Medium Rigid licence (MR)
Find out how to upgrade to a Medium Rigid (MR class) heavy vehicle licence after you have held your car (C class) licence for 12 months.
Please choose step from following:
Medium Rigid (MR class) heavy vehicle licence
MR (Medium Rigid class) heavy vehicle licences allow you to drive vehicles with 2 axles and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 8,000 kg. You will also be allowed to tow a trailer with a maximum GVM of 9,000 kg.
In order to gain an MR class licence, you must have held a C class car licence for a minimum of 12 months.
For more information:
- National Transport Commission's load restraint guide.
- Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (WA).
National Transport Commission (NTC): Load restraint guide | ||
---|---|---|
Department of Justice: Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 | ||
Step 1:Learn to drive (MR class)
Once you have been issued your C class or LR class driver's licence, you can begin to learn to drive MR class heavy vehicles.
A learner's permit is not required, however, you must be accompanied by a supervisor who is either:
- A licensed driving instructor holding an MR or higher class driver's licence, or
- A person who has held a current MR driver's licence for at least 4 years.
As a learner driver, you must also display 'L' plates and comply with any other conditions as required.
Visit the Learn to drive/ride page for more information on what rules you are subject to as a novice rider.
Please note that prior to undertaking any instruction in a MR 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).
Please download the printable 'L' plates.
L plates: yellow (printable) | Kb | |
Austroads: Assessing Fitness to Drive | ||
---|---|---|
Step 2:Complete an application (Form DLA1)
Once you have held your C class licence for 12 months you can apply to upgrade your licence to an MR class.
Please download and complete the form.
Driver's licence application (Form DLA1) | Kb | |
Step 3:Provide proof of identity
You will be required to submit sufficient proof of your identity for the application.
Please go to Proof of identity for more information.
Step 4:Submit the application in person (Form DLA1)
Under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012 (WA), applications for a Western Australian driver's licence must be submitted in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent.
You will need to provide:
- Completed vehicle licence application form DLA1.
- Proof of identity documents.
- Required fees.
Note:
Applications cannot be submitted by post.
Driver's licence application (Form DLA1) | Kb | |
Step 5:Undertake an eyesight test: Medium Rigid (MR class)
All applicants will be required to take the eye test when applying for a driver's licence.
This will be conducted at the Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent when you apply for your licence. If you use any visual aids to pass the eyesight test, your licence will be endorsed to show that you must wear those aids when driving.
Step 6:Pass a heavy vehicle theory test
When you submit an application for an MR class licence, you are required to take a heavy vehicle theory test. This test consists of 10 questions, of which you must get 8 correct to pass.
Please download the fact sheet below for details and sample theory test questions and answers.
The theory test must be completed within the allocated time limit of 15 minutes.
You must complete the test within the time limit specified for the test category undertaken. If you do not complete the test within the time allocated, the test will automatically be terminated and marked with a ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ result determined on the number of questions completed and answered correctly.
Questions and answers for MR, HR and HC licences (Fact sheet E89) | Kb | |
Step 7:Pass the Practical Driving Assessment: Medium Rigid (MR class)
Before your licence can be issued, you will need to take a practical driving assessment (PDA) in an MR class vehicle.
Visit the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) page for information on booking your PDA and what you need on the day.
What happens if I fail the PDA?
If you fail the PDA, you will need to retake the assessment after a minimum of seven calendar days. There are no exemptions to the 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 PDA fee.
What happens when I pass the PDA?
Once you have passed your PDA, your licence record will be updated to show that you are now authorised to drive MR class heavy vehicles.
However, 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.
Provisional and restricted licences
If you have a provisional licence, you will still be subject to the same provisional status while driving an MR class heavy vehicle. If your licence is a full licence, your MR class licence will also be a full licence.
Visit the Get a provisional licence page for important information on the rules and conditions for provisional 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
If you complete the PDA in a MR class vehicle fitted with a synchromesh transmission you won’t be permitted to drive MR Class 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.
Motorcycles
To remove any automatic restriction from a motorcycle (R-E or R class) you would need to pass a PDA on a motorcycle fitted with a manual transmission.
Heavy vehicle competency standard
The vehicle competency standards aim to produce safer drivers and underpin the driver training and licensing system in Western Australia.
