If you have a Queensland provisional (Red or Green Plates) or open licence, you can learn to drive the next highest vehicle class.
First year Green plates (12 months) you can upgrade to Medium Rigid Truck (MR) and second year Green plates (24 months) you can up grade to Heavy Rigid Truck (HR)
If your provisional or open licence only authorises you to drive a class of motor vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission, you are also authorised to learn to drive or ride the same or higher class of motor vehicle fitted with a manual transmission.
Learning to drive a higher class
When learning to drive in a higher licence class, you must:
- be accompanied by a supervisor who
- holds an open licence in the licence class you are learning to drive in
- has held that licence class for at least 1 year
- clearly display L plates at the front and rear of the vehicle (back only for motorcycles)
- show your provisional or open licence to a police officer if required
- obey a zero alcohol limit
- not be under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs
- obey any conditions stated on your licence.
Unaccompanied learner drivers will get 4 demerit points and a $195 fine.
The maximum court-imposed penalty for this offence is more than $2,400.
Moving to a higher truck class
To apply for the next higher class, you must hold your current licence for a set period.
This period:
- must have occurred in the last 5 years
- can be continuous or made up of different individual lengths of time (excluding any time that your licence was suspended, surrendered, cancelled or expired).
Light Rigid (LR) must of held car licence (O or P) for a continuous period of 12 months
Medium Rigid (MR) must of held car licence (O or P) for a continuous period of 12 months
Heavy Rigid (HR) must of held car licence (O or P) for a continuous period of 24 months or more.
Heavy Combination (HC) must of held a MR or HR licence for a continuous period of 12 months.
Multi Combination (MC) must of held HR or HC for a continuous period of 12 months.
How to apply
To apply for the next higher class of licence you must:
- have had your current licence class for the required period (see the table above)
- complete the driver licence application (F3000)
- bring your licence or other evidence of identity documents if your licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed
- declare that you are medically fit to drive the class of vehicle (You may need to provide a medical certificate that states that you are medically fit to drive)
- pay the Heavy Vehicle Learners test fee and pass the 10 questions (8/10 is a pass)
- book in with Brisbane Truck School for a truck course as the practical driving test fee is included and pass.
Once you meet these requirements you can apply for your current licence to be re-issued with the new class.