HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Tasmania and Victoria Class 3 Baled Hay Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No. 1)

Purpose

1. The purpose of this Notice is to exempt class 3 baled hay heavy vehicles from the width limit in section 7(1), and the height limit in section 8(d), of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the Regulation).

Authorising Provision

2.                   This Notice is made under Section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Act as in force in each participating jurisdiction (HVNL)

Title

3.       This Notice may be cited as the Tasmania and Victoria Class 3 Baled Hay Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

Commencement

4.                   This Notice commences on 10 February 2024.

Expiry

5.                   This Notice expires on 9 February 2029.

Definitions

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

7.                   In this Notice—

‘baled hay heavy vehicle’ means a heavy vehicle that is a single vehicle or combination that is not wider than 2.5m, exclusive of any load, and is being used to transport baled hay or straw.

Application

8.                   This Notice applies to baled hay heavy vehicles.

9.                   This Notice applies in Victoria and Tasmania.

Exemption from prescribed dimension requirements

10.               Where specified in the Schedules, this Notice exempts a baled hay heavy vehicle from—

a)      section 7(1) of Schedule 6 of the Regulation; and

b)      section 8(d) of Schedule 6 of the Regulation.

Conditions

11.               The driver and operator of the baled hay heavy vehicle 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.

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

SCHEDULE 1 – TASMANIA

Application

1. This Schedule applies to a baled hay heavy vehicle which is—

(a)    a rigid truck; or

(b)    a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer; or

(c)     a B-Double; or

(d)    a combination consisting of a rigid truck towing a dog trailer; or

(e)    a combination consisting of a rigid truck towing a pig trailer.

Condition – Maximum permissible dimensions

2.       A baled hay heavy vehicle, together with its load, must not be wider than 3m.

3.       A baled hay heavy vehicle which is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer that has a tri-axle group, may be up to 4.6m high inclusive of its load, If the width of the combination, together with its load, is not wider than 2.5m.

4.       A baled hay heavy vehicle which is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer that has a tri-axle group and that has a step-deck or drop-well with a lower loading deck up to 1.2m high, may be up to 4.6m high together with its load, and up to 3m wide, together with its load.

Areas or routes

5.       Subject to clause 6 of this Schedule, a baled hay heavy vehicle may use all roads in Tasmania except for—

(a)    Tasman Bridge if the vehicle is more than 4.3m high;

(b)    Bridgewater Bridge, if the vehicle is more than 4.3m high or wider than 2.5m; and

(c)     Any other road where there is insufficient height clearance for the vehicle to pass without striking or damaging any road infrastructure

Note- the driver of a baled hay heavy vehicle that is higher than 4.3m must assess the suitability of a road prior to operating the vehicle on that road using the maps specified in Appendix 1 to ensure sufficient clearance for the vehicle exists.

6.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a B-double may only use a route if it is approved in the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice.

Other conditions

7.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a B-double must comply with any relevant conditions specified in the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice, including any restrictions on the hours and days of operation.

8.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that, together with its load, is wider than 2.5m must have-

(a)    a warning sign attached to the front of the vehicle and a warning sign attached to the rear of the vehicle or, if a load projects from the rear of the vehicle, to the rear of the load, that show the word “OVERSIZE” and that comply with the requirements for warning signs for a class 1 heavy vehicle as set out in sections 41, 42, 45,46 and 47 of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation; and

(b)    displayed on the vehicle—

1. two front marking plates and two rear marking plates that project beyond the tray to the outer extremities of the projecting load; or
2. flags that comply with and that are fixed in accordance the requirements of section 2(1)(c) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation

9.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that, together with its load, is wider than 2.5m must comply with the requirements of the following sections of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation, as though the vehicle is a Class 1 Vehicle:

(a)    Section 6 – Headlights;

(b)    Section 8 - No travelling in low visibility;

(c)     Section 9 - Minimum following distance; and

(d)    Section 10 – Allowing overtaking.

10.   If being used at night, a baled hay heavy vehicle that, together with its load, is wider than 2.5m must have –

(a)    a warning light attached to the vehicle that complies with the requirements for warning lights for a class 1 heavy vehicle as set out in sections 35, 36, 37 and 38(1) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation; and

(b)    front clearance lights, rear clearance lights and side marker lights on any part of the projecting load; and

(c)     rear clearance lights and side marker lights that are not obscured by any part of the load.

Definitions

11.   In this Schedule —

‘front marking plates’ are yellow, rigid pieces of material measuring at least 150 millimetres high and 600 millimetres long, as illustrated in the following diagram –

Figure 1 - Illustration of front marking plates

‘rear marking plates’ are rigid pieces of material measuring at least 150 millimetres high and 600 millimetres long, with diagonal stripes that are alternately coloured red and yellow, as illustrated in the following diagram –

Figure 2 - Illustration of rear marking plates

Appendix 1

Height Clearance Under Overhead Structures Map

Note: The Height Clearance Under Overhead Structures Map identifies relevant height clearances that may be relevant depending on specific routes on the network.

The map mentioned in this appendix is published by the Tasmania Department of State Growth, and is available on its website.

