Heavy Vehicle National Law - National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Authorisation Notice and National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 Amendment Notice 2017 (No.1)

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Heavy Vehicle National Law

National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Authorisation Notice and National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 Amendment Notice 2017 (No.1)

Statutory Instrument Series: Administrative Amendment Notice

Part 1 – Preliminary

1         Purpose

This Notice amends the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No.1) and National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Rear Overhang Dimension Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No.1) published in the Commonwealth Gazette on 6 February 2014, and identified as C2014G00240.  

2         Authorising provision

This Notice is made under the following sections of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as applied in each participating jurisdiction—

Section 117 – Regulator's power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement;  

Section 138 – Regulator’s power to authorise use of all or stated categories of class 2 heavy vehicles; and

Section 23(a) of Schedule 1, HVNL – Power to make instrument or decision includes power to amend or repeal. 

3         Commencement

This Notice commences on 12 January 2017.  

4         Title

This Notice may be cited as the National Class 2 Controlled Access Bus Authorisation Notice and National Class 3 Controlled Access Bus Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 Amendment Notice 2016 (No.1)

 

 

Part 2 – Amendment of Notice

5         Notice amended

This Part amends the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No.1) and National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Rear Overhang Dimension Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No.1)

6         Amendment of Section 11

Section 11, “other than the Australian Capital Territory”  

omit,  

7         Insertion of Schedule  –  Australian Capital Territory

(1)         insert—“Schedule 1 – Australian Capital Territory

Class 2 notice

Definitions

In this schedule—

‘approved route’ means a route shown in red on the map titled “Approved routes for 14.5m Controlled Access Bus”, or a route shown in the list titled “Approved routes for 14.5m Controlled Access Bus” displayed on the Transport Canberra and City Services website

‘conditions of travel’ for a route means any restrictions or conditions specified for that route, in the “restrictions/conditions” column of the list titled “Approved routes for 14.5m Controlled Access Bus” displayed on the Transport Canberra and City Services website

Note—

The map and list of approved routes may be found at the following link: 

http://www.tccs.act.gov.au/roads-paths/restricted-access-vehicle-networks

 

Stated areas or routes

  1. A controlled access bus may travel on an approved route.

 Conditions

2.       A controlled access bus operating on an approved route must comply with any conditions of travel for that route.”

 

 

8         Amendment of Schedule 1 –  New South Wales

(1)         Schedule 1 – New South Wales

omit, insert—“Schedule 2 – New South Wales

Class 2 notice

Definitions

In this schedule— 

‘approved route’ means a route shown on the list of approved routes for controlled access buses displayed on the Roads and Maritime Services website  

‘denied route’ means a route shown on the list of denied routes for controlled access buses displayed on the Roads and Maritime Services website    

Note—

 The list of approved routes and the list of denied routes may be found at the following link:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/road-access/restricted-access-vehicles/buses.html

Stated areas or routes

  1. A controlled access bus may travel on an approved route.
  2. A controlled access bus must not travel on a denied route.

Note—

A route that is not on either list may not have been assessed for use by controlled access buses. A bus operator must apply to the relevant authority for a permit for travel on such a route.

Conditions

3.       A controlled access bus operating on an approved route must comply with the conditions specified for that route in the “condition” column in the list of approved routes.

 

Class 3 notice

Conditions

4.       The rear overhang of a controlled access bus must not be more than the lesser of 4.9m or 70% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and the rear overhang line.

5.       The exemption applies to the same areas or routes as are authorised under section 1 of this Schedule.

9         Amendment of Schedule 2 –  Queensland

(1)         Schedule 2 – Queensland

omit, insert—“Schedule 3 – Queensland

Class 2 notice

Definitions

In this schedule— 

‘approved route’ means any of the following routes displayed on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website:

“State Road Network of Queensland Map”;  

“Schedule A, Part 1 - Local government routes other than Brisbane City Council”; or    

“Schedule A, Part 2 - Brisbane City Council routes”.   

‘denied route’ means “Schedule B - State Controlled Roads Not Suitable for Controlled Access Buses” displayed on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.

Note—

The State Road Network of Queensland Map may be found at the following link: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Maps-and-guides/Queensland-State-controlled-roads-and-region-maps

Schedules A Part 1, A Part 2 and Schedule B may be found at the following link: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Heavy-vehicles/Heavy-vehicle-guidelines-and-class-permits

Stated areas or routes

  1. A controlled access bus may travel on an approved route.    
  2. A controlled access bus must not travel on a denied route.

Note—

A route that is not on any list may not have been assessed for use by controlled access buses. A bus operator must apply to the relevant authority for a permit for travel on such a route.

