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Light Rigid (LR) licence
How to upgrade your licence to drive a light rigid (LR class) vehicle.
A Light Rigid (LR) heavy vehicle class licence allows you to drive a:
- motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) between 4,500 to 8,000 kg
- motor vehicle with the capacity for more than 12 passengers (including the driver)
- car
- moped.
You will also be allowed to tow a trailer with a maximum GVM equal to:
- maximum loaded mass of a trailer recommended by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle; or
- maximum loaded mass specified in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (WA).
Examples of Light Rigid vehicles
Experience requirements
You must have held your car (C-class) licence for 12 months before you can apply to upgrade your licence to a LR class vehicle licence.
Interstate and overseas heavy vehicle licence holders
You can transfer a current interstate driver’s licence for any vehicle class to a WA driver’s licence without having to complete a practical driving assessment.
If you have a current New Zealand driver’s licence for any class (except Multi Combination vehicles), you can apply to transfer it to a WA driver’s licence.
If you have a heavy vehicle licence from another country, your previous driving experience may be recognised when applying for a WA driver’s licence.
Visit a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre or regional agent or call 13 11 56 for more information.
How to get a LR class licence
Step 1: Learn to drive
If you hold a current C class driver's licence, you can begin to learn to drive LR class vehicles.
You do not need to apply for a learner's permit.
When learning to drive you must:
- be accompanied by a supervisor who is either:
- a licensed driving instructor holding an LR or higher class driver's licence, or
- a person who has held a current LR driver's licence for at least 4 years
- display L plates on the front and back of the vehicle when you are driving.
- not exceed the posted speed limit, and you cannot exceed 100 km/h.
- not have a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 0.00%
- not drive in areas where learners are not permitted.
Step 2: Submit an application form in person
To apply to upgrade your licence, you will need to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre or regional agent and:
- submit a completed driver's licence application form (Form DLA1) (below)
- show the required proof of identity documents
- take an eyesight test
- pay the additional class application fee.
Eyesight test
You will need to take an eye test when you apply to upgrade your licence.
If you need to wear glasses or contacts to pass the eyesight test, your licence will have the condition that you must wear them when driving.
Additional class application fee
| Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Additional class application fee including one Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) (not HC or MC class) | $143.30 |
| Driver's licence application (Form DLA1) | Kb | |
Step 3: Book and pass the practical driving assessment
To upgrade your licence you will need to take a Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) in a LR class vehicle.
Find out how to book a PDA. You can book your PDA up to 6 months in advance.
Once you have passed your PDA, your licence record will be updated to show that you are now authorised to drive light rigid class vehicles.
Your driver’s licence card will be updated when you renew your current licence.
If you would like to update your licence card before your next renewal, you can order a replacement licence.
Provisional licences
If you hold a provisional C class driver’s licence when you apply for your LR class licence, your LR licence will also be a provisional licence.
Find out the rules for driving on your provisional licence.
Removal of licence restrictions
If you hold 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 will be removed and only the highest class will show on your licence.
Synchromesh vehicles
If you complete your PDA in a vehicle fitted with a synchromesh transmission you will only be permitted to drive heavy vehicles fitted with a synchromesh gearbox.
A synchromesh transmission is a type of manual gearbox found in modern cars and trucks which uses synchronising collars to help make smoother gear changes.
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.