HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1)
- Purpose
This notice grants exemptions from prescribed mass requirements for Euro VI vehicles (twinsteer) and makes provision for them to operate with a pair of steerable axles up to 2.5m apart.
Note: This is an interim notice which is intended to apply until such time as the Heavy Vehicle National Law is amended to incorporate twinsteer axle groups with axle spacings up to 2.5m apart.
- Authorising provision
- This notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):
- section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.
- Title
This notice may be cited as the National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1).
- Commencement date
This notice commences on 3 October 2025.
- Expiry date
This notice expires on 2 October 2026.
- Definitions
In this notice:
Wide-spaced twinsteer axle group means an arrangement of two steerable axles on a Euro VI vehicle (twinsteer):
- where each axle has single tyres; and
- is fitted to a motor vehicle; and
- is connected to the same steering mechanism; and
- where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of each axle is greater than 2.0m but not more than 2.5m.
Guide means the National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Operator’s Guide published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, and as amended from time to time.
- Application
- This notice applies to a class 3 vehicle that is a Euro VI vehicle (twinsteer) that is fitted with wide-spaced twinsteer axle group, and is:
- a truck; or
- a truck towing a trailer; or
- a prime mover towing a semi-trailer.
- This notice does not apply to a PBS vehicle.
- This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.
- A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.
- Exemption – Prescribed mass requirements
- An eligible vehicle is exempt from all prescribed mass requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation).
- With respect to Schedule 1 Section 3 of the MDL Regulation, the exemption under this section only applies to the steerable axles that make up a Wide-spaced twinsteer axle group.
Note: MDL Regulation Schedule 1 section 3 concerns mass limits for a vehicle with a particular axle space less than 2.5m.
- This exemption only applies to an eligible vehicle to the extent provided under section 9 of this notice.
- Condition – Application of mass requirements to wide-spaced twinsteer axle groups
The mass limits that apply to an eligible vehicle are the same as they would be under Schedules 1 to 5B of the MDL Regulation, as though a reference to a twinsteer axle was a reference to a wide-spaced twinsteer axle group.
- Condition – Stated areas or routes
- Pursuant to s119(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route stated in this section is an area or route to which this notice applies.
- An eligible vehicle may operate on any road or road related area except as restricted by the Guide.
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle National LawNational Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) was enacted to address the issue of allowing certain heavy vehicles with specific axle configurations to operate with mass exemptions, pending a formal amendment to the Heavy Vehicle National Law. This interim notice, issued under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, grants exemptions from prescribed mass requirements for class 3 Euro VI vehicles fitted with wide-spaced twinsteer axle groups. The policy objective of this notice is to facilitate the operation of these vehicles until such time as the Heavy Vehicle National Law is updated to incorporate the necessary legislative changes. This notice aims to provide a temporary solution while ensuring road safety and compliance with mass requirements, except for the specified wide-spaced twinsteer axle groups, and it applies across all participating jurisdictions.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle National Law National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) pertains to class 3 vehicles, specifically Euro VI vehicles fitted with a wide-spaced twinsteer axle group, such as trucks, trucks towing a trailer, and prime movers towing a semi-trailer. These vehicles are granted exemptions from certain prescribed mass requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. However, it is crucial to note that this exemption does not extend to PBS vehicles, and it applies across all participating jurisdictions. The exemption is effective from 3 October 2025 until 2 October 2026, providing a temporary measure until the Heavy Vehicle National Law is formally amended. Eligible vehicles must comply with the conditions set out in the notice and the National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Operator’s Guide to ensure continued compliance with mass requirements while benefiting from the exemption.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) (the "Notice") are sections 3 and 6. Section 3 identifies the vehicles eligible for the exemption, specifically class 3 vehicles that are Euro VI vehicles (twinsteer) fitted with a wide-spaced twinsteer axle group, and provides for the exemption from prescribed mass requirements (section 6). The Notice defines "wide-spaced twinsteer axle group" as an arrangement of two steerable axles where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines is greater than 2.0m but not more than 2.5m, connected to the same steering mechanism, and fitted to a motor vehicle with single tyres (section 2). Vehicles that are exempt under this Notice include trucks, trucks towing a trailer, or a prime mover towing a semi-trailer, but it does not apply to PBS vehicles (section 4).
The Notice imposes several obligations and requirements on parties and entities it governs. Firstly, to be eligible for the exemption, a vehicle must comply with the definition of a wide-spaced twinsteer axle group (section 2). This includes having a horizontal distance between the axle centre-lines of greater than 2.0m but not more than 2.5m, and being fitted to a motor vehicle with single tyres. Secondly, the eligible vehicle must operate in accordance with the conditions set out in the Notice, including adherence to the Guide (section 9). The Notice also requires that the vehicle must comply with all other relevant requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation).
The Notice does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, any breach of the HVNL or the MDL Regulation, including operating a vehicle that does not comply with the conditions of this Notice, may result in enforcement actions, penalties, or other legal consequences under the relevant legislation. The penalties for such breaches can vary widely depending on the specific contravention and jurisdiction, but can include fines, impoundment of the vehicle, and potential criminal charges for serious or repeated offences.