SCHEDULE 2 - VICTORIA

Application

1. This Schedule applies to a baled hay heavy vehicle which is—

(a)    a rigid truck; or

(b)    a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer; or

(c)     a B-Double; or

(d)    a combination consisting of a rigid truck towing a dog trailer; or

(e)    a combination consisting of a rigid truck towing a pig trailer.

Condition – Maximum permissible dimensions

2.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a rigid truck with a single steering axle, and a rear tandem axle group with 8 tyres, together with its load, must not be wider than 2.7m or higher than 4.6m.

3.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a 6-axle articulated vehicle comprising a prime mover with a single steering axle, and a tandem axle group with 8 tyres and a semi-trailer with a tri-axle group with 12 tyres, together with its load, must not be wider than 2.7m or higher than 4.6m.

4.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a B-double comprising a prime mover with a single steering axle and a tandem axle group with 8 tyres and two semi-trailers, each with a tri-axle group with 12 tyres, together with its load, must not be wider than 2.7m or higher than 4.6m.

5.       Subject to clause 6 of this Schedule, a baled hay heavy vehicle that is not a vehicle specified in clauses 2 to 4 of this Schedule and that is not a B-double, together with its load, must not be wider than 3m.

6.       A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer that has a tri-axle group, may have the semitrailer together with its load, up to 4.6m high if the semitrailer, together with its load, is not wider than 2.5m.

7.       A baled hay heavy vehicle, that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer (other than a semi-trailer in a B-double combination) that has a tri-axle group and has at least 50% of its load carrying deck no more than 1·2m above ground level, may have the semitrailer with a load consisting of round bales of hay up to 4·6m high and up to 3m wide.

8.       A baled hay heavy vehicle, that is a B-double and has a semi-trailer with a tandem axle group or a tri-axle group, may have the semitrailer with a load consisting of baled hay up to 4·6m high.

Note:  A B-double that is not referred to in clause 4 or 8 of this Schedule, together with its load, must comply with the prescribed dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the Regulation.

Condition - Areas or routes

9.       Subject to clause 10 of this Schedule, a baled hay heavy vehicle may use all roads in Victoria.

10.   A baled hay heavy vehicle that is a B-double may only use a route if it is approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

Other conditions

11.   A baled bay heavy vehicle that is a B-double must comply with any relevant conditions specified in the B-double Notice, including any restrictions on the hours and days of operation.

12.   Revoked

13.   At night, a baled hay heavy vehicle (other than a B-double) that, together with its load, is wider than 2.5m must have a warning sign attached to the front of the vehicle and a warning sign attached to the rear of the vehicle or, if a load projects from the rear of the vehicle, to the rear of the load, that show the word “OVERSIZE” and that comply with the requirements for warning signs for a class 1 heavy vehicle as set out in sections 41, 42, 45,46 and 47 of Schedule 8 of the Regulation.

14.   At night, a baled hay heavy vehicle (other than a B-double) that, together with its load, is wider than 2.5m wider but not wider than 2.7m must—

(a)    have displayed on the vehicle—

1. two front marking plates as defined by this schedule and two rear marking plates which project beyond the tray to the outer extremities of the projecting load; or
2. flags that comply with and that are fixed in accordance the requirements of section 2(1)(c) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation; and

(b)    have front clearance lights, rear clearance lights and side marker lights on any part of the projecting load; and

(c)    have rear clearance lights and side marker lights that are not obscured by any part of the load.

Note:  Requirements about front clearance lights, rear clearance lights and side marker lights are specified in the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.

15.   At night, a baled hay heavy vehicle (other than a B-double) that, together with its load, is wider than 2.7m but not wider than 3m must—

16.   have a warning light attached to the vehicle that complies with the requirements for warning lights for a class 1 heavy vehicle as set out in sections 35, 36, 37 and 38(1) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation; and

(a)    have displayed on the vehicle—

1. two front marking plates and two rear marking plates that project beyond the tray to the outer extremities of the projecting load; or
2. flags that comply with and that are fixed in accordance the requirements of section 2(1)(c) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation; and

(b)    have front clearance lights, rear clearance lights and side marker lights on any part of the projecting load.

17.   At night, a baled hay heavy vehicle referred to in clause 4 of this Schedule must—

(a)    comply with the requirements for warning signs specified in clause 13 of this Schedule; and

(b)    have displayed on the vehicle—

1. two front marking plates and two rear marking plates which project beyond the tray to the outer extremities of the projecting load; or
2. flags that comply with and that are fixed in accordance the requirements of section 2(1)(c) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation;

(c)    not have the load obscure the rear clearance lights or side marker lights.

Definitions

18.   In this Schedule —

‘front marking plates’ are yellow, rigid pieces of material measuring at least 150 millimetres high and 600 millimetres long, as illustrated in the following diagram –

Figure 3 - Illustration of front marking plates

‘rear marking plates’ are rigid pieces of material measuring at least 150 millimetres high and 600 millimetres long, with diagonal stripes that are alternately coloured red and yellow, as illustrated in the following diagram –

Figure 4 - Illustration of rear marking plates