Licence classes

Here’s a look at the vehicles you can drive with a C licence.

If you have a provisional P1 or P2 licence, there are restrictions on the vehicles you can drive.

Other vehicles, such as motorcycles and heavy vehicles, need different licences. You must have your C licence before getting these licences – except for Rider (R) licences. You also have to take tests, competency assessments and medical checks.

Car (C) licence

Drivers with a C licence can drive vehicles:

• up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM)
• that seat up to 12 adults including the driver.

This includes:

• utes, vans and some light trucks
• tractors, and implements such as road graders
• car-based motor tricycles (3-wheeled vehicles made from car components).

Drivers with a C licence must not carry passengers aged under 16 in a car-based motor tricycle.

Rider (R) licence

Riders with an R licence can ride any motorcycle, scooter or motor tricycle.

Light Rigid (LR) licence

Drivers with an LR licence can drive C vehicles as well as vehicles:

• over 4.5 tonnes (GVM) but not more than 8 tonnes (GVM) – for example, small delivery trucks
• that seat more than 12 adults (including driver) and are not more than 8 tonnes (GVM) – for example, minibuses
• with a towing trailer up to 9 tonnes (GVM).

Medium Rigid (MR) licence

Drivers with an MR licence can drive C and LR vehicles as well as rigid vehicles with:

• 2 axles and over 8 tonnes (GVM) – for example, buses
• a towing trailer up to 9 tonnes (GVM).

Heavy Rigid (HR) licence

Drivers with an HR licence can drive C, LR and MR vehicles, as well as rigid vehicles and articulated buses with:

• 3 or more axles and over 8 tonnes (GVM)
• a towing trailer up to 9 tonnes (GVM).

Heavy Combination (HC) licence

Drivers with an HC licence can drive C, LR, MR and HR vehicles, as well as:

• prime movers attached to single semi-trailers (plus any unladen converter dolly)
• rigid vehicles towing a trailer over 9 tonnes (GVM) (plus any unladen converter dolly).

Multi Combination (MC) licence

Drivers with an MC licence can drive C, LR, MR, HR and HC vehicles, as well as:

• B-double or road trains
• low loader dollies
• low loader trailer combinations.

Other licences

Once you have your full C licence, you can apply for a:

• Passenger Transport (PT) licence code (taxis, chauffeur-driven hire cars and rideshare vehicles)
• Driving instructor licence
• Tow truck driver certificate.

Once you have a licence for the class of bus you want to drive, you can apply for a Bus Driver Authority.