4.2 Considerations for commercial vehicle licensing
The commercial vehicle driver standards acknowledge and allow for the variability in risk among different commercial vehicle drivers. The driver licensing authority will take into consideration the nature of the driving task as well as the medical condition, particularly when granting a conditional licence (refer to section 4.4. Conditional licences). For example, the licence status of a farmer requiring a commercial vehicle licence for the occasional use of a heavy vehicle on their own property may be quite different from that of an interstate multiple combination vehicle driver. The examining health professional should bear this in mind when examining a patient and when providing advice to the driver licensing authority.
In developing the standards, several approaches have been adopted to manage the increased risk associated with driving a commercial vehicle (refer to Table 3). These approaches include the following:
- There are generally longer non-driving periods prescribed for commercial vehicle drivers compared with private vehicles – for example, after a seizure or heart attack.
- There is generally a requirement that a specialist (rather than general practitioner) provides information regarding a conditional licence for a commercial vehicle driver (refer to section 4.4. Conditional licences).
- Some medical conditions may preclude a person from driving a commercial vehicle but they may still be eligible to hold a full or conditional licence for a private vehicle – for example, early dementia.
- The review period for a conditional licence may be shorter for a commercial vehicle driver.
Table 3: Choice of standard according to vehicle/licence type
| National licence class | Applicable standard | |
|---|---|---|
Motorcycle (R) | Motorbike or motortrike | Private standards apply unless the driver holds or is applying for an authority to carry public passengers for hire or reward, in which case the commercial standards apply. |
Car (C) | Vehicle not more than 4.5 tonnes GVM (gross vehicular mass) and seating up to 12 adults including the driver | Private standards apply unless the driver:
In these cases the commercial standards apply. |
Light rigid (LR) | Any rigid vehicle greater than 4.5 tonnes GVM or a vehicle seating more than 12 adults that is not more than 8 tonnes, plus a trailer of no more than 9 tonnes GVM | |
Medium rigid (MR) | Any two-axle rigid vehicle greater than 8 tonnes GVM, plus a trailer of no more than 9 tonnes GVM | Commercial standards apply at all times. |
Heavy rigid (HR) | Any rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles greater than 8 tonnes GVM, plus a trailer of no more than 9 tonnes GVM | |
Heavy combination (HC) | Prime mover + single semitrailer greater than 9 tonnes GVM and any unladen converter dolly trailer | |
Multiple combination (MC) | Heavy combination vehicle with more than one trailer | |
Notes on national licence classes and standards:
- A person who does not meet the commercial vehicle medical requirements may still be eligible to retain a private vehicle driver licence. In such cases, both sets of standards may need to be consulted.
- The driver licence authority periodic and medical examination requirements for each licence class are outlined in Appendix 1. Regulatory requirements for driver testing.
- The standards are intended for application to drivers who drive within the ambit of ordinary road laws. Some drivers, such as emergency service and first responder vehicle drivers (e.g. ambulance, fire, police), are given special exemptions from these laws. Due to the nature of the work performed by these drivers (e.g. carrying passengers who may be unrestrained on stretchers or in locked vans, working shifts, under pressure) they should have a risk assessment and an appropriate level of medical standard applied by the employer. As a minimum they should always be considered under the commercial driver standard.