General Knowledge Section
Not publishedof exam
Road Safety: Road Rules
Not publishedof exam
Road Safety: Load and Fatigue
Not publishedof exam
Road Safety: Alcohol and Offences
Not publishedof exam
Traffic Signs Section
Not publishedof exam
Quick Facts
- Test
- NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test
- Questions
- 45 multiple-choice
- Pass mark
- Not published by TfNSW
- Time limit
- Not published by TfNSW
- Fee
- AUD $58 per attempt
- Versions
- Rigid or combination
- Pass validity
- 36 months
- Retake
- Same day if available
- Source books
- Three official handbooks
Dimension Numbers
4.3 high, 2.5 wide, 12.5 rigid, 19 combination
4.4 m double deck bus26 m B-double3.7 m rear overhang
Rigid vs Combination Test
Rigid version
- For LR, MR, HR
- Rigid handling focus
- Sit this version only
Combination version
- For HC and MC
- Coupling and trailer swing
- Sit this version only
Test matches licence class
Do I Need a Permit
- Height over 4.3 m→4.6 m notice route(Otherwise permit)
- Rigid longer than 12.5 m→NHVR permit
- Combination longer than 19 m→B-double notice(Up to 26 m)
- Rear overhang over limit→NHVR permit(60% or 3.7 m)
- Width over 2.5 m→NHVR permit
- Route off the RAV network→NHVR access permit
Licence Classes
- LR
- Rigid, 4.5 to 8 t
- MR
- Two axles, over 8 t
- HR
- Three axles, over 8 t
- HC
- Prime mover, single semi-trailer
- MC
- B-doubles and road trains
- Every class
- Covers lower classes, not motorcycles
- Towed trailer
- Rigid classes: 9 t maximumLR MR HR
GVM vs GCM
GVM
- Loaded rigid vehicle
- Set by the manufacturer
- Defines licence class limits
GCM
- Loaded combination weight
- Prime mover plus trailers
- Also triggers 0.02 BAC
One unit vs whole combination
Licence Prerequisites
- LR and MR
- Class C for 1 year
- HR
- Class C for 2 years
- HC
- MR or HR, 1 year
- MC
- HR or HC, 1 year
- Every class
- Knowledge test plus eyesight test
- MC only
- Medical exam required
- Learner or P1
- Cannot learn heavy vehicles
B-double vs Road Train
B-double
- Two semi-trailers, one turntable
- Up to 26 m
- Class 2 B-double notice
Road train
- Hauls two or more trailers
- Approved areas only
- Keeps 200 m behind
Both restricted access vehicles
Test Logistics
- Questions
- 45 multiple-choice
- Pass mark
- Not published by TfNSWNot 41/45
- Knowledge test fee
- $58 each attempt
- Driving test fee
- $72
- HVCBA participation
- $36 scheme fee
- Pass validity
- 36 months
- Languages
- English plus nine others
- Source books
- HVDH, Road User, Load Restraint
Service vs Auxiliary Brakes
Service brake
- Used in normal conditions
- Pedal travel controls air
- Fades on long descents
Auxiliary brake
- Exhaust, engine, retarder
- Slows but cannot stop
- Noisy; limit in towns
Stops vehicle vs helps slow
Dimension Limits
- General height
- 4.3 m including load
- Double deck bus
- 4.4 m
- Notice route height
- 4.6 m, listed routes only
- Width
- 2.5 m including load
- Mirrors and monitors
- Excluded from width
- Rigid length
- 12.5 m including overhang
- Combination length
- 19 m general limit
- B-double length
- Up to 26 m
Mass Terms
- GVM
- Loaded weight, rigid vehicle
- GCM
- Loaded weight, combination vehicle
- GTM
- Loaded mass on trailer axles
- GRTM
- Loaded weight, road train
- Tare mass
- Vehicle without its load
- Unladen mass
- Tare plus fuel and tools
- Load capacity
- GVM minus tare mass
- Single axle, four tyres
- 9 t statutory limit
Projection and Overhang
- Front projection
- 1.2 m maximum
- Side projection
- 150 mm maximum
- Rear overhang
- 60% of wheelbase or 3.7 m
- Whichever is less
- The smaller figure governs
- Daytime warning
- Flag, 300 mm each side
- Night warning
- Red light, visible 200 m
- Over the limit
- NHVR permit required
