A HR (Heavy Rigid) Licence is the highest class of truck licence you can obtain from holding a car licence. You must hold a car (Open or P class) or higher drivers licence class for at least 24 months to be eligible for a HR licence (12 months for MR (Medium Rigid).
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| What Can I Drive? | Rigid | Number Of Axles | GVM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 3 or more | GVM greater than 8T. Any towed trailer must not weigh greater than 9T GVM. |
HR Licence Conditions
There are 3 types of Heavy Rigid Licence – these are different because of their conditions (gearbox restrictions).
Heavy Rigid Unconditional
No restrictions on gearbox – can drive any HR vehicle with an Automatic, synchromesh or non synchromesh gearbox i.e. double clutching technique.
Heavy Rigid Condition B (HRB)
Can drive HR vehicle with a Manual (synchromesh) or Automatic gearbox.
Heavy Rigid Condition A (HRA)
Can drive HR vehicle with Automatic gearbox only.
What can I drive with a HR drivers licence?
A HR vehicle is a bus or truck (including a prime mover or mobile crane) with over 8 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) with 3 or more axles.
The HR Unconditional Licence (no gearbox conditions) will give you the broadest range of employment prospects as you can drive any HR vehicle (road rangers, manual and automatic gearboxes).Another benefit to holding this licence is that it’salso easier to upgrade to an HC or MC Licence in the future if you already hold an Unconditionalheavy rigidtrucklicence.
However, theHRCondition B is also good entry-level trucklicencefor those seeking employment in the road transport industry. It’s a relatively inexpensive licence to obtain with lots of job opportunities on offer as a lot of modern trucks and heavy vehicles are no longer using crash gearboxes. You would choose this option if you want to drive trucks or buses/coaches for a living and do not want or need to use a road ranger gearbox. You can easily upgrade from this licence at a later date if you need to.
Read More
If you’re looking for employment in the mines, a HR driving licence may be a minimum requirement, however, if you drive dump trucks (all automatic gearboxes), a HR Condition A or B Licence will cover you. As other roles may require a HR Unconditional Licence, we recommend that you research the job roles you’re interested in to see which truck licences are required before you enrol in HR licence training.
Tips About This Licence
The HR Unconditional Licence is the best licence you can go to from a car licence. If you obtain an unconditional HR Licence first, after 12 months you can use an automatic vehicle to obtain your HC or MC Licence. You do not have to demonstrate the ability to drive a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox again.
If you already hold a manual licence, regardless of whether you take your lessons and test in the HR with an automatic or synchromesh gearbox, you will end up with a HR Condition B Licence (can drive Synchromesh and Automatic gearbox).
Read More
You have already previously demonstrated during a past driving test that you can use a vehicle with a synchromesh gearbox and for test purposes you do not have to do it again.
If you currently hold an Automatic Licence and do your practical driving test in an automatic truck you will end up with an automatic truck licence (HR Condition A).
However, you can do another practical driving test, at a later date, in any vehicle with a manual gearbox (car, LR, MR etc) to lift the gearbox restriction off your Licence thus changing the status of your licence to manual.
Course & Lesson Information
For more information about this truck driving training course, please click the tabs below.
What Do I Need?
HR Unconditional
HR Condition B
HR Condition A
HR Licence In A Day
HR Condensed Training
What Do I Need?
HR Unconditional
HR Condition B
HR Condition A
HR Licence In A Day
HR Condensed Training
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to undertake HR lessons with a Driving School, such as ourselves, this prepares you to pass a practical driving test with a driving examiner from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). You will also need to pass a short 10 question theory test with TMR as part of this process. We can organise everything for you.
A HR Licence can be a fairly cheap exercise if you are looking for your Condition B Licence (synchromesh and automatic gearboxes) and you already hold a manual licence $995 to $1100 would be an approximate cost. If you need an unconditional HR (non-synchromesh gearbox, double clutching technique) we would normally say around $2300 for someone that is a complete beginner with a road ranger gearbox and the double clutching technique. However, it is an individual thing, just what you need to be industry and test ready.
There are 5 types (classes) of heavy vehicle licence, light rigid, medium rigid, heavy rigid, heavy combination (1 trailer) multi combination (multiple trailers). As well as the classes of licence, you also need to decide what gearbox code you want on your truck licence, Condition A (automatic gearboxes only), Condition B (synchromesh and automatic gearboxes only) or Unconditional (non-synchromesh, synchromesh and automatic gearboxes – can drive anything). We can assist with Licencing in any licence class.
