Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1)

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au C2017G00722 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

Heavy Vehicle National Law

Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1)

Statutory Instrument Series:

Class 1/3 Heavy Vehicle Exemption Notice - Mass Exemption

 

  1. Purpose

(1)   The purpose of this notice is:

a)      to allow triaxle low loader trailers to exceed extreme axle dimensions for a conforming axle group; and

b)      to provide limited exemptions from prescribed mass requirements to allow the efficient operation of unladen load platform trailers under specified conditions.

c)       to exempt heavy vehicle combinations used to carry power poles from stated prescribed dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

 

2.      Authorising Provision

This notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

3.      Commencement

This notice commences on 1 July 2017.

4.      Expiry

This notice expires on 30 June 2022.

5.      Title

 

This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

6.      Definitions

 

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

2)   In this Notice-

Electricity authority means a distribution entity under the Electricity Act 1994 (Qld).

Note- a distribution entity is a person who holds a distribution authority (s 36 EA 1994).

Form 4 Guideline means the Guideline for Excess Dimension: Vehicles Carrying Indivisible Articles; Special Purpose Vehicles and Vehicles that require a Pilot or Escort, in Queensland Form Number 4, Version 8, February 2013.

 

Load Platform Trailer means a trailer consisting of one or more modules having all of the following features:-

a)      At least five equally spaced rows of axles; and

b)      A minimum of 1.6m longitudinal spacing between axle rows; and

c)      At least eight tyres per axle row; and

d)      All axle rows are steerable.

The Regulation means The National Heavy Vehicle Regulation.

 

Pole Erecting Truck means a truck or a combination that is used for carrying and erecting power poles.

7.      Routes and Areas

1)      Vehicles operating under this Notice may operate on all roads in Queensland; and

2)      Triaxle Low Loaders and Unladen Load Platform Trailers operating under this notice must comply with the following restrictions:

a)      Those roads signed to restrict the use of a low loader combination; and

b)      Any road where restricted by a weight restriction or mass permit condition imposed from time to time.

 

 

 

Part 1: Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

8.      Application- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

This Part applies to triaxle low loader trailers in Queensland.

9.      Exemption- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

Vehicles operating under this Part are exempt from the 3.2m maximum horizontal distance between axles under the definition of “tri-axle” under section 5 of the HVNL.

 

10.  Condition- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

1)      Triaxle low loaders operating under this Part may exceed the extreme axle dimensions for a conforming axle group of 3.2m by up to 0.5m.

2)      An axle group subject of this Part is a conforming axle group.

 

Part 2: Unladen Load Platform Trailer Dimension Exemption

11.  Application- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

This Part applies to load platform trailers that are unladen.

12.  Exemptions- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

1)      Vehicles operating under this Part are exempted from the dimension requirement under Schedule 6, section 4(2)(b) of the Regulation.

 

2)      Subject to 1) above, vehicles operating under this Part have the following dimension exemptions:

a)      The distance from the kingpin or towing point to the rear of the trailer may exceed 12.3m; and

b)      The deck length may exceed 13.7m in length.

13.  Conditions- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

1)      While operating under this Part, an unladen load platform trailer must

a)      travel in its narrowest configuration; and

b)      must not exceed 3.5m in width.

2)      While operating under this Part, a heavy vehicle combination including an unladen load platform trailer must not exceed 35m in length.

 

3)      While operating under this Part, a combination must comply with the operating conditions of the Form 4 Guideline.

 

Part 3: Pole Erecting Vehicles Dimension Exemption

14.  Application- Pole Erecting Vehicles

This Part applies to a pole erecting truck operated by an electricity authority or their agent.

15.  Dimension Exemptions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

Pole erecting trucks operating under this Notice are exempted from the dimension requirements for the length of a vehicle and trailers in section 3 and 5, Part 2 of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

16.  Exclusion of prescribed conditions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

The application of Part 1 Division 1 of Schedule 8 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation to this notice is expressly excluded.

