Heavy vehicle licence exemptions

There are two types of licence exemptions for heavy vehicles:

1. Hardship
   Your application will be considered if the nature of your employment means that the normal minimum holding time would cause you or your family undue hardship. 
2. Previous experience
   Your application will be considered if you have sufficient previous driving experience (interstate will be considered*).

* Note: If you have an overseas licence from a non-recognised country, you’ll need to make an appointment to get it checked for authenticity before you can apply for an exemption.

Exemption application process

Step 1: eligibility for your exemption to be considered

You can only apply for an exemption if you:

• hold a current Victorian car licence
• have a clean driving record
• can demonstrate undue hardship or provide proof of previous driving experience.

Step 2: prepare the correct forms and documents for your exemption

The form you use will depend on the category of exemption.

Download and complete the relevant exemption from heavy vehicle driver licence requirements application form:

• application for exemption from heavy vehicle driver licence requirements - hardship (PDF)
• application for exemption from heavy vehicle driver licence requirements - previous experience (PDF).

You’ll need to provide us with electronic copies of supporting documents to demonstrate the reason for your exemption. 

Hardship exemption

To support your application you need to provide:

• a letter from you identifying the undue hardship
• employment: a letter from your employer verifying your employment and identifying the hardship
• a payment of $66.10 (VISA or MasterCard) plus a card payment fee (0.54%) when you submit your application.

Previous experience exemption

To support your application, you need to provide:

• evidence of your identity
• documentation that will support your previous driving experience
• a copy of your overseas licence. If the licence is not in English, you must also supply an official translation
• a payment of $66.10 (VISA or MasterCard) plus a card payment fee (0.54%) when you submit your application.

Step 3: submit your application to us

When you’ve completed your exemption application form and have your supporting documents, you'll need to submit them to us for processing.

You can submit the paperwork by uploading your form and supporting documents online.

When you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive an email from us. This email will include an application reference number, contact details and receipt number (if a payment was made). 

Step 4: outcome of your exemption application

We’ll contact you within 15 working days of receiving your application. If you don't get a response after this time, please call 13 11 71 and provide us with your driver licence or learner permit number and the exemption application number.

We’ll notify you in writing of the outcome of your application. Any exemption granted may result in us imposing conditions on your driver licence for a specified time.

Conditions may include:

• limiting the carriage of passengers
• limiting your travel routes and distances
• restricted driving times in the day
• restricted driving days of the week. 

Please note: If an exemption is granted for a heavy vehicle licence under the category of “recognition of previous driving experience”, the exemption is only valid for 12 months from the date the exemption has been granted.

There are no reviews or refunds of rejected exemption applications.

Licence cancellation or suspension

If your driver licence is cancelled or suspended, any exemption may be withdrawn. This will have an impact on your licence when it is reissued or the suspension ends.

If we decide to withdraw the exemption, you'll be notified in writing and given an opportunity to show why you should be permitted to retain the exemption.

If you don’t respond to the notice within the required time, the exemption will be withdrawn without further notice.