National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1)

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au C2026G00194 In force Gazette

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1)

  1.        Purpose

 

  1.       This notice authorises the use of class 2 heavy vehicles that are B-doubles.

 

  1.       This notice revokes and replaces the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1).

 

  1.        Authorising provision

 

  1.       This notice is made under the following provision 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 – Power to make instrument or decision including power to amend or repeal.

 

  1.        Title

 

This notice may be cited as the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1).

 

  1.        Commencement date

 

This notice commences on 1 April 2026.

 

  1.        Expiry date

 

This notice expires on 31 January 2029.

 


  1.        Definitions

 

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

 

  1.       In this notice:

General access means access to all roads, subject to the operation of the road rules of the relevant participating jurisdiction.

Guide means the National Class 2 B-double Operator’s Guide published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

 

  1.        Application

 

  1.       This authorisation notice applies to a class 2 B-double.

 

  1.       This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.

 

  1.       This notice applies in a participating jurisdiction subject to the conditions provided in the body of this notice and the conditions of the Schedule relevant to that jurisdiction.

 

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

 


  1.        Conditions – Axle spacing mass limits for eligible vehicles up to 50.0t

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle on which all axle groups meet the mass limits specified in Table 1 may qualify for general access subject to any further conditions in the relevant schedule for each participating jurisdiction.

 

Table 1: Axle Spacing mass limits for general access (up to 50.0t)

Length of axle spacing (m)

Mass Limit (t)

Length of axle spacing (m)

Mass Limit (t)

At least

Less than

At least

Less than

3.5

3.7

23.0

8.2

8.3

37.0

3.7

3.8

23.5

8.3

8.5

37.5

3.8

4.0

24.0

8.5

8.7

38.0

4.0

4.2

24.5

8.7

8.8

38.5

4.2

4.3

25.0

8.8

9.0

39.0

4.3

4.5

25.5

9.0

9.2

39.5

4.5

4.7

26.0

9.2

9.3

40.0

4.7

4.8

26.5

9.3

9.5

40.5

4.8

5.0

27.0

9.5

9.7

41.0

5.0

5.2

27.5

9.7

9.8

41.5

5.2

5.3

28.0

9.8

10.0

42.0

5.3

5.5

28.5

10.0

10.5

42.5

5.5

5.7

29.0

10.5

11.0

43.0

5.7

5.8

29.5

11.0

11.5

43.5

5.8

6.0

30.0

11.5

12.0

44.0

6.0

6.2

30.5

12.0

12.5

44.5

6.2

6.3

31.0

12.5

13.0

45.0

6.3

6.5

31.5

13.0

13.5

45.5

6.5

6.7

32.0

13.5

14.0

46.0

6.7

6.8

32.5

14.0

14.5

46.5

6.8

7.0

33.0

14.5

15.0

47.0

7.0

7.2

33.5

15.0

15.5

47.5

7.2

7.3

34.0

15.5

16.0

48.0

7.3

7.5

34.5

16.0

16.5

48.5

7.5

7.7

35.0

16.5

17.0

49.0

7.7

7.8

35.5

17.0

17.5

49.5

7.8

8.0

36.0

17.5

--

50.0

8.0

8.2

36.5

--

--

--

 

  1.       If the eligible vehicle is a complying steer axle vehicle, 0.5t may be added to the mass limit prescribed in Table 1 if the steer axle is part of the axle group being considered.

 

Note: Complying steer axle vehicle is defined in section 3 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating under this section and complies with the conditions of Schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation may apply Concessional Mass Limits (CML) to the mass limits prescribed in Table 1.

 


  1.        Conditions – Stated hours of stated days

 

An eligible vehicle may use areas or routes at any time unless specified otherwise as a travel condition on the stated map or stated list.

 

  1.    Conditions – drive group restriction

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle must not have a drive axle group with more than two axles in contact with the ground.

 

  1.       In this section, drive axle group means an axle group that has one or more driving axles.

 

  1.    Condition – Authorisation to access stated areas or routes

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on the areas and routes specified in a schedule of this notice.

 

  1.       For the purposes of section 138(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route specified in this section, or a schedule to this notice, is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in this section must comply with the following conditions as specified for routes and areas set out on that map:

 

  1.       Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and
  2.       Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and
  3.        Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

 

Jose Arredondo

Manager Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

 


Schedule 1 Australian Capital Territory

  1.        Application

 

This Schedule applies in the Australian Capital Territory.

 

  1.        Condition – Stated routes and areas (Networks)

 

  1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle has access to networks in the Australian Capital Territory as set out in this section.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 19.0m in length that complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice has general access in the Australian Capital Territory, subject to the conditions in 4).