17.  Conditions - Dimensions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

1)      While operating under this Notice, a heavy vehicle or combination must not exceed the following dimensions:

a)      Pole erecting truck rear overhang not to exceed 3.5m;

b)      The rear overhang of a pole trailer must not exceed 5m while carrying poles; and

c)      A combination must not exceed 25m in length, when loaded with power poles.

18.  General Conditions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

1)      While operating under this Notice, a combination must comply with the operating conditions of the Form 4 Guideline.

2)      It is a condition of this exemption that the driver must keep in the driver’s possession a copy of this notice and must produce the notice to an authorised officer when requested.

 

 

Dated: 21 June 2017

 

 

 

 

Sal Petroccitto

Chief Executive Officer

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

 

Overview

The Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1) was enacted to provide specific exemptions from the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to allow the efficient operation of certain heavy vehicles under specified conditions. This statutory instrument, issued under section 117 of the HVNL, addresses the need to facilitate the movement of triaxle low loader trailers, unladen load platform trailers, and pole erecting trucks within Queensland, while ensuring that these vehicles adhere to certain conditions to maintain road safety and operational efficiency. The notice aims to allow triaxle low loader trailers to exceed certain axle dimensions, provide exemptions from mass requirements for unladen load platform trailers, and exempt pole erecting trucks from certain dimension requirements when carrying power poles. The notice was made by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and commenced on 1 July 2017, expiring on 30 June 2022, unless otherwise extended.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1) provides exemptions from certain dimension requirements for specific types of heavy vehicles operating within Queensland. This notice, made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, applies to triaxle low loader trailers, unladen load platform trailers, and pole erecting trucks used by electricity authorities or their agents. These vehicles are permitted to exceed certain dimension limits as outlined in the notice, provided they comply with specified conditions. The exemption applies to vehicles operating on all roads in Queensland, except where there are specific restrictions or weight limitations imposed. The notice exempts triaxle low loaders from the 3.2m maximum horizontal distance between axles, allowing them to exceed this distance by up to 0.5m, while unladen load platform trailers can exceed the rear trailer distance and deck length limitations set forth in the Regulation. Pole erecting trucks are exempt from the length requirements of vehicles and trailers but must adhere to specified rear overhang and overall length limits when carrying poles. The notice further stipulates that drivers of exempted vehicles must carry a copy of the notice and produce it upon request by an authorised officer. This exemption notice is effective from 1 July 2017 and will expire on 30 June 2022, unless altered by subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Heavy Vehicle National Law Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1) sets out specific exemptions from the standard mass and dimension requirements for certain types of heavy vehicles operating in Queensland. This notice allows triaxle low loader trailers to exceed certain axle dimensions (Part 1), provides exemptions from prescribed mass requirements for unladen load platform trailers (Part 2), and exempts pole erecting trucks from certain dimension requirements (Part 3). These exemptions are aimed at facilitating the efficient operation of these vehicles under specified conditions while maintaining safety standards. Entities governed by this notice must comply with the conditions set out for each type of vehicle. For triaxle low loader trailers (Part 8), they may exceed the 3.2m maximum horizontal distance between axles by up to 0.5m but must still adhere to road signage and weight restrictions. Unladen load platform trailers (Part 12) can exceed certain dimension limits, but they must travel in their narrowest configuration and must not exceed 3.5m in width. Additionally, the entire combination must not exceed 35m in length. Pole erecting trucks (Part 15) are exempt from certain length and overhang requirements, but they must not exceed 25m in length when loaded with power poles. All vehicles operating under this notice must also comply with the operating conditions outlined in the Form 4 Guideline. Breach of the conditions set out in this notice can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. Although the notice does not explicitly outline specific penalties, violations of heavy vehicle regulations generally carry substantial penalties under the National Heavy Vehicle Law. For instance, driving a vehicle that does not comply with dimension or mass requirements can result in fines and potential prosecution. The maximum penalties for such offences can include fines up to $55,000 for individuals and $275,000 for corporations, along with potential disqualification from driving. Additionally, failure to produce the notice when requested by an authorised officer can also result in enforcement actions.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Transport Law
Instrument
Statutory Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Prohibited Conduct
Regulatory Standards
Catchwords
Dimension Exemptions

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.