Course Category: NSW
Course
NSW “B” Condition Removal
A heavy vehicle licence with a condition “B” restricts the licence holder to driving heavy vehicles fitted with automatic or synchromesh gearboxes only. The licence holder is prohibited from driving vehicles with a non-synchromesh gearbox (also referred to as a Crash box).
To have this condition removed from your licence, you need to learn how to drive a non-synchromesh gearbox. Although there is no minimum hours required training with this gearbox, it takes an average of approximately 20 hours before someone is competent in the use of a non-synchromesh gear box due to the complexities in operating this gearbox. Training sessions are recommended in 2 hour or 4 hour slots and you can proceed to the assessment once you are competent in driving with a non-synchromesh gearbox.
Once the required standard is met you will be required to do an assessment/driving test. This will be conducted in accordance with RMS regulations and will be video recorded as a Transport for NSW requirement. The assessment is based on the HVCBA criteria.
- Criteria 3 – Start, move off, shut down and secure
- Criteria 4 – Manage Steering
- Criteria 5 – Manages Gears
- Criteria 6 – Manages Brakes
- Criteria 7 – Manages Accelerator
- Criteria 8 – Create & Maintain Crash Avoidance Space
- Criteria 9 – Protect Crash Avoidance Space
- Criteria 10 – Road Rules and Directions
Non-Synchromesh gearbox
The non-synchromesh gear box is sometimes referred to as a crash box and these gearboxes come in a 9, 13, 15 or 18 speed, depending on the truck. The gearbox in our truck is an Eaton Fuller 18 Speed, with a low and high range lever as well as a gear splitter which enables the driver to use half gears.
When using half gears the gear changing technique changes from double clutching to a single clutch movement and the gear lever is moved in and out of the same gear position or to the next full gear position, but more on that as you progress through the course.
What makes this gearbox different is that the driver has to match the road speed (KM) and engine speed (revs) to enable a gear change to take place. These gearboxes require more driver input to ensure that you are able to change gears smoothly or at all. For every gear change the clutch is used twice, hence the term double clutching.
- All pricing is GST free
- Full payment must be made at time of booking
- Please note that we do not accept AMEX payments.
Licence Class |
2 hour Training Own Vehicle / TISC |
Assessment Own Vehicle / TISC |
| Heavy Rigid Non-Synchromesh
Heavy Combination Non-Synchromesh Multi Combination Non-Synchromesh |
$455 / $485
$510 / $540 $540 / $565 |
$485 / $510
$540 / $565 $565 / $625 |
- 8:00am – 10:00am
- 10:15am – 12:15pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
All students must –
- Have a moderate level of English language. A language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment might require completion prior to enrolment.
- Be confident in driving a manual vehicle.
- Have a completed Sutton Road Training Centre Enrolment Form e-mailed to office@suttonroad.com.au together with your driver licence to finalise the full enrolment process.
- Current driver licence
- Students are required to bring their own lunch; however fast food outlets are located in Queanbeyan if you prefer to purchase it. A fridge, microwave, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
- Enclosed shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for the expected weather
- High visibility vest (We can provide you with one on the day)
- Additional items depending on the weather such as a hat, sunscreen or rain jacket where required.
The course is assessed with a practical demonstration that meets the Transport for NSW heavy vehicle licensing assessment requirements. There is no written or verbal assessment conducted on this course. There is no guarantee that students will pass the assessment and if they are found to be ‘Not Yet Competent’, they need to enrol in another individual assessment at a later date and pay the associated fee.
Students who are found competent will be provided with the appropriate forms from the trainer which will need to be presented to a Transport for NSW Centre. The course price does not include the cost for issuing a new drivers licence.
As the assessment for this course is regulated, we are unable to RPL or credit transfers for students. Students with existing experience driving a heavy vehicle can complete a reduced amount of training but will still have to complete the practical assessment.
Students have a right to appeal any assessment decision. A student wanting to make a complaint or appeal will need to complete the Assessment Complaints and Appeals Recording Form. Students can obtain a hard copy of the Assessment Complaints and Appeals Recording Form from reception or request it via email.
