Government welcomes road safety and productivity reforms

Joint Media Release from the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; and Sentaor the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant minister for Infrastructure and Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | 20 December 2023

The Australian Government has welcomed transport ministers’ in-principle agreement to an improved, nationally-consistent approach to the training and licence progression of heavy vehicle drivers.

Endorsed by Australian transport ministers through the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM), the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework Decision Regulation Impact Statement (Decision RIS) proposes a series of reforms to improve road safety and productivity.

These changes will strengthen heavy vehicle driver skills and knowledge through redesigned learning and assessment requirements specific to each licence class.

Minimum course lengths and behind-the-wheel time will also be made compulsory, while some training and assessment will be delivered online to lower costs and allow licence applicants more flexibility.

New experience-based licence-progression pathways will be introduced to help drivers progress to higher licence classes more quickly while supporting road safety outcomes.

For more information, visit https://austroads.com.au/drivers-and-vehicles/registration-and-licensing/heavy-vehicle-driver-competency-framework.