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Key takeaways
- HC covers a prime mover with a single semi-trailer, or a rigid vehicle towing a trailer over 9 tonnes GTM.
- You generally must hold an MR or HR licence for a minimum period first — commonly 12 months.
- A heavy vehicle medical assessment against the national Assessing Fitness to Drive standards is normally required.
- Course length and price vary by RTO and state; always get a written quote.
What an HC licence covers
A Heavy Combination (HC) licence covers a prime mover towing a single semi-trailer, or a rigid vehicle towing a trailer with a gross trailer mass over 9 tonnes. It is the standard class for general freight, refrigerated work, tippers, fuel distribution and much port and container work.
Eligibility
You normally need to have held an MR or HR licence for a minimum period before applying — most jurisdictions use 12 months. Keep your licence record handy when you book training, because RTOs will check it.
Licensing rules, minimum holding periods, testing and medical requirements are set by each state and territory road authority and can change. Confirm current requirements with the authority where you hold your licence before you book training.
Medical requirements
Commercial vehicle drivers are assessed against the national Assessing Fitness to Drive standards, which cover vision, cardiovascular health, diabetes, sleep disorders and other conditions that can affect safe driving. Your road authority sets how often a medical is required and who can complete it.
What training usually involves
- Theory and pre-start
Combination types, coupling and uncoupling, mass and dimension basics, and vehicle inspection.
- Yard practice
Low-speed manoeuvring, reversing a semi-trailer and coupling under supervision.
- On-road driving
Gear selection, road positioning, braking technique and route planning with a trailer.
- Competency assessment
A driving assessment conducted by an accredited assessor, in line with your jurisdiction's rules.
Planning the cost
Prices differ significantly between providers, states and vehicle types, and some employers fund upgrades for existing staff. Ask the RTO for an itemised quote covering training, assessment, vehicle hire and any re-test fee, and ask your employer whether they reimburse upgrades.
Sources and review
Last reviewed by the Aussie Transport Jobs editorial team.
Coverage: All Australian states and territories (eligibility periods and testing differ).
Limitations: Minimum holding periods, course structure and fees are set by each jurisdiction and each RTO.
Official sources
- Austroads — Australian driver licensing (state and territory links) (opens in a new tab)
- Assessing Fitness to Drive (Austroads / NTC medical standards) (opens in a new tab)
- Transport for NSW — Heavy vehicle licences (opens in a new tab)
- VicRoads — Heavy vehicle licences (opens in a new tab)
- Queensland TMR — Heavy vehicle licences (opens in a new tab)
This guide provides general information only. Licensing, safety, employment and training requirements can change and may differ between states and territories. Confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority or qualified provider.
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