National Class 2 4.6m high and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation Notice 2025 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Class 2 4.6m high and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation Notice 2025 (No.1)

Purpose

1.        The purpose of this notice is:

1.     To authorise the use of Vehicle Carriers from 4.3 metres to 4.6 metres in height, or from 19 metres to 25 metres in length, or both, in stated areas or on stated routes, during stated hours of stated days; and
2.    To state the conditions under which these Vehicle Carriers may be used.

Note: The Heavy Vehicle National Law provides that a Vehicle Carrier (as defined in this notice) is a class 2 heavy vehicle.  That means that a Vehicle Carrier is a restricted access vehicle and the operator requires an authorisation from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator before the vehicle may be used on public roads.  This instrument is an authorisation that declares the routes on which Vehicle Carriers may be used, subject to compliance with certain conditions. This instrument does not exempt the Vehicle Carrier from other requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law including, but not limited to, mass and dimension requirements.

1.        This notice revokes and replaces the National Class 2 4.6m High and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1).

Authorising Provision

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

1.       section 138 - Regulator’s power to authorise use of all or stated categories of class 2 heavy vehicles
2.       section 23 of Schedule 1 - Regulator’s power to amend or repeal instrument.

Title

1.        This notice may be cited as the National Class 2 4.6m High and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation Notice 2025 (No.1).

Commencement

1.        This notice commences on 19 November 2025.

Expiry

1.        This notice expires on 9 February 2029.

Definitions

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

1.        In this notice—

‘National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice’ means the current national notice of that name providing access to Class 2 B-Doubles.

‘National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice’ means the current national notice of that name providing access to Class 2 Road Trains.

‘Vehicle Carrier’ means a heavy vehicle that is a combination designed and built to carry vehicles on more than one deck that, together with its load is longer than 19m but not longer than 25m, or higher than 4.3m but not higher than 4.6m, or both.

Note: Under section 3(1)(d) of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation a vehicle carrier may only be up to 25m long if it is designed to carry vehicles on 2 or more partly or completely overlapping decks.

‘Stated areas or routes’ means the stated areas or routes set out in the Schedules.

‘Stated hours of stated days’ means the stated hours of stated days set out in the Schedules.
 

Application

1.        This notice applies to a Vehicle Carrier as specified in Schedules 1 to 5.

1.    This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions other than the Australian Capital Territory.

Conditions

1.    The driver and operator of the Vehicle Carrier must comply with all conditions set out in the Schedule for a participating jurisdiction when the vehicle is being used in the jurisdiction to which that Schedule applies.

Note: The National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice authorises a road train that is, or has a component vehicle in the combination, designed to carry vehicles on 2 or more partly or completely overlapping decks on the routes and in the circumstances stated for road trains in each Schedule of that Notice.

The National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle, Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice authorises the use of vehicle carriers that are over 25m in length but are not road trains to the extent and on the conditions stated in the Notice.

Jose Arredondo

Manager Network Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

SCHEDULE 1 – NEW SOUTH WALES

Stated areas or routes

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is not more than 4.3m high may use the routes set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is a B-double that is more than 4.3m high but not more than 4.6m high may use the routes set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation

Notice and the following networks:

GML & CML 19m B-double Routes (over 50 tonnes)

GML & CML 23m B-double Routes

GML & CML 25/26m B-double Routes

1.        An eligible vehicle that is more than 4.3m high but not more than 4.6m high may only operate on a route that is also approved on the 4.6m High Vehicle Network layer (NSW Network Overlays) on the NHVR National Network Map.

Note:  This means the route must be displayed as approved on both the relevant B-double network map AND the 4.6m High Vehicle Network layer (NSW Network Overlays) on the NHVR National Network Map.

Road network maps for New South Wales are published on the NHVR National Network Map.

Stated hours of stated days

1.        Except as specified in clause 5, a Vehicle Carrier may use the stated routes at any

time of day.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the areas or routes in the National

Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice(as set out in the NSW Schedule) must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified, if any, for each road in the conditions set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

Conditions

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the routes stated in the National

Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (as set out in the NSW Schedule) Notice must comply with the corresponding conditions about the operation of the heavy vehicle specified for each road.

SCHEDULE 2 – QUEENSLAND
 

Stated areas or routes

1.        Subject to clauses 2 and 3 of this Schedule, a Vehicle Carrier may use all roads in Queensland.
2.        A Vehicle Carrier that is higher than 4.3m may not use a road where there is insufficient height clearance for the combination to pass without striking or damaging any road infrastructure.

Note: The driver of a Vehicle Carrier that is higher than 4.3m must assess the suitability of a road prior to operating the vehicle on that road. The roads used must be continually monitored to ensure sufficient clearance for the vehicle exists.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 21.4m together with its load, or longer than 19m when unladen, may operate on the following network:

B25/26 route (B-Double 25m/26m network)  

Note: A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 25m  and is a B-double, or truck and dog combination is provided access under and subject to the conditions stated in the Queensland schedule of the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice. A road train designed to carry vehicles on 2 or more partly or completely overlapping decks is authorised under the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice to the extent and on the conditions stated in that Notice.

Road network maps for Queensland are published on the NHVR National Network Map.

Stated hours of stated days

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the areas or routes specified in clause 1 or 2 may use the stated areas or routes at any time of the day.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the areas or routes specified in clause 3 must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified in the relevant documents.

Conditions

1.        A Vehicle Carrier must comply with any conditions applicable to a route or area described in clause 3 specified in the relevant documents.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier other than a B-double that, with or without its load, is longer than 19m must have the lower deck of the trailer fully loaded before vehicles are placed on the upper deck.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that, together with its load, is not longer than 21.4m, must be no longer than 19m when unladen.

