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Licence classes and codes

Licence classes

You need to hold a specific licence class to drive a particular vehicle type (PDF**, 96KB). Your licence will show the highest class or classes of vehicle that you are eligible to drive.

This means that you are allowed to drive any vehicle in each of those classes of licence, as well as any vehicle in the lower classes of licence. See also upgrading your licence to the next higher class.

Licence class codes and the vehicle types that may be driven under each class code are tabled below.

Licence class	Type of vehicle
RE (motorbike)	a learner approved motorbike that is a moped a learner approved motorbike other than a moped, with or without a trailer
R (motorbike)	a class RE motorbike a motorbike with unlimited engine size, with or without a trailer
C (car)	a moped a motor vehicle weighing 4.5 tonnes (t) GVM or less, built or fitted to carry a maximum of 12 passengers including the driver, with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less a specially constructed vehicle weighing 4.5 t GVM or less, with or without a trailer
LR (light rigid)	a class C vehicle a bus, truck or prime mover weighing 8 t GVM or less, with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less a specially constructed vehicle weighing 8 t GVM or less, with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less
MR (medium rigid)	a class LR vehicle a truck (including a prime mover) weighing more than 8 t GVM, with not more than two axles, with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less a bus weighing more than 8 t GVM, with not more than two axles, with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less a specially constructed vehicle weighing more than 8 t GVM with not more than 2 axles, with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less
HR (heavy rigid)	a class MR vehicle a bus, truck or prime mover weighing more than 8 t GVM (no axle limits), with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less an articulated bus a specially constructed vehicle weighing more than 8 t GVM with or without a trailer weighing 9 t GVM or less
HC (heavy combination)	a class HR vehicle a truck (including a prime mover) with or without a trailer a specially constructed vehicle weighing more than 8 t GVM with or without a trailer
MC (multi-combination)	a class HC vehicle a B-double a road train
UD	a specially constructed motor vehicle

Learner approved motorbikes

A learner approved motorbike is a production motorbike that is fitted with an electric motor, or has an internal combustion engine with an engine capacity of not more than 660 millilitres (mL) and:

has a power to weight ratio of not more than 150kW per tonne; and
that has not been modified other than for an allowable modification

that is stated to be a learner approved motorbike in the list of approved motorcycles and scooters (PDF**, 42KB).

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Licence codes

If your licence shows a licence code, you must comply with the condition of the code at all times when driving a motor vehicle. If you do not comply with the condition when driving you may be fined and one demerit point will be recorded on your traffic history.

Licence codes and the conditions that apply to them are tabled below.

Licence code	Condition
A	You may only drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission.
B	You may only drive a vehicle with a synchromesh gearbox.
I	You may only drive while carrying, and in accordance with, an order under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part 5, division 1.
M	You may only drive while carrying and in accordance with a medical certificate.
S	You may only drive while wearing corrective lenses.
V	You may only drive while carrying and in accordance with a vehicle modification notice.
X1	You may only drive while carrying and in accordance with an order under section 87 or 88 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
X3	You may only drive while carrying and in accordance with a special hardship order and any variation of special hardship order.
X4	You may only drive while carrying and in accordance with an order under section 79E of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 and any section 79E variation order.

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Last updated 30 June 2009