Truck licence guides
Plain-English advice on NSW truck licences, training and careers, from 25+ years of teaching.
How to Get a Truck Licence in NSW: The Complete 5-Step Guide
Exactly how to get your MR, HR, HC or MC truck licence in NSW, from the knowledge test to picking up your new licence.
6 min read
MR vs HR vs HC vs MC: Which Truck Licence Do You Actually Need?
A clear guide to NSW heavy vehicle licence classes, what each one lets you drive, and which jobs they unlock.
5 min readHow to Pass the NSW Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test First Time
Practical study tips for the NSW heavy vehicle knowledge test, including the official question banks and free practice test.
5 min readHVCBA and the Final Competency Assessment, Explained Simply
What the Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment is, how the final test works in NSW, and why your trainer and assessor are different people.
5 min readHow Much Do Truck Drivers Earn in Sydney? An Honest Look
Real truck driver pay in Sydney and NSW: award minimums, job ad averages, and how your licence class changes what you can earn.
5 min read
Can You Go Straight From HR to MC in NSW? Yes, Here's How
How NSW drivers with an HR licence can skip HC and upgrade directly to an MC licence for B-double work.
4 min readAuto, Synchro or Road Ranger: Which Gearbox Should You Learn?
How the gearbox you train and test in affects your truck licence conditions, and which one opens the most jobs.
4 min read
The Pre-Operational Check Every Truck Driver Should Do (and Why)
A simple daily pre-operational routine for heavy vehicle drivers: tyres, lights, air, fluids and load, before you turn a wheel.
4 min readFatigue Rules and Work Diaries: What New NSW Truck Drivers Must Know
Which trucks are fatigue-regulated, when you need a National Driver Work Diary, and how to stay safe on long shifts.
5 min read
Load Restraint Basics: Securing Your Load the Right Way
Why load restraint matters, the official Load Restraint Guide, and simple principles every new truck driver should follow.
4 min read7 NSW Road Rules Every New Truck Driver Needs to Know
The heavy vehicle road rules that catch new NSW truck drivers out, from the 100 km/h limit to long vehicle following distances.
5 min readWhat Does a Truck Licence Really Cost in NSW?
A breakdown of every cost involved in getting a truck licence in NSW, including training, test fees and the costs people forget.
4 min read
Your First Truck Lesson: What to Expect (and How Not to Panic)
What happens on your first heavy vehicle training day, what to bring, and how to feel confident behind the wheel of a truck.
4 min readToo Old to Start? Why People Switch to Truck Driving at 30, 40 and 50
Why truck driving is a popular career change in NSW, who it suits, and how to know if it's right for you.
4 min readWhy Western Sydney Is the Best Place in Australia to Start Truck Driving
How Moorebank, Western Sydney Airport and the region's warehouses are creating truck driving jobs right on our doorstep.
4 min readHow to Reverse a Truck: 8 Tips From 25 Years of Teaching
Practical reversing tips for new truck drivers, from mirror setup to the golden rule of getting out and looking.
4 min read
What 3,000 Students Taught Tommy About Becoming a Great Truck Driver
Lessons from 25+ years as a truck instructor in Sydney: what separates good truck drivers from great ones.
4 min readThinking of Driving Buses? What Your Heavy Vehicle Licence Covers
How NSW heavy vehicle licences apply to buses, and why you also need a Bus Driver Authority to carry paying passengers.
3 min readDoing the Heavy Vehicle Knowledge Test in Your Own Language
The NSW heavy vehicle knowledge test is available in community languages, with free interpreters and extra support. Here's how to use it.
3 min read7 Mistakes That Cost New Drivers Their Final Truck Test
The most common errors on the heavy vehicle final assessment, and simple habits to avoid them on test day.
4 min readReady to get your truck licence?
Call Tommy and he'll tell you exactly which licence you can get and when.