100+ Free ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Practice Questions

Pass your Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test (Rigid / Combination Road Rules Knowledge Test) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Question 1

Score: 0/0

What happens if a heavy vehicle driver is directed to stop work by an authorised officer during a roadside inspection because they are found to be impaired by fatigue?

The driver may continue after taking a 30-minute break

The driver may continue if they have not reached their maximum work hours

The driver's employer must be contacted before the stop-work order takes effect

The driver must stop work and must not work again for the period specified by the officer, which may be up to 24 hours

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam

Official Test Questions (from 336-question pool)

Access Canberra / Road Ready Centre

41/45

Pass Mark (5 categories require zero errors)

Access Canberra

0.00%

BAC Limit for All Heavy Vehicle Drivers

ACT Heavy Vehicle Drivers' Handbook

100 km/h

Maximum Speed for Heavy Rigid Vehicles

Australian Road Rules / ACT

The ACT Heavy Vehicle Rigid Knowledge Test has 45 multiple-choice questions from a 336-question pool. You need 41 correct to pass (max 4 wrong overall), but five mandatory categories — Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, and Heavy Vehicle Work Diary — allow zero errors. The test is computerised and self-paced at AUD $49.50 per attempt. All heavy vehicle drivers in the ACT must have a zero BAC. Standard hours allow a maximum 12 hours work in 24, with a mandatory 7-hour continuous rest break. The maximum speed for most heavy rigid vehicles is 100 km/h.

Sample ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the default speed limit in a built-up (urban) area in the ACT for a heavy rigid vehicle when no other sign is displayed?

A.60 km/h

B.50 km/h

C.70 km/h

D.80 km/h

Explanation: The default urban speed limit in the ACT is 50 km/h for all vehicles, including heavy rigid vehicles, unless a different speed-limit sign is posted. Heavy rigid vehicles are additionally capped at 100 km/h on open roads but must always obey lower posted or default limits.

2What is the maximum speed a heavy rigid vehicle (HR) with a GVM exceeding 4.5 tonnes may travel on an open rural road in the ACT, even if the posted limit is higher?

A.110 km/h

B.90 km/h

C.100 km/h

D.120 km/h

Explanation: Heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) exceeding 4.5 tonnes are restricted to a maximum of 100 km/h on any road in Australia, regardless of the posted speed limit. This absolute cap applies to LR, MR, and HR vehicles in the ACT.

3What blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit applies to a driver of a heavy rigid vehicle in the ACT?

A.0.05%

B.0.02%

C.0.00%

D.0.10%

Explanation: All heavy vehicle drivers in the ACT must maintain a zero blood alcohol concentration (0.00% BAC). This is a mandatory zero-error category in the ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test. Unlike the 0.05% limit for standard full-licence car drivers, heavy vehicle operators must not consume any alcohol before driving.

4Which five mandatory categories in the ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test require zero incorrect answers to pass?

A.Speed Limits, Reversing, Load Restraint, Work Diary, Seatbelts

B.Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, Heavy Vehicle Work Diary

C.Alcohol & Drugs, Parking, Speed Limits, Work Diary, Rigid Vehicle General

D.Load Restraint, Alcohol & Drugs, Car General, Driving General, Intersections

Explanation: The five mandatory zero-error categories in the ACT Heavy Vehicle Rigid Knowledge Test are: Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, and Heavy Vehicle Work Diary. Answering even one question incorrectly in any of these five categories results in an overall test failure, regardless of total score.

5A Light Rigid (LR) vehicle has a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes but no more than how many tonnes?

A.6 tonnes

B.8 tonnes

C.10 tonnes

D.12 tonnes

Explanation: An LR licence allows driving a truck with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes but no more than 8 tonnes. It also covers vehicles seating more than 12 adults, plus towing a single trailer with a GVM up to 9 tonnes. To apply, you must be at least 18 and have held a C-class licence for 12 months.

6What is the minimum age to apply for a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence in the ACT?