In the event that Sutton Road Training Centre is unable to complete the delivery of any of the course, a full refund will be issued.
Sutton Road Training Centre does not accept any tentative bookings and will only confirm a student’s enrolment upon receipt of the driver licence, course enrolment forms and course payment.
Any cancellations made less than 7 days prior to this course commencing will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to attend training on the day will also not result in a refund.
Sutton Road Training Centre at their sole discretion may offer to rebook the student on a later course upon the presentation of a medical certificate.
We at located at 441 Sutton Road, Majura, ACT. Our training facilities are located on the left side of the road, approximately 900m from the Sutton Rd/Pialligo Ave intersection. There is ample free onsite parking for students.
Course
Heavy Rigid (HR) Licence – NSW Drivers
An HR licence which will allow you to safely drive a truck or bus with 3 or more axles with a GVM of more than 8 tonnes, and to pull a trailer with a weight of up to a 9 tonne GVM (and within gross combination mass limits). However, this class does not cover a motor vehicle that is towing 2 or more trailers, or a single trailer with a GVM over 9 tonne.
You will need to determine what type of vehicle you will need to be driving once you have your HR licence. Trucks will generally have one of three different gearboxes:
Automatic Transmission
A type of transmission (vehicle gearbox) that requires no input from the driver to change forward gears and thus removes the need for a clutch pedal and gear shifter
Synchromesh Transmission
A gearbox in which the speeds of the gears are matched or ‘synchronised’ by means of in-built synchronising clutches before they are meshed (Transport for NSW). It ensures smooth transmission of engine power to the wheels.
Non-Synchromesh Transmission
A gearbox, often referred to as a ‘crash box’, that does not use the synchronising system. This gearbox requires the driver to manually match the engine speed to that of the road speed and is more difficult to learn and operate as it requires greater input from the driver. It takes an average of 20 hours before someone is competent in the use of a non-synchromesh gearbox. Training sessions are recommended in 2 hour or 4 hour slots.
If you complete the course in a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox, you will obtain an unrestricted HR licence.
- All pricing includes GST
- Full payment must be made at time of booking
- Please note that we do not accept AMEX payments
- NSW students must complete a minimum of 5 hours training for a automatic or synchromesh gearbox, or 6 hours training for a non-synchromesh gearbox, before attempting a heavy rigid assessment.
| Licence Class | 2 hour Training Own Vehicle / TISC |
Assessment Own Vehicle / TISC |
One Day Course* Own Vehicle / TISC |
| Heavy Rigid Automatic | $475 / $500 | $500 / $535 | $1745 / $1870 |
| Heavy Rigid Synchromesh | $475 / $500 | $500 / $535 | $1745 / $1870 |
| Heavy Rigid Non-Synchromesh | $500 / $535 | $535 / $565 | Not applicable |
The one day courses run from 8:00am until 5:00pm, alternatively, individual training and assessment sessions can be booked in the following time blocks:
- 8:00am – 10:00am
- 10:15am – 12:15pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
In the first training session, students must complete a pre-departure check, load restraint and cabin controls before they can commence the practical driving component. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the course commencing to complete the relevant paperwork.
Heavy Rigid Automatic or Synchromesh gearbox – Students that have no experience in driving a heavy rigid vehicle often require more than 6 hours of training before attempting the assessment. We suggest a minimum of an initial 2 hour training session prior to attempt the one day course of 6 hours training followed by the assessment.
Heavy Rigid Non-Synchromesh gearbox – This is quite a challenging gearbox to operate and students take an average of 10 x 2 hour training sessions to be deemed competent in operating this gearbox. As a result, students are recommended to only book 2 – 4 hours of training at a time and then book an individual assessment when confident.
- Have a moderate level of English language. A language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment might require completion prior to enrolment.
- Be confident in driving a manual vehicle.
- Have held a current driver licence (provisional licence accepted) for a minimum of 2 years .
- Be a minimum of 19 years old.