Coupling a Semi-trailer
- Skid plate height
- About 5 cm below turntable
- Turntable jaws
- Open before reversing under
- Trailer too low
- Chassis hits trailer front
- Trailer too high
- Turntable misses the kingpin
- Tug test
- First gear, trailer brakes on
- Repeat
- Do the tug test twice
- Gap check
- No gap under skid plate
- Landing gear
- Raise fully, stow the handle
Brakes and Pre-departure
- Air reserve
- Enough for five brake applications
- Low pressure warning
- Stop immediately
- Warning signal point
- About 410 kPa
- Manual tank valves
- Drain the tanks daily
- Trailer breakaway
- Brakes hold 15 minutes
- Parking brake
- Holds on 15-degree grade
- Tread depth
- 1.5 mm over 75%
- Maxi-brakes
- Air pressure holds them off
Rear Plates and Triangles
- Rear marking plates
- Motor vehicles over 12 t GVM
- Trailer plates
- Trailers over 10 t GTM
- Do not overtake plate
- Only 7.5 m or longer
- Under 7.5 m
- Must not display it
- Triangles carried
- Three, over 12 t GVM
- Use triangles when
- Unseen from 200 to 300 m
- Under 80 km/h road
- Place at 50 and 150 m
- Over 80 km/h road
- Place at 200 and 250 m
Speed Limits
- Over 4.5 t GVM
- 100 km/h maximum
- Street lights, no sign
- 50 km/h default
- No lights, no sign
- 100 km/h default
- Shared zone
- 10 km/h maximum
- School zone
- School days, signposted times
- Truck speed sign
- Regulatory, must be obeyed
- Roadworks zone
- Slow to posted limit
Speed Limiter Fitment
- Truck built 1988 on
- GVM over 15 tonnes
- Public bus built 1988 on
- GVM over 14.5 tonnes
- Truck built 1991 on
- GVM over 12 tonnes
- Public bus built 1991 on
- GVM over 5 tonnes
- Limiter setting
- 100 km/h maximum
- Non-compliance
- Operator offence, heavy fines
Turning and Intersections
- Left turn
- Start turn further in
- Block the left
- Stop others passing inside
- One-way right turn
- Lane left of far right
- Two right-turn lanes
- Use the far left one
- Moving off
- Signal at least 5 seconds
- Reversing
- Hazard lights on first
- Level crossing
- Never enter if blocked
- Stuck on crossing
- Leave vehicle, call 000
Pedestrians and Bicycles
- Turning
- Give way to crossing pedestrians
- At a crossing
- Never overtake a stopped vehicle
- Bicycle, 60 or less
- Leave 1 m gap
- Bicycle, over 60
- Leave 1.5 m gap
- Crossing lines to pass
- Allowed if view is clear
- Crossing supervisor
- Stay stopped until sign lowered
Load Restraint Numbers
Forward 80, back 50, side 50, up 20
80% forward50% rearward50% sideways20% upward
Work Diary vs Vehicle Monitor
Work diary
- Driver writes work and rest
- Carry last 28 days
- Duplicates within 21 days
Vehicle monitor
- Device records automatically
- Over 13.9 t, built 1991
- Owner keeps six months
You record vs it records
Which Following Distance
- Long vehicle behind long vehicle→60 m minimum(Legal minimum)
- Road train behind long vehicle→200 m minimum(Legal minimum)
- Multilane or built-up area→Minimum does not apply(Still keep space)
- While overtaking→Minimum does not apply
- Good conditions, heavy vehicle→4-second gap(Handbook standard)
- Wet, gravel, icy, night→5 seconds or more
Load Restraint Standard
- Forward
- Restrain 80% of weight
- Rearward
- Restrain 50% of weight
- Sideways
- Restrain 50% of weight
- Upward
- Restrain 20% of weight
- Lashing angle
- Under 30 degrees not recommended
- Steeper angle
- Greater clamping tension
- Most important block
- Headboard or bulkhead
- Heaviest items
- Low and near centreline
Standard Hours Ladder
12 in 24, 72 in 7, 144 in 14
7 hours continuous rest24 hours weekly restFour night rests fortnightly
3-second vs 4-second Gap
Road User Handbook
- 3 seconds, good conditions
- 4 or more when poor
- Applies to all drivers
Heavy Vehicle Handbook
- 4 seconds, good conditions
