Western Australia · HR licence guide
HR Licence Perth — Heavy Rigid Training Explained.
Check whether HR is the right class, understand the WA eligibility and overseas pathway, then prepare for training and the practical driving assessment.
Your HR pathway: 1. Confirm the vehicle class and licence history → 2. Complete DTMI and RTO eligibility steps → 3. Train, complete the PDA, obtain endorsement
Checked: 8 August 2026 · Plain-English education · not government advice
Important distinction: an HR licence class covers a rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles and GVM over 8,000 kg. The truck used for an HR PDA must meet the stricter current assessment-vehicle standard.
Start with the vehicle
What does an HR licence cover?
A WA HR licence authorises heavier rigid vehicles and also includes lower vehicle classes.
HR · LICENCE AUTHORITY
What you can drive
- A Heavy Rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles and GVM greater than 8,000 kg.
- Medium Rigid (MR), Light Rigid (LR), car and moped classes.
- A trailer with a maximum GVM of 9,000 kg.
Do not choose a course only by job title. Check the actual truck, axle count, GVM and trailer GVM used in the job.
PDA · ASSESSMENT VEHICLE STANDARD
The truck used on the day
- At least 3 axles.
- GVM greater than 15 tonnes.
- Minimum on-road mass of 16 tonnes.
- An HR bus has no loading requirement.
The vehicle must also be licensed, roadworthy and accepted for the assessment.
Choose the right class
Do you actually need HR?
Use this only as a first check. The actual vehicle configuration decides the licence class.
Vehicle you need to drive
Likely class
Why
Rigid truck, 2 axles, GVM over 8 tonnes
MR
MR generally covers a 2-axle rigid vehicle over 8 tonnes GVM.
Rigid truck, 3 or more axles, GVM over 8 tonnes
HR
This generally falls within the HR licence class.
Truck or prime mover towing one trailer over 9 tonnes GVM
HC
The heavy trailer moves the combination beyond HR towing authority.
Heavy combination towing 2 or more trailers over 9 tonnes GVM each
MC
This generally requires Multi Combination authority.
Vehicle definitions, special configurations and licence conditions can change the answer. Confirm with DTMI or an approved RTO.
WA eligibility
Check these points before training
Transport WA states that an HR applicant must not be a provisional licence holder and must meet one of the licence-history options below.
01
Licence history
Hold a C class licence for at least 2 years, or an LR or MR licence for at least 1 year.
02
Full licence
You must not be a provisional licence holder when applying for the heavy vehicle class.
03
Health and eyesight
Complete the required eyesight check and declare medical eligibility and relevant restrictions truthfully.
04
Theory and PDA
Complete the Heavy Vehicle Theory Test and practical assessment requirements that apply to your pathway.
RTO verification: an approved RTO checks eligibility through LAPS, requires the E114 eligibility form and commercial eyesight result, and reconfirms eligibility on assessment day.
International and overseas licences
Let DTMI confirm the pathway before you book
An overseas truck licence is not automatically a WA HR authorisation. The licence, country, class and evidence must first be checked.
01
Transfer your base licence
WA residents may use a current overseas licence for up to 3 months after moving to WA. Original identity and licence documents are required, and translation rules depend on the country category.
02
Check the country category
From 1 November 2025, the former Experienced Driver Recognised category no longer exists. Use Transport WA's current recognised or non-recognised country pathway.
03
Complete verification
DTMI may require direct licence verification, an approved English translation or a letter from the issuing authority, consulate or embassy.
04
Complete heavy-vehicle tests
For a recognised-country heavy licence, LR equivalent requires a PDA; other heavy classes generally require the HVTT and a PDA. New Zealand rules differ.
Country-specific verification: Transport WA currently says licences from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia or Iraq need a verification letter and the process may take about 4 weeks. Pakistani licences are checked through a government portal. Always read the current country page.
The HR pathway
Five steps from checking to endorsement
HR training should build safe, consistent truck control. It should not be sold as a guaranteed pass.
STEP 01
Confirm
Check the truck class, your licence history and any overseas evidence.
STEP 02
Apply
Complete the DTMI application, eyesight and theory requirements for your pathway.
STEP 03
Train
Complete TLIC3004 training with an approved provider and build consistent HR control.
STEP 04
Prepare
Use a mock drive to identify gaps before attempting the practical assessment.
STEP 05
Endorse
After a pass, take the signed E114 copy and proof of identity to DTMI for endorsement.