The heavy vehicle standards are used by assessors to determine if learner drivers are competent in operating heavy vehicles. It is not a set of competencies for learner drivers, but should be used as a guide for driving instructors.
Please download the standard.
Heavy vehicle competency standard | Kb | |
National Driver Work Diary
For interstate bus and truck drivers only
Do you travel outside of Western Australia or the Northern Territory?
In 2014, the Heavy Vehicle National Law introduced new nationally consistent heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws in all Australian Jurisdictions (except for WA and the NT where the Heavy Vehicle National Law has not been adopted).
If you drive a heavy vehicle or heavy vehicle combination with a gross vehicle mass over 12,000 kg or a bus with more than 12 adult seats including the driver's, and drive to or though South Australia or any Australian jurisdiction (excluding WA and NT) these laws apply to you.
The Heavy Vehicle (Fatigue Management) National Regulation sets work limits and rest limits for heavy vehicle drivers and requires better management of driver fatigue.
Unless your journey is within a radius of 100 kilometres from the place of business from which your vehicle normally operates, you must record your work/rest details in a National Driver Work Diary.
Note: If the driver base is not recorded, the driver base will be taken to be the garaged address of the regulated heavy vehicle.
To assist drivers travelling outside of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, an arrangement has been made for the work diaries to be issued at several Western Australian Driver and Vehicle Services Centres.
Where to obtain a National Driver Work Diary
You can obtain the National Driver Work Diary, upon personal attendance, with your valid driver's licence and payment of the required fee, from:
National driver work diary fee
Fee type | Fee |
---|---|
National driver work diary | $26.00 |
Service Type | Suburb | Business Name | Phone number | Phone number (secondary) | Fax | Pre-booking required | Business Hours | Street address | Postal address | Business Type | Vehicle type | Comments | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DoT licensing services location | Albany | Department of Transport Centre Albany (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | 178 Stirling Terrace, Albany WA 6330 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Broome | Department of Transport Centre Broome (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | 9 Old Kennedy Store, Napier Terrace, Broome WA 6725 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Bunbury | ServiceWA Service Centre Bunbury (Licensing Services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. | 24 Wellington Street, Bunbury WA 6230 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Cannington | Driver and Vehicle Services Centre Cannington (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | 1480 Albany Highway (entrance via William Street), Cannington WA 6107 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Wonthella | Department of Transport Centre Geraldton (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays). | 23 Eastward Road (corner of Pass Street), Wonthella WA 6530 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Kalgoorlie | Department of Transport Centre Kalgoorlie (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | 35 Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie WA 6430 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Karratha | Department of Transport Centre Karratha (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | 20 Sharpe Avenue, Karratha WA 6714 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Kununurra | Department of Transport Centre Kununurra (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 9:00am until 3:30pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 2:45pm. Driving assessments by appointment only. (excludes public holidays) | Messmate Way, Kununurra WA 6743 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Mandurah | Driver and Vehicle Services Centre Mandurah (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | Corner Ranceby Avenue and Pinjarra Road, Mandurah WA 6210 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Midland | Driver and Vehicle Services Centre Midland (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | Unit 4, 5 Clayton Street (corner Cowie Close), Midland WA 6056 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Mirrabooka | Driver and Vehicle Services Centre Mirrabooka (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | Unit 13, 1 Chesterfield Road (corner of Mirrabooka Avenue and Yirrigan Drive), Mirrabooka WA 6061 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | Rockingham | Driver and Vehicle Services Centre Rockingham (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | 37 McNicholl Street, Rockingham WA 6168 | Department of Transport | Corner McNicholl and Chalgrove. | |||||
DoT licensing services location | Success | Department of Transport Service Centre Success (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | Unit 3, 660 Beeliar Drive, Success WA 6164 | Department of Transport | ||||||
DoT licensing services location | West Perth | Driver and Vehicle Services Centre City West Perth (Licensing services) | 13 11 56 | No | Monday to Friday 8:15 am until 4:30 pm. CTT and HPT must commence before 3:45 pm. (excludes public holidays) | Troode Street and Plaistowe Mews, West Perth WA 6005 | Department of Transport |