Heavy Vehicle National Law

Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1)

1. Purpose

1)      This Notice provides mass exemptions, conditions of access and networks for eligible vehicles transporting an indivisible item, but that do not meet regulation mass limits.

2)      This Notice revokes and replaces the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1).

Note: This Notice incorporates all amendments to date for the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Mass Exemption Notice 2016.

2.       Application

1)      This Notice applies to a heavy vehicle, whether laden or unladen, that exceeds a mass requirement in the Heavy Vehicle National Law and:

a)      is carrying, or designed for the purpose of carrying, a large indivisible item, including, for example, a combination including a low loader; but

b)      is not a road train or B-double, or carrying a freight container designed for multi-modal transport.

2)      This Notice applies in each participating jurisdiction.

3)      A vehicle to which this Notice applies is an eligible vehicle.

3.       Commencement

This commences on 30 January 2023.

4.       Expiry

This Notice expires on 30 April 2025.

5.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

2)      In this Notice:-

Closed quad-axle group (also denoted as “4 @ 1.2”) means a group of:

a)      4 axles at least 1.2m apart; where

b)      the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.

Closed quin-axle group (also denoted as “5 @ 1.2”) means a group of:

a)      5 axles at least 1.2m apart; where

b)      the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.

Closed tandem axle group (also denoted as “2 @ 1.2”) means a group of:

a)      2 axles at least 1.2m apart;  where

b)      the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the 2 axles is not more than 2.0m.

Closed tri-axle group (also denoted as “3 @ 1.2”) means a group of:

a)      3 axles at least 1.2m apart; where

b)      the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 3.2m.

Ground contact width means the distance between the outermost points of ground contact of the outside tyres on each end of an axle.

Figure 1: Illustration of ground contact width of an axle

HVNL means the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

MDL National Regulation means the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

Participating jurisdiction means New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

Spread quad-axle group (also denoted as “4 @ 1.2, 2.4, 1.2”) means a group of 4 axles, where:

a)      the distance between the 1st and 2nd axle is at least 1.2m; and

b)      the distance between the 2nd and 3rd axle is at least 2.4m; and

c)       the distance between the 3rd and 4th axle is at least 1.2m; and

d)      the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.

Spread tandem axle group (also denoted as “2 @ 1.8”) means a group of:

a)      2 axles at least 1.8m apart; where

b)      the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the 2 axles is not more than 2.0m.

Spread tri-axle group means a group of:

a)      3 axles—

1. at least 1.8m apart (also denoted as “3 @ 1.8”); or
2. where the distance between the 1st and 2nd  axle is at least 1.2m and the distance between the 2nd and 3rd axle is at least 2.4m (also denoted as “3 @ 1.2, 2.4”); or
3. where the distance between the 1st and 2nd  axle is at least 2.4m and the distance between the 2nd and 3rd axle is at least 1.2m (also denoted as “3 @ 2.4, 1.2”);  and

b)      where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 3.7m.

6.       Exemption from prescribed mass requirements

1)      This Notice exempts an eligible vehicle to which it applies from the following mass requirements in Schedule 1 of the MDL National Regulation to the extent provided in this Notice, including its Schedules:

a)      section 2(1)(a)(iv) and (v)– Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination; and

b)      section 4 as it relates to the conditional mass limits specified in this Notice; and

c)       section 5 (1) – Mass limits relating to axle spacing generally.

7.       Conditions – General conditions for all participating jurisdictions

1)      The mass of an eligible vehicle must not be more than the lower of:

a)      the sum of the mass limits specified in this Notice for the axles or axle groups in the combination; or

b)      the mass for the vehicle specified in this Notice; or

c)       manufacturer’s ratings.

2)      A mass mentioned in subsection (1) may be increased by 0.5t if the vehicle is a complying steer axle vehicle.

3)      The mass on a dual-drive tandem axle group on a prime mover must not be more than 18.5t.

4)      When an eligible vehicle uses a low loader dolly to carry a load, the mass on the prime mover’s dual-drive tandem axle group must be at least 14t.

5)      A tyre on the prime mover’s steer or drive axle must be no less than 279mm wide.

