Heavy Vehicle National Law - South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

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Legislation au C2024G00082 In force Gazette

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

  1. Purpose

 

This notice grants exemptions from dimension requirements for certain class 3 heavy combinations that are towing an unladen converter dolly.

 

2.       Authorising provision

 

1)      This notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):

 

a)      section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.

 

3.       Title

 

This exemption Notice may be cited as the South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

 

4.       Commencement date

 

This notice commences on 10 February 2024.

 

5.       Expiry date

 

This notice expires on 9 February 2029.

 


6.       Definitions

 

1)      In this Notice:

 

Guide means the South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Operator’s Guide, as amended from time to time.

Unladen converter dolly means a converter dolly that is not supporting a semitrailer and is not otherwise carrying or supporting a load.

7.       Application

 

1)      This notice applies to a class 3 heavy vehicle that is:

 

a)      a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly; or

b)      a combination that is a B-double, but that is also towing an unladen converter dolly.

 

2)      This notice applies in South Australia.

 

3)      A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.

 

8.       Exemption – Prescribed dimension requirements

 

1)      An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following mass requirements under Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation):

 

a)      section 3 – Length (combination or single vehicle)

 

2)      An exemption in 1) only applies to the extent that specific conditional dimension limits are provided in section 9 of this notice.

 

9.       Condition – Dimension limits (length)

 

1)      For a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly:

 

a)      the prime mover and semitrailer component of the combination must not exceed 19.0m in length; and

b)      the total combination must not exceed 26.0m in length.

 

2)      For a combination consisting of a vehicle that is a B-double, but that is also towing an unladen converter dolly:

 

a)      the B-double component must not exceed 26.0m in length; and

b)      the total combination must not exceed 32.0m in length.

 

10.   Conditions – Areas and routes

 

1)      For the purposes of section 119(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route specified in this section is a stated area or route to which this Notice applies.

 

2)      An eligible vehicle that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly may operate on areas and routes specified by the following network:

 

Road Train Converter Dolly (GML)

 

3)      An eligible vehicle that is a combination consisting of a B-double, but that is also towing an unladen converter dolly, may operate an areas and routes specified by the following network:

 

36.5m Road Train (GML)

 

4)      Regardless of any access granted under this section, an eligible vehicle must comply with any conditions or restrictions applied to a stated area or route in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements in the Guide.

 

5)      An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in this section must comply with the following conditions as specified for that area or route:

 

a)      Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and

b)      Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and

c)       Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

 

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

 

Overview

The South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) was enacted to provide exemptions from certain dimension requirements for specific types of heavy vehicle combinations that are towing an unladen converter dolly within South Australia. This notice, made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), aims to facilitate the operation of these vehicles within defined limits while ensuring safety and compliance with broader regulatory standards. The exemptions apply to class 3 heavy vehicles that are either a combination of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly, or a B-double towing an unladen converter dolly, with specific dimensional constraints placed on the length of these combinations. This exemption notice is intended to streamline operations for these vehicles by specifying allowable lengths and operational routes, as long as certain conditions and restrictions are adhered to, thereby addressing a regulatory gap that could potentially restrict the efficient movement of these vehicles within the state.

Scope and Application

The South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) applies to specific class 3 heavy vehicle combinations in South Australia that are towing an unladen converter dolly. This notice provides exemptions from certain dimension requirements for vehicles that meet the specified conditions, including combinations consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly, as well as B-doubles towing an unladen converter dolly. These exemptions apply only if the vehicles comply with the dimension limits set out in the notice, such as a maximum length of 26.0 metres for prime mover and semitrailer combinations and 32.0 metres for B-double combinations. The notice allows these eligible vehicles to operate on designated areas and routes specified in the Road Train Converter Dolly (GML) and 36.5m Road Train (GML) networks, provided they adhere to the conditions and restrictions of the specified areas or routes and comply with relevant road, travel, and vehicle conditions under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The notice is effective from 10 February 2024 until 9 February 2029.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this notice (South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)) pertain to exemptions from certain dimension requirements for specific types of heavy vehicle combinations in South Australia. Under section 8, eligible vehicles are exempt from certain mass requirements as specified in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation). However, this exemption is conditional, applying only if the vehicles adhere to the specific dimensional limits outlined in section 9. The notice imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs. Eligible vehicles, which are class 3 heavy vehicles consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly, or a B-double towing an unladen converter dolly, must comply with the dimensional limits specified in section 9. Additionally, they must adhere to any conditions or restrictions applied to specified areas or routes as outlined in the South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Operator’s Guide. Furthermore, these vehicles must comply with road, travel, and vehicle conditions as stipulated under sections 160, 161, and 162 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) when operating on specified areas and routes. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned for breach of this notice. However, non-compliance with the conditions and requirements set forth in the notice could potentially lead to legal ramifications under the broader framework of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and associated regulations. These could include fines, penalties, or other enforcement actions as prescribed by the applicable laws governing heavy vehicle operations in Australia.

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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.