HR Licence Practice Test WA: 17 Official E89 Questions & Answers (2026)

The HR Licence practice test in WA is based on a single official document, the E89 questionnaire, issued by the Department of Transport (DVS).

The E89 questionnaire contains 17 questions. On the test day, your assessor will only ask you 10 of them, selected from that list of 17. To pass, you need to answer at least 8 out of those 10 correctly.

That’s really the whole system. For the written/computerised multiple-choice theory test, the questions are selected from the official questionnaire. If you know all 17 questions and answers properly, rather than just memorising them word for word, you’ll be able to handle whichever 10 come up on the Heavy Rigid practice test day.

Here are all  E89 Questions and Answers for MR, HR and HC Licences 17 official questions for the HR practice test that you need to prepare:

Question 1: What’s the maximum mass allowed on a single axle with dual tyres, other than an omnibus? 

Answer: 9,000 kg. 

Dual-tyre axles spread load across more contact points, which is why the limit sits higher than a single-tyre axle.

Question 2: What’s the maximum speed limit for a vehicle over 4.5 tonnes in a built-up area, unless signs say otherwise? 

Answer: 50 km/h.

This is the default WA built-up area limit for heavier vehicles, and it stands unless a different posted limit overrides it.

Question 3: What’s the maximum permissible height for a vehicle and its load, other than a livestock trailer? 

Answer: 4.3 metres. 

Livestock trailers get an exemption because of the extra deck height needed for animal welfare.

Question 4: If a heavy vehicle’s total mass (with any trailer and load) exceeds 12 tonnes, what emergency equipment must it carry outside a built-up area? 

Answer: Three portable warning signs that meet the relevant Australian Standards. 

These signs protect the driver and other road users if the vehicle breaks down on the road.

Question 5: What’s the permissible width for any vehicle, including its load? 

Answer: 2.5 metres maximum. 

This applies across the board, whatever the vehicle class, unless you hold an oversize permit.

Question 6: What are the requirements around an extra mass or oversize permit? 

Answer: It must be carried in the vehicle and produced on request to any police officer or other authorised person. 

Carrying the physical permit isn’t optional. You need it on hand, not just approved somewhere on file.

Question 7: When must a trailer be fitted with breakaway brakes? 

Answer: When its gross mass exceeds two tonnes, or when it’s a semi-trailer or pole-type trailer. A trailer exceeding two tonnes gross trailer mass must be fitted with breakaway brakes. 

Breakaway brakes automatically engage if the trailer separates from the towing vehicle, which matters more as trailer mass increases.

Question 8: What’s the maximum speed limit for a vehicle whose gross mass, including any trailer and load, exceeds 12 tonnes? 

Answer: 100 km/h. 

This is the general open-road ceiling for heavier combinations across WA.

Question 9: Is it permissible to tow a trailer behind an articulated vehicle? 

Answer: Not without written permission from the  Commissioner of Main Roads Western Australia Commissioner of Main Roads. 

Articulated vehicles already have complex handling characteristics, so adding a trailer needs specific approval.

Question 10: What condition must mudguards be kept in? 

Answer: Good condition, free from cracks and sharp or jagged edges. 

Damaged mudguards can throw debris or injure people nearby, so this is treated as a straightforward safety check.

Question 11: What’s the maximum permitted length for an articulated vehicle and its load?

Answer: 19.0 metres. 

This covers the full combination, prime mover, trailer and whatever’s loaded on top.

Question 12: What’s the permissible overall length, including load, for any rigid vehicle other than an omnibus? 

Answer: 12.5 metres. 

Rigid vehicles have a shorter limit than articulated combinations since they don’t pivot the same way on tight turns.

Question 13: What’s the maximum mass allowed on a single axle with single tyres, other than an omnibus? 

Answer: 6,000 kg. 

Single tyres carry less load per axle than dual tyres, which is why this figure sits lower than Question 1’s answer.

