Heavy Vehicle Driver Training FAQs

Yes, before comencing your training you are required to complete your knowledge test at Transport NSW.

Click here for instructions

Yes, it doesn't matter if you complete your training in a truck or a bus. You will still be able to drive either vehicle for the class of licence you completed.

Licence Classes please click here

1. Bus Authority Course
2. Choose the type of Licence you wish to obtain
3. Complete your Knowledge test 
4. Contact us to book in

I suggest if you have not completed your Bus Authority that you start there first as this is cheaper than the cost of completing your licence upgrade.

You do not want to complete your licence and then find out, due to health reasons or a criminal record, that you will not be permitted to drive a bus.

To proceed with your Bus Authority you should:

1. Do a criminal Record Check - Click here
2. Medical Report completed by your Doctor - Click Here 
3. complete your training course - Click Here

As of the 1st April 2020, the training component is not required to be filmed by Transport NSW. However, the Final Assesment is required to be filmed by the Assessor completing this Assessment.

Further Information click here

At present, the NSW Ambulance Service require the applicant to obtain a Light Rigid Licence.

We have a 15 seated long wheel base Mercedes Benz Sprinter that we complete our clients' Light Rigid training and licence upgrades in.

Please click here for further information

Many schools tend to have smaller Mini Buses such as:

• Mitsubushi Rosa 
• Toyota Coasters 
• Toyota HiAce 

All these vehicles are generally Light Rigid Licence vehicles.

These days, however, a lot of schools also tend to be purchasing the larger buses such as:

• Higer
• BCI
• Yutong 

These buses can be Medium Rigid or Light Rigid Licences . The best way to check is by checking the Registration Papers as this will tell you the GVM of the vehicle .

Light Rigid - 4.5 Tonne GVM - 8Tonn GVM

Medium Rigid 8Tonne GVM - 15 Tonne GVM

Please click here for LicenceClasses

Yes, you are still required to complete competency 13 Load Security which is completed on a static display (Trailer) at our depot.

You will be trained & assessed on the following:

• Straps 
• Chains
• Ropes - Truckie Hitch

If you would like to read up further information on Load Security , a good place to start would be the 2018 Load security Guide Below

Yes you can, but there are some requirments when using your own vehicle.

Vehicles for assessments and tests

You can learn and be assessed or tested in your own vehicle, as long as it is registered and roadworthy, and the right type of vehicle for the licence class you're applying for.

The vehicle you use for the test must also have a lap-sash retractable seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat for the assessor or testing officer, except for MR and HR buses.

Vehicles for HR, HC and MC licence tests must meet additional minimum standards:

• HR: The test vehicle must be at least a 3-axle rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 15 tonnes, excluding bobtail prime mover
• HC: The test vehicle must be at least a 3-axle prime mover with a minimum 2-axle semi-trailer, or a heavy rigid vehicle plus trailer over nine tonnes GVM
• MC (HVCBA assessments only): The test vehicle must be at least a 3-axle prime mover with an A and B trailer, each with bogie axles. The vehicle must be B-double rated and a minimum of 22 metres in length, in B-double configuration.

Test vehicles must also be loaded to at least 75% of the maximum mass allowable for the vehicle, except for buses. This means at least 75% of the: Legal mass limit

• The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) for rigid vehicles, or
• The Gross Combination Mass (GCM) for articulated or heavy trailer combinations

whichever is the lowest.

Vehicles which cannot be used for testing and assessment

The following vehicles must not be used for a driving test or HVCBA:

• Armoured security vehicles
• Vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• Vehicles carrying livestock
• Vehicles displaying Traders' number plates
• Vehicles that are not suitable for safe use
• Any heavy vehicle fitted with a dual accelerator or a dual steering wheel
• Buses carrying passengers
• Special Purpose Vehicles

Automatic/synchromesh condition

If you're assessed for your heavy vehicle licence (whether through HVCBA or a driving test) in a vehicle with an automatic or synchromesh gearbox, a condition will be added to your licence. This means you'll only be permitted to drive vehicles with a similar transmission.

To have the automatic/synchromesh condition removed from your licence, you need to be assessed driving a vehicle fitted with a constant mesh gearbox. This assessment can be either through a Competency Test with an accredited HVCBA provider, or in a shortened version of a Roads and Maritime driving test.

Connect Coaches Heavy Vehicle Trainer/Assessor, Liam Green, is accreditted to train & assess for the following licence classes:

• Light Rigid
• Medium Rigid
• Heavy Rigid
• Heavy Combination
• Bus Authority

At present, we only provide vehicles for training in the Light Rigid and Medium Rigid classes, but Liam is more than happy to train in a vehicle which is provided by the client/company.

Automatic/synchromesh condition B:

If you're assessed for your heavy vehicle licence (whether through HVCBA or a driving test) in a vehicle with an automatic or synchromesh gearbox, a condition will be added to your licence. This means you'll only be permitted to drive vehicles with a similar transmission.

To have the automatic/synchromesh condition removed from your licence, you need to be assessed driving a vehicle fitted with a constant mesh gearbox. This assessment can be either through a Competency Test with an accredited HVCBA provider, or in a shortened version of a Roads and Maritime driving test.

So if you complete your course in an automatic truck or bus, you will have a B endorsement on your Llcence. This means you can drive automatic vehicles or those with a synchromesh gearboxes. You will not, however, be able to drive a constantmesh gearbox vehicle (Crashbox, Road Ranger gearbox) 

A Sychromesh Gearbox is the same gearbox you would have in a normal manual car

if you are still unsure contact Liam - 0417281545

The Final Competency Assessment (FCA) is conducted by a separate Assessor to the Trainer. It must go for a minimum of 45 minutes, but most assessments will last approximately 1 hour. A lot of applicants worry too much about the assessment.....with the right training, the assessment should not feel too arduous.

Please Click here for further information

Connect Coaches can provide a trainer in the following area

1. Central Coast
2. Newcastle 
3. Hornsby & Northern Beaches

Connect Coaches is not an RTO

Our Trainer / Assessor Liam Green is an RMS accredited instructor that Train's & asseses under the guidance of RTO Dare Rider Education [RTO Number 90431]

Dare Rider Education Audit and make sure that Liam is compliant and trains to the excepted requirement of the Roads & Marritine Services  to Meet Licencing standards

These day's most trucks have a Automatic or a sychromesh gearbox  . 

The Road Ranger Gearbox is a more difficult licence to get but once you have achieved your licence with a Road Ranger Gearbox you will have an Unristricted licence enabling you to drive all three Gear Boxes

1. Automatic
2. Sychromesh Gearbox
3. Constant Mesh [ Crash Box ]

The Biggest Disadvatage of doing your licence in a Road Ranger Gear Box is the cost Factor . Sometime it could be over a $1000 more to complete your licenc in a Road Ranger