Overview

The National Heavy Vehicle Law South Australia Class 3 (Application of Higher Mass Limits) Mass Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1) was enacted to provide exemptions from certain mass requirements for eligible heavy vehicles and combinations operating in South Australia, particularly those fitted with certified Road Friendly Suspension. This Notice, which replaces the 2019 version, was introduced to streamline and rationalize the access networks for heavy vehicles, ensuring they can operate at mass limits equivalent to those under the Higher Mass Limits (HML) as set out in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). The Notice was made under Section 117 of the HVNL and is administered by the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI). The primary objective of this legislation is to facilitate the operation of eligible heavy vehicles at higher mass limits, while ensuring compliance with specific conditions to maintain road safety and infrastructure integrity. This Notice applies to various categories of heavy vehicles, including rigid trucks, articulated vehicles, buses, B-doubles, modular B-triples, and Type 1 and Type 2 Road Trains, provided they meet the criteria and comply with the Higher Mass Limit requirements. It exempts these vehicles from certain prescribed mass requirements specified in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, while imposing specific conditions on axle mass limits, spacing, and mass management accreditation for vehicles exceeding 20.0 tonnes on tri-axle or quad-axle groups. The Notice also delineates specific routes and networks where these exemptions apply, as detailed in the South Australia RAVnet, ensuring that these vehicles can operate efficiently within designated areas.

Scope and Application

The South Australia Class 3 (Application of Higher Mass Limits) Mass Exemption Notice 2020 applies to eligible heavy vehicles operating within South Australia, including rigid trucks with tandem drive axles, articulated vehicles with specific axle configurations, buses with certain drive axle setups, B-doubles, modular B-triples, and Type 1 and Type 2 Road Trains. The Notice exempts these vehicles from certain mass requirements outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, allowing them to operate at higher mass limits provided they meet specific conditions. The exemption pertains to the prescribed mass requirements and axle spacing, with particular attention to vehicles fitted with certified Road Friendly Suspension. The Notice also specifies that certain routes, areas, and networks within South Australia are available for these vehicles, and it mandates Mass Management Accreditation for operators of vehicles exceeding certain mass thresholds. This Notice is effective from 3 January 2020 and will expire on 9 February 2024, and it is made under Section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction. The Notice, while providing exemptions from certain mass requirements, imposes conditions to ensure safe operation. These include adherence to specific mass limits for various axle configurations and the necessity for Mass Management Accreditation for vehicles exceeding 20.0t. The exemption is limited to eligible vehicles and does not extend to non-modular B-triples. It is noteworthy that this Notice does not apply Intelligent Access Program conditions and, therefore, is not a Higher Mass Limit Declaration under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, although it retains the same conditions as its predecessor. The Notice revokes and replaces the South Australia Class 3 (Application of Higher Mass Limits) Mass Exemption Notice 2019, introducing rationalized networks without altering the exemptions and conditions.

Key Provisions

The National Heavy Vehicle Law (South Australia Class 3 (Application of Higher Mass Limits) Mass Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)) provides exemptions from certain mass requirements for eligible heavy vehicles and combinations fitted with certified Road Friendly Suspension. This Notice exempts eligible vehicles from the mass requirements specified in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (section 8), allowing them to operate at masses equivalent to Higher Mass Limits under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) (section 1). The Notice applies to specific categories of vehicles, such as rigid trucks, articulated vehicles, buses, B-doubles, Modular B-Triples, and Type 1 and Type 2 Road Trains (section 7). The Notice specifies that the mass on the axle or axle group must not exceed the limits listed in Tables 1 and 2 for the specified axle or axle group (section 9). Additionally, the Notice requires the operator of a vehicle travelling under this notice, and whose tri-axle or quad-axle group exceeds 20.0t, to hold Mass Management Accreditation (section 11). The Notice imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Eligible vehicles must comply with the conditional mass conditions set out in section 9 of the Notice. Additionally, operators of vehicles whose tri-axle or quad-axle group exceeds 20.0t must hold Mass Management Accreditation (section 11). Furthermore, eligible vehicles must access the Higher Mass Limits (HML) routes specified on the South Australia RAVnet (section 10). Breach of the Notice may result in civil or criminal consequences. However, the Notice does not explicitly state the maximum penalties for breach. It is important to note that this Notice does not apply Intelligent Access Program conditions and is not a Higher Mass Limit Declaration under the HVNL (section 2). Nonetheless, the mass limits and access provided under this Notice are equivalent to those provided under the former South Australia HML Declaration, and retains all other conditions (section 2). In summary, the National Heavy Vehicle Law (South Australia Class 3 (Application of Higher Mass Limits) Mass Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)) provides exemptions from certain mass requirements for eligible heavy vehicles and combinations fitted with certified Road Friendly Suspension. The Notice applies to specific categories of vehicles and imposes obligations on the parties it governs. Breach of the Notice may result in civil or criminal consequences, although the maximum penalties for breach are not explicitly stated in the Notice. Nonetheless, the mass limits and access provided under this Notice are equivalent to those provided under the former South Australia HML Declaration, and retains all other conditions.