- Have completed the Driver Knowledge Test from a Transport for NSW Centre prior to enrolling in any heavy vehicle training or assessments.
- Obtain the Competency Based Assessment logbook from a Transport for NSW Centre.
- Pass an Eyesight Test
*NSW licence holders are required to complete a new Driver Knowledge Test even if they already hold a heavy vehicle driver licence in a smaller class and only want to upgrade their licence.
- Current driver licence
- A high visibility vest if you have one
- Competency Based Assessment logbook provided by a NSW Service Centre
- Students are required to bring their own lunch; however fast food outlets are located in Queanbeyan if you prefer to purchase it. A fridge, microwave, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
If you want to use your own vehicle, please note the following:
- Someone who is licenced to drive this class will need to accompany you or bring and collect the vehicle.
- Your vehicle must be ACT or NSW registered. (It cannot be federally registered)
- Must be 75% loaded – this load cannot be dangerous goods, livestock, or fluid (excludes busses) – we will require a weighbridge ticket.
- Must have two or more seats, all fitted with full seatbelts.
The course is assessed with a practical demonstration that meets the Transport for NSW heavy vehicle licensing assessment requirements. There is no written or verbal assessment conducted on this course. The Final Competency Assessment is the final practical test you must complete at the end of your HVCBA training. Your trainer and assessor will be 2 different people.
There is no guarantee that students will pass the assessment and if found to be ‘Not Yet Competent’, they need to enrol in another individual assessment at a later date and pay the associated fee. In order to pass the assessment, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned in your HVCBA training and show that you can operate a heavy vehicle safely.
Students who are found competent will not be licenced to drive a Heavy Rigid vehicle yet. You first need to present the appropriate documentation provided by the TISC Assessor to a Transport for NSW Centre. The course price does not include the cost for issuing a new driver licence.
The HVCBA logbook for NSW must be received no later than 7 days prior to your booking to allow your assessment to be scheduled with the heavy vehicle regulator through Transport NSW. Failure to do so will result in your booking being cancelled and any paid course fees will not be refunded.
Any cancellations made less than 7 days prior to this course commencing will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to attend training on the day will also not result in a refund.
Sutton Road Training Centre at their sole discretion may offer to rebook the student on a later course upon the presentation of a medical certificate.
Before making a booking, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine if you meet the licence class prerequisites.
If you are eligible to enrol for this course, you will be directed to the booking page where you will need to upload the printed page with your details from your Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment Logbook and a copy of your current Driver Licence. Please ensure you have this ready to complete the online booking.
Course
Medium Rigid (MR) Licence – NSW Drivers
An MR licence allows you to drive a rigid vehicle, including a bus or truck, that has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) more than 8 tonnes and has no more than 2 axles. However, this class does not cover a vehicle that is towing two or more trailers, or towing a single trailer with a GVM over 9 tonne.
One Day Course = $1,590 (your vehicle) or $1,690 (our vehicle)
2 hour Training = $405 (your vehicle) or $440 (our vehicle)
Assessment = $440 (your vehicle) or $480 (our vehicle)
- All pricing includes GST
- Full payment must be made at time of booking (we do not accept AMEX)
Students are required to complete a minimum of 5 hours of training before an assessment. However we recommend you enrol in a one day course consisting of 6 hours of training followed by a 2 hour assessment session (8:00am – 5:00pm).
Alternatively, individual training and assessment sessions can be booked in the following time blocks:
- 8:00am – 10:00am
- 10:00am – 12:00pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- Have a moderate level of English language. You may be required to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment prior to enrolment
- Be confident in driving a manual vehicle
- Have held a current C class driver licence (except a learner licence) for one year or more
- Be a minimum of 18 years old
- Have a completed Driver Knowledge Test from a Service NSW Centre prior to enrolling in any heavy vehicle training or assessments
- Obtain the Competency Based Assessment logbook from a Service NSW Centre
- Pass an Eyesight Test
- Current driver licence
- Competency Based Assessment Logbook provided by a Service NSW Centre
- A high visibility vest if you have one
- Food for lunch (a fridge, microwave, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided)
If you want to use your own vehicle, please note the following:
- Someone who is licenced to drive this class will need to accompany you or bring and collect the vehicle
- Your vehicle must be ACT or NSW registered. (It cannot be federally registered)
- Must be 75% loaded – this load cannot be dangerous goods, livestock, or fluid (excludes busses) – we will require a weighbridge ticket
- Must have two or more seats, all fitted with full seatbelts
The Final Competency Assessment is the practical test you must complete at the end of your HVCBA training. Your trainer and assessor will be different people. In order to pass the assessment, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned in your HVCBA training and show that you can operate a heavy vehicle safely.
