National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1)

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

Legislation au C2014G00229 In force Gazette

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

 

NATIONAL CLASS 2 HEAVY VEHICLE 4.6m HIGH AND/OR 25m LONG VEHICLE CARRIER AUTHORISATION (NOTICE) 2014 (No. 1)

 

Purpose

 

  1. The purpose of this notice is —

(a)    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

(b)   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 beforane 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.

 

Authorising Provision

 

2.      This notice is made under section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each state or territory (HVNL), and regulation 69(1)(b) of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation.
 

Title

 

3.      This notice may be cited as the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1).

 

Commencement

 

4.       This notice commences on 10 February 2014.

 

Expiry

 

5.       This notice expires on 9 February 2019.

 

Definition

 

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

 

 

 

7.       In this notice—

 

‘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

 

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

 

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

Conditions

 

10.   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 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) authorises a road train that is, or has a component vehicle in the combination, designed to carry vehicles on 2 or more partly on completely overlapping decks on the routes and in the circumstances stated for road trains in each Schedule of that Notice.

 

Note – The National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle, Vehicle Carrier Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) 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.

 

Note— Nothing in this Notice exempts any person from a requirement other than the obligation it expressly exempts them from, including a mass or dimension requirement imposed by an official traffic sign and a lawful direction of an authorised officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Declaration

 

I, Richard Hancock, delegate of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator authorise the use of Vehicle Carriers in this notice in the stated areas or routes during the stated hours of stated days and subject to the conditions set out in this notice.

 

 

 

Dated 5 February 2014

Richard Hancock

Chief Executive Officer

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) 2014 (No. 1).

 

2.       A Vehicle Carrier 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) 2014 (No. 1) and in Appendix 1 to this Schedule.

 

Note: This means the route must be approved for use by both 4.6m high semitrailers and B-doubles.

 

Stated hours of stated days

 

3.       Except as specified in clause 4, a Vehicle Carrier may use the stated routes at any time of day.

 

4.       A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the areas or routes in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) 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) 2014 (No. 1).

 

Conditions

 

5.       A Vehicle Carrier that is authorised to use the routes stated in both the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) and in Appendix 1 to this Schedule must comply with the corresponding conditions about the operation of the heavy vehicle specified for each road in the condition column.

 

 

Appendix 1

4.6 Metre High Vehicle Notice 2013 (NSW)

http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/Government-Gazette-21-December-2012_WEB_v01.pdf

 


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.

3.       A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 21.4m together with its load, or longer than 19m when unladen, may only use the routes approved for 25m B-doubles shown on the Multi-combination Routes in Queensland maps and the list of additional routes published specified in Appendix 1

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 Class 2 And 3 Vehicle Carrier Heavy Vehicle Authorisation (Notice) and Dimension Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 1).

Note – A road train that designed to carry vehicles on 2 or more partly or completely overlapping decks is authorised under the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) to the extent and on the conditions stated in that Notice..

 

Stated hours of stated days

 

4.       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.

 

5.       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

 

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

 

7.       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.

 

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

 

Appendix 1

Routes approved for 25m B-doubles shown on the Multi-combination Routes in Queensland maps and the list of additional routes

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Heavy-vehicles/Multi-combination-vehicles/Maps.aspx
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 25.0m network as specified on the South Australian RAVnet Map System titled ’25.0m Vehicle Carrier Network (GML)’ set out in Appendix 1, and in accordance with any conditions and limitations specified on those maps.
  3. A Vehicle Carrier that is used in a B-double combination must only use a route approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) (the B-double notice).

 

Stated hours of stated days

4.       Subject to clauses 5 and 6, a Vehicle Carrier may use the stated routes at any time of the day.

5.       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.

6.       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

7.       A Vehicle Carrier, as constructed, must not be higher than 4.3m.

8.       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.

9.       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.

