South Australia is set to introduce wholesale changes to the state’s heavy vehicle licensing system following a community petition to introduce stricter licensing requirements for drivers.
The state government will establish an ongoing MC licence program, which will allow drivers to participate in a structured learning program with the support of their employer.
Drivers will need to apply for the program with the support of their employer before being issued a learners permit for the MC class. They will then be required to complete a competency-based training course through an approved registered training organisation before logging a minimum number of training hours and learning components with a qualified supervising driver.
Heavy rigid licence holders will be required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of logged supervised driving and additional learning components, while those with existing HC licences will need to complete at least 50 hours of logged supervised driving with additional learning components.
A practical driving assessment in an MC vehicle with an authorised examiner will then be required to obtain an MC licence.
Drivers may still choose the traditional route of holding a HC or HR licence for 12 months before progressing to an MC licence.
From early 2025, South Australia will also no longer recognise overseas heavy vehicle driving experience towards obtaining an MC licence, except for drivers from New Zealand due to its similar training and driving conditions to Australia.
Drivers from other countries will be required to hold a South Australian HR or HC licence for a minimum of 12 months or complete to newly established MC licence program before progressing to an MC licence.
Both measures will take effect in late February 2025.
More information on the changes is available here.
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