Students who are found competent will not be licenced to drive a Medium Rigid vehicle just yet. Once you pass this assessment, the assessor will submit your results to Transport for NSW and keep your log book. You can then attend a Service NSW Centre in person to upgrade or obtain your new heavy vehicle licence. If you are deemed ‘Not Yet Competent’, you will need to enrol in another individual assessment at a later date and pay the associated fee.
To confirm your booking we will need your driver licence, HVCBA logbook, enrolment form and payment. We do not accept any tentative bookings.
Any cancellations made less than 7 days prior to this course commencing will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to attend training on the day will also not result in a refund. We may, at our sole discretion, offer to rebook you on a later course upon the presentation of a medical certificate.
Before making a booking, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine if you meet the licence class prerequisites.
If you are eligible to enrol for this course, you will be directed to the booking page where you will need to upload the printed page with your details from your Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment Logbook and a copy of your current Driver Licence. Please ensure you have this ready to complete the online booking.
Course
Multi Combination (MC) Licence – NSW Drivers
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Transport Industries Skills Centre Inc. (TISC) is qualified to conduct heavy vehicle truck licence training and assessment on behalf of both the ACT and NSW Governments. Our facilities and fleet is located at the Sutton Road Training Centre with everything in one place to help you get your truck licence. Training and Assessments are delivered one-on-one with the trainer so students receive high quality training that can be customised to meet the students’ various needs.
The following course information is specifically for the Multi Combination (MC) Non-Synchromesh licence classes issued in the NSW.
There are different course information pages for ACT licences.
Before applying for a MC licence you must:
- have held a current heavy rigid or heavy combination driver licence or equivalent for a minimum of 1 year
- be a minimum of 20 years old
- complete a TISC Enrolment Form
- pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test from a Transport for NSW Centre prior to enrolling in any heavy vehicle training or assessments. Students can complete this at the Queanbeyan Service Centre (13 77 88).
- pass an Eyesight Test
- Obtain a Commercial Medical Examination Form from Service NSW and complete the medical assessment with a registered GP.
- obtain the ‘Competency Based Assessment logbook‘ from a Transport for NSW Centre.
*NSW licence holders are required to complete a new ‘Driver Knowledge Test’ even if they already hold a heavy vehicle driver licence in a smaller class and only want to upgrade their licence.
The HVCBA has a training element and an assessment element called the Final Competency Assessment
The Final Competency Assessment is the final practical test you must complete at the end of your HVCBA training. Your trainer and assessor will be 2 different people.
In order to pass the assessment, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned in your HVCBA training and show that you can operate a heavy vehicle safely.
Once you pass this assessment, the assessor will submit your results to Transport for NSW and keep your log book.
You can then attend a service centre in person to upgrade or obtain your new heavy vehicle licence.
MC Course Content
-
- Criteria 1 – Pre-operational check
- Criteria 2 – Cabin drills
- Criteria 3 – Start, move off, shut down and secure
- Criteria 4 – Manage steering
- Criteria 5 – Manages gears
- Criteria 6 – Manages brakes
- Criteria 7 – Manages accelerator
- Criteria 8 – Create and maintain crash avoidance space
- Criteria 9 – Protect crash avoidance space
- Criteria 10 – Road rules and directions
- Criteria 11 – Reversing
- Criteria 12 – Hill stop/start
- Criteria 13 – Load securing
- Criteria 14 – Bus stop procedure (if course is conducted in a bus only)
What is a Multi Combination vehicle?
