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National driver licence classes

The table below provides information on the different driver licence classes. Drivers must ensure that they have the appropriate licence to operate a vehicle on University business.

For further information refer to the National Driver Licence Classes available from the RTA.

LICENCE CLASS

AUTHORISED VEHICLES

UPGRADING*

RIDER (R)
  • Any motorcycle or motor trike.
  • See the RTA website on special restrictions for learner and provisional P1 rider licence holders
  
CAR (C)
  • Any motor vehicle no more than 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), which carries up to 12 adults including the driver
  • Any implement or tractor or a car-based motor trike. (To find out if a vehicle qualifies as a car-based motor trike, contact the RTA)
  • See the RTA website on special restrictions for provisional P1and P2 drivers
  
LIGHT RIGID (LR)
  • Any motor vehicle more than 4.5 tonnes GVM but no more than 8 tonnes GVM
  • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM
  • Also includes any vehicle with a GVM of no more than 8 tonnes which carries more than 12 adults including the driver
  • Also includes vehicles in Class C
 To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class C licence (not a learner) for at least one year
MEDIUM RIGID (MR)
  • Any motor vehicle with two axles and more than 8 tonnes GVM
  • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM
  • Also includes vehicles in Class LR
 To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class C licence (not a learner) for at least one year
HEAVY RIGID (HR)
  • Any rigid vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM of more than 8  tonnes
  • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM
  • Also includes articulated buses and vehicles in Class MR

To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class C, LR or MR licence not a learner) for periods totalling at least two years
HEAVY COMBINATION (HC)
  • Any prime mover attached to a semi-trailer or a rigid vehicle towing a trailer with a GVM of more than 9 tonnes plus any unladen converter dolly
  • Also includes vehicles in Class HR

To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class MR or HR licence for at least one year. P2 licence holders cannot upgrade to this class
MULTI COMBINATION (MC)
  • Any B-Double or road train
  • Also includes vehicles in Class HC

To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class HR or HC licence for at least one year. P2 licence holders cannot upgrade to this class

* Provisional P1 Class C drivers cannot practise driving for a higher licence class or upgrade to a higher class.