Heavy Vehicle Courses

What do I need to do to get my licence under CBA?

You need to go to an RTA motor registry and:
Provide a current NSW photo-licence.
Complete a licence application form.

Pass a knowledge test for the class of licence you wish to obtain.

Pass an eyesight test.

How does CBA work?

If you choose to obtain your licence under CBA, you will have to pay the appropriate fee and you will be given two books:
A Guide to Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment.
A Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment Learner’s Log Book.

The Guide outlines the requirements to pass the assessments as well as the tasks you need to perform to complete each competency. The log book is the official record of your progress.

Under the CBA system you are assessed under a wide range of driving conditions by an RTA accredited assessor. When you have demonstrated that you can perform certain skills (called competencies), these are progressively recorded in your log book. Once all competencies are successfully completed and reported to the RTA by the assessor you can go to any RTA motor registry to upgrade your licence.
Assessors

Under CBA, you can learn to drive either with a licensed driving instructor or with an appropriate NSW licence holder. You can only be assessed by an accredited assessor. All assessors are licensed driving instructors so they can assess and train you at the same time.

You can change assessors at any time, just as you can change driving instructors.

Remember, you must keep your log book.

Can I use my own vehicle to be assessed or tested?

You can learn and be assessed or tested in your own vehicle, as long as it is registered and roadworthy and meets the following vehicle and load requirements.
Vehicle requirements

The vehicle that you use for CBA must be the right type for the class of licence for which you are applying.

If you are applying for a heavy rigid (HR) or heavy combination (HC) licence, there are additional minimum standards for vehicles which can be used. For more information see the Heavy Vehicle Drivers’ Handbook.
Load requirements

All heavy vehicles (except buses) presented for the heavy vehicle driving test must be loaded to at least 75% of the maximum mass allowable for the vehicle to be driven on public roads. This is at least 75% of either the “legal mass limit”, Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) for rigid vehicles or Gross Combination Mass (GCM) for articulated or heavy trailer combinations, whichever is the lowest.

There must be a lap-sash retractable seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat of the vehicle for the testing officer (MR and HR buses excepted).

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

Armoured security vehicles.
Vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
Federal and Interstate registered vehicles.
Vehicles carrying livestock.
Buses carrying passengers.

Heavy vehicle licence conditions

If you undertake CBA in a heavy vehicle fitted with an automatic or synchromesh gearbox, a condition will be added to your licence which will only allow you to drive heavy vehicles with a similar transmission.  To have the condition removed you need to pass a shortened version of the RTA test in a vehicle fitted with a constant mesh gearbox.

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The amount of time varies for each trainee according to each individuals needs.  So the quote for driver training is an ESTIMATE only.  Some students may require more or less time to complete training.