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0 in length may access the following network:

 

Australian Capital Territory B-double Network

 

  1.       Regardless of the access granted in (2) and (3), an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must also comply with restrictions set out in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, published in the Guide.

 

Note: The restrictions in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements generally provide restrictions on access in particular Road Manager areas.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with all road, vehicle and travel conditions that apply to that network at the time of travel.


Schedule 2 New South Wales

  1.        Application

 

This Schedule applies in New South Wales.

 

  1.        Condition – Stated routes and areas (Networks)

 

  1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle has access to networks in New South Wales as set out in this section.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 19.0m in length that complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice has general access in New South Wales, subject to the conditions in 6).

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 19.0m in length that does not comply with the requirements in section 8 of the notice may access the following network:

 

New South Wales 19 metre B-double (over 50.0 tonnes) Network

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 23.0m in length may access the following network:

 

New South Wales 23 metre B-double Network

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length may access the following network:

 

New South Wales 26 metre B-double Network

 

  1.       Regardless of the access granted in (2) to (5) an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must also comply with restrictions set out in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, published in the Guide.

 

Note: The restrictions in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements generally provide restrictions on access in particular Road Manager areas.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with all road, vehicle and travel conditions that apply to that network at the time of travel.

 


Schedule 3 Queensland

  1.        Application

 

This Schedule applies in Queensland.

 

  1.        Condition – Stated routes and areas (Networks)

 

  1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle has access to networks in Queensland as set out in this section.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 19.0m in length that complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice has general access in Queensland, subject to the conditions in 5).

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 23.0m in length may access the following network:

 

23 metre B-double Route

25/26 metre B-double and PBS 2A Route

Type 1 Road Train and PBS 3A Route

Type 2 Road Train and PBS 4A Route

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length may access the following network:

 

25/26 metre B-double Route and PBS 2A Route

Type 1 Road Train and PBS 3A Route

Type 2 Road Train and PBS 4A Route

 

  1.       Regardless of the access granted in (2) to (4) an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must also comply with restrictions set out in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, published in the Guide.

 

Note: The restrictions in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements generally provide restrictions on access in particular Road Manager areas.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with all road, vehicle and travel conditions that apply to that network at the time of travel.

 

  1.        Conditions – Quad axle group restriction

 

An eligible vehicle operating under this Schedule may not have a quad axle group on any of its components when operating on a State controlled road.

 


Schedule 4 South Australia

  1.        Application

 

  1.       This Schedule applies in South Australia.

 

  1.       As an exception to the limit imposed in section 10 1) in the body of the notice, in this schedule, a prime mover includes a prime mover with a tri-axle group.

 

  1.        Condition – Stated routes and areas (Networks)

 

  1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle has access to networks in South Australia as set out in this section.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 19.0m in length that complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice has general access in South Australia, subject to the conditions in section 10 of this schedule.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 23.0m in length that complies with the conditions in section 10 of the notice may access the following network:

 

23m B Double (GML)

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length that complies with the conditions in section 10 of the notice may access the following network:

 

26m B Double (GML)

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle that is transporting commodities, is not more than 26.0m in length and complies with the conditions in section 10 of the notice may access the following networks:

 

Commodity Routes – B Double

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length that includes a single steer prime mover with a tri-axle group and semitrailers that have tandem axle groups may access the following network:

 

B-double (single steer tri-drive) (2-2) (26.0m)

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length that includes a twin steer prime mover with a tri-axle group, and semitrailers that have tandem axle groups may access the following network:

 

B-double (twin steer tri-drive) (2-2) (26.0m)

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length that includes a single steer prime mover with a tri-axle group, and semitrailers that have tri-axle groups may access the following network:

 

B-double (single steer tri-drive) (3-3) (26.0m)

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length that includes a twin steer prime mover with a tri-axle group, and semitrailers that have tri-axle groups may access the following network:

 

B-double (twin steer tri-drive) (3-3) (26.0m)

 

  1.   Regardless of the access granted in (2) to (9) an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must also comply with restrictions set out in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, published in the Guide.

 

Note: The restrictions in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements generally provide restrictions on access in particular Road Manager areas.

 

  1.   An eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with all road, vehicle and travel conditions that apply to that network at the time of travel.


Schedule 5 Tasmania

  1.        Application

 

This Schedule applies in Tasmania.

