Within the transportation industry, heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes came under the auspices of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) in 2013 with the HVNL law becoming operational in 2014. These heavy vehicles are generally used for oversized truck loads across Australia and the NHVR is responsible for enforcing the HVNL, and administering and supplying access permits for these vehicles.
The NHVR has a number of functions within the transportation industry
The NHVR issues a number of different permits for heavy vehicles that are used for oversized load transport, including cross border permits, B-double, road trains and higher mass limits permits (HML). However, from early in 2014, and in an effort to reduce the processing times, applications for some permits are processed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland – if the trip is within Queensland. These include all Class 1 Oversize and Overmass (OSOM) permits within the transportation industry, as well as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) permits.
In addition to issuing permits for heavy vehicles used in the oversized load transport industry, the NHVR is also responsible for all modifications to the heavy vehicle standards and exemptions. It’s also responsible for fatigue management, which includes a national driver work diary, not forgetting compliance and enforcement of the HVNL via transport inspectors and police services.
Oversized truck loads that have been pre-approved for their route by local governments must still apply to the NHVR for an access permit before heading off on the road. In these instances, it’s important for the manager of the oversized load transport to include this pre-approval with their application, otherwise the NHVR will need to approach the relevant local government to obtain approval for the route, increasing the application time.
The biggest change with the introduction of the NHVR and the HVNL is the need for drivers of fatigue related heavy vehicles to complete a work diary if working more than 100km from their base, not 200km as previously required. From the point of view of the oversized load transport industry, this includes a truck or a combination plus a truck with a GVM of over 12t with a machine or implement attached.
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