To understand which truck models you can drive with a car licence in NSW, we should first go through the different car licence classes in Australia. Licences vary depending on the class of vehicle. There are six main vehicle classes, which are: C-Car, LR-Light Rigid, MR-Medium Rigid, HR-Heavy Rigid, HC-Heavy Combination, and MC-Multi Combination vehicles.
Vehicle licence classes explained
We explain below the different vehicle licence classes in NSW, helping you understand what type of vehicles you can drive with a car licence in NSW and when you’ll need a higher class licence, such as an LR or MR truck licence.
C-Car licence:
This type of Class C drivers licence allows you to drive a typical car, i.e. one that has a Gross Vehicle Mass or GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less. You can also drive vehicles that have a seating capacity of up to 12 adults (including the driver), such as a minibus.
If you want to know more about the vehicle types and models you can drive with a car licence, jump to the section: Vehicles you can drive with your car licence.
LR-Light Rigid licence:
An LR Licence NSW allows you to drive a 12-adult capacity rigid vehicle with a GVM above 4.5 tonnes but not exceeding 8 tonnes. This licence doesn’t come with vehicle axle restrictions. The 3-tonne flatbeds and a 14-seater minibus are two examples of vehicles that you can hire with us, but require a driver who holds a Light Rigid licence in NSW.
MR- Medium Rigid licence:
An MR truck licence in NSW allows you to drive 2-axle vehicles with a GVM exceeding 8 tonnes. Towed trailers must weigh 9 tonnes or less. The 7.5 tonne pantech with tail lift and the 6 tonne tautliner with tuck-away tail lift are two examples of vehicles that you can hire with us, but require a driver who holds an MR truck licence in NSW.
HR-Heavy Rigid licence:
The Heavy Rigid licence covers rigid vehicles with a GVM exceeding 8 tonnes and three or more axles, i.e. articulated vehicles. Towed trailers must weigh 9 tonnes or less. The 12-tonne tautliner truck is an example of a truck that you can hire with us, but requires a driver who holds an HR-Heavy Rigid licence.
HC-Heavy Combination licence:
An HC licence in NSW covers articulated vehicles with 3 or more axles. Towed trailers can weigh over 9 tonnes. The single-rated prime mover is an example of a truck that you can hire with us, but requires a driver who holds an HC licence in NSW.
MC- Multi Combination licence:
An MC licence in NSW covers multi-combination vehicles like B-doubles and road trains. You can drive all vehicles covered under an HC licence if you have a multi-combination licence. The B double prime mover is an example of a truck that you can hire with us, but requires a driver who holds an MC licence in NSW.
Vehicles You Can Drive with Your Car Licence NSW
If you have a C-Car licence in NSW, you can rent and drive a variety of trucks and vehicles for one-off jobs like moving household goods, transporting cargo, etc. Given that a Class C drivers licence covers vehicles weighing up to 4.5 tonnes with a carrying capacity of 12, there are many vans and small trucks you can rent with your car licence.
They include, but aren’t limited to:
- Vans, utes, and dual-cab utes such as the Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute
- The Mitsubishi 1-tonne ute
- Toyota Hiace van
Moving on to larger types of vehicles, your C car licence in NSW allows you to drive some flatbed trucks, such as the 2-tonne flatbed. However, for any bigger flatbed, you will need someone who holds a light rigid licence in NSW to drive the vehicle.
You can drive mini buses and mini vans, such as the 12-seat bus. However, if you need a vehicle that can carry more than 12 passengers, then you will need an LR- Light rigid licence in NSW.
Your car licence also allows you to drive this 3-tonne moving truck, but for anything bigger, such as our 8-tonne moving truck, you will need a driver who holds an MR truck licence in NSW is required.
Finally, you can drive a 2-tonne tipper truck such as the Fuso Canter tipper truck.
However, your NSW car licence does not permit you to drive any prime movers, tautliners, or curtainsiders, but you can always hire a professional truck driver who holds the appropriate truck licence in NSW.
