HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2)

1.       Purpose

1.       This notice provides dimension exemptions, conditions of access and networks for eligible vehicles that, together with their load, do not meet regulation dimension limits.
2.       This notice revokes and replaces the National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

1.       Authorising provision

1.       This notice is made under the following provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):

1.       section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.
2.       section 23 of Schedule 1 – Regulator’s power to amend or repeal instrument.

1.       Title

This notice may be cited as the National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2).

1.       Commencement

This notice commences on 12 September 2024.

1.       Expiry

This notice expires on 30 April 2025.

1.       Definitions

1.       Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL and its regulations.
2.       In this notice:

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

NHVR means the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

1.       Application

1.       This notice applies to a class 1 heavy vehicle, whether laden or unladen, that meets all the requirements in this section.
2.       This notice applies to a heavy vehicle that:

1.       is carrying, or designed for the purpose of carrying, a large indivisible item, including, for example, a combination including a low loader; but
2.       is not a road train or B-double, or carrying a freight container designed for multi-modal transport.

1.       Where a vehicle to which this section applies is laden, the load must consist of one or more large indivisible items.
2.       This notice applies in the following participating jurisdictions:

1.       the Australian Capital Territory;
2.       New South Wales;
3.        Queensland;
4.       South Australia; and
5.       Victoria.

1.       This notice applies in a participating jurisdiction subject to the conditions provided in the body of this notice and the conditions of the schedule relevant to that jurisdiction.
2.       A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.

1.       Exemption - Prescribed dimension requirements

1.       An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following dimension requirements under Schedule 6 of the MDL Regulation:

1.       section 3 – Length (combination or single vehicle);
2.       section 4 – Length (trailers);
3.        section 5 – Length (rear overhang);
4.       section 7—Width;
5.       section 8—Height;
6.         section 13—Front and side projection of load.

1.       The exemption under section 1)(c) relating to rear overhang does not apply to a truck or truck and trailer combination.
2.       An exemption in section 1) only applies to the extent that specific conditional dimension limits are provided in this notice, or in a schedule to this notice.
3.       To be clear, if this notice provides for more than one dimension limit that may apply in the same circumstances the more restrictive dimension limit applies.

1.       Condition - General conditions for all participating jurisdictions

1.       If a load on an eligible vehicle can be safely loaded in more than one way, it must be loaded in a way that minimises the dimensions of the vehicle and its load to the greatest extent practicable.
2.       A loaded vehicle higher than 4.8m must carry its load on an eligible vehicle or trailer with a deck height no more than 1.2m above the ground.

1.    Condition - 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 MDL Regulation applying to Class 1 heavy vehicles.

1.    Condition – Stated areas or routes

1.       An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on areas or routes stated in a schedule.
2.       For the purposes of section 119 (1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route stated in a schedule is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.
3.       In this notice a reference to a network is a reference to a map or stated route pursuant to section 119(2) of the HVNL.
4.       In this section:

network means a map or stated route, including a list or database, presented either electronically or otherwise, that represents the stated areas and stated routes authorised under this notice.

1.       An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in a schedule must comply with any of the following conditions prescribed for that area or route:

1.       Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and
2.       Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and
3.        Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Schedule 1 Australian Capital Territory
 

1.        Application

1.       The provisions in this schedule apply in the Australian Capital Territory.

1.       This schedule applies to an eligible vehicle that is a:

1.       truck; or
2.       truck and trailer combination; or
3.        prime mover towing a:

1.             low loader; or
2.             low loader dolly and a low loader; or
3.             semitrailer; or
4.             jinker trailer.

1.        Condition - Maximum permissible dimensions

1.       An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit applying to the vehicle in Table 1.

Table 1: Maximum Dimension Limits

1.       The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination must not exceed the limits in Table 2, or 25% of the length of the combination, whichever is lesser.

Table 2: Maximum rear overhang - prime mover and trailer combination

1.        Condition - Stated areas or routes

1) Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas or on the routes specified in this section.

1.       An eligible vehicle may operate on the stated areas or routes specified in the ACT Load Carrying Vehicles Stated Routes and Areas.

