Heavy Vehicle National Law - Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 Amendment Notice 2017 (No.1)

Heavy Vehicle National Law

Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice 2016

Amendment Notice 2017 (No. 1)

1. Purpose

(1)   This Notice amends the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 (LCV Dimension Exemption) by:

a)      replacing Schedule 2 South Australia of the LCV Dimension Exemption with Schedule 1 of this Notice; and

b)      replacing Schedule 3 Victoria of the LCV Dimension Exemption with Schedule 2 of this Notice; and

c)      adding Schedule 3 of this notice to the LCV Dimension Exemption.

(2)   The purpose of this notice is to amend the current South Australian and Victorian schedules of the LCV Dimension Notice, and to add a Schedule for the Australian Capital Territory.

2.      Authorising Provision

This notice is made under section 119, and section 23 of Schedule 1, of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

3.      Commencement

This notice commences on the date of publication.

4.      Expiry

This notice expires when the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 expires, is cancelled or otherwise amended.

5.      Amendment

(1)   This Notice amends the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 by:

a)      omitting the South Australia Schedule 2 of that Notice, and inserting Schedule 1 of this Notice; and

b)      omitting the Victoria Schedule 3 of that Notice and inserting Schedule 2 of this Notice; and

c)      inserting Schedule 3 of this Notice.

Dated: 1 December 2017

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Access)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Schedule 1: Amended South Australia Schedule

Schedule 3 South Australia

1. Application

The provisions in this Schedule apply in South Australia.

2.      Vehicles and vehicle categories

(1)   This Schedule applies to a load carrying vehicle that is comprised of:

(a)   a truck; or

(b)   a truck and heavy trailer combination; or

(c)    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.

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

3.      Definitions for this Schedule

(1)   In this Schedule:

Adelaide Hills Area means the area described in the map of that name published by DPTI

Adelaide Metropolitan Area means the area described in the map of that name published by DPTI.

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

South Australian Country Area means an area in South Australia other than the Adelaide Metropolitan Area or the Adelaide Hills Area.

Note: The South Australian maps can be found on the DPTI website.

4.      Conditions - Maximum permissible dimensions

(1)   An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit mentioned in Table 1.

Table 1: Maximum dimension limits

(2)   Rear Overhang

Table 2: Maximum rear overhang - vehicle other than a truck and trailer combination

5.      Areas or routes to which this Schedule applies

(1)   An eligible vehicle that is-

(a)   not wider than 4.0m may operate on a route specified on the map titled ‘4.0m Wide up to 93.5t Low Loader’; or

(b)   wider than 4.0m but not wider than 4.5m may operate on a route specified on the map titled ‘4.5m Wide up to 93.5t Low Loader’.

Note:  The South Australian RAVnet Map System be found on the DPTI Website

6.      Conditions - General

(2)   An eligible vehicle must comply with a condition applying to the route or area specified on a RAVnet map in section 5 of this Schedule.

(3)   Travel is only permitted in the daytime.

(4)   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.

(5)   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.

(6)   A low loader combination must not be assembled or disassembled on any approved route unless—

(a)   the vehicle is broken down; or

(b)   under the direction of an Authorised Officer or a Police Officer.

(7)   Designated truck parking areas must only be used for rest purposes or vehicle checks and not for assembly or disassembly purposes.

(8)   All entry into and out of premises must be in a forward direction only, unless safe and appropriate traffic control mechanisms are in place.

(9)   If an eligible vehicle is higher than 4.3m, the operator must, before starting a  journey:

(a)   consult SAPN regarding height clearances under power lines along the route.

(b)   consult TELSTRA regarding height clearances under telecommunication lines along the route.

(c)    consult OPTUS (when travelling within the OPTUS Clearance Area) regarding height clearance under telecommunication lines along the route

(10)           An operator or driver of an eligible vehicle that is wider than 4.0m must have SA Police in attendance to preserve safety and direct traffic whilst travelling over the following structures—

(a)   Port Augusta Bridge - Port Augusta Police;    

(b)   Swanport Bridge - Murray Bridge Police;  

(c)    Blanchetown Bridge -  Blanchetown Police;

(d)   Kingston Bridge - Barmera Police   

Note: Contact details for South Australia Police, Telstra and Optus are available on the DPTI website, or the NHVR website

7.      Conditions: Pilot vehicle requirements for Adelaide Metropolitan Area

(1)   An eligible vehicle operating in the Adelaide Metropolitan Area must be accompanied by pilot vehicles in accordance with the chart in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Pilot requirements for the Adelaide Metropolitan Area

(2)   The pilot vehicle requirements in subsection (1) do not apply:

(a)   from clear of the intersection of Portrush, Cross Road and South Eastern Freeway (EAST BOUND) on the South Eastern Freeway; and

(b)   from the Salisbury Highway Overpass junction with Port Wakefield Road, Port Wakefield Road only to the boundary of the Adelaide Metropolitan Area at the Gawler River travelling in either direction (NORTH and SOUTH BOUND), only if no pilot vehicles are required in the country area (north of the Gawler River) according to the chart in Figure 2.

