HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 4.6m High Loaded Semi-Trailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1)
Purpose
Note – The Heavy Vehicle National Law provides that a heavy vehicle is a Class 3 heavy vehicle if the vehicle’s height exceeds 4.3 metres. If the heavy vehicle has a height exceeding 4.3 metres the operator must obtain a mass or dimension exemption from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator before the vehicle may be used on public roads. This instrument is an exemption that exempts semitrailers that are up to 4.6 metres high when loaded from the dimension requirement that the vehicle only be 4.3 metres high, subject to compliance with certain conditions. This instrument does NOT exempt these vehicles from other requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law including, but not limited to, mass and other dimension requirements.
Authorising Provision
2. This Notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction (the HVNL).
Title
3. This Notice may be cited as the New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 4.6m High Loaded Semi-Trailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1).
Commencement
4. This Notice commences on 15 June 2022.
Expiry
5. This Notice expires on 9 February 2024.
Definition
6. Unless otherwise stated, words or expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as in the HVNL or regulations made under the HVNL.
7. In this Notice:
‘4.6m high loaded semitrailer’—
(a) means a semitrailer used in a combination that, together with its load, is higher than 4.3m but not higher than 4.6m; but
(b) does not include a class 1 heavy vehicle.
Load support height means the perpendicular distance from the ground to the level at which a load is supported on a semitrailer. This includes:
(a) the area ordinarily considered a deck; and
(b) the floor of a bin or tank that is integral to the trailer; and
(c) any other load bearing points such as the frame of a skeleton trailer or vehicle carrier; and
(d) any area above an axle group under a fifth wheel coupling, measured from the ground to the level at which the towed unit is supported by the coupling.
‘National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice’ means the current national Notice of that name providing access to Class 2 B-Doubles.
‘National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice’ means the current national Notice of that name providing access to Class 2 Road Trains.
Application
8. This Notice applies to 4.6m high loaded semitrailers, as specified in Schedules 1 and 2 to this Notice.
9. This Notice applies in New South Wales and Queensland.
Exemption from prescribed mass or dimension requirements
10. This Notice exempts a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer from the height limit prescribed in section 8(d) of Schedule 6 of the National Regulation.
Condition - Areas or routes
11. This Notice applies in the areas or routes stated in the Schedules to this Notice.
Conditions
12. The driver and operator of a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer must comply with all conditions set out in the Schedule for a participating jurisdiction when the vehicle is being used in the jurisdiction to which that Schedule applies.
Note – Nothing in this Notice exempts the driver or operator of the 4.6m high semitrailer from complying with legislation regulating the use of heavy vehicles, including but not limited to:
(a) compliance with mass and other dimension requirements in the HVNL;
(b) compliance with official traffic signs, including those indicating mass limits or dimension limits;
(c) compliance with vehicle standards in the HVNL; and
(d) compliance with lawful directions of authorised officers.
Peter Caprioli
Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
SCHEDULE 1 - NEW SOUTH WALES
Revocation
Stated areas or routes
2. A combination consisting of a prime mover and a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer may use the routes set out in Appendix 1 to this Schedule.
3. A B-double that includes a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer may only use a route described in clause 2 of this schedule if the route is also approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.
Note: This means the route must be approved for use by both 4.6m high semitrailers and B-doubles.
4. A road train that includes a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer may only use a route described in clause 2 if the route is also an approved road train route as set out in the NSW Schedule of the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice.
Note: This means the route must be approved for use by both 4.6m high semitrailers and road trains.
Other conditions
5. A vehicle to which this Schedule applies must comply with the conditions specified for each area or route in the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to this Schedule.
6. A B-double that includes a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Notice.
7. A road train that includes a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice.
8. Freight containers must not be carried under this Notice unless securely fastened to the carrying vehicle by twist locks. This condition applies whether the container is laden or unladen and whether certified for marine use or not.
Appendix 1
Map and/or list of routes as specified under the heading “Restricted Access Vehicle maps and lists” as published by the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services.
SCHEDULE 2 – QUEENSLAND
Stated areas or routes
Note: The driver of the combination shall assess the suitability of a road prior to operating a combination on that road. The roads used must be continually monitored to ensure sufficient clearance for the combination exists.
2. A B-double that includes a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer may only use a route described in clause 1 if the route is also approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.
Note: This means the route must be approved for use by both 4.6m high semitrailers and B-doubles.
Other conditions
3. A B-double that includes a 4.6m high loaded semitrailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.
4. A 4.6m high loaded semitrailer cannot be used as a component of a road train.
5. A 4.6m high loaded semitrailer must comply with the following mass limits—
(a) for a combination consisting of a prime mover and semitrailer, the mass of the combination must not be more than 90% of the prescribed mass requirements in Schedule 1 of the National Regulation;
(b) for a combination consisting of a B-double the mass of the combination must not be more than 90% of the lesser of—
Note – For example a 4.6m high semitrailer used as part of a 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination that is normally permitted to operate at 42.5t at the general mass limits must not exceed a mass limit of 38.25t.
6. A 4.6m high loaded semitrailer must have an air suspension system with effective dampers fitted to the vehicle.
7. Any load carried under this Notice must be loaded in a way that maximizes continuous contact the lowest deck of the trailer. A load must not be arranged in a way that transfers more mass to a higher deck than the lowest one.
13. The load support height of any given 4.6m high semi-trailer that is part of a combination operating under this Notice must not exceed 1.2m for more than 50% of the trailer length.