What Are the Different Types of Driver’s Licence Classes in Australia?

Australia has a national driver’s licence classification system, which means the licence classes are uniform across the entire country. Your licence type shows the vehicles that you’re qualified to drive.

More skill and experience is needed to drive vehicles that are heavy, large or carry many passengers. They demand special requirements, e.g. competency-based assessments, driving tests and minimum holding periods. You are not allowed to drive vehicles of a higher class without first being approved to operate them.

We’ll go through all the different licence classes & their meanings below.

Car (C) Licence

The c class drivers licence include cars, utes, vans, some light trucks, tractors, graders, car-based motor tricycles and mopeds.

What vehicles can you drive with this licence?

• Allowed to carry up to 12 adults including driver
• Allowed to drive vehicles with a maximum of 4.5t Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)

Light Rigid (LR) Licence

A light rigid licence will qualify you to drive the following:

• Allowed to carry more than 12 adults
• Allowed to drive vehicles with a GVM between 4.5-8t
• Any towed trailer must have a GVM of no more than 9t.

Can also drive any vehicle allowed by a class C licence.

Medium Rigid (MR) Licence

• Allowed to drive vehicles with a GVM over 8t and up to 2 axles
• Any towed trailer must have a GVM of no more than 9t.

Can also drive any vehicle allowed by a class LR licence.

Heavy Rigid (HR) Licence

A heavy rigid licence will qualify you to drive the following:

• Allowed to drive vehicles with a GVM over 8t and 3 or more axles
• Any towed trailer must have a GVM of no more than 9t.
• Allowed to drive articulated buses

Can also drive any vehicle allowed by a class MR licence.

Heavy Combination (HC) Licence

• Allowed to drive a prime mover attached to a semi-trailer over 9t GVM
• Allowed to tow trailers over 9t GVM

Can also drive any vehicle allowed by a class HR licence.

Multi Combination (MC) Licence

• Allowed to drive road trains and B-doubles.

A class MC licence holder can drive any vehicle allowed by a class HC licence.

Rider (R) Licence

Allowed to drive any motorcycle or motor tricycle.