100+ Free NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Practice Questions

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Which of the following describes the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) principle under the Heavy Vehicle National Law?

Everyone in the transport supply chain — including schedulers, operators and consignors — can be held liable for breaches

Chain of responsibility applies only to load restraint, not fatigue or speed

Only the employer bears liability if a driver commits an offence

Only the driver is legally responsible for breaches of heavy vehicle laws

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam

Official Test Questions

Transport for NSW

41/45

Required to Pass (~91%)

Transport for NSW

0.00

BAC Limit for All HV Drivers (NSW)

NSW Road Rules

AUD $57

Fee Per Attempt

Service NSW

The NSW HVKT is 45 multiple-choice questions and you need 41 correct to pass (about 91%). You choose the rigid test (LR/MR/HR) or the combination test (HC/MC). All heavy vehicle drivers in NSW must have a 0.00 BAC — the general 0.05 limit does NOT apply. Standard Hours fatigue rules cap work at 12 hours in any 24-hour period with at least 7 hours continuous rest. The test costs AUD $57 each attempt, with no published time limit. Our free practice set has 100 questions to maximise your preparation.

Sample NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NSW 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 maximum speed limit for a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4.5 tonnes in NSW?

A.110 km/h

B.90 km/h

C.100 km/h

D.80 km/h

Explanation: In NSW, any vehicle with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes has a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h, regardless of the posted limit for other vehicles. This applies to rigid trucks, buses, and combination vehicles. Special lower limits posted by signs must also be obeyed.

2In NSW, what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit applies to a driver of a Heavy Rigid (HR) class vehicle?

A.0.05

B.0.02

C.0.08

D.0.00

Explanation: All heavy vehicle drivers in NSW — covering LR, MR, HR, HC and MC licence classes — must have a BAC of exactly 0.00 (zero). The general 0.05 limit that applies to fully licensed car drivers does NOT apply to heavy vehicle drivers. Driving with any detectable alcohol is an offence.

3Under Standard Hours fatigue rules, what is the maximum number of hours a heavy vehicle driver may work in any 24-hour period?

A.10 hours

B.14 hours

C.8 hours

D.12 hours

Explanation: Under Standard Hours — the default fatigue management option requiring no special accreditation — a driver must not work more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Work includes all time driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle and all other tasks related to the vehicle's operation.

4Under Standard Hours, what is the minimum continuous rest a heavy vehicle driver must take in every 24-hour period?

A.6 hours

B.8 hours

C.5.5 hours

D.7 hours

Explanation: Under Standard Hours, a driver must take at least 7 hours of continuous (unbroken) rest in every 24-hour period. Rest means time completely off work. Splitting rest periods is not permitted to satisfy this minimum under Standard Hours.

5What is the maximum total hours a heavy vehicle driver may work in any 14-day period under Standard Hours?

A.168 hours

B.144 hours

C.120 hours

D.156 hours

Explanation: Standard Hours limits work to no more than 144 hours in any 14-day period. This fortnightly cap complements the daily 12-hour maximum and ensures drivers cannot accumulate fatigue over multiple days by working to the daily maximum every single day.

6Which of the following describes the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) principle under the Heavy Vehicle National Law?

A.Only the driver is legally responsible for breaches of heavy vehicle laws

B.Only the employer bears liability if a driver commits an offence

C.Everyone in the transport supply chain — including schedulers, operators and consignors — can be held liable for breaches

D.Chain of responsibility applies only to load restraint, not fatigue or speed

Explanation: Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) means that every party in the transport supply chain — drivers, operators, schedulers, consignors, consignees, and others — can be held legally liable for breaches related to mass, fatigue, speed, load restraint, and vehicle dimensions. Liability is not confined to the driver alone.

7Which heavy vehicle knowledge test should you take if you are applying for a Heavy Combination (HC) licence in NSW?

A.Heavy vehicle rigid test

B.Heavy vehicle combination test

C.Either test — both cover the same content

D.General driver knowledge test (DKT)

Explanation: There are two versions of the NSW HVKT. The heavy vehicle combination test must be taken by applicants for a Heavy Combination (HC) or Multi Combination (MC) licence. The heavy vehicle rigid test is for LR, MR, and HR licence applicants. You only need to sit the test that corresponds to your target licence class.

8A National Driver Work Diary is required to be kept by drivers on which fatigue management options?

A.Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) only

B.Standard Hours and Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)

C.All three fatigue management options equally

D.Only Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)

Explanation: Drivers operating under Standard Hours or Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) must keep a National Driver Work Diary (also called a logbook) to record work and rest times. Drivers accredited under Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) use customised recording systems approved by the NHVR instead of the standard diary.

9What should a heavy vehicle driver do when they feel too fatigued to continue driving safely?

A.Continue driving at a reduced speed to reach the destination

B.Drink energy drinks or coffee to stay awake

C.Pull over at a safe location immediately and rest

D.Ask a passenger to watch for hazards while they drive slowly

Explanation: If you are too fatigued to drive safely, you must stop immediately at a safe location and rest. The HVNL allows a driver to stop beyond their designated rest area if genuinely too fatigued to drive safely — this is a legal defence in emergencies. The stop and the reason must be recorded in the work diary. Driving while fatigued is a serious criminal offence.

10What is the primary purpose of load restraint rules for heavy vehicles?

