Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

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Legislation au C2019G00067 In force Gazette

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

 

Purpose

 

  1. The purpose of this notice is to exempt Class 3 heavy vehicles towing an unladen converter dolly from the mass limit in Schedule 1, Part 1, Clause2 (1)(a)(iv), and the dimension limit in Schedule 6, Part 2, Clause 3(1)(a) of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the Regulation).

 

Authorising Provision

 

2.       This Notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction (HVNL).

 

Title

 

3.       This Notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

 

Commencement

 

4.       This Notice commences on 10 February 2019.

 

Expiry

 

5.       This Notice expires on 9 February 2024.

 

Definitions

 

6.       Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

 

7.       In this Notice

 

‘converter dolly combination’ means—

a)      a combination consisting of a prime mover, semitrailer and converter dolly; or

b)      a combination consisting of a B-double towing a converter dolly; or

c)       a combination comprising of a Type 1 Road Train towing a converter dolly; or

d)      a combination comprising of a truck operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice towing a converter dolly.

 

‘Type 1 road train’ means a road train consisting of a prime mover hauling unit towing two trailers when the combination length is not longer than 36.5m.

Note: B-triple and AB-triple combinations up to 36.5m are categorised as a Type 1 road train.

Application

 

8.       This Notice applies to—

a)      a combination comprising a prime mover and semi-trailer not exceeding 19 metres in length, towing an unladen converter dolly; and

b)      a combination comprising a B-Double towing an unladen converter dolly.

c)       a combination comprising a Type 1 Road Train towing an unladen converter dolly.

d)      a combination comprising of a truck that is operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) towing an unladen converter dolly.

 

9.       This Notice applies in Queensland.

 

Exemption from prescribed mass requirement

 

10.   A converter dolly combination is exempt from the mass requirement set out in section 2(1)(a)(iv) of Part 1 Schedule 1 to the Regulation.

 

Mass requirements - conditions

 

11.   The mass of the vehicle or combination and converter dolly combination must not exceed the mass limits applying to the vehicle or combination plus the mass of the unladen converter dolly.

 

Exemption from prescribed dimension requirement

 

12.   A converter dolly combination is exempt from the dimension requirement set out in section 3(1)(a) of Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the Regulation.

 

Dimension requirements - conditions

 

13.   The length of the vehicle or combination and converter dolly combination must not exceed the length limits applying to the vehicle or combination plus the length of the unladen converter dolly.

 

Additional conditions

 

14.   A converter dolly that forms part of a converter dolly combination, must—

a)      not carry a load; and

b)      have a mudguard firmly fitted for each wheel or for adjacent wheels; and

c)       be fitted at the rear with  a warning sign meeting the requirements of Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation or, for a convertor dolly attached to a road train, another sign authorised under the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1); and

d)      be fitted with a rear marking plate complying with section 80 of Schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.

 

 

Areas or routes

 

15.   A converter dolly combination comprising a prime mover and semi-trailer towing an unladen converter dolly, may use the routes and areas approved for use by B-Doubles up to 25 metres in length set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-Double Authorisation Notice and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

16.   A converter dolly combination comprising a B-Double towing an unladen converter dolly, may use routes and areas approved for use by roads trains not exceeding 36.5 metres in length set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

17.   A combination comprising a Type 1 Road Train towing an unladen converter dolly may use the Type 1 road train routes mentioned in Schedule 2 of the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorization Notice and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

18.   A combination comprising a truck that is operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice may use the Type 1 and Type 2 road train routes mentioned in that Notice, and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Overview

The Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1) was enacted to address specific limitations on mass and dimension for certain heavy vehicle combinations towing an unladen converter dolly. This notice, which came into force on 10 February 2019, is an exemption under the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction, and it specifically exempts certain Class 3 heavy vehicle combinations from the mass and dimension limits set out in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. This exemption is intended to facilitate compliance for road train operators who tow an unladen converter dolly and adheres to the policy objective of streamlining heavy vehicle operations while maintaining safety standards. The notice applies to combinations in Queensland and includes conditions such as the mass and length limits of the vehicle or combination, the unladen status of the converter dolly, and the requirement for specific signage and mudguards on the converter dolly. The notice will remain in effect until 9 February 2024.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1) applies to certain combinations of heavy vehicles towing an unladen converter dolly within Queensland. Specifically, it applies to a combination comprising a prime mover and semi-trailer not exceeding 19 metres in length, towing an unladen converter dolly, as well as combinations comprising a B-Double, a Type 1 Road Train, or a truck operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2014 (No. 1), each towing an unladen converter dolly. The exemption is applicable within the state of Queensland and is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The notice exempts these combinations from specified mass and dimension limits outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation but imposes conditions such as the unladen status of the converter dolly and the fitting of certain safety equipment, including warning signs and rear marking plates. The exemption is in effect from 10 February 2019 until 9 February 2024.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1) (Notice) primarily revolve around the exemption of certain types of heavy vehicle combinations from mass and dimension limits outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (Regulation) (sections 10, 12). Specifically, the Notice exempts combinations consisting of a prime mover and semi-trailer not exceeding 19 metres in length, a B-double, a Type 1 road train, or a truck operating under a specified exemption notice, when towing an unladen converter dolly. The exemption applies only when the mass and length of the vehicle or combination plus the mass and length of the unladen converter dolly do not exceed the prescribed limits (sections 11, 13). The Notice imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. For example, the mass of the vehicle or combination and the converter dolly must not exceed the mass limits applying to the vehicle or combination plus the mass of the unladen converter dolly. Similarly, the length of the vehicle or combination and the converter dolly must not exceed the length limits applying to the vehicle or combination plus the length of the unladen converter dolly. Additionally, the converter dolly must not carry a load, must have a mudguard firmly fitted for each wheel or for adjacent wheels, must be fitted with a rear warning sign, and must be fitted with a rear marking plate (section 14). Failure to comply with the requirements of the Notice may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. However, the Notice does not explicitly state the specific penalties for non-compliance. It is likely that penalties would be determined by the relevant state or territory authorities, in accordance with their respective heavy vehicle laws. In general, breaches of heavy vehicle regulations can result in fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offence and the jurisdiction in which it occurred.

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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.