Medium Rigid licence (MR)

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.

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.

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

Please go to Proof of identity for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.