A HR Licence covers all trucks and a trailer up to 9T GVM , trucks such as concrete agitators, tippers, garbage trucks and coaches/bendy buses are all covered by this licence. A HR Licence is the most common truck licence.
A HR is the highest class you can go to straight from a car licence and restricted to towing a trailer of not more than 9 tonne. A HC covers a person to drive a combination of a truck and trailer or prime mover with a single trailer more than 9T GVM.
An MR licence is limited to a vehicle with 2 axles, where a HR licence has no axle limit. It is recommended to always complete HR licence rather than an MR as it covers all trucks and it is not any more difficult to obtain.
Important Information
Your current licence makes a big difference.
You should study your licence to ensure you are going to get the correct outcome.
Read More
The Licence that you currently hold makes a big difference on the Licence you want to obtain.
- The Car / Truck Licence you currently hold
- The truck licence you want toobtain
- The vehicle that you are using to undertake your practical driving test
All have a bearing on each other in terms of outcome of the licence you will obtain.
Examples
If you already hold a manual car licence, you may be able to use an automatic truck for your driving test and end up with a HR Condition B licence as you previously have demonstrated that you can drive manual vehicle.
If you currently hold an MR licence with no conditions, you may be able to use an automatic truck for your driving test and end up with a HR unconditional licence.
More Information
A HR vehicle is a bus or truck (including a prime mover or mobile crane) with over 8 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) with 3 or more axles.
The HR Unconditional Licence (no gearbox conditions) will give you the broadest range of employment prospects as you can drive any HR vehicle (road rangers, manual and automatic gearboxes).Another benefit to holding this licence is that it’salso easier to upgrade to an HC or MC Licence in the future if you already hold an Unconditionalheavy rigidtrucklicence.
However, theHRCondition B is also good entry-level trucklicencefor those seeking employment in the road transport industry. It’s a relatively inexpensive licence to obtain with lots of job opportunities on offer as a lot of modern trucks and heavy vehicles are no longer using crash gearboxes. You would choose this option if you want to drive trucks or buses/coaches for a living and do not want or need to use a road ranger gearbox. You can easily upgrade from this licence at a later date if you need to.
Read More
If you’re looking for employment in the mines, a HR driving licence may be a minimum requirement, however, if you drive dump trucks (all automatic gearboxes), a HR Condition A or B Licence will cover you. As other roles may require a HR Unconditional Licence, we recommend that you research the job roles you’re interested in to see which truck licences are required before you enrol in HR licence training.
The HR Unconditional Licence is the best licence you can go to from a car licence. If you obtain an unconditional HR Licence first, after 12 months you can use an automatic vehicle to obtain your HC or MC Licence. You do not have to demonstrate the ability to drive a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox again.
If you already hold a manual licence, regardless of whether you take your lessons and test in the HR with an automatic or synchromesh gearbox, you will end up with a HR Condition B Licence (can drive Synchromesh and Automatic gearbox).
Read More
You have already previously demonstrated during a past driving test that you can use a vehicle with a synchromesh gearbox and for test purposes you do not have to do it again.
If you currently hold an Automatic Licence and do your practical driving test in an automatic truck you will end up with an automatic truck licence (HR Condition A).
However, you can do another practical driving test, at a later date, in any vehicle with a manual gearbox (car, LR, MR etc) to lift the gearbox restriction off your Licence thus changing the status of your licence to manual.
Course & Lesson Information
What do I need to obtain my HR Licence Brisbane and Gold Coast
- You must have held a Car Licence (or higher) provisional, probationary or open for at least two years
- If you are upgrading from a Car Licence, You must also pass the Department of Transport and Main Roads written knowledge test (Click here to practice) and the on road practical driving test.
- If you currently hold an LR or MR Licence, a written knowledge test is not required.
- If you currently have a Medical condition on your Licence, you need a medical certificate for the class of licence you are applying for
- If you are going to use your HR Licence to drive a bus, you may also need to obtain yourdriver’s authorizationfrom TMR
HR (Heavy Rigid) Licence Unconditional
How many lessons will I need? (on average)
From a Manual or Automatic Licence – You must use a Vehicle with a Non-Synchromesh gearbox and have good current manual skills
- A realistic goal for this Licence is probably 12 hours of training
- Depends on individual’s ability and attitude to learning.
From an Unconditional MR Licence – You can use a Vehicle with an Automatic, Synchromesh or Non-Synchromesh gearbox
- Between 3 – 5 Lessons if using an Automatic Vehicle
- Between 4 – 6 Lessons if using a Manual Vehicle
- Depends on ability, if using a Non-Synchromesh Vehicle
- There is no minimum or maximum lesson requirement
- We just recommend you take lessons until you feel confident, test ready and employable.