10.   The Vehicle Carrier combination, as constructed, must not be longer than 19.0m.

11.   A vehicle being carried, may project up to 1.2m forward of the front of the prime mover or hauling vehicle.

12.   A vehicle being carried, may project up to 1.2m behind the rear of the semitrailer and/or trailer.

13.   If the Vehicle Carrier is higher than 4.3m, before starting the journey, the driver or operator must—

(a)    contact SA Power Networks (ETSA) about height clearances under power lines along the route; and

(b)    contact TELSTRA about height clearances under telecommunication lines along the route; and

(c)     obtain a high load clearance from OPTUS for travel within the “Optus Clearance Area” specified in the map titled “Optus Clearance Area – Adelaide Area” set out in Appendix 1 to this Schedule.

14.   A copy of the OPTUS clearance or clearance number must be kept in the driver’s possession when operating under this Schedule.

 

Note:  Under section 568 of the HVNL an authorised officer may require the driver of the heavy vehicle to produce for inspection a document that the driver is required to keep in the driver’s possession. This includes a copy of the clearance or clearance number required under this clause.

 

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.

15.   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.

16.   The vehicle carrier must not be assembled or disassembled on a route except under the following circumstances—

(a)    the vehicle has broken down; or

(b)    in order to proceed on a temporary by-pass around a road blockage.

17.   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.

18.   The vehicle carrier must not reverse into or out of a road or depot.

19.   For any vehicle that makes up the vehicle carrier, that is registered in South Australia or the Northern Territory, the operator must either—

(a)    hold maintenance management accreditation for those vehicle; or 

(b)    have the vehicle inspected annually and display on the vehicle the appropriate current South Australian inspection label which clearly states the type of vehicle configuration and the inspection expiry date (month and year).

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

20.   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.  

 

Appendix 1

 

RAVnet Map System titled ’25.0m Vehicle Carrier Network (GML)’ http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/ravnet

 

Optus Clearance Area – Adelaide Area

www.sa.gov.au/heavyvehicles


SCHEDULE 4 – TASMANIA
 

Stated areas or routes

 

  1. Subject to clause 2 and 3 of this Schedule, a Vehicle Carrier (other than a B-double) that is not greater than 21.4m long may use all roads in Tasmania.
  2. Subject to clause 3 of this Schedule, a Vehicle Carrier that is configured as a B-double combination may only use the areas or routes that are listed in the Tasmanian Approved B-double Route Network specified in Appendix 1.
  3. A Vehicle Carrier must not use—
    1. Tasman Bridge if the vehicle is higher than 4.3m; and
    2. Bridgewater Bridge, if the vehicle is higher than 4.3m.

 

Stated hours of stated days

 

4.       Subject to clause 5, a Vehicle Carrier may use the stated areas or routes at any time of the day.

5.       A Vehicle Carrier that is configured as a B-double combination and is authorised to use the areas or routes listed in the Tasmanian Approved B-double Route Network specified in Appendix 1, must do so in accordance with any restrictions on the hours and days of operation specified, if any, for each road in the comments and restrictions column for that network.

 

Conditions

6.       A Vehicle Carrier, as constructed, must not be higher than 4.3m.

7.       Vehicle Carrier that is configured as a B-double combination must comply with the conditions about the operation of the vehicle specified in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-Double Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No1).

8.       A Vehicle Carrier that is longer than 21.4m must comply with the conditions about the operation of the heavy vehicle specified for each road in the comments and restrictions column in the Tasmanian Approved B-double Route Network in Appendix 1.

Appendix 1

Tasmanian Approved B-double Route Network

http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/hv/bdouble_route_network

 


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 the document ‘Victorian Class 2 B-Double Route Access Lists’ set out in Appendix 1 (the B-double notice).

 

Stated hours of stated days

 

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

 

4.       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

 

5.       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.

 

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

 

7.       The driver of a Vehicle Carrier that is more than 4.3m high must keep in the driver’s possession a copy of the information bulletin entitled ‘Height Clearance on Roads’ published by VicRoads.