8.       Conditions – Operation of Schedules

1)      A vehicle operating under this Notice must comply with the conditions set out in the Schedule for a participating jurisdiction where the vehicle is being used.

2)      The conditions in a given Schedule only apply in the relevant participating jurisdiction, and operate in conjunction with the provisions in the main body of this Notice.

Note: The exemptions in this Notice are subject to conditions set out in Schedule 8 of the Regulation applying to Class 1 heavy vehicles.

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Schedule 1 New South Wales
 

1. Application

The provisions in this Schedule only apply in New South Wales.

2.       Definitions for this Schedule

1)      In this Schedule:

Operator’s Guide means the New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator’s Guide as published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, as amended from time to time.

3.       Vehicles and vehicle categories

1)      This Schedule applies to an eligible vehicle comprised of a prime mover towing:

a)      a low loader fitted with 2, 3, 4 or 5 axles; or

b)      a single or tandem axle low loader dolly, and a low loader mentioned in (a).

2)      A prime mover mentioned in subsection (1) must be fitted with a single steer axle and a dual-drive tandem axle group.

3)      A vehicle mentioned in subsection (1) is an eligible vehicle for this Schedule.

4.       Conditions - Maximum mass of an eligible vehicle

1)      The mass of an eligible vehicle must not be more than:

a)      77.5t, if the vehicle is fitted with any axle group with 4 tyres on each axle;

b)      115.0t if the vehicle is fitted with any axle group with 8 tyres on each axle.

5.       Conditions - Axle and axle group mass limits

1)      An eligible vehicle must not exceed the following masses on the steer axle:

a)      7.0t when fitted with tyres of a minimum section width of 305mm tyres; or

b)      6.5t when fitted with tyres of a minimum section width of 279mm to 305mm;

2)      The mass on a single axle dolly with 4 tyres must not be more than 9.0t.

3)      The mass on a tandem axle dolly with 4 tyres on each axle must not be more than 18.5t.

4)      The mass on an axle group of a low loader dolly with 8 tyres on each axle must not be more than a mass limit determined by the application of Table 1.

Table 1 - Mass limits for 8-tyred single axle or tandem axle group low loader dolly

5)      The tyre section width of the narrowest tyre fitted to any low loader dolly or low loader must not be less than 190mm (7.50”).

6)      The mass on an axle group of a low loader must not be more than the mass limit stated in Table 2, for the stated axle group configuration and minimum axle group ground contact width specified.

Table 2 - Mass limits for low loader axle groups

6.       Conditions - Axle limits

1)      For a prime mover and low loader combination, the distance from the centre-line of the rear most axle of the prime mover to the centre-line of the foremost axle of the low loader must not be less than 6.0m.

2)      For a prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader combination, the distance from the centre-line of the rear most axle of the prime mover to the foremost axle of the low loader dolly fitted with 4 tyres on each axle must not be less than 2.6m.
 

3)      For a prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader combination, the distance from the centre-line of the rear most axle of the prime mover to the foremost axle of the low loader dolly fitted with 8 tyres on each axle must not be less than 3.2m.

4)      For a prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader combination, the distance from the centre-line of the rear most axle of the low loader dolly to the centre-line of the foremost axle of the low loader must not be less than 6.0m.

7.       Areas or routes to which this Schedule applies

1)      An eligible vehicle may operate on ‘NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network Approved Routes’ specified on the map titled ‘NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network’ published by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

Note : The relevant online maps are maintained by TfNSW and published on its website. Further details are available in the Operator’s Guide.

8.       Conditions – General

1)      An eligible vehicle must only travel on a route specified in section 5 of this Schedule for that category of vehicle and in accordance with any condition, including any restriction on the hours or days of operation, specified in the Operator’s Guide or the relevant network map.

Schedule 2 Queensland
 

1. Application

The provisions in this Schedule only apply in Queensland.

2.       Definitions

1)      In this Schedule:

Low loader means a semitrailer by with a loading deck no more than 1.2m above the ground.

Overall axle spacing of a drive - dolly combination means the horizontal distance between the centre of the leading drive axle of the prime mover and the centre of the rearmost axle of the dolly in a prime mover - dolly combination.

