Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1)

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Heavy Vehicle National Law

Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1)

Statutory Instrument Series:

Class 1/3 Heavy Vehicle Exemption Notice - Mass and Dimension 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.

Note- this Notice replaces the following notices, which expired on 30 June 2016:

  • Queensland Class 1 Triaxle Low Loader Trailer Mass Exemption Notice 2015
  • Queensland Class 1 Unladen Load Platform Trailer Exemption Notice 2015
  • Queensland Class 1 Pole Erecting Trucks Dimension Exemption Notice 2015

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 2016.

4.      Expiry

This notice expires on 30 June 2017.

5.      Title

 

This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2016.

 

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.      Application

This Notice applies to eligible vehicle in Queensland.

 

8.      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

9.      Application- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

This Part applies to triaxle low loader trailers in Queensland.

10.  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.

 

11.  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

12.  Application- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

This Part applies to load platform trailers that are unladen.

13.  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.

14.  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

15.  Application- Pole Erecting Vehicles

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

16.  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.

17.  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.

18.  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.

19.  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.

 

 

 Date: 22 June 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Sal Petroccitto

Chief Executive Officer

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Overview

The Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1) was enacted to provide exemptions from certain mass and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law for specific types of heavy vehicles operating in Queensland. This Notice was issued under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and came into effect on 1 July 2016, replacing previous exemption notices that expired on 30 June 2016. The primary objective of this notice is to facilitate the efficient operation of triaxle low loader trailers, unladen load platform trailers, and pole erecting trucks by allowing them to exceed certain prescribed dimensions and mass limits under specified conditions. This Notice applies to eligible vehicles operating in Queensland and allows these vehicles to operate on all roads within the state, subject to certain restrictions and conditions outlined in the Notice.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1) applies to specific types of heavy vehicles in Queensland, including triaxle low loader trailers, unladen load platform trailers, and pole erecting trucks, which are operated by electricity authorities or their agents. The notice exempts these vehicles from certain mass and dimension requirements to facilitate their efficient operation under specified conditions. These vehicles are permitted to operate on all roads within Queensland but must adhere to certain restrictions, such as avoiding roads with specific signage or weight restrictions. Triaxle low loaders can exceed the 3.2m maximum horizontal distance between axles by up to 0.5m, while unladen load platform trailers can have a rear overhang exceeding 12.3m and a deck length exceeding 13.7m, provided they comply with other stipulated conditions such as travelling in their narrowest configuration and not exceeding a width of 3.5m or a total length of 35m for the combination. Pole erecting trucks are exempt from certain length requirements but must not exceed a rear overhang of 3.5m, a pole trailer rear overhang of 5m when carrying poles, and a total length of 25m when loaded with power poles. The notice also mandates that drivers must carry and produce a copy of the notice when requested by an authorised officer. The notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and expires on 30 June 2017.

Key Provisions

The Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1) is structured into three parts, each addressing specific types of heavy vehicles and their respective exemptions from certain mass and dimension requirements. Part 1 of the Notice applies to triaxle low loader trailers, exempting them from the 3.2m maximum horizontal distance between axles, allowing an additional 0.5m beyond the standard limit (section 10). Part 2 pertains to unladen load platform trailers, exempting them from specific dimension requirements and allowing the distance from the kingpin or towing point to the rear of the trailer to exceed 12.3m, as well as the deck length to exceed 13.7m in length (section 13). Part 3 concerns pole erecting trucks operated by an electricity authority or their agent, exempting them from certain dimension requirements for the length of vehicles and trailers, while imposing specific limitations on rear overhangs and overall length (section 16). The Notice imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Triaxle low loader trailers must operate within the specified axle dimension limits, ensuring that they do not exceed the permitted horizontal distance between axles (section 11). Unladen load platform trailers must adhere to the narrowest configuration requirement, must not exceed 3.5m in width, and must not form part of a combination exceeding 35m in length (section 14). Pole erecting vehicles must comply with the operating conditions outlined in the Form 4 Guideline and must ensure that the driver possesses a copy of this Notice, which must be presented to an authorised officer upon request (section 18 and 19). For breaches of the conditions stipulated in this Notice, there are potential civil and criminal consequences. Although the Notice itself does not explicitly detail the penalties, contraventions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulation (the Regulation) can result in significant penalties. For example, under the HVNL, an individual can be fined up to $11,100 and a body corporate up to $55,500 for contravening certain provisions. Additionally, under the Regulation, offences can result in penalties that include fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment. It is essential for operators to comply strictly with the conditions to avoid these potential consequences.

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