Cost effective way to get Medium Rigid Truck license (NSW)

TURBOTAXI · 18-02-2009, 06:22 PM

Hi - I have bought a truck but I need a Medium Rigid License to drive it. What is the best way to get that license? Quotes from the driving schools in Dubbo are around $800 just for the driving part.

OR Should I try to de-rate the truck.?

Surely there is a better way to do this?

Any tips appreciated.

**Full Noise** · 18-02-2009, 06:47 PM

My advice is to pay the $800 and do the course. Even with a smaller truck, there’s always something that you don’t know, especially when it comes to loading and securing freight.

If you intend to dodge the rules on issues like this, you’re destined to learn the hard way.

ZA-289 · 18-02-2009, 07:13 PM

x2

I'd just find the cheapest instructor and get your MR licence.

NC1183 · 18-02-2009, 07:17 PM

The driving part is the most expensive part of the whole deal. If your short of cash and know someone with a MR or greater licence get them to teach you then do a RTA driving test, just like the tests L platers do to become P platers, instead of the compatancy based assessment.

TURBOTAXI · 18-02-2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the responses, Sorry if my post was misleading, I didnt want to break rules - just to find the best way to get the MR license without dropping too much coin.

The de-rate suggestion was something I was told by someone I know with a truck.

If I need to spend the money thats what I will do.

nugget378 · 18-02-2009, 08:04 PM

I did my HR through a driving mob, I had access to a truck to do it without the school, but it was synchro and I wanted a RR license, I dont regret it at all, like full noise said you will pick up some good tips if you go this way.

TURBOTAXI · 18-02-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nugget378

I did my HR through a driving mob, I had access to a truck to do it without the school, but it was synchro and I wanted a RR license, I dont regret it at all, like full noise said you will pick up some good tips if you go this way.

Yeah I think I just need to pay the $1600 for me and Mrs to get licence....

sneaky · 18-02-2009, 08:05 PM

get your employer to pay for it, that's how i got my HR

or if it's for your own business is there a way to right it off at tax time?

TURBOTAXI · 18-02-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakypete23

get your employer to pay for it, that's how i got my HR

or if it's for your own business is there a way to right it off at tax time?

The license and truck will be deducted, but my normal job is an office job......

XR6_190 · 18-02-2009, 09:28 PM

It's worth paying for the license, you learn a lot more than just driving the truck, and if you know how to drive it, you shouldn't have any problems. Don't de-rate the truck (even if you can, depending on the length if the vehicle, you may not be able to de-rate it without cutting it up). Plus then it's something you will always have, and you never know what's around the corner, an extra license might come in handy one day in the future

mik · 18-02-2009, 10:01 PM

probably easier also if you go to a school that teaches and does the test as well.

Feathers · 18-02-2009, 10:07 PM

I only had the one session (8 hours) with the assessor to get my MR licence. I'd had practice beforehand though (3 hours total), in our own vehicles.

If you know someone who is licenced, maybe offer them a carton to head out with you for a few hours and give you some tips, then you can either go to the RTA and do the driving test, or go through the driving school for the assessment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

probably easier also if you go to a school that teaches and does the test as well.

That's what the Competency Based Assessment is. Unlike the RTA driving tests, the person assessing you can offer advice and instruction, and if you mess something up you get ample opportunity to do it again. It's not an instant fail.

mad cow · 18-02-2009, 10:10 PM

do not de rate the truck. if its a medium rigid you wont be able to down rate it enough for a carlicence anyway, then it will only be a light rigid and you will still need a truck licence. its a lose lose situation. also your truck will lose a lot of resale. the only time down rating works is when you do it to a light rigid to allow a car licence to operate it. i did this to a little tipper and there were no modifications in the down grade, it was only altered in the vicroads database to allow cheaper rego. also it may pay to go as big as you can on your licence as its always easy to find work if you have a truck licence, they are always a good investment.

bd737 · 18-02-2009, 10:22 PM

Go the whole hog and get your HR while your at it? I got my HR Open here in WA for around $720 all up (six hours worth of lessons plus assessment).

A Kiwi mate told me it cost him approx $1800 to get his HR in New Zealand. It seems WA is one of the cheaper places to get your license!