Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

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Legislation au C2024G00077 In force Gazette

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of this notice is to exempt a stated category of class 3 heavy vehicles from specified prescribed mass requirements in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the National Regulation) to permit such vehicles additional mass under the concessional mass limits.

 

Authorising Provision
 

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

 

Title

 

2.       This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

Commencement

 

3.       This notice commences on 10 February 2024.

 

Expiry

 

4.       This notice expires on 9 February 2029.

 

Definition

 

5.       Unless otherwise stated, words or expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as in the HVNL or regulations made under the HVNL. Also, in this Notice

 

Application

 

6.       This notice applies to a Concessional Mass Limits (CML) heavy vehicle that is—

(a)    fitted with—

  1. a single steer axle; or
  2. twinsteer axle groups with a load-sharing suspension system; or
  3. a single axle fitted with dual tyres; and

(b)    a combination, if the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits is more than 85t but not more than 120t; or

(c)    a combination, if the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits is more than 120t.

 

7.       This notice applies only in Queensland.

 

Exemption from prescribed mass requirements

 

8.       A CML heavy vehicle to which this notice applies is exempt from the following mass requirements specified in the National Regulation—

(a)    Section 4 of Part 1, and Table 1(Axle mass limits table) of Part 2 of Schedule 1; and

(b)    Section 2(3) and 2(5) of Schedule 2 of the National Regulation.

 

Conditions – Maximum permissible mass

 

9.       The mass of each axle or axle group on a heavy vehicle to which this notice applies must not be more than the mass limited stated in table 1.

 

Table 1 Maximum Permissible Mass

Axle/Axle Group

Mass Limit (t)

Single Steer Axle

6.25

Twin steer Axle Group with a Load-sharing Suspension System

12

Single Axle Fitted with Dual Tyres

9.5

 

10.   If, because of the application of clause 9 to an axle or axle group within a particular axle spacing, the mass permitted for the vehicle is increased by an amount above the general mass limits for the vehicle, the mass relating to the axle spacing must not be more than the general mass limits for the axle spacing increased by the same amount.

 

Note – This provision has the effect of ensuring that an increase in the single axle and axle group mass limits will permit a corresponding increase in the axle spacing mass limits in Schedule 1 of the National Regulation.

 

11.   The mass of a CML heavy vehicle to which this notice applies must not be more than—

(a)    If the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits is more than 85t— 3t more than the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits; or

(b)    If the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits is more than 120t — 4t more than the maximum mass permitted for the heavy vehicle under the general mass limits.

 

Note: The steer axle mass exception limits in the National Regulation may be utilised in conjunction with this notice.

 


Areas or routes

 

12.   Subject to clauses 13 and 14, a CML heavy vehicle to which this notice applies may use all roads in Queensland.

 

13.   A CML heavy vehicle to which this notice applies that is a B-double may only use a route that is approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

14.   A CML heavy vehicle to which this notice applies that is a road train may only use a route that is approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation  Notice.

 

 

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Overview

The Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) was enacted to address the need for increased mass limits for certain heavy vehicles in Queensland, ensuring they can operate more efficiently while adhering to safety standards. This notice was introduced under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) by the relevant legislature and aims to provide flexibility in mass limits for specific heavy vehicles, enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining safety. The notice came into effect on 10 February 2024 and will remain in force until 9 February 2029, applying exclusively to certain category of heavy vehicles in Queensland that meet specified criteria, allowing them to operate with additional mass under concessional limits.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits Exemption Notice 2024 (No. 1) applies to certain class 3 heavy vehicles in Queensland that are fitted with specific axle configurations and meet particular mass criteria. Specifically, it applies to vehicles with a single steer axle, twin steer axle groups with a load-sharing suspension system, or a single axle fitted with dual tyres, provided that their maximum mass permitted under general mass limits exceeds 85 tonnes but does not exceed 120 tonnes, or is more than 120 tonnes. This notice exempts such vehicles from certain prescribed mass requirements specified in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, thereby allowing them additional mass under the concessional mass limits. The notice applies exclusively within the jurisdiction of Queensland and comes into effect on 10 February 2024, expiring on 9 February 2029. Notably, this exemption does not extend to roads where specific authorisation is required for B-doubles and road trains, as outlined in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice and the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice respectively.

Key Provisions

The Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits Exemption Notice 2024 (No. 1) sets out specific exemptions from certain mass requirements for class 3 heavy vehicles in Queensland. These exemptions apply to vehicles fitted with a single steer axle, twin steer axle groups with a load-sharing suspension system, or a single axle fitted with dual tyres, provided that the vehicle's maximum mass permitted under the general mass limits is more than 85 tonnes but not more than 120 tonnes, or more than 120 tonnes (sections 6(a), 6(b), 6(c)). The notice specifies the maximum permissible mass for each axle or axle group (section 9), with limits set at 6.25 tonnes for a single steer axle, 12 tonnes for a twin steer axle group with a load-sharing suspension system, and 9.5 tonnes for a single axle fitted with dual tyres (Table 1). Furthermore, the total mass of the vehicle is limited to 3 tonnes over the maximum mass permitted for vehicles under the general mass limits if that maximum is more than 85 tonnes, or 4 tonnes if the maximum is more than 120 tonnes (section 11). The obligations imposed by the notice include adhering to the specified mass limits for each axle or axle group and the overall vehicle mass, depending on the maximum mass permitted under the general mass limits (section 9, Table 1, and section 11). The notice also stipulates that the mass relating to an axle spacing must not exceed the general mass limits for the axle spacing increased by the same amount as the mass permitted for the vehicle (section 10). Additionally, vehicles must comply with the steer axle mass exception limits in the National Regulation (section 10, note). Failure to comply with the requirements of the notice may result in civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed in the notice but would be in accordance with the provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and any related regulations. Generally, penalties can include fines, disqualification from driving, and other sanctions as prescribed under the HVNL or related legislation.

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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.