Queensland Access Conditions Guide means the Queensland Access Conditions Guide published by the Queensland Government.

Queensland Excess Mass and Dimension Conditions means the route and area conditions, and including the Conditions of Operation Database, maintained and published by on the TMR website.

TMR means the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

3.       Vehicles and Vehicle Categories

1)      This Schedule applies to a eligible vehicle that is comprised of a dual-drive tandem axle prime mover towing —

a)      a low loader fitted with 2, 3, or 4 axles; or

b)      a jinker; or

c)       a single or tandem axle low loader dolly and a jinker or low loader mentioned in (a); or

d)      a semitrailer.

2)      A prime mover mentioned in subsection (1) may be fitted with either a single steer axle or twin steer axle group but must be fitted with a dual-drive tandem axle group.

3)      A vehicle mentioned in subsection (1) is an eligible vehicle in this Schedule.

4.       Maximum permissible mass of an eligible vehicle

1)      The Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of an eligible vehicle combination must not exceed 59.5t.

2)      The total mass limit in (1) must be decreased by 1t for every 0.3m by which the distance “A” referred to in Figure 1 is less than 6.0m.

Figure 1: Illustration of Distance “A”.

5.       Mass limit condition for a combination comprising of a dual-drive tandem axle group prime mover and a single axle dolly with a minimum overall axle spacing of 2.8m

1)      The combined mass on the dual-drive tandem axle group of a prime mover and a single axle dolly must not be more than 25.0t.

Figure 2: Single Axle Dolly Measurement Guide

6.       Mass limit condition for a combination comprising a dual-drive tandem axle group prime mover and a tandem axle dolly with a minimum overall axle spacing of 4.6m

1)      The combined mass on the dual-drive tandem axle group of a prime mover and a tandem axle dolly combination must not be more than 34.0t.

Figure 3: Tandem Axle Dolly Measurement Guide

7.       Mass limits - trailers and dollies

1)      The mass on an axle group of a trailer or dolly must not be more than the mass limit stated in Table 1, for the stated axle group configuration and minimum axle group ground contact width specified.

Table 1 - Mass limits for trailers including dollies

8.       Conditions - Areas and routes to which this Schedule applies

1)      An eligible vehicle operating under a mass exemption of this Notice may operate on State controlled roads in Queensland only, subject to compliance with:

a)      the Queensland Excess Mass and Dimension Conditions; and

b)      the Queensland Access Conditions Guide; and

c)       The mass limit on any structure or road specified in the Restricted Structures Conditions List.

Note: The conditions in this section are maintained and published by Queensland Government and are available on its websites.

9.       Conditions - Carriage of items that are not goods

1)      An eligible vehicle combination carrying a special purpose vehicle or agricultural vehicle may also carry up to 1t of additional equipment, tools, substances, or detached parts to be used in conjunction with the vehicle being carried.

Note: Examples of items covered in this section include blades, buckets, or rippers.

Schedule 3 South Australia
 

1. Application

The provisions in this Schedule only apply in South Australia.

2.       Definitions for this Schedule

1)      In this Schedule:

DPTI means the South Australia Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Operator’s Guide means the South Australia Load Carrying Vehicle’s Operator’s Guide as published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, as amended from time to time.

3.       Vehicles and vehicle categories

1)      This Schedule applies to an eligible vehicle that is comprised of a prime mover towing:

a)      a low loader fitted with 3, 4 or 5 axles; or

b)      a tandem axle low loader dolly, and a low loader mentioned in (a).

2)      A prime mover mentioned in subsection (1) must be fitted with a single steer axle and a dual-drive tandem axle group.

3)      A vehicle mentioned in subsection (1) is an eligible vehicle in this Schedule.

4.       Maximum mass of an eligible vehicle

1)      The mass of an eligible vehicle must not be more than 100t.

5.       Axle group mass limits for a low loader or low loader dolly

1)      The mass on a tandem axle dolly fitted with 4 tyres on each axle must not be more than 18.5t.

2)      The mass on an axle group of a low loader dolly with 8 tyres on each axle must not be more than a mass limit determined by the application of Table 1.