Note:   The ACT Load Carrying Vehicles Stated Routes and Areas document is published on the NHVR website.

1.        Condition - Travel time

An eligible vehicle over 4.5m wide operating in the hours of darkness must complete its journey by 7.00AM.

1.        Condition – Maximum deck height

Section 9(2) in the body of the notice relating to maximum deck height does not apply to vehicles operating under this schedule.

1.        Condition - Pilot and escort vehicles

An eligible vehicle operating under this notice must comply with the Pilot and Escort Conditions set out in Part 6 of the ACT Additional Conditions Booklet, as amended from time to time.

Note: The ACT Additional Conditions Booklet is published on the NHVR website.

Schedule 2 New South Wales
 

1.        Application

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

1.        Definitions for this schedule

1.       In this schedule:

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

1.        Vehicles and vehicle categories

1.       This schedule applies to an eligible vehicle comprised of:

1.       a truck; or
2.       a truck and trailer combination; or
3.        a prime mover towing:

1.             a low loader; or
2.             a low loader dolly and a low loader; or
3.             a semitrailer; or
4.             a jinker trailer.

1.        Condition - Maximum permissible dimensions

1.       An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit applying to the vehicle in Table 1.

Table 1: Maximum Dimension Limits

1.       An unladen low loader, low loader dolly or jinker, with 4 tyres on each axle, must not be wider than 2.5 m.

1.       An unladen low loader, low loader dolly or jinker, with 8 tyres on each axle, must not be wider than 2.7 m.
2.       The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination must not exceed the limits in Table 2, or 25% of the length of the combination, whichever is lesser.

Table 2: Maximum rear overhang - prime mover and trailer combination

1.        Areas or routes to which this schedule applies

1) Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas or on the routes specified in this section.

1.       An eligible vehicle:

1.       may operate on ‘NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network Approved Routes’ specified on the map titled ‘NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network’; and

1.       an eligible vehicle that is higher than 4.3m may only operate on a route that is also approved for 4.6m high vehicles as displayed on the ‘NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network’ map.

Note:  Road network maps for New South Wales are published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator on the NHVR National Network Map.

1.        Condition – General

An eligible vehicle that is authorised to use a route specified in section 5 of this schedule must do so in accordance with any condition, including any restriction on the hours or days of operation, specified in the Guide or the relevant network map.

1.        Condition - Pilot and escort vehicles

An eligible vehicle that is authorised to use a route specified in section 5 of this schedule must do so in accordance with any pilot and escort vehicle condition specified in the Guide or the relevant network map.

Schedule 3 Queensland

1.        Application

The provisions in this schedule only apply in Queensland.

1.        Definitions in this schedule

1.       In this schedule:

Access Conditions Guide means the Queensland Access Conditions Guide published on the Queensland Government Publications Portal that contains further specific information referenced in this schedule.

Critical Road has the same meaning as in the Access Conditions Guide.

House removal trailer means a specifically built trailer designed to elevate the deck of the trailer to remove and relocate houses and other dwellings.

Load platform means a trailer specifically designed for the movement of large loads with the trailer having all of the following features:

1.       at least five rows of axles; and
2.       a minimum of 1.6m axle spacing; and
3.        at least 8 tyres per axle row; and
4.       at least 50% of axle rows are steerable: and
5.       may be constructed of multiple platform modules.

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

Major Road has the same meaning as in the Access Conditions Guide.

Oversize vehicle or combination means a vehicle or combination, including any large indivisible item, that has dimensions that do not comply with the prescribed dimension requirements in the MDL Regulation.

Pilot and Escort Guideline means the Safe Movement Guideline/Pilot and Escort Operations in Queensland published on the Queensland Government Publications Portal that contains further specific information referenced in this schedule.

Queensland Excess Mass and Dimension Conditions means the route and area conditions, and including the Conditions of Operation Database restrictions, available on the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads website.

Rear-end steering unit means a steerable axle group at the rear of the vehicle.

