In South Australia, there have been changes to the licensing rules for heavy vehicle drivers, writes Drive.
These changes aim to make the process faster for some drivers but also make it more difficult for people from overseas. The new rules follow feedback from the community.
Under the new system, people who want to drive B-doubles and road trains can fast-track their license progression.
To obtain a Multi-Combination (MC) license, drivers will now need to have completed 60 hours of supervised driving in a multi-combination truck.
They will also need to complete a competency-based training program. This new rule applies to drivers who already have a Heavy-Rigid (HR) license.
Drivers who want to upgrade from a Heavy-Combination (HC) to an MC license only need to log 50 hours of supervised driving if their employer supports the upgrade.
However, for people coming from other countries, the rules are still stricter. These drivers will need to hold a South Australian HR or HC license for at least 12 months before being allowed to take the test for their MC license.
The new licensing changes will not apply to people coming from New Zealand.
The government has recognized that New Zealand has similar driving environments and licensing systems, so drivers from New Zealand will not have to meet the new requirements.
These changes aim to make the licensing process more efficient for local drivers while making sure that overseas drivers meet the necessary experience levels.
People looking for more information on the new regulations can visit the South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport's website.
