MR, HR and HC Licences - Questions and Answers - DVS_F_DL_E89_QA_MRHRHC

Sep 18, 2026

Guidance for applicants seeking authorisation to drive Medium Rigid (MR), Heavy Rigid (HR), and Heavy Combination (HC) vehicles in Western Australia. The document sets eligibility criteria by prerequisite licence duration, specifies a practical driving assessment using defined minimum vehicle standards, and requires answering 10 knowledge questions with 8 correct for a pass. Questions cover vehicle mass and dimensions, speed limits, emergency equipment, permits, trailer braking requirements, towing permissions, mudguard condition, and emergency sign placement for disabled vehicles.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Requirement 1

Eligibility prerequisites and licence periods

Requirement 2

Practical driving assessment vehicle standards

Requirement 3

10-question knowledge assessment (pass mark: 8/10)

Government of Western Australia Department of Transport E89 Questions and Answers for MR, HR and HC Licences Persons applying for the authorisation to drive Medium Rigid, Heavy Rigid or Heavy Combination vehicles must comply with the following requirements: Requirement 1. Meet eligibility requirements. | Class | Prerequisite Licence | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | MR | Must have held a licence that authorises you to drive ‘C’ Class vehicles. | One year | | HR | Must have held a licence that is not provisional and authorises you to drive ‘C’ Class vehicles. | Two years | | HC | Must have held a licence that is not provisional and authorises you to drive ‘C’ class vehicles
AND
Must have held a licence that is not provisional and authorises you to drive MR or HR class vehicles | Three years
One year | Requirement 2. Pass a practical driving assessment in a minimum standard vehicle as follows: | MR | Motor vehicle that has 2 axles and a gross vehicle mass exceeding 8 tonnes. | | --- | --- | | HR | Motor vehicle that has 3 or more axles and a gross vehicle mass exceeding 15 tonnes and must be loaded to have a minimum on-road mass of 16 tonnes. | | HC | A prime mover with 3 axles and a gross vehicle mass exceeding 15 tonnes, attached to a semi trailer with at least 2 axles, having a tare weight exceeding 4,500 kilograms, the capability of a gross trailer mass or gross vehicle mass of not less than 16 tonnes and a length of not less than 10 metres.
Vehicle combination to be loaded to have minimum on-road mass of 28 tonnes.
OR
A heavy rigid vehicle that has 3 or more axles and a gross vehicle mass exceeding 15 tonnes, attached to a trailer with a tare weight exceeding 4,500 kilograms, the capability of a gross trailer mass or gross vehicle mass of not less than 16 tonnes and a length of not less than 7 metres.
Vehicle combination to be loaded to have a minimum on-road mass of 29 tonnes.
Load to be distributed evenly between vehicle and trailer. | Requirement 3. Answer 10 questions from the following questionaire (8 out of 10 correct for a pass) 1. Question: What is the maximum mass that may be carried on a single axle with dual tyres other than an omnibus? Answer: 9000kg. 2. Question: What is the maximum speed limit in the built-up area, unless otherwise indicated, for a vehicle that weighs more than 4.5 tonnes? Answer: 50km/h. 3. Question: What is the maximum permissible height of a vehicle and its load, other than a livestock trailer? Answer: 4.3 metres. 4. Question: A heavy vehicle of which the mass, together with any attached trailer and the total load carried (if any), exceeds 12 tonnes is compelled to carry certain emergency equipment, if outside a built-up area. What is this equipment? Answer: 3 portable warning signs complying with the relevant Australian Standards. Last updated: 11.11.2019 5. Question: What is the permissible width, including the load, of any vehicle? Answer: 2.5 metres maximum. 6. Question: What are the requirements in regard to any extra mass or oversize permit which may be issued? Answer: The permit must be carried in the vehicle and be produced on demand when requested by any police officer or other authorised person. 7. Question: When must a trailer be equipped with break away brakes? Answer: Where the gross mass exceeds two tonnes or it is a semi-trailer or pole type trailer. 8. Question: What is the maximum speed limit for a vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which taking into account any trailer attached and including the total load carried, is more than 12 tonnes? Answer: 100km/h. 9. Question: Is it permissible to tow a trailer behind an articulated vehicle? Answer: Not without the written permission of the Commissioner of Main Roads. 10. Question: What are the provisions with regard to condition of mudguards? Answer: They shall be in good condition, free from cracks and sharp or jagged edges. 11. Q

FAQs

What eligibility licences and time periods apply to MR, HR, and HC authorisation?

MR requires having held a licence authorising you to drive C Class vehicles for one year. HR requires a non-provisional licence authorising C Class vehicles for two years. HC requires non-provisional C Class eligibility for three years and an additional non-provisional licence authorising MR or HR class vehicles for one year.

What vehicle standards are used for the practical driving assessment for MR, HR, and HC?

MR is assessed in a minimum vehicle with 2 axles and gross vehicle mass exceeding 8 tonnes. HR uses a vehicle with 3+ axles and gross vehicle mass exceeding 15 tonnes, loaded to have a minimum on-road mass of 16 tonnes. HC uses either a prime mover with 3 axles (plus semi-trailer requirements) or a heavy rigid with 3+ axles attached to a trailer, with specified mass, tare weight, lengths, and minimum loaded on-road mass; loads must be evenly distributed between vehicle and trailer.

Which 10 questions must be answered, and what is the pass requirement?

Applicants must answer 10 questions from the provided questionnaire covering maximum masses per axle (dual and single tyres), speed limits in built-up areas, vehicle and load height, emergency equipment requirements outside built-up areas, maximum vehicle width, handling of extra mass/oversize permits, breakaway brake requirements, high gross mass speed limits, towing permissions for articulated vehicles, mudguard condition, maximum lengths, and permitted overall length for rigid vehicles. A pass requires 8 out of 10 correct.

Sep 18, 2026

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