Choose Your Heavy Vehicle Course: Licensing, Safety and Skills Training in Victoria
Heavy vehicle licence training in Melbourne is all about building the skills, confidence and safety mindset every professional driver needs. At Advanced Heavy Vehicles, we offer a full range of courses—from beginner truck licence training through to advanced upgrade and refresher programs for experienced drivers.
Whether you’re getting behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle for the first time or looking to step up to a higher licence class, we have a course to match your goals. Our trainers bring real-world industry experience, and our Melbourne training locations make it easy to get qualified and job-ready.
Looking to start or progress your heavy vehicle career?
Get in touch with the Advanced Heavy Vehicles team and we’ll help you choose the right course for your pathway.
What Our Students Say
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Chris is a legend
And a great instructor
Keep up the good work
👍👍
Highly recommended great staff.GOT MY HR NON SYNCHRO TODAY. PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR AND VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE (Jaspreet Singh Gill) over all the whole experience from starting to finishing the course was great.
Regards KARL
Frequently Asked Questions
What heavy vehicle licences do you offer?
We offer comprehensive training for all heavy vehicle licence classes in Victoria: Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR), Heavy Rigid (HR), Heavy Combination (HC), and Multi-Combination (MC). All courses are VicRoads approved and available with optional Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) qualifications.
How long does each course take?
Where is the training held?
How much do the courses cost?
For the most up-to-date fees, please see our course listings for the latest prices.
What vehicles can I drive with each licence?
Light Rigid (LR): Vehicles over 4.5t up to 8t GVM, or buses seating more than 12 people including the driver Medium Rigid (MR): Any 2-axle rigid vehicle greater than 8 tonnes GVM Heavy Rigid (HR): Vehicles 8 tonnes GVM and above with three or more axles Heavy Combination (HC): Prime movers with semi-trailers over 9 tonnes GVM, B-doubles, articulated vehicles Multi-Combination (MC): Road trains, B-triples, multi-trailer combinations 22+ metres
What are the prerequisites for each licence?
Light Rigid (LR): Car licence for 12 months, aged 18+ Medium Rigid (MR): Car licence for 12 months, aged 18+ Heavy Rigid (HR): Car licence for 24 months, aged 18+ Heavy Combination (HC): Car licence for 24 months, MR or HR licence for 12 months, currently hold HC licence, aged 18+ Multi-Combination (MC): Car licence for 24 months, currently hold HC licence (and have held MR or HR for 12 months prior), aged 18+
Do I need to progress through each licence level?
What's the difference between AUTO, SYNCHRO, and NON-SYNCHRO?
AUTO: Automatic transmission (easier to operate, 1 day course) SYNCHRO: Synchromesh manual transmission with easier gear changes (1 day course) NON-SYNCHRO (Road Ranger): Non-synchromesh manual requiring advanced clutch and gear coordination (1.5 day course) Your licence will specify which transmission types you’re authorised to operate.
Do I need to bring my own vehicle?
What will I learn across all heavy vehicle courses?
All courses cover advanced vehicle control and monitoring, commercial driving safety standards, traffic and road condition management, hazard management and defensive driving techniques, efficient driving techniques, engine power management, vehicle controls and instruments, pre-operational checks, load restraint, cabin drill, and skill manoeuvres including reversing. HC and MC courses also include coupling and uncoupling procedures.
What does each course include?
All courses include pre-reading materials and workbook (provided at booking), face-to-face theory and practical training, instruction on pre-start checks and cabin drill, load restraint techniques, skill manoeuvres and reversing practice, written and practical assessments, and the official VicRoads examination process.
What certification will I receive?
You’ll receive your official VicRoads heavy vehicle licence for the class you complete. If you choose the Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) option, you’ll also receive a Statement of Attainment: LR: TLILIC2014 – Licence to drive a light rigid vehicle MR: TLILIC2015 – Licence to drive a medium rigid vehicle HR: TLILIC2016 – Licence to drive a heavy rigid vehicle HC: TLILIC3017 – Licence to drive a heavy combination vehicle MC: TLILIC3018 – Licence to drive a multi-combination vehicle
What's the difference between nationally recognised and non-nationally recognised training?
Non-nationally recognised: You receive your VicRoads heavy vehicle driver licence, which allows you to legally drive on the road. Nationally recognised (NRT): You receive both your VicRoads licence AND a Statement of Attainment. This is part of the Australian Qualifications Framework and is portable across Australia for employment and further study pathways. Both options provide the same VicRoads licence – the NRT option simply adds the nationally recognised qualification.
Do I need a USI (Unique Student Identifier)?
Only if you choose the nationally recognised training option. A USI is required to issue your Statement of Attainment and allows you to access your accredited training records for life. It’s not required for the VicRoads licence-only option.
Will my VicRoads heavy vehicle licence be valid outside Victoria?
Victorian driver licences are recognised nationally for driving. If you relocate interstate, you’ll generally need to transfer your licence to the new state within their specified timeframe. If you obtained nationally recognised training, your Statement of Attainment remains nationally recognised for training and employment pathways.
What are the common entry requirements across all courses?
All courses require you to be 18 years or older, hold a valid Victorian car driver’s licence (duration varies by course), meet VicRoads eligibility and eyesight requirements, complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) assessment, and have the physical capacity to safely enter and exit heavy vehicles and sit for extended durations.
What assessments are involved?
All courses include theory review and written assessment, practical assessment covering pre-start checks, cabin drill, load restraint, and skill manoeuvres (including reversing), and the official VicRoads licence assessment. HC and MC courses also include coupling and uncoupling procedures.
What happens if I don't pass the assessment?
When do I receive my course materials?
What do I need for the pre-work?
You’ll need access to the internet and a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to complete the pre-reading and workbook activities.
What should I bring on the day?
Bring your current Victorian Driver’s Licence (essential – must carry it at all times during training), proof of identity for VicRoads as required, your completed workbook, and wear enclosed suitable footwear (steel-capped boots recommended) and clothing for practical training including long pants.
What if I need extra time or support?
Tell us before training day. We can discuss reasonable adjustments aligned with licensing requirements and safety.
What's the difference between weekday and weekend pricing?
Weekend courses cost more due to premium training time. Both weekday and weekend courses provide the same comprehensive training and certification.
What career opportunities do heavy vehicle licences provide?
Light Rigid: Delivery driving, small truck operations, bus driving Medium Rigid: Medium truck driving, larger delivery vehicles, transport and logistics Heavy Rigid: Construction and waste industry, concrete delivery, heavy equipment transport Heavy Combination: Interstate freight, long-haul transport, B-double operations Multi-Combination: Road train operations, remote area freight, elite heavy transport positions
Can I upgrade to higher licence classes later?
Yes, you can progressively upgrade your licence as you gain experience and meet the prerequisite requirements for each level. Many professional drivers start with LR or MR and work their way up to HC or MC as their careers progress.
Which licence should I start with?
This depends on your career goals and current licence history. If you’ve held your car licence for only 12 months, you can start with LR or MR. If you’ve held it for 24 months, you can go directly to HR. Speak with us about your goals and we can recommend the best pathway.
Are international students eligible?
If you’re on a visa, you must be legally allowed to train without breaching your visa conditions. Heavy vehicle training units (TLILIC series) are generally not registered on CRICOS, and we are not a CRICOS provider. Please verify your visa conditions before enrolling.