1.        Vehicles and vehicle categories

1.       This schedule applies to an eligible vehicle comprised of:

1.       a truck; or
2.       a truck and trailer combination; or
3.        a prime mover towing—
   1.             a low loader; or
   2.             a low loader dolly and a low loader; or
   3.             a house removal trailer; or
   4.             a load platform; or
   5.             a low loader dolly and a platform; or
   6.             a semitrailer; or
   7.             an extendable trailer; or
   8.             a jinker trailer; or
   9.             a low loader dolly and a jinker trailer.

1.        Condition – Rear overhang

1.       The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination described in Table 2 must not exceed 5.5m or 25% of the length of the combination, whichever is the least.

1.       For a prime mover and trailer combination not described in Table 2, the rear overhang limit in Table 1 applies.

Table 1: Maximum rear overhang for vehicles over 25m in length

1.       If part of the load or equipment projects more than 5.5m behind the rear overhang line of a prime mover semitrailer combination, both sides of the projection must be highlighted with a warning pattern.

1.        Condition - Dimensions for vehicles that do not require a pilot or escort - daytime travel

1.       No pilot or escort is required for an eligible vehicle up to the dimension limits in Table 2.

     Table 2: Maximum dimensions for vehicles without a pilot or escort - daytime travel

* A prime mover towing a low loader with or without a low loader dolly or an extendable trailer may travel on approved B-double or road train routes to a maximum length of 26.0m.

1.        Condition - Dimension for vehicles that do not require pilots or escorts – night-time travel

1.       An eligible vehicle that does not exceed 3.1m in width and/or 25m in length is permitted to travel at night-time without a pilot or escort; and

1.       Despite 1) prime mover and trailer combinations that do not exceed 3.1m in width and/or 26m in length are permitted to travel at night-time on an approved B-double or road train route without a pilot or escort.

1.        Condition - Dimension for vehicles requiring pilots or escorts - daytime travel

1.       Pilots and/or escorts are required for an eligible vehicle up to the limits in Table 3 for daytime travel.

Table 3: Maximum dimension limits with pilots or escorts - daytime travel

1.        Condition - Areas or routes

1) Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas or on the routes specified in this section.

1.       An eligible vehicle operating under this notice may operate on all roads in Queensland, subject to compliance with:

1.       the Queensland Excess Mass and Dimension Conditions; and
2.       the Access Conditions Guide; and
3.        the Pilot and Escort Guideline as it relates to Load Carrying Vehicles.

1.        Condition - Laden vehicles

1.       In instances where only one large indivisible item is carried by a truck and trailer combination, it must be carried on the truck and not on the trailer.

1.       In instances where more than one large indivisible item is carried, it is permissible to carry excess dimension large indivisible items on the truck and on the trailer unless otherwise restricted in this schedule.

1.       An oversize vehicle combination longer than 30m transporting a large indivisible item must have a rear-end steering unit.

1.    Condition – Unladen dollies and trailers

1.       An unladen low loader, low loader dolly, house removal trailer, load platform or jinker is permitted to operate under the requirements of this schedule provided they are not constructed wider than:

1.       2.5m where there are 4 tyres on each axle; or
2.       2.7m where there are 8 tyres on each axle; or
3.        3.5m for a load platform where the ATM is 100t or greater; or
4.       3.5m for a house removal trailer; or
5.       3.5m for a load platform or module used to form a load platform.

1.       The distance from the rear overhang line to the rear of an unladen low loader, house removal trailer or load platform combination must not be greater than 3.7m.

1.       Despite 2) the distance from the rear overhang line to the rear of the unladen low loader, house removal trailer or load platform may exceed 3.7m provided:

1.       the low loader or house removal trailer has 4 or more axles or the load platform has 5 or more axles; and
2.       the distance from the centre of the last 2 axles, including steerable axles, to the rear of the low loader or load platform is not greater than 3.7m.

1.       The distance from the front articulation point to the centre of the axle group (rear overhang line) for an unladen low loader, house removal trailer or load platform may exceed 9.5m.

1.       The distance from the front articulation point to the rear of the unladen low loader, house removal trailer or load platform may exceed 12.3m.

Schedule 4 South Australia
 

1.       Application

The provisions in this schedule apply in South Australia.

1.       Definitions for this schedule

1.       In this schedule:

Guide means the South Australia Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide published by the NHVR and as amended from time to time.

