 year |
| MR – Medium Rigid |
Trucks or buses over 8t GVM with a maximum of 2 axles, plus a trailer up to 9t GVM |
Car (C) licence for 1 year |
| HR – Heavy Rigid |
Trucks or buses over 8t GVM with 3 or more axles, articulated buses, plus a trailer up to 9t GVM |
Car (C) licence for 2 years, or LR/MR for 1 year |
| HC – Heavy Combination |
Prime movers with a semi-trailer, or rigid trucks towing a trailer over 9t GVM |
MR or HR licence for 1 year |
| MC – Multi-Combination |
B-doubles and road trains |
HR or HC licence for 1 year |
1. LR licence QLD (Light Rigid)
An LR licence in QLD is the first step up from a car licence. It covers trucks and buses with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) over 4.5 tonnes and up to 8 tonnes, which includes minibuses, small delivery trucks and light rigid tippers.
You’re eligible once you’ve held your car licence for 12 months. Our Light Rigid (LR) Test package includes 2 hours of training plus your TMR test booking.
2. MR licence (Medium Rigid)
An MR licence lets you drive two-axle trucks and buses over 8 tonnes GVM. It’s the licence most local delivery, courier and small tipper jobs ask for, and it’s also eligible after 12 months on a car licence.
Most drivers go straight to MR rather than stopping at LR, because it covers everything in the LR class as well. Want to know how to get an MR licence in QLD? Our Medium Rigid (MR) Test package includes 3 hours of training and your TMR test booking. For a deeper look, read our guide to obtaining an MR licence and the types of jobs an MR licence can get you in Brisbane.
3. HR licence (Heavy Rigid): what can you drive?
So, what can you drive with an HR licence in QLD? An HR licence covers rigid trucks and buses over 8 tonnes GVM with three or more axles, plus articulated buses. That opens up tippers, concrete agitators, waste trucks, crane trucks and city buses.
There are two paths to getting an HR licence in QLD:
-
- Hold a car licence for 2 years, then go straight to HR.
- Hold an LR or MR licence for 1 year, then upgrade to HR.
You can train in an automatic or a Road Ranger (manual) truck. Our Heavy Rigid (HR) Test packages cover both, with both TMR tests booked for you. See the jobs an HR licence opens up in Brisbane.
4. What is a HC licence? (Heavy Combination)
A heavy combination licence, or HC licence, lets you drive a prime mover towing a semi-trailer, or a rigid truck towing a trailer over 9 tonnes GVM. It’s the licence for semi-trailer freight work and most interstate linehaul entry roles.
To apply, you need to have held an MR or HR licence for at least 12 months. Our Heavy Combination (HC) Test package includes 5 hours of one-on-one training, with your TMR test booked and paid for.
5. MC licence (Multi-Combination)
The MC licence is the top class, covering B-doubles and road trains. TMR doesn’t run a practical test for MC. Instead, you complete the TLIC4006 unit (Drive Multi-combination Vehicle) through an approved provider after holding an HR or HC licence for 12 months.
How to upgrade your truck licence in QLD
The process is the same for LR, MR, HR and HC:
- Check you’ve held your current licence for the minimum period in the table above, within the last 5 years.
- Train with a heavy vehicle driving school. You can learn on L plates with a supervisor who has held an open licence in that class for at least 1 year.
- Book and pass the TMR practical driving test, plus the road rules test if required.
- Declare you’re medically fit to drive the higher class. A medical certificate may be needed.
- TMR re-issues your licence in the new class. Heavy vehicle licences are magenta and arrive in the mail within 21 days.
At Great Heavy, we take care of the TMR test booking as part of every truck licence package, so you can just focus on the driving.
Which truck licence is right for you?
- Starting out and want local driving work? MR is the most flexible starting point.
- Want tipper, agitator, waste or bus work? Go for HR. If you’ve held your car licence for 2 years, you can go straight there.
- Want semi-trailer or long-distance freight? You’ll need an HC, which means an MR or HR first.
- Already driving trucks and want to move up? Check how long you’ve held your current class, then book your upgrade.
New to the industry? Our guide to your first year as a beginner truckie covers what to expect once you’re licensed.
FAQs about truck licences in QLD
What is the easiest truck licence to get in QLD?
The LR and MR licences are the easiest entry points. Both only need 12 months on a car licence and a single practical test.
Can I go straight from a car licence to an HR licence?
Yes, if you’ve held your car licence for at least 2 years. Otherwise, you’ll need an LR or MR licence for 12 months first.
How long does it take to get a truck licence?
Training takes a few hours per class, depending on the licence and your experience. The main wait is usually the TMR test date.
Do I need a separate licence for a forklift or machinery?
Yes. Forklifts and some machinery need a high risk work licence or a Statement of Attainment, not a driver licence class. See our forklift courses and machinery courses.
Get your truck licence in Brisbane with Great Heavy
Whether it’s your first truck licence in QLD or your next upgrade, Great Heavy Driving School offers one-on-one training and handles your TMR test booking at our Mansfield depot. Compare our truck licence packages or request a callback and our team will help you choose the right class.