Heavy Combination licence (HC)

If you choose to undertake a practical driving assessment (PDA) with an RTO you must meet the eligibility criterion and follow the below steps in sequence. You will be required to:

• Complete the Heavy Vehicle PDA Customer Eligibility (Form E114)
• Have your identity verified by the RTO.
• Have your eligibility confirmed before you can undertake any training or PDA.
• Have your commercial vehicle eyesight test conducted by the RTO.
• If you fail the eyesight test, or fail to declare your commercial standard medical eligibility, training and assessment will not be undertaken, and you will be referred to DoT.
• Declare your commercial standard medical eligibility on the E114 form and have your signature witnessed by the RTO.
• Sign the camera acknowledgment on the E114 form.
• Complete the relevant training module, and on successful completion, the RTO will issue you with a Statement of Attainment (SoA).

On the same day as the PDA and prior to the PDA taking place, the RTO will reconfirm your eligibility to undertake the assessment. If you are ineligible the PDA will not proceed until you resolve the matter with DoT.

• The RTO will conduct the PDA. The RTO will no longer issue a paper-based Certificate of Competency (DL67). Your PDA results will be uploaded digitally against your driver’s licence record. The results will only be activated once you pay the appropriate entitlement fee to the DoT.
• On successful completion of your PDA, you must attend a Driver and Vehicle Services centre, regional DoT office or agent with the below documents to ensure that your licence record is endorsed with the new class and authorised to drive HC vehicles. A fee will apply.
  • Heavy Vehicle PDA Customer Eligibility form (E114); and
  • Proof of Identity documents that meet DoT requirements

Please go to Proof of Identity for more information

A new driver's licence card will only be issued when you renew your current licence. You may wish to order a replacement licence that will reflect your updated vehicle class. Fees will apply.

Alternatively, you can apply to sit a PDA at any DVS Centre by following the steps below, with the exception of the MC vehicle class.

Please note that until you have presented:

• presented your photocopy of the E114 form; and,
• provided POI that meets department requirements; and,
• paid the relevant fee at a DVS centre; and,
• your licence record has been endorsed with the new class, you will not be entitled to drive a vehicle of class HC. A processing fee is charged for this service.

As a learner driver, you must also display 'L' plates and comply with any other conditions as required.

Please note that prior to undertaking any instruction in a HC vehicle you will need to ensure that you meet the commercial vehicle medical standards for driving as outlined in Assessing Fitness to Drive national medical standards for licensing and clinical management guidelines (an Austroads publication).

Visit the Learn to drive/ride page for more information on what rules you are subject to as a novice rider.

Please download the printable L-plates.

If you meet the above eligibility criteria, you can apply to upgrade your licence to an HC class.

Please download and complete the form if you are applying to sit a PDA at any DVS centre.

You will be required to submit sufficient proof of your identity for the application.

Please go to Proof of identity for more information.

Applications for a Western Australian driver's licence must be submitted in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre.

You will need to provide:

• Completed vehicle licence application form DLA1.
• Proof of identity documents.
• Required fees.

Note:

Applications cannot be submitted by post.

Eyesight

Applicants are required to take the commercial vehicle driver’s standard eyesight test when applying for a heavy vehicle driver's licence.

The eyesight test will be conducted at the Driver and Vehicle Services centre, regional DoT office or agent when you make application for your licence, or at the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) if you choose to be trained and assessed via the RTO.

If you need to wear visual aids to pass the eyesight test, your licence will be endorsed to show that you must wear visual aids when driving.

Declare commercial medical eligibility

Applicants are required to declare any permanent, long-term mental or physical condition (which may include a dependence on drugs or alcohol) that is likely to, or treatment for which is likely to, impair your ability to control a heavy commercial vehicle.

Find out more about what constitutes a reportable medical condition.

Before your licence can be issued, you will need to take a practical driving assessment (PDA) in a HC class vehicle.

If you are being trained and assessed via a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), refer to the section on booking your training and assessment with a Registered Training Organisation (HR, HC and MC classes) below.

What happens if I fail the PDA I sit with DoT?

If you fail the PDA, you will need to retake the assessment after a minimum of seven calendar days. There are no exemptions to this seven-day waiting period.

This will allow you more time to improve your practical driving skills and therefore achieve the required driving standard.

You will be required to pay another practical assessment fee.

What happens when I pass the Practical Driving Assessment I sit with DoT?

Once you have passed your PDA, your licence record will be updated to show that you are now authorised to drive HC class heavy vehicles.

A new driver's licence card will only be issued when you renew your current licence. You may wish to order a replacement licence that will reflect your updated vehicle class.

Using a Registered Training Organisation

Please note that until you have presented your Photocopy of the E114 form; and POI that meets department requirements and paid the relevant fee at a DVS centre and your licence record has been endorsed with the new class you will not be entitled to drive a vehicle of class HR. A processing fee is charged for this service.

Restricted licences

If you have a licence with a restriction to automatic transmission and you complete the PDA in a vehicle of a higher class fitted with a manual transmission, the restriction to automatic will be removed and only the higher class will show on your licence.

Heavy vehicles

Where you apply for classes HC or MC and you already hold an unrestricted MR or higher class, then classes HC or MC can be issued without restriction to transmission type. If your current MR or HR class licence has a gearbox restriction attached (A or B), and you complete the PDA in a heavy vehicle fitted with a synchromesh transmission you won’t be permitted to drive heavy vehicles fitted with a non-synchromesh gearbox. A synchromesh transmission is a type of manual gearbox found in modern cars and trucks which uses synchronising collars to aid the driver in making smooth gear changes.

A non-synchromesh transmission (such as a ranger or crash box) does not use these collars, and timing of a gear change has to be done manually by the driver usually using a double de-clutch technique. If you complete the PDA in a heavy vehicle of a higher class fitted with a non-synchromesh transmission you can drive vehicles (except motorcycles) fitted with automatic or manual gearboxes of either type.