- On completion of your first “assessment” lesson it will be possible to give you an estimate of what your lesson requirement will be.
How much will it cost?
- HR Driving Lessons $160 per hour GST exempt
- HR Warm up drive and Test $515 GST exempt
- HR Condensed Training Course $2275 GST exempt (for non-synchromesh gearbox)
* If using your own vehicle $110 per hour GST exempt plus Travel
Other associated costs:
- Mid-week Practical Driving Test Booking Fee $72 incl GST
- Saturday Practical Driving Test Booking Fee (TMR temporarily suspended Saturday testing)
- Written knowledge Test (if required) $27.75
Job Opportunities
The HR unconditional Licence will open maximum doors for you and if you do progress to HC or MC it is a lot easier pathway to obtain a Licence.
- Heavy Transport
- Tip Trucks / Civil Construction
- Quarry Work
HR (Heavy Rigid) Licence Condition B
How many lessons will I need? (on average)
From an Automatic Licence – Must use a Manual (Synchromesh) Vehicle and have good current manual skills.
- Between 4 – 6 Lessons
From a Manual Licence – can use either Automatic or Manual Vehicle
- Between 3 – 5 Lessons if using an Automatic Vehicle
- Between 4 – 6 Lessons if using a Manual Vehicle
- There is no minimum or maximum lesson requirement
- We just recommend you take lessons until you feel confident, test ready and employable.
- On completion of your first “assessment” lesson it will be possible to give you an estimate of what your lesson requirement will be.
How much will it cost?
- HR Driving Lessons $160 per hour GST exempt
- HR Warm up drive and Test $515 GST exempt
- HR Licence in a Day Course $995 GST exempt (Condition A and B only)
* If using your own vehicle $110 per hour GST exempt plus Travel
Other associated costs:
- Mid-week Practical Driving Test Booking Fee $72 incl GST
- Saturday Practical Driving Test Booking Fee (TMR temporarily suspended Saturday testing due to Covid-19)
- Written knowledge Test (if required) $27.75
Job Opportunities
The HR Condition B Licence is a good option if you don’t want to be driving vehicles with non-synchromesh gearboxes.
A lot of major Transport companies are now steering towards synchromesh / automatic transmissions, for ease of use and staff availability.
- Around town freight, local deliveries, most big companies
- Surfside Bus Lines, JJ Richards garbage collectors, many of the Concrete companies
HR (Heavy Rigid) Licence Condition A
How many lessons will I need? (on average)
- Between 3 – 5 Lessons using a Vehicle with an Automatic Gearbox
- There is no minimum or maximum lesson requirement
- We just recommend you take lessons until you feel confident, test ready and employable.
- On completion of your first “assessment” lesson it will be possible to give you an estimate of what your lesson requirement will be.
How much will it cost?
- HR Driving Lessons $160 per hour GST exempt
- HR Warm up drive and Test $515 GST exempt
- HR Licence in a Day Course $995 GST exempt (Condition A and B only)
* If using your own vehicle $110 per hour GST exempt plus Travel
Other associated costs:
- Mid-week Practical Driving Test Booking Fee $72 incl GST
- Saturday Practical Driving Test Booking Fee (TMR temporarily suspended Saturday testing)
- Written knowledge Test (if required) $27.75
Job Opportunities
A HR Condition A Licence is very restrictive in terms of job opportunities, however perhaps your employer has only automatic trucks in their fleet.
Some mine sites require you to have a HR Licence to drive a dump truck and this may fulfil this requirement.
- You may be purchasing your own vehicle / motor home
- You may have a disability that prevents you from driving a manual vehicle
HR Unconditional (Non-Synchromesh gearbox) Condensed Training Course
This course is an option if you are in a position that you need to learn how to use a road ranger / crash gearbox over a few days and you are on a really limited timeframe, perhaps on a “fly in fly out” roster. This is an intense process and you need to be able to dedicate yourself to your training.
All your training can be booked in by email prior to your arrival.
If you live local and are not in a rush, we would not recommend this pathway. You may still want to get the Licence quickly and this is fine, we can still schedule your training in over a few days / weeks without you having to “commit” to undertaking a condensed course, or the pressure that comes alongside it. You never know you may even save yourself a few $$.
The total cost is $2275 GST exempt
Breakdown of Cost includes:
- 12 hours in total (11 hours of practical training incorporating pre-test warm up and 1 hour practical driving test)
- Our vehicle to use during these allotted times
Note: After years’ of experience in delivering HR unconditional Licences, we know that on average it takes around 12 hours in the seat to achieve competency with a road ranger gearbox. However, in the event that you require further training with the double clutching technique this would be charged at an hourly rate of $160 per hour, this would be discussed with you as you progress through your course.