1.       Vehicles and vehicle categories

1.       This schedule applies to an eligible vehicle comprised of:

1.       a truck; or
2.       a truck and trailer combination; or
3.        a prime mover towing—
   1.             a low loader; or
   2.             a low loader dolly and a low loader; or
   3.             a semitrailer; or
   4.             a jinker trailer.

1.        Condition - Maximum permissible dimensions

1.       An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit applying to the vehicle in Table 1.

Table 1: Maximum dimension limits

1.       The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination must not exceed the limits in Table 2, or 25% of the length of the combination, whichever is lesser.

Table 2: Maximum rear overhang - prime mover and trailer combination

1.       Condition – Stated areas or routes

1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas or on the routes specified in this section.

1.       An eligible vehicle meeting a parameter given in Column 1 of Table 3, may operate on the corresponding network specified in Column 2 of Table 3.

Table 3: Networks for eligible vehicles

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

1.       Regardless of any access granted under this section, an eligible vehicle must comply with any conditions or restrictions applied to a given area or route specified in the Guide.

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

1.       Condition – General

1.       Travel is not permitted in the Adelaide Metropolitan Area between the hours of 7:00am to 9:00am, and 4.00pm to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday inclusive.

Note: Adelaide Metropolitan Area is defined in the Guide.

1.       No part of any cross member used to support the load carried on an eligible vehicle shall protrude laterally more than 50mm from the point of support of the load.

1.       To be clear, the restriction in 2) still requires that the width of the cross member must still fall within the maximum width allowed for a given eligible vehicle under section 4 and Table 1 of this schedule.

1.       If an eligible vehicle is higher than 4.3m, the operator must, before starting a journey consult with the Relevant Third Parties as stated in the Guide.

1.       An eligible vehicle that is not wider than 3.1 metres in width or longer than 22 metres can travel at night on road networks managed by road managers listed in Night Travel - Participating Road Managers section of the Guide.

1.       An eligible vehicle must not have a drive axle group with more than two axles in contact with the ground.

1.       In this section drive axle group means an axle group that has one or more driving axles.

1.       Condition - Pilots and escort requirements

An eligible vehicle operating under this notice must comply with the requirements relating to pilots and escorts prescribed in the following document:

Note: Escorting Guidelines for oversize and overmass vehicles and loads in South Australia (the Guidelines).

The Guidelines are published in the ‘Operating a heavy vehicle section’ of the South Australian Government website.

Schedule 5 Victoria
 

1.       Application

The provisions in this schedule only apply in Victoria.

1.       Definitions for this schedule

1.       In this schedule:

Certified pilot vehicle means a pilot vehicle driven by a driver who has a minimum of twelve months comprehensive experience in piloting oversize loads; and successfully completed a training program detailed on VicRoads website through a Registered Training Organisation.

Freeway has the meaning provided in the Road Rules.

Holiday period means a period of three or more consecutive days consisting of any of the following:

1.       a State-wide school holiday;
2.       a public holiday; or
3.        a Saturday; or
4.       a Sunday.

Rural area means an area of operation in Victoria other than the following, as specified in the Oversize & Overmass (OSOM) map in section 5 of this schedule:

1.       Colac Surf Coast Area;
2.       Gippsland Ranges Area;
3.        Melbourne and Geelong Urban Area;
4.       Mountainous Area; and
5.       Otway Area.

Road Rules has the same meaning as it has in section 5 of the HVNL.

S-dimension means the distance between the kingpin on the trailer and the rear overhang line.

Urban area means an area declared to be an urban area under section 5 of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 (Vic) or section 3 of the MDL Regulation.

1.       Vehicles and vehicle categories

1.       This schedule applies to an eligible vehicle comprised of -

1.       a truck; or
2.       a truck and trailer combination; or
3.        a prime mover towing—
   1.             a low loader; or
   2.             a low loader dolly and a low loader; or
   3.             a semitrailer; or
   4.             a jinker trailer.

1.       Condition - Maximum permissible dimensions

1.       An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit applying to the vehicle in Table 1.

Table 1: Maximum dimension limits

1.       The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination must not exceed the limits in Table 2, or 25% of the length of the combination, whichever is lesser.