A Multi Combination (MC) vehicle includes:
- A motor vehicle towing more than one trailer (not including a converter dolly on its own), or
- A prime mover towing two or more trailers, including any unladen converter dollies.
- The combination must have three or more axles in total.
- These vehicles are typically designed for heavy freight and may exceed 42.5 tonnes Gross Combination Mass (GCM).
Examples of Multi Combination vehicles include:
- B-doubles
- Prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader trailer combinations
- Road trains
What is a Multi Combination Licence?
An MC licence is the highest level of licence class. This licence allows you to drive all types of vehicles except motorcycles.
If you’ve held a heavy rigid or heavy combination class driving licence for at least 1 year, you could upgrade your driver licence to a multi combination licence and further your career in the transport industry.
Completing the course will give you a class MC licence which will allow you to drive automatic and synchromesh manual vehicles or a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox. You will be able to safely drive all types of rigid and articulated vehicles.
Meeting the necessary MC licence requirements means you will be able to legally drive and operate a variety of vehicles used in the transport industry – increasing your skills and employability.
If you complete the course in a vehicle with a synchromesh gearbox, “Condition B” will appear on your licence, enabling you to drive trucks with and automatic and synchromesh gearbox. You will however not be allowed to drive Class MC vehicles with a Non-Synchromesh gearbox (also sometimes referred to as a Crash box).
If you complete the course in a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox, you will obtain an unrestricted MC licence.
What is the difference between a Synchromesh, a non-Synchromesh gearbox and an automatic gearbox?
Automatic Transmission
A type of transmission (vehicle gearbox) that requires no input from the driver to change forward gears and thus removes the need for a clutch pedal and gear shifter
Synchromesh Transmission
A transmission in which the speeds of the gears are matched or ‘synchronised’ by means of in-built synchronising clutches before they are meshed (Transport for NSW). It ensures smooth transmission of engine power to the wheels
Non-Synchromesh Transmission
A transmission, often referred to as a ‘crash box’. It is a manual transmission that does not use the synchronising system. These transmission types require the driver to manually match the engine speed (input speed to the transmission) to that of the drive shaft or road speed (output speed of the transmission). These transmission types are much more difficult to learn and operate and require greater input from the driver. It takes an average of approximately 20 hours before someone is competent in the use of a non-synchromesh gear box due to the complexities in operating this gearbox. Training sessions are recommended in 2 hour or 4 hour slots.
- All pricing include GST
- Full payment must be made at time of booking
- Please note that we do not accept AMEX payments
- NSW students are required to complete a minimum of 8 hours training for multi-combination before attempting an assessment.
Licence Class |
2 hour Training Own Vehicle / TISC |
Assessment Own Vehicle / TISC |
| Multi-Combination | $595 / $625 | $625 / $685 |
Students generally require more training for this licence class so we recommend that students book individual trainings session until they are confident to proceed to the assessment.
Individual training and assessment sessions can be booked in the following time blocks:
- 8:00am – 10:00am
- 10:15am – 12:15pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
In the first training session, students must complete a pre-departure check, load restraint and cabin controls before they can commence the practical driving component. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the course commencing to complete the relevant paperwork.
- Have a moderate level of English language. A language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment might require completion prior to enrolment.
- Be confident in driving a manual vehicle.
- Have held a current heavy rigid or heavy combination driver licence or equivalent for a minimum of one year.
- Be a minimum of 20 years old
- Pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test from a Transport for NSW Centre prior to enrolling in any heavy vehicle training or assessments. Students can complete this at the Queanbeyan Service Centre (13 77 88).
- Obtain the Competency Based Assessment logbook from a Transport for NSW Centre.
- Pass an Eyesight Test
- Pass a medical examination (This form isn’t available anywhere on-line, and needs to be issued to an individual from a registry. If the form is lost, the individual must re attend a registry to be issued with a new form. Each form is securely issued and recorded against a participants licence details.)
*NSW licence holders are required to complete a new Driver Knowledge Test even if they already hold a heavy vehicle driver licence in a smaller class and only want to upgrade their licence.