Price does not include:
Other associated costs:
- Mid-week Practical Driving Test Booking Fee $72 incl GST
- Saturday Practical Driving Test Booking Fee (TMR temporarily suspended Saturday testing)
- Written knowledge Test $27.75
Outline of Process
The training would be undertaken in one of our non-synchromesh vehicles, where you have to double clutch to change gear. Once we start you in one of our vehicles, you will stay in that vehicle for all of your training and driving test, unless your instructor feels a change of vehicle would be beneficial for you. This would be done in consultation with you and with your consent.
- The training would be arranged in blocks of 2 or more hours at a time, over a period of 3 – 4 days with the schedule arranged to suit you.
- We book your practical driving test for you
- The practical driving test is taken by an examiner from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Booking Process
To book the HR Open Condensed Training you can complete the online enquiry form or call our office on 07 55378101 or 0406 539613. Our office staff will then organise your training schedule with you.
To confirm the booking, we will need your Driving Licence number and you will need to pay the practical driving test booking fee.
Please see full details of our paymentterms and conditions
HR (Heavy Rigid) Condition A and Condition B only
* For Non-Synchromesh gearboxes the Licence in a Day option is not available, as the learning curve is just too steep (unless you have a lot of prior experience).
However, we can certainly arrange acondensed training courseto suit your needs.
Cost $995 GST exempt
Licence in a Day is an option that is available to you, if you are busy working and struggle to find the time to do the lessons. You can take a day off work and focus on the job in hand.
This is not our preferred method of training but it can be convenient.
With the option of Saturday testing, you may not even have to take a day off work
Breakdown of Cost:
Price includes:
- 1 hour Assessment Lesson
- 3 hours of training (breaks as required) plus your actual practical driving test (approx. 1 hour).
- Our vehicle to use during these allotted times
Price does not include:
Other associated costs:
- Mid-week Practical Driving Test Booking Fee $72 incl GST
- Saturday Practical Driving Test Booking Fee (TMR temporarily suspended Saturday testing)
- Written knowledge Test (if required) $27.75
Outline of Process
- It is recommended that an assessment lesson is done 7-10 days prior to your Licence in a Day (included within the price).This is necessary to:-
- a) Assess your current driving ability and make you aware of any “habits” you need to rectify before the day of your practical driving test.
- b) To ensure you feel comfortable in the vehicle you are going to be driving
- c) To ensure that the Licence outcome you are going to achieve is what you actually need.
- We book your driving test and the rest of the training you need into our diary at a time convenient to you
- Return on the scheduled day (we will remind you) to finalise all of your training and undertake your practical driving test with a Driving Examiner from TMR
Licence in a Day – no prior Assessment Lesson
It is possible to undertake all your training on the same day, combining the assessment lesson, the practical training and the driving test altogether.
However, this is at your own risk and it is not our preferred method – it is a lot of money to invest in a day course if this is not a suitable pathway for you to get your HR Licence. An assessment lesson gives you an opportunity to see what is actually involved and it gives your trainer the chance to verify that this is training pathway is the best way of achieving a first time successful outcome for you.
No driving school can guarantee an outcome for you and it is unethical to advertise such. However, we will try our best!
Booking Process
To book the Licence in a Day you can complete the online enquiry form or call our office on 07 55378101 or 0406 539613. Our office staff will then organise your training schedule with you.
To confirm the booking, we will need your Driving Licence number and you will need to pay the practical driving test booking fee.
Please see full details of our paymentterms and conditions
Other Information
Qualify for your HR drivers licence Brisbane and Gold Coast
Want to get a HR heavy rigid truck drivers licence to pursue a career in trucking, logistics, construction or mining?
Read More
A HR ticket is a highly regarded qualification that can help you get a foothold in a range of industries or further your career if you’re currently working in the industry of your choosing.
As a Government-approved training organisation, The Driving School offers nationally recognised truck driving courses for all heavy vehicle licence classes and truck licences — including HR driving licence courses, with a HR licence in a day option available. The hands-on HR truck lessons we offer at our Gold Coast training facility are designed to help you quickly develop the skills to qualify for your HR license. Unlike other heavy vehicle and truck driving schools, our HR truck lessons focus on all aspects of driving a heavy rigid truck and not only the ins-and-outs of a particular gearbox type.