A.17 years

B.18 years

C.19 years

D.21 years

Explanation: To apply for an HR (Heavy Rigid) licence in the ACT, you must be at least 19 years of age and have held an Australian C-class driver licence for at least 24 months. The LR and MR classes only require 18 years of age and 12 months of C-class licence history.

7Under Standard Hours fatigue rules, what is the maximum total work time a solo heavy vehicle driver may perform in any 24-hour period?

A.10 hours

B.14 hours

C.8 hours

D.12 hours

Explanation: Under Standard Hours, a solo heavy vehicle driver may work a maximum of 12 hours in any 24-hour period. This includes all time spent driving plus other work such as loading and paperwork. After 12 hours of work, the driver must take the mandatory 7-hour continuous stationary rest break before working again.

8What is the mandatory continuous stationary rest break required under Standard Hours before a solo heavy vehicle driver can resume work?

A.5 hours

B.6 hours

C.7 hours

D.8 hours

Explanation: Under Standard Hours, a solo heavy vehicle driver must take a continuous stationary rest break of at least 7 hours before resuming work. 'Stationary' means the driver is out of the vehicle or resting in an approved sleeper berth while the vehicle is not moving. This rest cannot be split into shorter segments.

9When is a National Driver Work Diary required for a heavy vehicle driver operating under Standard Hours in the ACT?

A.At all times regardless of distance

B.Only on interstate journeys

C.When driving more than 100 km from their base

D.Only when carrying dangerous goods

Explanation: Under Standard Hours, a National Driver Work Diary (log book) must be carried and completed when operating more than 100 km from the driver's base. Within 100 km of base, local area records (a simpler record form) are sufficient. Under BFM or AFM, a work diary is required regardless of distance.

10Under Standard Hours, when must a solo heavy vehicle driver take their first short rest break?

A.No later than 6 hours into work

B.No later than 5.5 hours into work

C.No later than 8 hours into work

D.No later than 4 hours into work

Explanation: Under Standard Hours, a solo driver must take at least a 15-minute break no later than 5.5 hours after starting work. Additional breaks are required: at least 30 minutes total by 8 hours, and at least 60 minutes total by 11 hours of work. Failure to take these breaks is a fatigue offence.

About the ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam

The ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test is the mandatory written theory exam required before driving a light rigid (LR), medium rigid (MR), or heavy rigid (HR) vehicle on a learner licence in the Australian Capital Territory. The test contains 45 multiple-choice questions drawn from a 336-question pool sourced from the ACT Heavy Vehicle Drivers' Handbook and the Load Restraint Guide. Applicants must answer at least 41 questions correctly (maximum 4 wrong). Critically, five mandatory categories — Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, and Heavy Vehicle Work Diary — require a perfect score with zero errors permitted. A passed certificate is valid for two years.

Questions

45 scored questions

Time Limit

No published time limit (computerised, self-paced)

Passing Score

41 out of 45 correct; five mandatory categories (Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, Heavy Vehicle Work Diary) allow zero errors

Exam Fee

AUD $49.50 per attempt at accredited centres (e.g., Road Ready Centre Canberra) (Access Canberra, ACT Government)

ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam Content Outline

29%

General Road Rules

ACT road rules for all vehicles: give-way at intersections, speed limits (50 km/h urban, 100 km/h rural, 40 km/h school zones), lane use, overtaking, parking, and crash obligations

22%

Rigid Vehicle Specifics

LR/MR/HR licence classes, GVM thresholds (LR up to 8t, MR >8t two-axle, HR >8t three-plus axles), swept paths, braking distances, and vehicle inspection requirements

20%

Heavy-Vehicle Driving Practice

Mirror adjustment, reversing, coupling, pre-trip checks, tyre maintenance, emergency braking, and safe vehicle operation techniques specific to large rigid vehicles

Load Restraint

Performance standards: 80% forward, 50% rearward/sideways, 20% upward forces; tie-down friction methods; direct restraint; and Chain of Responsibility duties for drivers and loaders