- 5 or more when poor
- Heavy vehicle standard
Heavy vehicles need more
Can I Keep Driving
- Worked 5 h 15 min→Rest 15 continuous minutes
- Worked 7 h 30 min→Rest 30 minutes total(15-minute blocks)
- Worked 10 hours→Rest 60 minutes total(15-minute blocks)
- Worked 12 hours→Stop; rest 7 hours(Continuous stationary)
- Worked 72 hours weekly→Stop; rest 24 hours(Continuous stationary)
- Worked 144 hours fortnightly→Stop; take night rests(Two consecutive)
Securing Methods
- Blocking
- Headboard, racks, stakes, chocks
- Lashing
- Chains, webbing, load binders
- Containing
- Solid sides, tanker, container
- Covering
- Tarpaulin over loose loads
- Twist locks
- Only way to secure containers
- Dunnage
- Align layers directly above
- Belly wrap
- Loop over, never under
- Friction
- Helps, never restrains alone
Work Diary Days
Carry 28, send 21, keep 3 years
28 days in vehicle21 days to keeper3 years of copies
Blocking vs Lashing
Blocking
- Headboard, racks, chocks
- Physical barrier stops movement
- Load sits against headboard
Lashing
- Chains, webbing, binders
- Tension clamps load down
- Under 30 degrees is weak
Barrier vs tension
Standard Hours Solo Driver
- In 5 h 30 min
- Work 5h15; rest 15 min
- In 8 hours
- Work 7h30; rest 30 min
- In 11 hours
- Work 10h; rest 60 min
- In 24 hours
- Work 12h; rest 7h continuous
- In 7 days
- Work 72h; rest 24h continuous
- In 14 days
- Work 144h; four night rests
- Night rest
- 7 hours between 10pm and 8am
Long Vehicle Gaps
Long behind long 60, road train 200
60 m long vehicles200 m road trainsNot on multilane roads
Fatigue Schemes and Diary
- Regulated truck
- GVM over 12 tonnes
- Regulated combination
- Combined GVM over 12 tonnes
- Regulated bus GVM
- More than 4.5 tonnes
- Regulated bus seats
- More than 12 adults
- Standard Hours
- 12 hours work per 24
- BFM
- 14 hours work per 24Accredited
- AFM outer limit
- 15.5 hours work per 24
- Carry in vehicle
- Last 28 days of records
- Send to record keeper
- Duplicates within 21 days
- Record keeper holds
- Copies for three years
- Work time rounding
- Always rounded upwards
- Rest time rounding
- Always rounded downwards
Following Distances
- Long vehicle
- 7.5 m or longer
- Long behind long
- At least 60 m
- Road train behind long
- At least 200 m
- Rule does not apply
- Multilane, built-up, overtaking
- Heavy vehicle gap
- 4 seconds, good conditions
- Poor conditions
- 5 seconds or more
- Reaction time
- About 1.5 seconds alert
- Response time
- At least 1.5 seconds
Who Needs 0.02
Big truck, public passengers, dangerous load
Over 13.9 t GVMOver 13.9 t GCMBuses, taxis, rideshareDangerous goods vehicles
Demerits vs Immediate Suspension
Demerit points
- 13 points, unrestricted licence
- 14 points, professional driver
- Three-year accumulation window
Immediate suspension
- Over 45 km/h: six months
- Over 30 km/h: three months
- Police act at roadside
Accumulation vs one offence
Which BAC Limit Applies
- Truck over 13.9 t GVM→Under 0.02(Not zero)
- Combination over 13.9 t GCM→Under 0.02(Trailer counts)
- Bus, coach, taxi, rideshare→Under 0.02(Public passenger)
- Carrying a dangerous load→Under 0.02
- Full licence, lighter vehicle→Under 0.05(Licence limit)
- Learner or provisional licence→Zero(No alcohol)
Alcohol and Drugs
- Heavy vehicle over 13.9 t
- BAC under 0.02
- Combination over 13.9 t
- BAC under 0.02GCM
- Public passenger vehicle
- BAC under 0.02
- Dangerous goods vehicle
- BAC under 0.02
- Full licence otherwise
- BAC under 0.05
- Learner or provisional
- Zero BAC
- Back to zero
- Over 18 hours after binge
- Coffee and showers
- Change nothing; only time
- Refusing a breath test
- Offence in its own right
- Roadside drug test
- THC, meth, cocaine, ecstasy
Penalties and Demerit Points
