Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2026 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2026 (No.1)

1.     Purpose

This instrument declares the areas and routes on which stated categories of HML heavy vehicles can operate at the Higher Mass Limits (HML) stated in Schedule 5 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

1.     Authorising Provision

This Declaration is made under section 12 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the National Regulation).

1.     Title

This Declaration may be cited as the Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2026 (No.1).

1.     Commencement

This Declaration commences on 10 August 2026.

1.     Expiry

This Declaration expires on 9 August 2031.

1.     Definitions

1.       Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Declaration have the same meanings as in the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

1.       In this Declaration:

Guide means the Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration Operator’s Guide, published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

1.     Application

1.       This Declaration applies to a HML heavy vehicle that complies with the requirements of Schedule 5 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, except as excluded under 2).

1.       This Declaration does not apply to a HML heavy vehicle that is:

1.       a road train; or
2.       a PBS vehicle that is not approved to operate at higher mass limits under its PBS vehicle approval; or
3.        a B-double with a prime mover that has a tri-axle group as its drive axle group.

1.       This Declaration applies in the Australian Capital Territory.

1.       A vehicle to which this section applies is an eligible HML vehicle.

1.     Condition - Stated areas and routes

1.       An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this declaration is authorised to operate on areas and routes stated in this section.

1.       For the purposes of section 12 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, an area or route stated in this section is a stated area or route to which this HML declaration applies.

1.       An eligible HML vehicle operating under this Declaration may operate on the following network:

Australian Capital Territory HML Network

1.       In addition to 3), an eligible HML vehicle that is a B-double must operate on the following network:

Australian Capital Territory B-double Network

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 by the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements in the Guide.

1.       In this section:

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

1.       An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route authorised by this section 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.

Jose Arrendondo

Manager Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator