Heavy vehicle licensing standards overhauled

Thursday, 28 November 2024

The State Government will introduce significant changes to South Australia’s heavy vehicle licencing system following a community-driven petition calling for stricter licensing requirements for drivers.

Two state-based initiatives aimed at improving heavy vehicle driver competency have been tabled in State Parliament as Delphine Mugridge, who lost her husband Neville in a devastating truck crash on the Eyre Highway earlier this year, today presents her petition backed by more than 19,600 South Australians.

The State Government will establish an ongoing Multi-Combination (MC) Licence Program, an initiative that will allow drivers to participate in a structured learning program with the support of their employer.

An MC licence is the highest level of heavy vehicle driver’s licence and enables the holder to drive all types of heavy vehicles, including B-doubles, prime movers, low loader dolly and low loader trailer combinations.

Drivers will need to apply for the program with the support of their employer before being issued a learner’s permit for the MC class. Drivers will then be required to complete a competency-based training course through an approved Registered Training Organisation before logging a minimum number of training hours and learning components with a qualified supervising driver.

Heavy Rigid (HR) licence holders will be required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of logged supervised driving and additional learning components while those with an existing Heavy Combination (HC) licence will need to complete at least 50 hours of logged supervised driving with additional learning components. A practical driving assessment in an MC vehicle with an Authorised Examiner will then be required to obtain the MC licence.

The Program will provide drivers a clear and efficient pathway for achieving the required qualifications without compromising on road safety or driver training requirements.

Drivers may still choose the traditional route of holding a HC or HR licence for 12 months before progressing to a MC licence.

In a further measure to improve road safety - from early next year, South Australia will no longer recognise overseas heavy vehicle driving experience toward obtaining a MC licence, except for drivers from New Zealand because the training and driving
conditions are similar to those in Australia.

Drivers from other countries will be required to hold a South Australian HR or HC licence for a minimum of 12 months or complete the newly established MC Licence Program before progressing to a MC licence.

The change recognises that, in some cases, heavy vehicle driving standards and vehicle types in other countries do not align with those in Australia and that the road conditions here require rigorous training and experience before getting behind the
wheel of complex vehicles like road trains and B-doubles.

Both measures, which mark a significant step forward in fostering a culture of safety, accountability and thorough training in South Australia’s heavy vehicle sector, will take effect in late February 2025.

For more information, visit https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/licensing-registration/heavyvehicle-licensing-reform.