3)      The sum of the mass on a dual-drive tandem axle group and the mass on a tandem axle dolly must not be more than the mass limit stated in Table 1, for the minimum overall axle spacing and minimum ground contact width for the dolly axle specified.

Table 1: Mass limits for a tandem axle dolly and prime mover

Note: The 'overall axle spacing' in Table 1 is the distance from the centre of the first axle in the drive axle group to the centre of the last axle in the dolly group shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Overall axle spacing measurement guide

4)      The mass on an axle group of a low loader must not be more than the mass limit stated in Table 2 for the stated axle group configuration and minimum axle group ground contact width specified.

Table 2 – Mass limits of low loader axle groups

6.       Conditions - Axle spacing’s

1)      For a prime mover and low loader combination, the distance from the centre-line of the rear most axle of the prime mover to the centre-line of the foremost axle of the low loader must not be less than 6.0m.

2)      For a prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader combination, the distance from the centre-line of the rear most axle of the dolly to the centre-line of the foremost axle of the low loader must not be less than 6.0m.

7.       Conditions - Areas or routes

1)      An eligible vehicle up to 2.5 metres wide, 23 metres long or 4.6 metres high with a total mass of up to 42.5 t may operate on route specified on the maps titled ‘23m 42.5t low loader 24 hr’ or ‘23m 42.5t low loader day only’.

2)      An eligible vehicle up to 3.5 metres wide, 25 metres long, or 5.0 metres high with a total mass of no greater than 59.5 t may operate on route specified on the map titled ‘25m 59.5t low loader’.

3)      An eligible vehicle up to 4.0 metres wide, 30 metres long, or 5.0 metres high with a total mass of no greater than 100t may operate on route specified on the map titled ‘4.0m Wide Load Carrying Vehicle’.

4)      An eligible vehicle up to 4.6 metres wide, 30 metres long, or 5.0 metres high with a total mass of no greater than 100t may operate on route specified on the map titled ‘4.6m Wide Load Carrying Vehicle’.

5)      An eligible vehicle must only travel on a route specified in section 7 of this Schedule for that category of vehicle and in accordance with any condition or limitation specified for that route.

Note: Although this section references dimension limits, dimension exemptions are not provided by this Notice. The references to dimension are intended to identify the networks and assist in operating with the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice, which uses the same networks.

8.       Conditions – General

1)      An eligible vehicle must comply with a condition applying to the route or area specified on a RAVnet map in section 7 of this Schedule.

2)      An eligible vehicle must comply with the Additional Conditions section of the Operator’s Guide.

1)      The tyre section width of the narrowest tyre fitted to any low loader dolly or low loader must not be less than 190mm (7.50”).

Schedule 4  Victoria

1. Application

The provisions in this Schedule only apply in Victoria.

2.       Vehicles and vehicle categories

1)      This Schedule applies to a load carrying vehicle that is comprised of a prime mover towing—

a)      a low loader fitted with 2, 3 or 4 axles; or

b)      a low loader dolly towing a low loader mentioned in paragraph (a); or

c)       a low loader dolly towing a jinker.

2)      A prime mover mentioned in subsection (1) must be fitted with a single steer axle and dual-drive tandem axle group.

3)      A vehicle mentioned in subsection (1) is an eligible vehicle in this Schedule.

3.       Maximum mass of an eligible vehicle

1)      The mass of an eligible vehicle—

a)      without a dolly, must not be more than 82.0t.

b)      towing a dolly, must not be more than 99.5t.

4.       Axle and axle group mass limits for a low loader dolly or low loader

1)      The mass on a dolly with 4 tyres on each axle must not be more than—

a)      9.0t, for a single axle dolly; and

b)      18.5t, for a tandem axle dolly.

2)      The mass on a dolly with 8 tyres on each axle must not be more than—

a)      18.0t, for a single axle dolly; and

b)      32.0t, for a tandem axle dolly.

3)      The mass on an axle group of a low loader must not be more than the mass limit stated in Table 1 for the stated axle group configuration and minimum axle group ground contact width specified.

