Licence Classes

RIDER (R)

  • Any motorcycle or motor trike.
  • See the RTA website on special restrictions for learner and provisional P1 rider licence holders.

 

CAR (C)

  • Any motor vehicle no more than 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), which carries up to 12 adults including the driver.
  • Any implement or tractor or a car-based motor trike. (To find out if a vehicle qualifies as a car-based motor trike, contact the RTA)
  • See the RTA website on special restrictions for provisional P1and P2 drivers.

 

LIGHT RIGID (LR)

  • Any motor vehicle more than 4.5 tonnes GVM but no more than 8 tonnes GVM.
  • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM.
  • Also includes any vehicle with a GVM of no more than 8 tonnes which carries more than 12 adults including the driver.
  • Also includes vehicles in Class C.

*To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class C licence (not a learner) for at least one year.

 

MEDIUM RIGID (MR)

  • Any motor vehicle with two axles and more than 8 tonnes GVM.
  • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM.
  • Also includes vehicles in Class LR.

*To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class C licence (not a learner) for at least one year.

 

HEAVY RIGID (HR)

  • Any rigid vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM of more than 8 tonnes.
  • Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM.
  • Also includes articulated buses and vehicles in Class MR.

*To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class C, LR or MR licence (not a learner) for periods totalling at least two years.

 

HEAVY COMBINATION (HC)

  • Any prime mover attached to a semi-trailer or a rigid vehicle towing a trailer with a GVM of more than 9 tonnes plus any unladen converter dolly.
  • Also includes vehicles in Class HR.

 

MULTI COMBINATION (MC)

  • Any B-Double or road train.
  • Also includes vehicles in Class HC.

*To upgrade to this class you must have held a Class HR or HC licence for at least one year. P2 licence holders cannot upgrade to this class.

*Provisional P1 Class C drivers cannot practise driving for a higher licence class or upgrade to a higher class.

Diagrams and text courtesy of the Roads and Traffic Authority May 06