We offer flexible HR licence training via a variety of training pathways — including individual lessons, a HRLicence in a Dayoption or a condensed course for mastering the double clutching technique — at our training facility in Arundel on the Gold Coast.We’re locatedless than 30 minutes from downtownSurfers Paradise and just a 50-minute drive from the Brisbane CBD, which means we’re conveniently located for students from southside suburbs, Logan and Beenleigh. What’s more, we also offer onsiteHR truck lessonsforGold Coast andBrisbane businesses. If you need to arrange onsiteHR truckdriver training at your workplace,contact The Driving School.
Whether you live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or northern New South Wales, The Driving Schooloffers a convenient locationwith HR truck licence coursesthatcan be adapted to tie in with your schedule.
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to undertake HR lessons with a Driving School, such as ourselves, this prepares you to pass a practical driving test with a driving examiner from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). You will also need to pass a short 10 question theory test with TMR as part of this process. We can organise everything for you.
A HR Licence can be a fairly cheap exercise if you are looking for your Condition B Licence (synchromesh and automatic gearboxes) and you already hold a manual licence $995 to $1100 would be an approximate cost. If you need an unconditional HR (non-synchromesh gearbox, double clutching technique) we would normally say around $2300 for someone that is a complete beginner with a road ranger gearbox and the double clutching technique. However, it is an individual thing, just what you need to be industry and test ready.
There are 5 types (classes) of heavy vehicle licence, light rigid, medium rigid, heavy rigid, heavy combination (1 trailer) multi combination (multiple trailers). As well as the classes of licence, you also need to decide what gearbox code you want on your truck licence, Condition A (automatic gearboxes only), Condition B (synchromesh and automatic gearboxes only) or Unconditional (non-synchromesh, synchromesh and automatic gearboxes – can drive anything). We can assist with Licencing in any licence class.
A HR Licence covers all trucks and a trailer up to 9T GVM , trucks such as concrete agitators, tippers, garbage trucks and coaches/bendy buses are all covered by this licence. A HR Licence is the most common truck licence.
A HR is the highest class you can go to straight from a car licence and restricted to towing a trailer of not more than 9 tonne. A HC covers a person to drive a combination of a truck and trailer or prime mover with a single trailer more than 9T GVM.
An MR licence is limited to a vehicle with 2 axles, where a HR licence has no axle limit. It is recommended to always complete HR licence rather than an MR as it covers all trucks and it is not any more difficult to obtain.
Important Information
Your current licence makes a big difference.
You should study your licence to ensure you are going to get the correct outcome.
Read More
The Licence that you currently hold makes a big difference on the Licence you want to obtain.
- The Car / Truck Licence you currently hold
- The truck licence you want toobtain
- The vehicle that you are using to undertake your practical driving test
All have a bearing on each other in terms of outcome of the licence you will obtain.
Examples
If you already hold a manual car licence, you may be able to use an automatic truck for your driving test and end up with a HR Condition B licence as you previously have demonstrated that you can drive manual vehicle.
If you currently hold an MR licence with no conditions, you may be able to use an automatic truck for your driving test and end up with a HR unconditional licence.
Call Us Today
07 5537 8101
Alternatively, send us a messages using the form below.
Need A NSW Licence?
Learn More
HR Licence With The Driving School
Qualify for your HR drivers licence Brisbane and Gold Coast
Want to get a HR heavy rigid truck drivers licence to pursue a career in trucking, logistics, construction or mining?
Read More
A HR ticket is a highly regarded qualification that can help you get a foothold in a range of industries or further your career if you’re currently working in the industry of your choosing.
As a Government-approved training organisation, The Driving School offers nationally recognised truck driving courses for all heavy vehicle licence classes and truck licences — including HR driving licence courses, with a HR licence in a day option available. The hands-on HR truck lessons we offer at our Gold Coast training facility are designed to help you quickly develop the skills to qualify for your HR license. Unlike other heavy vehicle and truck driving schools, our HR truck lessons focus on all aspects of driving a heavy rigid truck and not only the ins-and-outs of a particular gearbox type.
We offer flexible HR licence training via a variety of training pathways — including individual lessons, a HRLicence in a Dayoption or a condensed course for mastering the double clutching technique — at our training facility in Arundel on the Gold Coast.We’re locatedless than 30 minutes from downtownSurfers Paradise and just a 50-minute drive from the Brisbane CBD, which means we’re conveniently located for students from southside suburbs, Logan and Beenleigh. What’s more, we also offer onsiteHR truck lessonsforGold Coast andBrisbane businesses. If you need to arrange onsiteHR truckdriver training at your workplace,contact The Driving School.
Whether you live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or northern New South Wales, The Driving Schooloffers a convenient locationwith HR truck licence coursesthatcan be adapted to tie in with your schedule.
