How to get your truck licence
Exactly how it works in NSW, step by step.
Knowledge test
Read, practise and pass
- Read the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook, your official study book
- Do the free official NSW practice test online and pick the heavy vehicle test
- Keep practising until you pass 10 times in a row
- Book and pass the real heavy vehicle knowledge test at Service NSW
Get your logbook
Track your skills
- Once you pass the knowledge test, you get your heavy vehicle logbook
- Your driving skills are recorded in it as you learn
- Tommy uses it to sign you off
Important: Keep your logbook safe. You'll need it for your final test.
- A Guide to Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (PDF)The official book that comes with your logbook. It lists every skill you'll be checked on.
Training with Tommy
Learn and improve
- Real road driving: learn to drive safely on real roads
- Reversing skills: reverse like a professional
- Safety and control: braking, mirrors and full control
- Logbook sign-off: Tommy marks your skills step by step
Final test (FCA)
Prove your skills
- Your final test is done by another assessor from our school, not the instructor who trained you
- When you're ready, you do your final competency assessment
- At least 45 minutes on the road with a loaded truck, plus time for reversing
- It's on an approved route, and it's video recorded to keep it fair
- About the HVCBA and final assessmentOfficial Transport for NSW page
- Read the official assessment guide (PDF)Exactly what the assessor checks
Tip: the better you prepare, the easier it is. Tommy won't put you forward until you're ready.
Get your licence
You did it
- Go to Service NSW and upgrade your licence
- Start working and building your future
- You're ready to drive, work and earn
- Find your nearest Service NSW centre
- Getting a heavy vehicle licenceOfficial overview from Transport for NSW
What the assessor checks
These come from the official Transport for NSW assessment guide. Tommy trains you on every one, and signs each off in your logbook.
- Pre-drivePre-operational checkWalk-around safety check of the truck before you drive.
- Pre-driveCabin drillSeat, mirrors, seatbelt and controls set up properly.
- DrivingStart, move off and secureStarting, moving off smoothly, shutting down and securing the truck.
- DrivingSteeringSmooth, controlled steering and correct road position.
- DrivingGearsPicking the right gear for the speed, load and road.
- DrivingBrakesSmooth, planned braking using the right brakes.
- DrivingAcceleratorSteady, controlled use of the accelerator.
- Safe drivingCrash avoidance spaceKeeping a safe space around the truck at all times.
- Road rulesRoad rules and directionsFollowing road rules, signs and the assessor's directions.
- Extra skillsReversingReversing safely and accurately.
- Extra skillsHill stop and startStopping and moving off on a hill without rolling back.
- Extra skillsLoad securingChecking and securing a load correctly.
- Extra skillsCoupling and uncouplingHooking up and unhooking a trailer (combination licences only).
Bus drivers also do a bus stop procedure. Source: A Guide to Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment, Transport for NSW.
Ready to get your truck licence?
Call Tommy and he'll tell you exactly which licence you can get and when.