 

Note:  Under section 568 of the HVNL an authorised officer may require the driver of the heavy vehicle to produce for inspection a document that the driver is required to keep in the driver’s possession. This includes a copy of the information bulletin required under this clause.

 

 

 

Appendix 1

 

Victorian Class 2 B-Double Route Access Lists

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Moreinfoandservices/HeavyVehicles/AccessAndRouteInformation/

 

 

 

 

Overview

The National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) was introduced to address the specific needs of vehicle carriers that fall within a certain height and length range, allowing them to operate on public roads under defined conditions. This notice was enacted to provide a regulatory framework that ensures the safe and efficient movement of these vehicles while mitigating potential risks associated with their dimensions. The notice was made under section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and regulation 69(1)(b) of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation, and it aims to grant authorisation for vehicle carriers to operate on specified routes during certain hours, subject to compliance with conditions outlined in the notice. This authorisation does not exempt vehicle carriers from other requirements of the HVNL, including mass and dimension stipulations. The notice applies in all participating jurisdictions except the Australian Capital Territory, and it became effective on 10 February 2014, expiring on 9 February 2019.

Scope and Application

The National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) applies to heavy vehicles defined as Vehicle Carriers within the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). A Vehicle Carrier is a class 2 heavy vehicle designed to carry vehicles on more than one deck, with specific height and length restrictions detailed in the notice. The authorisation pertains to Vehicle Carriers that are up to 4.6 metres in height and up to 25 metres in length, or both. This notice governs the use of such vehicles in specified areas or routes and during particular hours within all participating jurisdictions, except for the Australian Capital Territory. The authorisation outlines the conditions under which these vehicles may be used, including compliance with certain operational and dimensional requirements. It is important to note that the notice does not exempt Vehicle Carriers from other obligations under the HVNL, such as mass and dimension requirements. The authorisation is made under section 138 of the HVNL and regulation 69(1)(b) of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation, and it specifies detailed routes and conditions for use in each participating jurisdiction through accompanying schedules.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of this notice (sections 2 to 10) establish the authorisation for the use of Vehicle Carriers with specific height and length restrictions, outline the conditions under which these vehicles can be used, and specify the areas, routes, and times of operation. Section 10 states that 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 that jurisdiction. Section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and regulation 69(1)(b) of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation provide the legal basis for this notice. The Notice also details the application and conditions for Vehicle Carriers in different states, including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. The obligations and requirements imposed by this notice on parties or entities it governs include ensuring compliance with the specific conditions and restrictions for each participating jurisdiction. For instance, in New South Wales, a Vehicle Carrier that is more than 4.3m high but not more than 4.6m high may use specified routes and must comply with any restrictions on hours and days of operation as set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1). Similarly, in Queensland, a Vehicle Carrier that is higher than 4.3m must not use a road where there is insufficient height clearance, and a Vehicle Carrier longer than 21.4m together with its load, or longer than 19m when unladen, may only use routes approved for 25m B-doubles. In South Australia, Vehicle Carriers must comply with various conditions including contacting SA Power Networks and TELSTRA about height clearances, and obtaining a high load clearance from OPTUS. In Tasmania, Vehicle Carriers must not use Tasman Bridge or Bridgewater Bridge if they are higher than 4.3m. In Victoria, Vehicle Carriers longer than 21.4m must use specified routes and comply with any conditions set out in the B-double notice. The notice also details the potential consequences for breach of its provisions. While the notice does not explicitly state specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach, it does note that nothing in this Notice exempts any person from a requirement other than the obligation it expressly exempts them from. Under section 568 of the HVNL, an authorised officer may require the driver of the heavy vehicle to produce for inspection a document that the driver is required to keep in the driver’s possession. This includes documents such as clearances or information bulletins required under the conditions set out in the notice. Failure to comply with the conditions or to produce the required documents could potentially result in enforcement actions under the HVNL, which may include fines or other penalties.

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