Note: The number of pilot vehicles is determined by the point at which the overall width and overall length of the vehicle and load intersect on the chart, and where it exceeds the drawn lines, either in the 1 pilot or the 2 pilot vehicle areas on the chart.

8.      Conditions: Extended operation of pilot vehicle requirements when travelling into and out of the Adelaide Metropolitan Area

(1)   The pilot vehicle requirements in section 7 also apply:

(a)   from the parking bay 16.0km west of the Callington Interchange on the South Eastern Freeway to the Adelaide Metropolitan Area (WEST BOUND); and

(b)   from Lower Light on the Port Wakefield Highway to the Adelaide Metropolitan Area (SOUTH BOUND); and

(c)    from the Adelaide Metropolitan Area on the Sturt Highway to the just east of Accommodation Hill travelling in both directions (east and west); and

(d)   from the Adelaide Metropolitan Area on the Sturt Highway (EAST BOUND), then via Halfway House Road, Sedan, Ridley Road, Cambrai, Mannum Road, Murray Bridge via route OD4 as signposted, Swanport Bridge, Princes Highway to the parking bay at the Monteith intersection (approximately 3km east of Swanport Bridge); and

(e)   from Tailem Bend, on the Princes Highway (WEST BOUND), Swanport Bridge, via OD4 Murray Bridge, Mannum Road, Cambrai, Ridley Road, Sedan, Halfway House Road, Sturt Highway (WEST BOUND) to the Adelaide Metropolitan Area.

9.      Conditions: Pilot vehicle requirements in the South Australian Country Area

(1)   Subject to the pilot requirement extensions in section 8 of this Schedule, an eligible vehicle operating in the South Australian Country Area must be accompanied by one or two pilot vehicles as per the chart in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Pilot vehicle requirements in South Australian Country Area

10.  Pilot vehicle requirements - general

(1)   A pilot vehicle driver must operate in accordance with, and carry a copy of, the booklet titled `Escorting Guidelines for Oversize and Overmass Vehicles and Loads’, published by DPTI.

(2)   Where the driver  of an eligible vehicle that is wider than 3.5m cannot, by means of rear vision mirrors, obtain a clear reflected view of traffic to the sides and rear of the vehicle:

(a)   a rear pilot vehicle must be used to provide the driver of the oversize vehicle with information regarding vehicles approaching from the rear; and

(b)   if a rear pilot vehicle is required in accordance with the Pilot Requirements in section 6 to 8, and paragraph (a), the one pilot vehicle can be used for both purposes.

Note: A heavy vehicle may travel empty under the Notice of Approval and Exemption - Operation of 25 Metre Long Prime Mover and Low Loader Combinations with a GCM Up To 59.5t, accessible on the NHVR website.

Schedule 2: Amended Victoria Schedule

Schedule 3 Victoria

1. Application

The provisions in this 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)   a truck; or

(b)   a truck and heavy trailer combination; or

(c)    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.

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

3.      Definitions for this Schedule

(1)    In this Schedule—

certified pilot vehicle means a pilot vehicle driven by a driver who has—

(a)    a minimum of twelve months comprehensive experience in piloting oversize loads; and

(b)   successfully completed a training program detailed on VicRoads website through a Registered Training Organisation.

DEDJTR means the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

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—

(a)          a State-wide school holiday;

(b)          a public holiday; or

(c)           a Saturday; or

(d)          a Sunday.

major road means a highway declared under regulation 6(e) of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009 (Vic) or the MDL National Regulation as a major road.

public holiday means New Year's Day, Australia Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Labour Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, and Queen's Birthday.

rural area means an area of operation in Victoria other than the following—

• Colac Surf Coast Area;

• Gippsland Ranges Area;

• Melbourne and Geelong Urban Area;

• Mountainous Area; and

• Otway Area.

as specified in the Oversize & Overmass (OSOM) map in section 4 of this Schedule.

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 the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009 (Vic) or the MDL National Regulation.

4.      Maximum permissible dimensions condition

(1)   An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit applying to the vehicle that is mentioned:

(a)   in Table 1; or

(b)   in Table 2, or 25% of the length of the heavy vehicle, whichever is the lesser.

Table 1: Maximum dimension limits

(2)   A loaded vehicle higher than 4.6m must carry its load on a vehicle or trailer with a deck height no more than 1.0m above the ground.