- Current driver licence
- A high visibility vest if you have one
- Competency Based Assessment logbook provided by a Transport for NSW Centre
- Students are required to bring their own lunch (a fridge, microwave, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided)
If you want to use your own vehicle, please note the following:
- Someone who is licenced to drive this class will need to accompany you or bring and collect the vehicle.
- Your vehicle must be ACT or NSW registered. (It cannot be federally registered)
- Must be 75% loaded – this load cannot be dangerous goods, livestock, or fluid (excludes busses) – we will require a weighbridge ticket.
- Must have two or more seats, all fitted with full seatbelts.
The course is assessed with a practical demonstration that meets the Transport for NSW heavy vehicle licensing assessment requirements. There is no written or verbal assessment conducted on this course. There is no guarantee that students will pass the assessment and if they are found to be ‘Not Yet Competent’, they need to enrol in another individual assessment at a later date and pay the associated fee.
Students who are found competent will not be licenced to drive a Multi Combination vehicle yet. You first need to present the appropriate documentation provided by the TISC Assessor to a Transport for NSW Centre. The course price does not include the cost for issuing a new driver licence.
The HVCBA logbook for NSW must be received no later than 7 days prior to your booking to allow your assessment to be scheduled with the heavy vehicle regulator through Transport NSW. Failure to do so will result in your booking being cancelled and any paid course fees will not be refunded.
Any cancellations made less than 7 days prior to this course commencing will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to attend training on the day will also not result in a refund.
Sutton Road Training Centre at their sole discretion may offer to rebook the student on a later course upon the presentation of a medical certificate.
Before making a booking, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine if you meet the licence class prerequisites.
If you are eligible to enrol for this course, you will be directed to the booking page where you will need to upload the printed page with your details from your Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment Logbook and a copy of your current Driver Licence. Please ensure you have this ready to complete the online booking.
Course
Light Rigid (LR) Licence – NSW Drivers
An LR licence allows you to drive a rigid vehicle, including a bus or truck, that has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes or which seats more than 12 people (including the driver). However, this class does not cover a vehicle that is towing two or more trailers, or towing a single trailer with a GVM over 9 tonne.
One Day Course = $1,590 (your vehicle) or $1,690 (our vehicle)
2 hour Training = $405 (your vehicle) or $440 (our vehicle)
Assessment = $440 (your vehicle) or $480 (our vehicle)
Students are required to complete a minimum of 5 hours of training before an assessment. However we recommend you enrol in a one day course consisting of 6 hours of training followed by a 2 hour assessment session (8:00am – 5:00pm).
Alternatively, individual training and assessment sessions can be booked in the following time blocks:
- 8:00am – 10:00am
- 10:00am – 12:00pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
All students must:
- Have a moderate level of English language. You may be required to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment prior to enrolment
- Be confident in driving a manual vehicle.
- Have held a current drivers licence for a minimum of one year (provisional licences are accepted).
- Be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Have completed a Driver Knowledge Test from a Service NSW Centre prior to enrolling.
- Obtain the Competency Based Assessment logbook from the Service NSW Centre.
- Your current driver licence.
- Your Competency Based Assessment logbook provided by a Service NSW Centre
- A high visibility vest if you have one
- Food for lunch (a fridge, microwave, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided)
You will need to use your own vehicle – please note the following:
- Someone who is licenced to drive this class will need to accompany you or bring and collect the vehicle.
- Your vehicle must be ACT or NSW registered. (It cannot be federally registered)
- Must be 75% loaded – this load cannot be dangerous goods, livestock, or fluid (excludes busses) – we will require a weighbridge ticket.
- Must have two or more seats, all fitted with full seatbelts.
- We will require a copy of your vehicle registration papers with your enrolment forms.
The Final Competency Assessment is the practical test you must complete at the end of your HVCBA training. Your trainer and assessor will be different people. In order to pass the assessment, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned in your HVCBA training and show that you can operate a heavy vehicle safely.
