Should I get a Light Rigid truck license for heavy towing?

QUESTION

Hi John,

Long time listener to your YouTube channel.

You have waxed lyrical about towing and the relevant loading requirements of some vehicles, namely in the dual cab ute segment.

Your latest video on the Silverado and it GCM value of approx 7.2 tonnes got me to wondering what the current licencing status in various jurisdictions is.

I know in the past that driving anything over 4.5 tonnes required a Light Truck Licence. Not sure if that ever applied to the GCM of vehicles with heavy trailers, nor what the current status is and does it vary state by state here is Australia.

I guess the real question some need to consider is if you get your 3.5-tonne caravan and two-tonne tow vehicle, do you need to upgrade your licence too?

Thanks,

Scott Summers (real name, no relation to Cyclops from X-Men)

P.S. I might hit you up for some info on the Kona and CX-3 in the future as they are currently on the short list for my wife’s next car.

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ANSWER

Scott,

I’m gutted that you’re no relation to Cyclops - you might want to work on that.

The 4.5 tonnes licence limitation is the GVM of the vehicle you drive. Licence classes are harmonised across Australia.

This is from VicRoads:

You can drive a vehicle that does not exceed 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and can seat up to 12 adults including the driver. This does not include motor cycles and motor trikes. You may tow a single trailer up to 9 tonnes GVM or to the manufacturer's specifications (whichever is less).

Nine friggin’ tonnes of trailer. I’d be laughing my arse off if it were not so serious… I don’t think there’s a GCM limit on a standard car licence. I suppose the GVM of the vehicle does limit the GCM somewhat owing to the manufacturer’s limitation on ATM.

JC

QUICK LINKS FOR TOWING RESOURCES

How to do heavy towing: A dummy’s guide hitching up >>

My Complete Heavy Towing Guide: GVM, ATM, towballs >>

How to bend your ute: Triton chassis-snapping truths >>

Load levelling and weight distribution hitches: Know this >>

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