Table 2: Maximum rear overhang - vehicle other than a truck and trailer combination

5.      Conditions: Stated Areas and Routes

(1)   An eligible vehicle may only operate on the routes specified in the Oversize & Overmass (OSOM) map.

Note: The map may be found at at VicRoads website.

6.      Conditions: Restricted travel times

(1)   An eligible vehicle that is authorised to use a route specified in section 4 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.

(2)   Travel is permitted at daytime and at night in accordance with the requirements of this Schedule.

(3)   Subject to subsections (4) to (8), an eligible vehicle described in Table 3 may only be operated on a route or in an area in Table 3 on a day mentioned in column A during a time mentioned in column 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.

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

(5)   An eligible vehicle that is more than 4.6m high must not be operated after sunset outside the Melbourne and Geelong urban areas.

(6)   An eligible vehicle must not travel from 23 December to 3 January inclusive on:

(a)   a major road; or

(b)   the Calder Highway; or

(c)    the Hume Highway; or 

(d)   the Northern Highway; or

(e)   a freeway outside the Melbourne & Geelong urban areas.

(7)   An eligible vehicle must not travel on the Melba Highway or Warburton Highway on:

(a)   a weekend or public holiday; or

(b)   the day before the start of a holiday period; or

(c)    the last day of a holiday period.

(8)   An eligible must comply with night travel lighting conditions when travelling:

(a)   on the Princes Freeway between Laverton and Geelong between 1.00am and 5.00am; or

(b)   in the Melbourne or Geelong urban area during the hours of darkness.

(c)    In this sub section-

night travel lighting conditions means the conditions set out in section 5 (Side and rear markers and warning lights for oversize vehicles used at night) of Schedule 8 of the MDL National Regulation.

7.      Conditions: 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. 

8.      Conditions: Convoys

An eligible vehicle must not travel in a convoy.

9.      Conditions: Carriage of documents

The driver of an eligible vehicle must carry the VicRoads information bulletin, Height under Structures for Permit Vehicles – June 2007 and Height Clearance on Roads (when in excess of 4.3m) and produce it to an authorised officer on request.

10.  Conditions: 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.

Table 4: Third party communication details

Note— Contact details are available on the NHVR website

11.  Conditions: Pilots and Escorts in 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:

(a)   mentioned in column 2; and

(b)   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

12.  Conditions: Pilots and Escorts in Rural areas

An eligible vehicle operating in a rural area with or without a dolly must be accompanied by a certified pilot vehicle positioned at the rear of an eligible vehicle when the rear overhang of the vehicle exceeds 6.0m.

13.  Conditions: Pilot requirements in Metro and Rural Areas

Notwithstanding the requirements set out in Table 5, Table 6 and section 11 of this schedule, an eligible vehicle operating in the metro and rural areas must comply with the pilot requirements in Figure 1 where those requirements are more stringent than other pilot provisions in this Schedule.

Note: An eligible vehicle operating in the Melbourne and Geelong urban area that is 30 metres in length and has a rear overhang of 3.7 metres and a width of 5.0 metres and does not have a dolly will require 2 certified pilots as per Figure1.

Figure 1:  Pilot vehicle requirements – vehicles with a low loader dolly

Note: when travelling on a freeway outside the Melbourne and Geelong Areas, only one certified pilot vehicle is required.

Schedule 3: Inserted Australian Capital Territory Schedule

Schedule 4 Australian Capital Territory

1. Application

The provisions in this this Schedule only apply in the Australian Capital Territory

2.      Vehicles and vehicle categories

(1)   This Schedule applies to a load carrying vehicle that is comprised of:

(a)   a truck; or

(b)   a truck and heavy trailer combination; or

(c)    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.

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

3.      Conditions - Maximum permissible dimensions

(1)   An eligible vehicle must not exceed a dimension limit applying to the vehicle that is mentioned:

(a)   in Table 1; or

(b)   in Table 2, or 25% of the length of the heavy vehicle, whichever is the lesser.

Table 1: Maximum Dimension Limits

Table 2 - Maximum rear overhang: vehicle other than a truck & trailer combination

4.      Conditions - Stated Areas and Routes

An eligible vehicle may operate on the stated routes and areas 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.

5.      Conditions - Dimensions for vehicles requiring pilots for daytime travel

(1)   An eligible vehicle must operate with the number of pilot vehicles indicated on Figure 1 depending on the vehicles width and length.

(2)   An eligible vehicle that is 5.0m wide and exceeds 27m in length must contact Transport Canberra and City Services or be accompanied by a Police escort.

Figure 1 – Pilot Vehicle Requirements