SCHEDULE 3 - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Stated areas or routes

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 19.0m, but not longer than 21.4m and/or higher than 4.3m, may operate on all roads in South Australia provided it complies with conditions 9 to 14 specified below.
2.        A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 19.0m, but not longer than 25.0m, and is not authorised to operate on all roads in South Australia, must only use routes set out in the ’25m Vehicle Carrier (GML)’ network, and in accordance with any conditions and limitations specified on that network.
3.        A Vehicle Carrier that is used in a B-double combination must only use a route approved in the National Class 2 B-Double Authorisation Notice (the B-double notice).

Note:  Road network maps for South Australia are published on the NHVR National Network Map.

Stated hours of stated days

1.        Subject to clauses 5 and 6, a Vehicle Carrier may use the stated routes at any time of the day.
2.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the routes specified in clause 2, must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified in the relevant maps.
3.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the routes in the B-double notice must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified in the B-double notice.

Conditions

Conditions applicable to all Vehicle Carriers

1.        A Vehicle Carrier, as constructed, must not be higher than 4.3m.
2.        Vehicles must not be carried on an upper deck unless each deck below is fully loaded.

Conditions applicable to a Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 19.0m but not longer than 21.4m and/or higher than 4.3m, in relation to clause 1 above.

1.        The prime mover and/or hauling vehicle must be fitted with a single steer axle and a dual-drive tandem axle group and the semitrailer and/or trailer must be fitted with either a tandem axle group or a tri-axle group.
2.    The Vehicle Carrier combination, as constructed, must not be longer than 19.0m.
3.    A vehicle being carried, may project up to 1.2m forward of the front of the prime mover or hauling vehicle.
4.    A vehicle being carried, may project up to 1.2m behind the rear of the semitrailer and/or trailer.
5.    If the Vehicle Carrier is higher than 4.3m, before starting the journey, the driver or operator —
   1.       must comply with the specified route, area and structure restrictions published in the Consolidated Table of Limited Access Locations in South Australia published on the ‘Approved Areas or Routes’ section of the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport website; and
   2.       may be required to consult and obtain consent from third party entities who manage utilities which may be impacted by over height vehicles.

Note: Some routes in the Adelaide Metropolitan Area have height restrictions less than 4.3m.

Contact details for SAPN, Telstra and Optus are available on the NHVR website.

Conditions applicable to a Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 19.0m but not longer than 25.0m and/or higher than 4.3m in relation to clause 2 above.

1.    The vehicle carrier combination must consist of a rigid motor vehicle fitted with a dual-drive tandem axle group, towing a trailer fitted with either a tandem axle group or a tri-axle group towards the rear of the trailer, and the coupling with the hauling unit is located behind the drive axle group.
2.    The vehicle carrier must not be assembled or disassembled on a route except under the following circumstances—
   1.     the vehicle has broken down; or
   2.     in order to proceed on a temporary by-pass around a road blockage.
3.    The vehicle carrier may only use roadside parking areas showing a ‘Rest Area’ sign or a ‘Truck Parking Area’ sign. Parking areas can only be used for rest purposes or vehicle checks but not for assembly or disassembly purposes except in accordance with the clause above.
4.    The vehicle carrier must not reverse into or out of a road or depot.

Conditions applicable to a Vehicle Carrier used in a B-double combination

1.    In addition to complying with the requirements of this Schedule, a vehicle carrier that is used in a B-double combination must comply with the B-double notice.  

SCHEDULE 4 – TASMANIA
 

Stated areas or routes

1.        Subject to clauses 2 and 3 of this Schedule, a Vehicle Carrier may use all roads in Tasmania.
2.        Subject to clause 3 of this Schedule, a Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 21.4m may only use the areas or routes that are detailed in the Tasmanian 26 metre B-double Network Map specified in Appendix 1.
3.        A Vehicle Carrier must not use—
   1.        Tasman Bridge if the vehicle is higher than 4.3m; and
   2.       Any other road where there is insufficient height clearance for the combination to pass without striking or damaging any road infrastructure.

Note: The driver of a Vehicle Carrier that is higher than 4.3m must assess the suitability of a road prior to operating the vehicle on that road using the maps specified in Appendix 1 to ensure sufficient clearance for the vehicle exists.

Stated hours of stated days

1.        A Vehicle Carrier may use the stated areas or routes at any time of the day.
2.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised through clause 2 to use the areas or routes in the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified in the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice and in the B-double Network Map specified in Appendix 1.

Conditions

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised through clause 2 to use the areas or routes in the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice must comply with any conditions  about the operation of the vehicle specified in the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice and in the B-double Network Map specified in Appendix 1

Appendix 1

Tasmanian 26 metre B-double Network Map

Height Clearance Under Overhead Structures Map

Note: The maps and networks mentioned in this appendix are published by the Tasmania Department of State Growth, and are available on its website.

SCHEDULE 5 – VICTORIA

Stated areas or routes

1.        Subject to clause 2 of this Schedule, a Vehicle Carrier may use all roads in Victoria.
2.        A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 21.4m may only use areas or routes stated in ‘Victoria's Gazetted B-Double Network’.

Note:  Road network maps for Victoria are published on the NHVR National Network Map.

Stated hours of stated days

1.        Subject to clause 4, a Vehicle Carrier may use the stated areas or routes at any time of the day.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the areas or routes in the B-double notice must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified in the B-double notice.

Conditions

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the areas or routes in the B-double notice must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the B-double notice.

1.        A Vehicle Carrier that, together with its load, is not longer than 21.4m, must be no longer than 19m when unladen.