 

  1.        Condition – Stated routes and areas (Networks)

 

  1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle has access to networks in Tasmania as set out in this section.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 21.0m in length that complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice has general access in Tasmania, subject to the conditions in 6).

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 21.3m in length complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice and is fitted with a rear log guard, has general access subject to the conditions in 6).

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 23.0m in length may access the following network:

 

Tasmanian 23m B-double Network

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length may access the following network:

 

Tasmanian 26m B-double Network

 

  1.       Regardless of the access granted in (2) to (5) an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must also comply with restrictions set out in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, published in the Guide.

 

Note: The restrictions in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements generally provide restrictions on access in particular Road Manager areas.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with all road, vehicle and travel conditions that apply to that network at the time of travel.

 

  1.       In this section, rear log guard means a mechanism or fixture installed to the rear of the trailer for the purpose of restraining logs.

Schedule 6 Victoria

  1.        Application

 

This Schedule applies in Victoria.

 

  1.        Condition – Stated routes and areas (Networks)

 

  1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle has access to networks in Victoria as set out in this section.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 19.0m in length that complies with the requirements in section 8 of the notice has general access in Victoria, subject to the conditions in 4).

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle up to 26.0m in length may access the following network:

 

Victoria 26 metre B-double Network

 

  1.       Regardless of the access granted in (2) and (3) an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must also comply with restrictions set out in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, published in the Guide.

 

Note: The restrictions in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements generally provide restrictions on access in particular Road Manager areas.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with all road, vehicle and travel conditions that apply to that network at the time of travel.

 

Overview

The National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1) was enacted to address the need for updated regulations governing the use of class 2 heavy vehicles that are B-doubles. This notice revokes and replaces the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1). It is made under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and provides specific authorisation for the use of B-doubles, ensuring compliance with mass limits, operational conditions, and access to certain road networks within participating jurisdictions. The notice specifies conditions for axle spacing, mass limits, and operational restrictions, including drive group limitations and network access. The objective of this notice is to streamline the legal framework for the operation of B-doubles, enhancing safety and regulatory compliance across Australia. This notice is made by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and comes into effect on 1 April 2026, expiring on 31 January 2029.

Scope and Application

The National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1) applies to class 2 B-double heavy vehicles within participating jurisdictions, including the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. This notice serves to regulate the use of these heavy vehicles, specifying the conditions under which they may access certain roads and routes. Eligible vehicles are those that meet the specified axle spacing mass limits and comply with other conditions outlined in the notice and its schedules for each jurisdiction. Vehicles that meet these criteria are permitted to operate on designated networks, subject to compliance with road, vehicle, and travel conditions pertinent to those networks. Furthermore, the notice mandates that vehicles must adhere to the restrictions outlined in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, which are detailed in the National Class 2 B-double Operator’s Guide published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. This authorisation notice replaces the previous National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) and is in effect from 1 April 2026 until 31 January 2029.

Key Provisions

The National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1) provides a regulatory framework for the use of Class 2 B-double heavy vehicles across various participating jurisdictions in Australia. It specifies the conditions under which these vehicles can operate, the mass limits, and the particular restrictions imposed by each state or territory. Section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and section 23 of Schedule 1 empower the Regulator to issue this notice, which revokes and replaces the previous authorisation notice from 2024. The Notice outlines the specific conditions that Class 2 B-double vehicles must meet to be eligible for general access or to access specified routes and areas within each participating jurisdiction. For instance, eligible vehicles must adhere to the axle spacing mass limits outlined in Table 1 and may qualify for general access if their axle groups meet these mass limits. If a vehicle is a complying steer axle vehicle, an additional 0.5t may be added to the mass limit if the steer axle is part of the axle group being considered. Additionally, eligible vehicles must not have a drive axle group with more than two axles in contact with the ground, and they must comply with road, vehicle, and travel conditions as specified in the Notice and its schedules. The Notice imposes several obligations on the parties it governs, including adhering to the specified mass limits and axle spacing, ensuring the vehicle complies with the conditions set forth in the Notice and its schedules, and complying with road, vehicle, and travel conditions relevant to the particular jurisdiction. Furthermore, operators must ensure that their vehicles comply with any restrictions outlined in the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements, which are published in the Guide. Breaches of the conditions set out in the Notice can lead to civil or criminal consequences, although the Notice does not specify the exact penalties. However, under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, penalties for breaches can include fines and potential disqualification from driving heavy vehicles. The severity of the penalty depends on the nature and extent of the breach, and the specific provisions of the HVNL and related regulations. It is advisable for operators to consult the relevant authorities and legal counsel to understand the full implications of any breach.

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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.