Students who are found competent will not be licenced to drive a Light Rigid vehicle just yet. Once you pass this assessment, the assessor will submit your results to Transport for NSW and keep your log book. You can then attend a Service NSW Centre in person to upgrade or obtain your new heavy vehicle licence. If you are deemed ‘Not Yet Competent’, you will need to enrol in another individual assessment at a later date and pay the associated fee.
To confirm your booking we will need your driver licence, HVCBA logbook, course enrolment form and payment. We do not accept any tentative bookings.
Any cancellations made less than 7 days prior to this course commencing will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to attend training on the day will also not result in a refund. We may, at our sole discretion, offer to rebook you on a later course upon the presentation of a medical certificate.
Before making a booking, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine if you meet the licence class prerequisites.
If you are eligible to enrol for this course, you will be directed to the booking page where you will need to upload the printed page with your details from your Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment Logbook and a copy of your current Driver Licence. Please ensure you have this ready to complete the online booking.
Course
Heavy Combination (HC) Licence – NSW Drivers
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Transport Industries Skills Centre Inc. (TISC) is qualified to conduct heavy vehicle truck licence training and assessment on behalf of both the ACT and NSW Governments. Our facilities and fleet is located at the Sutton Road Training Centre with everything in one place to help you get your truck licence. Training and Assessments are delivered one-on-one with the trainer so students receive high quality training that can be customised to meet the students’ various needs.
The following course information is specifically for the Heavy Combination (HC) Synchromesh, Non-Synchromesh and Automatic licence classes issued in the NSW.
There are different course information pages for larger vehicle classes and ACT licences.
Before applying for a HC licence in NSW you must:
- Have held a current medium or heavy rigid driver licence (provisional licence accepted) for a minimum of 1 year.
- Be a minimum of 19 years old.
- Pass the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test from a Transport for NSW Centre prior to enrolling in any heavy vehicle training or assessments. Students can complete this at the Queanbeyan Service Centre (13 77 88).
- Pass an Eyesight Test
- Obtain the Competency Based Assessment logbook from a Transport for NSW Centre.
*NSW licence holders are required to complete a new Driver Knowledge Test’even if they already hold a heavy vehicle driver licence in a smaller class and only want to upgrade their licence.
The HVCBA has a training element and an assessment element called the Final Competency Assessment
The Final Competency Assessment is the final practical test you must complete at the end of your HVCBA training. Your trainer and assessor will be 2 different people.
In order to pass the assessment, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned in your HVCBA training and show that you can operate a heavy vehicle safely.
Once you pass this assessment, the assessor will submit your results to Transport for NSW and keep your log book.
You can then attend a service centre in person to upgrade or obtain your new heavy vehicle licence.
What is a Heavy Combination vehicle?
- A prime mover to which is attached a single semitrailer plus any unladen converter dolly.
- Articulated vehicles with 3 or more axles
- Any towed trailer with a GVM more than 9 tonnes.
What is a Heavy Combination Licence?
This licence class is applied to trucks with a trailer.
If you’ve held a medium or heavy rigid class driving licence for at least 1 year, you could upgrade your driver licence to a heavy combination licence and further your career in the transport industry.
Completing the course will give you a class HC licence which will allow you to drive automatic and synchromesh manual vehicles or a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox. You will be able to safely drive a rigid vehicle attached to a trailer with a GVM over 9 tonne.
Meeting the necessary HC licence requirements means you will be able to legally drive and operate a variety of vehicles used in the transport industry – increasing your skills and employability.
Gearbox Types
Automatic Transmission
A type of transmission (vehicle gearbox) that requires no input from the driver to change forward gears and thus removes the need for a clutch pedal and gear shifter
Synchromesh Transmission
A gearbox in which the speeds of the gears are matched or ‘synchronised’ by means of in-built synchronising clutches before they are meshed (Transport for NSW). It ensures smooth transmission of engine power to the wheels.