Table 2: Maximum rear overhang - prime mover and trailer combination

1.       Areas or routes to which this schedule applies

1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas or on the routes specified in this section.

1.       An eligible vehicle may operate on the areas or routes provided in the following network:

Victoria Oversize & Overmass (OSOM) network.

1.       Condition - Travel times

1.       An eligible vehicle authorised to operate on a route specified in section 5 of this schedule must do so in accordance with any condition, including any restriction on the hours and days of operation, specified for that route.

1.       Travel is permitted at daytime and at night in accordance with the requirements of this schedule.

1.       Subject to subsections (4) to (8), an eligible vehicle described in Table 3 may only operate on a route or in an area in Table 3 on a day mentioned in column A during a time mentioned in columns B to D for that route or area.

Table 3: Time of day travel restrictions

Note: A reference in Table 3 to ‘Monday – Friday’ means a day other than a public holiday.

1.       An eligible vehicle may operate on Coode Road, Appleton Dock Road, MacKenzie Road or Anderson Road in West Melbourne at any time.

1.       From sunset to sunrise, an eligible vehicle greater than 4.6m high can only operate:

1.       in the Melbourne and Geelong urban areas; or
2.       on all freeways and highways.

Note: An eligible vehicle greater than 4.6m high must not travel on a freeway or highway mentioned in subsections 7) and 8) on the days specified in those subsections.

1.         For the purposes of 5), section 7 (a) of Schedule 8 MDL Regulation does not apply to an eligible vehicle operating on freeways or highways.

Note: Section 7 (a) of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation provides that a class 1 heavy vehicle, together with any load, wider than 3.1m or longer than 22m must not, while being used at night, travel outside an urban area.

1.       An eligible vehicle must not travel from 23 December to 3 January inclusive on:

1.       the Calder Highway; or
2.       the Hume Highway; or 
3.        the Northern Highway; or
4.       a freeway outside the Melbourne & Geelong urban areas.

1.       An eligible vehicle must not travel on the Melba Highway or Warburton Highway on:

1.       a weekend or public holiday; or
2.       the day before the start of a holiday period; or
3.        the last day of a holiday period.

1.       Section 5 of Schedule 8 MDL Regulation does not apply to an eligible vehicle when travelling on the Princes Freeway between Laverton and Geelong between sunset and 1.00am and 5.00am to sunrise.

Note: Section 5 of Schedule 8 MDL Regulation requires oversize Class 1 heavy vehicles to have side and rear markers and warning lights fitted and working when operating at night.

1.       Condition - Skid Rails

Non-conductive skid rails must be attached to the top of the load on an eligible vehicle if the vehicle is higher than 4.8m and the vehicle travels under tram wires. 

1.       Condition – Convoys

An eligible vehicle must not travel in a convoy.

1.       Condition - Communication with other entities

Before the commencement of any journey, the operator of an eligible vehicle must contact an entity mentioned in column 1 of Table 4 where the eligible vehicle will or may reasonably be expected to meet any of the conditions set out in column 3 of Table 4.

Table 4: Third party communication details

Note: Contact details for organisations in the table are available on the Third parties and other entities contact information page on the NHVR website.

1.    Condition - Pilots and Escorts (Melbourne and Geelong Urban Area)

1.       An eligible vehicle operating in the Melbourne and Geelong Urban Area that is mentioned in column 1 of Table 5 or Table 6 must be accompanied by a pilot vehicle:

1.       mentioned in column 2; and
2.       positioned in accordance with column 3

Table 5- Pilot vehicle requirements – vehicles without a low loader dolly

Table 6- Pilot vehicle requirements – vehicles with a low loader dolly

1.    Condition - Pilots and Escorts (Rural areas)

1.       An eligible vehicle operating in a rural area with or without a dolly must be accompanied by:

1.       a certified pilot vehicle positioned at the rear of an eligible vehicle when the rear overhang of the vehicle exceeds 6.0m; or
2.       a pilot vehicle or a certified pilot vehicle in the circumstances specified in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Pilot requirements in rural areas