Living in a country as vast as Australia presents an array of logistical difficulties, especially when it comes to transporting items across large distances. Because of this, heavy vehicles are the lifeline of this nation and the demand for talented drivers able to withstand the rigours of long hours on the road is high.

For those who get a heavy vehicle license there are an array of job opportunities open to them. Aside from B-doubles and road trains, the license covers trams, tankers, agricultural machinery, trucks, forklifts and more.

There are a number of criteria involved before you can obtain a heavy vehicle license. In this article you will find 3 key factors to be aware of in order to help you acquire a heavy vehicle license as efficiently as possible.

The different heavy vehicle classes. There are 5 classes of heavy vehicle license: Light rigid (LR class), medium rigid (MR class), heavy rigid (HR class), heavy combination (HC class) & multi-combination (MC class). Each class requires a separate license. You must hold a full license of the preceding class before you can apply for a learner's license for the next. Full details of all the driver's license classes can be found on the Australia government website.

Driver's license assessments. To receive a full license you must pass two tests — a knowledge assessment and a practical driving assessment. The knowledge test is comprised of 45 questions of which you must answer a minimum of 41 correctly to pass. The driving assessment contains a range of tests, from loading and securing goods to safety checks and vehicle driving ability. The duration of the tests vary from one and a half to two and a half hours depending on the vehicle class.

License eligibility requirements. There is a minimum period for which you must wait before taking your license assessments. For LR & MR licenses you must have held a C (car) license for a minimum of 12 months, and for an HR license you must have held a C license for at least 24 months. For an HC license you must have held either an MR or HR license for 12 months, and for an MC license you must have held an HC or HR license for at least 12 months.

The life of a heavy vehicle driver is not for everyone, and the commitment required to acquire your heavy vehicle license is substantial. But if a life on the road appeals to you and you think you have the focus and skills required to succeed, then the industry — and the country — are eager to hear from you.