Class 3 notice

Conditions

3.       The rear overhang of a controlled access bus must not be more than the lesser of 4.7m or 70% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and the rear overhang line.

4.       The exemption applies to the same areas or routes as are authorised under section 1 of this Schedule.

10    Amendment of Schedule 3 – South Australia

(1)         Title— “3”

omit, insert— “4”

11    Amendment of Schedule 4 – Tasmania  

(1)         Title— “4”

omit, insert— “5”

12    Amendment of Schedule 5 – Victoria   

(1)         Schedule 5 - Victoria

omit, insert—“Schedule 6 – Victoria

Definitions

‘approved route’ means an arterial route shown in green on the map titled “Controlled Access Buses” on the “heavy vehicle map networks in Victoria” page on the VicRoads website

‘prohibited route’ means an arterial route shown in red on the map titled “Controlled Access Buses” on the “heavy vehicle map networks in Victoria” page on the VicRoads website

Note— The “Heavy vehicle map networks In Victoria” page may be found at the following link: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/heavy-vehicle-industry/heavy-vehicle-map-networks-in-victoria

 

Class 2 notice

Stated areas or routes

  1. A controlled access bus may travel on an approved route.
  2. A controlled access bus must not travel on a prohibited route.

 Note—

For travel on a route other than an arterial route, an operator must apply to the relevant authority for a permit for travel on such a route.  

 

Class 3 notice

Definition

‘eligible vehicle’ means a controlled access bus that has a rear overhang no more than the lesser of 4.3m or 60% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and the rear overhang line.   

Stated areas or routes

3.       An eligible vehicle may travel on an approved route.

4.       An eligible vehicle may not travel on a prohibited route.

Note— For travel on a route other than an arterial route, an operator must apply to the relevant authority for a permit to travel on such a route. ”

 

Dated:  16 December 2016.

 

Peter Caprioli

 

 

Executive Director, Access

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Overview

The Heavy Vehicle National LawNational Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Authorisation Notice and National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 Amendment Notice 2017 (No.1) was enacted to amend the existing authorisations and exemptions for National Class 2 and 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Buses. This legislative amendment was introduced to address specific issues concerning the routes and dimensional limits for these buses across various jurisdictions in Australia. The Notice was made under the authority of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and commenced on 12 January 2017. The objective of this amendment is to refine and update the routes and dimensional requirements to enhance the efficiency and safety of controlled access bus operations. By specifying certain routes and conditions under which these buses can operate, the legislation aims to better align with the needs of different regions while maintaining safety standards. This amendment was made by the Commonwealth and is applicable across multiple states, providing a unified framework for the operation of controlled access buses in Australia.

Scope and Application

The National Class 2 Controlled Access Bus Authorisation Notice and National Class 3 Controlled Access Bus Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 Amendment Notice 2016 (No. 1) amends the previously established authorisations and exemptions for the operation of heavy vehicles, specifically controlled access buses, within participating jurisdictions in Australia. This Notice is applicable to bus operators and heavy vehicle regulators across jurisdictions that have adopted the Heavy Vehicle National Law, including the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. The Notice modifies the definitions and conditions for the operation of controlled access buses, including specifying the approved and denied routes for these vehicles in each jurisdiction, and detailing the permissible dimensions for Class 3 heavy vehicles. This amendment enhances the regulatory framework by providing more precise guidelines for the operation of these buses, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. The Notice commences on 12 January 2017, and its application is further extended and clarified through subordinate instruments which may include further amendments or specific jurisdictional regulations.

Key Provisions

This Notice amends the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Authorisation Notice 2014 (No.1) and National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Controlled Access Bus Rear Overhang Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 (No.1) by updating the definitions of approved and denied routes for each participating jurisdiction, including the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. The Notice clarifies the conditions for controlled access buses to travel on approved routes and prohibits them from using denied routes unless a permit is obtained. Furthermore, the Notice specifies the maximum rear overhang dimensions for controlled access buses in various jurisdictions. The Notice imposes obligations on parties, including bus operators, to adhere to the specified routes and conditions for travelling controlled access buses in each jurisdiction. Bus operators must ensure their vehicles comply with the defined dimensions and conditions for each route, and they must apply for permits if they wish to travel on routes not explicitly approved for controlled access buses. Breaches of this Notice can result in various penalties and consequences. For instance, operating a controlled access bus on a denied route without a permit could lead to fines or other penalties as stipulated by the relevant state or territory laws. Additionally, exceeding the specified rear overhang dimensions can also attract penalties. The specific penalties vary by jurisdiction, and operators must comply with local regulations to avoid legal repercussions.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.