Alcohol and Drugs

Zero BAC requirement for all heavy vehicle drivers in ACT, roadside breath and drug testing, mandatory zero-error category in the knowledge test, and penalties for impaired driving

Heavy Vehicle Work Diary and Fatigue

Standard hours: max 12 hours work per 24-hour period, mandatory 7-hour continuous stationary rest; National Driver Work Diary required for journeys >100 km from base; fatigue offences and Chain of Responsibility

Intersections and Seat Belts

Give-way rules at intersections for heavy vehicles, mandatory seatbelt use for drivers and passengers, and mandatory zero-error requirement for these categories in the knowledge test

How to Pass the ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 41 out of 45 correct; five mandatory categories (Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, Heavy Vehicle Work Diary) allow zero errors
Exam length: 45 questions
Time limit: No published time limit (computerised, self-paced)
Exam fee: AUD $49.50 per attempt at accredited centres (e.g., Road Ready Centre Canberra)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Download and read the ACT Heavy Vehicle Drivers' Handbook and the Load Restraint Guide — all 45 test questions come from these two publications

2Master the five mandatory zero-error categories first: Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, and Heavy Vehicle Work Diary — one wrong answer in any of these fails the test

3Memorise zero BAC for all heavy vehicle drivers, the 100 km/h maximum speed for heavy rigids, and the 12-hour work / 7-hour rest standard-hours rule

4Understand load restraint performance standards: 80% of load weight must be restrained forward, 50% rearward, 50% sideways, and 20% upward

5Practise the official Safe Plates ACT online knowledge test at safeplatestesting.act.gov.au, which uses the same 336-question pool as the real rigid vehicle test

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test?

The ACT Heavy Vehicle Rigid Knowledge Test has 45 multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 336 questions. Our free practice set has 100 questions covering all topic areas. Questions are sourced from the ACT Heavy Vehicle Drivers' Handbook and the Load Restraint Guide.

What is the pass mark for the ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test?

You must answer at least 41 of the 45 questions correctly (a maximum of 4 wrong). However, five mandatory categories — Alcohol & Drugs, Intersections, Seat Belts, Load Restraint General, and Heavy Vehicle Work Diary — require a perfect score with zero errors permitted in each. Failing even one mandatory-category question means you fail the test overall.

What is the BAC limit for heavy vehicle drivers in the ACT?

All heavy vehicle drivers (and learner heavy vehicle drivers) in the ACT must have a zero blood alcohol concentration (0.00% BAC). This is a mandatory zero-error category in the knowledge test. Unlike the 0.05% BAC limit for standard full-licence car drivers, heavy vehicle operators must not consume any alcohol before driving.

What are the heavy vehicle speed limits in the ACT?

Most heavy rigid vehicles (LR, MR, HR) with a GVM or ATM exceeding 4.5 tonnes are subject to a maximum speed of 100 km/h on open roads, regardless of posted speed limits that may be higher. Standard urban limits of 50 km/h and school zone limits of 40 km/h still apply. Road trains are limited to 90 km/h nationally.

When must an ACT heavy vehicle driver use a work diary?

A National Driver Work Diary (log book) is required when operating a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle under Standard Hours on journeys more than 100 km from your base. Under Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) or Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM), a work diary is always required regardless of distance. You must carry records for the past 28 days.

What are the standard hours work and rest requirements for heavy vehicle drivers?

Under Standard Hours, a solo driver may work a maximum of 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Short rest breaks are required: at least 15 minutes by 5.5 hours of work, at least 30 minutes by 8 hours, and at least 60 minutes by 11 hours. A continuous 7-hour stationary rest break is mandatory before driving again.

Is this ACT Heavy Vehicle practice test free?

Yes. This ACT Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test practice is completely free, with 100 questions covering all seven content areas of the official 45-question test. Every question includes a full explanation with correct local figures — BAC, speed limits, load restraint performance standards, and work diary rules — to help you prepare for your LR, MR, or HR licence.