Non-Synchromesh Transmission
A gearbox, often referred to as a ‘crash box’, that does not use the synchronising system. This gearbox requires the driver to manually match the engine speed to that of the road speed and is more difficult to learn and operate as it requires greater input from the driver. It takes an average of 20 hours before someone is competent in the use of a non-synchromesh gearbox. Training sessions are recommended in 2 hour or 4 hour slots.
If you complete the course in a vehicle with a non-synchromesh gearbox, you will obtain an unrestricted HC licence.
- All pricing includes GST
- Full payment must be made at time of booking
- Please note that we do not accept AMEX payments
- NSW students are required to complete a minimum of 5 hours training before attempting an assessment.
| Licence Class | 2 Hours Training Own Vehicle / TISC |
Daily Training Rate Own Vehicle / TISC |
Assessment Only Own Vehicle / TISC |
| Heavy Combination Automatic | $560 / $590 | $1,865 / $1,995 | $595 / $625 |
| Heavy Combination Synchromesh | $560 / $590 | $1,865 / $1,995 | $595 / $625 |
| Heavy Combination Non-Synchro | $565 / $595 | N/A | $605 / $635 |
Individual training and assessment sessions can be booked in the following time blocks:
- 8:00am – 10:00am
- 10:15am – 12:15pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
In the first training session, students must complete a pre-departure check, load restraint and cabin controls before they can commence the practical driving component. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the course commencing to complete the relevant paperwork.
Heavy Combination Automatic and Synchromesh – Students that have no experience in driving this vehicle class often require more than 6 hours of training before attempting the assessment.
Heavy Combination Non-Synchromesh – This is quite challenging and students take an average of 10 x 2 hour training sessions to be found competent. As a result, students are recommended to only book 2 – 4 hours of training at a time and then book an individual assessment when confident.
- Have a moderate level of English language. You may be required to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment prior to enrolment
- Be confident in driving a manual vehicle
- Have held a medium or heavy rigid driver licence (provisional licence accepted) for a minimum of one year
- Be a minimum of 19 years old.
- Have completed the Driver Knowledge Test at a Service NSW Centre and obtained a Competency Based Assessment logbook.
- Pass an Eyesight Test
*NSW licence holders are required to complete a new Driver Knowledge Test even if they already hold a heavy vehicle driver licence in a smaller class and only want to upgrade their licence.
- Your current driver licence
- Your Competency Based Assessment logbook
- A high visibility vest if you have one
- Food for lunch (a fridge, microwave, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided)
If you want to use your own vehicle, please note the following:
- Someone who is licenced to drive this class will need to accompany you or bring and collect the vehicle.
- Your vehicle must be ACT or NSW registered. (It cannot be federally registered)
- Must be 75% loaded – this load cannot be dangerous goods, livestock, or fluid (excludes busses) – we will require a weighbridge ticket.
- Must have two or more seats, all fitted with full seatbelts.
The Final Competency Assessment is the practical test you must complete at the end of your HVCBA training. Your trainer and assessor will be different people. In order to pass the assessment, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned in your HVCBA training and show that you can operate a heavy vehicle safely.
Students who are found competent will not be licenced to drive a Heavy Combination vehicle yet. You first need to present the appropriate documentation provided by the TISC Assessor to a Transport for NSW Centre. The course price does not include the cost for issuing a new driver licence.
As the assessment for this course is regulated, we are unable to RPL or credit transfers for students. Students with existing experience driving a heavy vehicle can complete a reduced amount of training but will still have to complete the practical assessment.
The HVCBA logbook for NSW must be received no later than 7 days prior to your booking to allow your assessment to be scheduled with the heavy vehicle regulator through Transport NSW. Failure to do so will result in your booking being cancelled and any paid course fees will not be refunded.
Any cancellations made less than 7 days prior to this course commencing will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to attend training on the day will also not result in a refund. We may, at our sole discretion, offer to rebook you on a later course upon the presentation of a medical certificate.
Before making a booking, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine if you meet the licence class prerequisites.
If you are eligible to enrol for this course, you will be directed to the booking page where you will need to upload the printed page with your details from your Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment Logbook and a copy of your current Driver Licence. Please ensure you have this ready to complete the online booking.