[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]A Heavy Rigid licence in Queensland allows you to legally drive large trucks and buses that exceed standard car and light truck limits. If you’re planning a career in transport, mining, logistics or public transport, an HR licence is one of the most valuable heavy vehicle licences in QLD.
This guide explains exactly what vehicles you can and can’t drive with a Heavy Rigid licence in Queensland.
Vehicles You Can Drive with a Heavy Rigid Licence in QLD
With a valid Heavy Rigid licence in QLD, you can drive:
Heavy Rigid Trucks (HR Class Vehicles)
These include:
- Trucks with 3 or more axles
- Rigid trucks with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 8 tonnes
- Concrete (cement) trucks
- Tipper trucks
- Heavy delivery trucks
- Large waste/garbage trucks
If the truck has a single rigid body (not a trailer combination), it usually falls under HR.
Buses with an Heavy Rigid Licence
Yes — you can drive a bus with a Heavy Rigid licence in QLD.
This includes:
- Public buses
- Charter buses
- Coaches
- School buses
- Motorhomes converted from buses (over-weight limits)
As long as the vehicle is a rigid body with 3+ or more axles, it is covered by an HR licence.
Fire Trucks & Emergency Vehicles
You can legally drive:
- Fire trucks
- Emergency response trucks
- Large council/utility vehicles
Heavy Motorhomes / RVs
With a Heavy Rigid licence, you can drive:
- Large motorhomes
- Heavy camper buses
- Oversized recreational vehicles crossing the 8-tonne GVM threshold
What You Cannot Drive with an HR Licence in QLD
Even though Heavy Rigid is a high-level licence, there are limits.
You cannot drive:
- Trucks with a trailer attached that require combinations
- Semi-trailers
- B-doubles
- Road trains
These vehicles require:
- HC (Heavy Combination) licence, or
- MC (Multi-Combination) licence
HR Licence Gearbox Restrictions (Very Important)
Your HR licence may have a gearbox restriction, which affects what vehicles you can legally drive.
HR — Automatic Only (Condition A)
If you test in an automatic truck, you can only drive automatic HR vehicles.
HR — Synchromesh (Condition B)
If you test in a synchromesh manual, you can drive:
- Automatic
- Synchromesh manual vehicles
- But not Road Ranger crash-box manuals.
HR — Unrestricted
If you test in a Road Ranger gearbox, you can drive any HR vehicle, including:
- Automatic
- Synchromesh
- Road Ranger manuals
This affects job opportunities, so it’s important to choose your training carefully.
Real-World Job Examples – What You Can Do with an HR Licence
With an HR licence in QLD, you can work as:
- HR truck driver
- Concrete truck driver
- Tipper truck driver
- Bus driver
- Coach driver
- Waste truck operator
- Council vehicle driver
- Fuel truck driver (with extra endorsements)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I drive a bus with a heavy rigid licence in QLD?
Yes, you can legally drive large buses with an HR licence, provided they are rigid vehicles with 3 or more axles.
Can I drive a semi-trailer with an HR licence?
No. Semi-trailers require an HC licence, not a Heavy Rigid.
Can I drive a truck with a trailer on an HR licence?
No. If a trailer creates an articulated combination, you need an HC or an MC licence.
Can I drive a garbage truck with an HR licence?
Yes, waste collection and council trucks are Heavy Rigid class vehicles.
Can I upgrade from HR to HC later?
Yes. After holding your Heavy Rigid licence for the eligible period, you can upgrade to an HC or an MC licence.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]