Question 14: What must you do if you want to carry an overwidth, overheight or overlength load, or a load that exceeds your licence conditions? 

Answer: Obtain a permit from the Commissioner of Main Roads or an appointed agent. 

No amount of care behind the wheel replaces the paperwork here. The permit has to exist first.

Question 15: If you’re hauling a load heavier than your licence allows, what might you be compelled to do? 

Answer: Off-load the excess. 

Authorities can require this on the spot or at a specified location, so it pays to check your load before you leave.

Question 16: When you see a “Trucks & Buses Must Use Low Gear” sign, what must you do? 

Answer: Change to a low gear that controls your speed, rather than relying on your primary brakes. 

This protects against brake fade on long, steep descents, which is one of the more serious risks in heavy vehicle driving.

Question 17: If a disabled heavy vehicle is left on a carriageway outside a built-up area at night, where must the portable warning signs be placed? 

Answer: One beside the vehicle, and one each at the front and rear, no closer than 50 metres and no further than 150 metres. At least one sign should be visible to approaching drivers from 200 metres away, wherever practical. 

This gives other drivers enough warning distance to react safely in low visibility.

How to Pass the WA HR Licence Theory Test? | 7 Tips 

1. Confirm Your Eligibility 

First, you need to meet the eligibility criteria to have an HR licence. You need to have held an open or provisional C-class licence for at least two continuous years before you can sit the HR assessment, so check this before booking.

2. Study the Official Source

The test is drawn entirely from the DVS E89 questionnaire. Generic online “truck licence quizzes” often mix in interstate rules that don’t apply in WA.

3. Focus on Mass, Dimension and Speed Limits

These make up the bulk of the 17 questions, so know the exact figures for axle mass, vehicle width, height, length and heavy vehicle speed zones.

4. Understand Trailer and Permit Rules

Know when breakaway brakes are mandatory and what’s required for oversize or overweight permits; these come up more than people expect.

5. Practise Under Real Test Conditions 

The assessment is computerised, multiple-choice, and done without notes or your phone, so test yourself the same way at home.

6. Book through DVS or Your RTO

You can sit the theory test at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or arrange it through your accredited training provider alongside your practical bookings.

7. Aim Well Above the Pass Mark

You need 8 out of 10, but training for a consistent 9 or 10 gives you a buffer if nerves affect you on the day.

Get HR Licence Training in Perth from Mega Truck Training

At Mega Truck Training (RTO #53025), we’re a DoT-accredited heavy vehicle training provider, and we do things a little differently. Here’s what you get when you train with us:

1. One-on-one lessons, always. No group sessions, no waiting your turn, just you and your instructor working through your specific gaps.
2. Modern, dual-control trucks. You’ll train on well-maintained vehicles built for practical assessment prep, not old fleet stock.
3. DoT-accredited, TAE-qualified instructors. Our trainers know exactly what assessors are looking for, because they’ve been on both sides of it.
4. Flexible scheduling. We work around your job, not the other way around.
5. A 95% first-time pass rate. Among students who complete full training with us, that’s the result we consistently see.

So whether you’re chasing HR licence training in Perth, a full heavy rigid course, or a truck driving school experience from start to finish, we’d love to help you get there.

Book Your HR Licence Training Today

FAQs

What Happens After You Pass the WA HR Licence Theory Test?

After passing the knowledge questions, you’ll complete the practical driving assessment. If you successfully pass both components, your HR licence application can proceed.

What Documents Should You Bring to Your HR Licence Assessment?

Bring your current driver’s licence, any required medical or assessment paperwork, and any documents requested by your training provider or Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).

Is Professional HR Licence Training Worth It?

Professional training helps you prepare for both the theory and practical assessment, improve your driving skills, and build confidence before test day.

What’s the Most Common Mistake People Make in the WA HR Licence Test?

Many applicants focus only on driving practice and underestimate the knowledge assessment. Studying the official E89 questions beforehand helps avoid unnecessary mistakes.