A practical training plan
Build the skill before chasing the pass
MODULE A
Prepare the driver
- Licence and vehicle requirements
- Cabin drill and instruments
- Air brakes and safe start
- Road rules and hazards
MODULE B
Control the truck
- Smooth acceleration and braking
- Steering and lane position
- Gears and engine power
- Intersections and roundabouts
MODULE C
Mock and correct
- Assessment-style directions
- Side-street reversing
- Independent traffic decisions
- Feedback before the PDA
TLIC3004 is broader than the licence drive. It also includes pre-operational checks, low-risk driving, monitoring hazards and vehicle performance, reading signs and instructions, and reporting faults.
Practical assessment overview
Cabin drill, on-road drive and reversing
≈35 min
Guide estimate only — the supplied WA assessor guide describes an HR on-road assessment of approximately 35 minutes in varied traffic. The actual time and route can vary.
PART 01
Cabin drill
Legal requirements, safe entry, seat, mirrors, climate controls, seat belt, safe engine start, gauges, warnings and controls.
PART 02
On-road driving
Accelerator, brakes, steering, gears, coordinated controls, observations, road rules, traffic interaction and positioning.
PART 03
Reversing
Approach observations and signal, suitable starting position, continual checks, slow control and accurate final position.
Recording on the day: approved RTO heavy-vehicle PDAs use in-cabin video, audio and GPS recording. Eligibility is reconfirmed on the day.
What the assessor checks
Eight areas on the DL25D score sheet
AREA 01
Prepares to drive
Legal requirements, cabin drill, mirrors, seat, climate, seat belt, start and instruments.
AREA 02
Accelerator
Smooth application, selected speed, gradients and progressive acceleration in bends.
AREA 03
Brakes
Efficient, smooth braking and accurate stopping.
AREA 04
Steering
Smooth control, both hands, accurate straight and curved paths.
AREA 05
Gears
Smooth changes, correct gear, straight-line changes and safe gradient preparation.
AREA 06
Control inputs
Safe coordination of steering, accelerator, clutch, gears and brakes.
AREA 07
Safe procedures
Mirrors, signals, road rules, legal manoeuvres, traffic interaction and efficiency.
AREA 08
Reversing
Approach, starting position, observations, direction, speed and final position.
Where HR is used
Industries that commonly use HR drivers
A licence is one requirement. Employers may also require experience, site tickets or specialised training.
Freight and delivery
Metro distribution, pallet freight, store delivery and depot work.
Waste and recycling
Collection trucks, waste transfer and municipal services.
Construction and civil
Tippers, water carts, concrete work and civil support.
Furniture and removals
Removal trucks and household or commercial goods transport.
Utilities and councils
Road maintenance, parks, utilities and local-government fleets.
Specialist transport
Equipment and other rigid-truck roles, subject to employer requirements.
Other requirements may include: load restraint, fatigue management, dangerous goods, forklift, white card, site induction, passenger transport authorisation or employer training.
Common questions
Small details can change the pathway
Does an overseas HR licence transfer automatically?
No. DTMI must check the licence, country, class and documents. Heavy-vehicle theory and practical testing may be required.
What licence will I receive after a synchromesh or automatic PDA?
Transport WA says passing in an automatic or synchromesh vehicle results in the relevant transmission restriction on the licence card.
Is the HR assessment exactly 35 minutes?
No. Approximately 35 minutes comes from the supplied assessor guide. Traffic, route, vehicle and assessment requirements can affect the actual duration.
Can a trainer guarantee a pass?
No. A trainer can prepare you, but the assessor must decide whether your driving meets the required standard.
Where can I learn the detailed assessment method?
Read the assessment preparation guide for cabin drill, reversing, intersections, roundabouts, merging, positioning and scoring.
Before you book
Ask the right HR question first
Tell us the vehicle you want to drive, your current licence class, and whether you hold an interstate or overseas licence. We reply by email.
Referral disclosure: WA Truck Training is an information and referral service, not an RTO. If you choose a provider we introduce, we may receive a referral fee. Training and assessment are delivered by that provider/RTO.
- No address or phone number is shown.
- Eligibility is confirmed by DTMI or an approved RTO.
- No responsible provider can guarantee an assessment pass.
Ask about HR training
Official references
Check the current rule before you act
Information checked: 8 August 2026. Rules, forms, fees and overseas verification can change. DTMI, the authorised assessor and the current RTO procedure take priority over this educational page.