A.To maximise the payload that can be carried legally

B.To prevent loads from moving or falling off and causing injuries, deaths or property damage

C.To ensure loads are evenly distributed for fuel efficiency

D.To satisfy customs requirements for interstate transport

Explanation: Load restraint rules exist primarily to prevent loads from shifting, falling, or projecting from the vehicle in a way that could injure or kill other road users, damage property, or create road hazards. Drivers and others in the transport chain have a legal responsibility under the HVNL and Chain of Responsibility to ensure loads are securely fastened.

About the NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam

The Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test (HVKT) is a computer-based written theory test that all applicants must pass before they can apply for a heavy vehicle licence in New South Wales. The test contains 45 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook, the Road User Handbook, and the National Load Restraint Guide. There are two versions: one for Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR) and Heavy Rigid (HR) licences, and one for Heavy Combination (HC) and Multi Combination (MC) licences. Topics include road rules, heavy-vehicle mass and dimension limits, load restraint, fatigue management, the National Driver Work Diary, and the zero blood-alcohol requirement that applies to all heavy vehicle drivers in NSW.

Questions

45 scored questions

Time Limit

No published time limit

Passing Score

41 out of 45 (approximately 91%)

Exam Fee

AUD $57 per attempt (Transport for NSW (administered via Service NSW))

NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam Content Outline

40%

General Road Rules

Speed limits (100 km/h maximum for vehicles over 4.5 t GVM), right-of-way, traffic signals, road signs, lane use, roundabouts, and sharing the road

20%

Heavy-Vehicle Specific Rules

Mass limits, axle load limits, vehicle dimensions, road access conditions, special truck signs, and mandatory speed limiters

12%

Load Restraint and Securing Loads

Load restraint principles from the National Load Restraint Guide, securing methods, chain of responsibility for load safety, and consequences of unsecured loads

10%

Fatigue Management and Work Diary

Standard Hours (max 12 h work per 24 h, min 7 h rest), National Driver Work Diary entries, BFM and AFM accreditation, and recognising fatigue

Rigid Vehicle Handling and Braking

Extended braking distances, air brake systems, safe following distances, cornering, reversing, and vehicle stability for rigid trucks

Combination Vehicles and Road Trains

Coupling and uncoupling procedures, articulated vehicle dynamics, road-train access routes, and managing trailer swing

Alcohol, Drugs and Driver Health

Zero BAC obligation for all heavy vehicle drivers in NSW, drug-driving offences, medical fitness to drive, and fatigue as a health issue

How to Pass the NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 41 out of 45 (approximately 91%)
Exam length: 45 questions
Time limit: No published time limit
Exam fee: AUD $57 per attempt

Keys to Passing

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

NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook, the Road User Handbook, and the National Load Restraint Guide — the official test questions come only from these three sources

2Memorise the key numbers: 45 questions, 41 correct to pass, AUD $57 fee, 0.00 BAC, 100 km/h maximum speed, 12-hour maximum work shift, 7-hour minimum rest

3Focus extra time on fatigue management — Standard Hours work and rest limits are frequently tested, and many candidates overlook the 144-hour / 14-day cap

4Practise coupling and load restraint scenarios for the combination test; understand chain of responsibility so you know who is legally responsible for each transport function

5Take timed practice sets until you score 95% or higher consistently — the 91% pass mark leaves very little margin for error on the real 45-question test

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The NSW HVKT has 45 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 41 correctly to pass (approximately 91%). Questions cover the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook, the Road User Handbook, and the National Load Restraint Guide. Our free practice set on this page has 100 questions to give you extra preparation.

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

You need to answer at least 41 out of 45 questions correctly to pass the NSW HVKT. That is approximately 91%. This is a mandatory theory test you must pass before you can book a Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) or heavy vehicle driving test.

How much does the NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test cost?

The test fee is AUD $57 per attempt. If you fail, you must pay the $57 fee again for each subsequent attempt. There is no limit on the number of times you can sit the test. Fees are paid at Service NSW when you book.

What is the blood alcohol limit for heavy vehicle drivers in NSW?

In NSW, all heavy vehicle drivers must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of exactly 0.00 — zero tolerance. This differs from the general 0.05 limit that applies to fully licensed car drivers. The zero BAC applies to drivers of all heavy vehicle classes (LR, MR, HR, HC, MC).

What are the Standard Hours fatigue rules for NSW heavy vehicle drivers?

Under Standard Hours, a heavy vehicle driver must not work more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period or more than 144 hours in any 14-day period. Drivers must also take at least 7 hours of continuous rest in every 24-hour period. Drivers on Standard Hours or Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) must keep a National Driver Work Diary.

Which test do I take — rigid or combination?

There are two versions of the HVKT. Take the heavy vehicle rigid test if you are applying for a Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR) or Heavy Rigid (HR) licence. Take the heavy vehicle combination test if you are applying for a Heavy Combination (HC) or Multi Combination (MC) licence. You only need to take the test for the licence class you want.

What is the maximum speed limit for heavy vehicles in NSW?

In NSW, the maximum speed limit for any vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4.5 tonnes is 100 km/h. This applies even on roads where cars are permitted to travel faster. Special lower speed-limit signs may also be posted for specific road conditions such as sharp bends or steep descents, and these must be obeyed.