4)      The mass on a low loader with closed tandem axle group with 4 tyres on each axle must not be more than 18.5t.

Table 1 - Mass limits for low loader axle groups

5.       Axle spacing

1)      The axle spacing for an eligible vehicle as measured from the centre of the last dolly axle, or from the centre of the last drive axle when there is no dolly, to the centre of the first trailer axle (see Figure 1 and 2 below) must be no less than the corresponding values in Table 2.

Note:  see below for Tables 2, 3 and 4

Figure 1 - Last drive axle to first trailer axle measurement guide

Figure 2 - Last dolly axle to first trailer axle measurement guide

6.       Mass limits for prime movers and single axle dollies

1)      For a prime mover towing a single axle dolly, the combined mass on the drive axle group and the dolly axle must be no more than the corresponding value in Table 3.

Note:  see below for Tables 2, 3 and 4

Figure 3 - Overall axle spacing measurement guide – dual-drive tandem axle group and single axle dolly

7.       Mass limits for prime movers and tandem axle dollies

1)      For a prime mover towing a tandem axle dolly, the combined mass on the drive axle group and the dolly axle group must be no more than the corresponding value in Table 4.

Note: see below for Tables 2, 3 and 4

Figure 4 - Overall axle spacing measurement guide – dual-drive tandem axle group and tandem axle dolly

8.       Mass Limit Adjustment

1)      As an alternative means of complying with this Division, a vehicle that does not comply with the mass tables can calculate the appropriate mass under this section.

2)      If the vehicle’s drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance is equal to or greater than the required drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance in Table 2, there is no mass limit adjustment; or

3)      If the vehicle’s drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance is less than the required drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance in Table 2, the mass of the vehicle combination is reduced by the following amount:

a)      Subtract the required drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance in Table 2 by the vehicle’s actual drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance; and

b)      Divide the figure calculated above by 0.3 and round it up to the next whole tonnes.

4)      To determine the total vehicle combination mass:

a)      For a prime mover and low loader trailer, add the sum of the steer axle, dual-drive tandem axle group and trailer axle group mass and subtract the mass limit adjustment from step 4; or

b)      For a prime mover, dolly and low loader trailer, add the sum of the steer axle, the drive/dolly axle group mass from step 1 and the trailer axle group mass from step 2.

c)       Then subtract the mass limit adjustment from step 4.

Table 2- Drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group – minimum distance (m)

Table 3 - Dual-drive tandem axle group and single axle dolly mass limits

Table 4 – Dual-drive tandem axle group and tandem axle dolly mass limits

9.       Conditions - Alternative mass limit adjustment

1)      A vehicle that does not comply with the mass Tables 1 to 4 may alternatively calculate conditional axle masses using the steps set out in this section.

2)      Follow Steps 1 and 5 below if the vehicle’s drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance:

a)      is equal to or greater than the required drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance in Table 4, there is no mass limit adjustment; or

b)      is less than the required drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance in Table 4, the mass of the vehicle combination is reduced by the following amount:

STEP 1: Subtract the required drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance in Table 4 by the vehicle’s actual drive/dolly axle group to trailer axle group distance;

STEP 2:  Divide this figure by 0.3 and round it up to the next whole tonnes.

To determine the total vehicle combination mass:

STEP 3: For a prime mover and low loader trailer, add the sum of the steer axle, dual-drive tandem axle group  and trailer axle group mass and subtract the mass limit adjustment from step 4; or

STEP 4: For a prime mover, dolly and low loader trailer, add the sum of the steer axle, the drive/dolly axle group mass from step 1 and the trailer axle group mass from step 2.

STEP 5:  Then subtract the mass limit adjustment from step 4.

10.   Conditions - Areas or routes

1)      An eligible vehicle may only operate on the routes specified in Victoria's Oversize & Overmass (OSOM) load carrying maps on the VicRoads website.

11.   Conditions – General

1)      An eligible vehicle that is authorised to use a route specified in section 10 must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours or days of operation specified for that route.

2)      An eligible vehicle may only cross any particular bridge once inbound and once outbound each day.