- Unrestricted licence
- 13 points in three years
- Professional driver
- 14 points in three years
- Provisional P2
- 7 points
- Good behaviour period
- 2 points over 12 months
- Over 45 km/h
- Six months suspension
- Over 30 km/h
- Three months suspension
- Double demerits
- Declared holiday periods
- Clearance sign breach
- Registration suspended, three months
Seat Belts and Integrity
- Compulsory since
- 1 February 2000
- Unbelted seat
- Move to a belted seat
- Driver duty
- Ensure passengers are restrained
- Passengers 16 and over
- Can be fined individually
- Removing a fitted belt
- Offence in itself
- Bribery for a licence
- Fines and imprisonment
- Everyone involved
- Reported and investigated
Stop vs Give Way
Stop sign
- Complete stop every time
- Stop before the line
- Proceed only when safe
Give way sign
- Slow, prepare to stop
- Stop only if needed
- Yield to others crossing
Always stop vs maybe
Which Sign Stops You
- Gross mass exceeds sign→Do not proceed(Bridge load limit)
- No truck sign, no figures→Over 4.5 t banned(Unless destination beyond)
- Load limit on light road→Delivery access only
- Clearance below your height→Take another route
- Low gear sign on descent→Gear down, spare brakes
- Truck lane marked→Over 4.5 t must use
Heavy Vehicle Signs
- Bridge or gross load limit
- Do not exceed shown mass
- No truck, with figures
- Obey the mass or length
- No truck, no figures
- Nothing over 4.5 t GVM
- Destination beyond sign
- Allowed if no other route
- Trucks must enter
- Enter the marked area
- Truck lane
- Compulsory over 4.5 t
- Low gear sign
- Gear controls speed, not brakes
- Clearance sign
- Maximum height that passes
- Over 22 m combination
- Rear warning sign required
Regulatory vs Warning Signs
- Stop sign
- Full stop before the line
- Give way sign
- Slow, stop only if needed
- Keep left unless overtaking
- Roads over 80 km/h
- Light traffic road
- Local pick-up or delivery only
- Dragon's teeth markings
- Make school zones more visible
- Zig-zag road lines
- Pedestrian crossing ahead
Common Traps
BAC is 0.02, not zero
Under 0.02 over 13.9 t ≠ Not a blanket 0.00 limit
Pass mark is not published
TfNSW states 45 questions only ≠ 41 of 45 is unofficial
GVM is not GCM
GVM is one rigid vehicle ≠ GCM is the whole combination
Speed cap is not limiter
Cap applies over 4.5 t ≠ Limiter fitted to specified vehicles
3-second gap is not 4
Road User Handbook says 3 ≠ Heavy Vehicle Handbook says 4
B-double is not a road train
B-double: two semi-trailers, 26 m ≠ Road train: truck plus trailers
Rear overhang is not fixed
60% of wheelbase or 3.7 m ≠ Whichever is less applies
Height 4.3 is not 4.6
4.3 m is general limit ≠ 4.6 m needs notice route
Minimum gap is not universal
60 m and 200 m minimums ≠ Not multilane, built-up, overtaking
Work diary is personal
Carry last 28 days records ≠ Lending your diary is illegal
Last Minute
- 1.45 questions; pass mark not published
- 2.Fee $58; retake same day possible
- 3.Knowledge test pass lasts 36 months
- 4.Rigid test covers LR, MR, HR
- 5.Combination test covers HC, MC
- 6.BAC under 0.02 over 13.9 t
- 7.Trucks over 4.5t: max 100km/h
- 8.Restrain 80% forward, 50% rearward
- 9.Restrain 50% sideways, 20% upward
- 10.Standard Hours: 12 work per 24
- 11.Standard Hours: 7 hours continuous rest
- 12.Carry 28 days of diary records
- 13.Long vehicles: 60 m minimum gap
- 14.Road trains: 200 m minimum gap
- 15.Height 4.3 m; width 2.5 m
- 16.Rigid 12.5 m; combination 19 m
- 17.Rear overhang max 3.7 m
- 18.Demerits: 14 points for professional drivers
- 19.Tug test in first gear, twice
- 20.Air reserve: five brake applications
- 21.Three warning triangles over 12 t
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