National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE LAW

National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to exempt a stated category of class 3 heavy vehicles from the height limit stated in section 8 of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the National Regulation).

2.       Authorising Provision

This notice is made under Section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

3.       Title

This Notice may be cited as the National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

4.       Commencement

This Notice commences on 10 February 2024.

5.       Expiry

This Notice expires on 9 February 2029.

6.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice and its Schedules have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

2)      In this Notice and its Schedules:-

4.6m high semitrailer means a semitrailer, used in a combination, that:

a)      is constructed higher than 4.3m but not constructed higher than 4.6m; and

b)      does not include a class 1 heavy vehicle.

Load support height means the perpendicular distance from the ground to the level at which a load is supported on a semitrailer. This includes:

a)      the area ordinarily considered a deck; and

b)      the floor of a bin or tank that is integral to the trailer; and

c)       any other load bearing points such as the frame of a skeleton trailer or vehicle carrier; and

d)      any area above an axle group under a fifth wheel coupling, measured from the ground to the level at which the towed unit is supported by the coupling.

Participating jurisdiction means New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

Semitrailer length means the distance from the front of the semitrailer to the rear of the semitrailer, not including any load.

7.       Application

This notice applies to 4.6m high semitrailers operating in participating jurisdictions.

8.       Exemption from prescribed dimension requirements

1)      This notice exempts 4.6m high semitrailers from the following dimension requirements specified in Schedule 6 of the Regulation:

a)      Section 8(1)(d) - height.

9.       Condition - Stated Routes, Areas and Networks

A 4.6m high semitrailer operating under this notice may access the stated routes, areas and networks specified in the Schedules of each participating jurisdiction.

10.   Conditions - General

1)      Each 4.6m high semitrailer that is constructed higher than 4.3m must comply with the following mass limits:

a)      for a combination consisting of a prime mover and semitrailer, the mass of the combination must not be more than 90% of the mass requirements specified under Schedule 1 of the MDL;

b)      for a combination consisting of a B-double or a road train, the mass of the combination must not be more than 90% of the lesser of:

1. the prescribed mass requirements under Schedule 1 of the MDL; or
2. the mass limits specified under the class 2 heavy vehicle authorisation for the B-double or road train, if the relevant class 2 heavy vehicle authorisation specifies a lesser mass limit.

2)      The load support height of any given 4.6m high semi-trailer that is part of a combination operating under this Notice must not exceed 1.2m for more than 50% of the trailer length.

3)      A 4.6m high semitrailer that is constructed higher than 4.3m must have an air suspension system with effective dampers fitted to the vehicle.

4)      The driver and operator of a 4.6m high semitrailer 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.

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Schedule 2: New South Wales

1. Application

This Schedule applies in New South Wales.

2.       Conditions - Stated areas or routes

1)      A combination consisting of a prime mover and a 4.6m high semitrailer may use the routes and areas published in “Restricted Access Vehicle maps and lists” for New South Wales.

2)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer may only use a route described in 1) if the route is also an approved B-double route as set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

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

3)      A road train that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer may only use a route described in 1) if the route is also an approved road train route as set out in the NSW Schedule of the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice.

Note:  This means the route must be approved for use by both 4.6m high semitrailers and road trains.

3.       Conditions - General

1)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

2)      A road train that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer trailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice.

Schedule 3: Queensland

1. Application

This Schedule applies in Queensland.

2.       Conditions - Stated areas or routes

1)      A combination consisting of a prime mover and a 4.6m high semitrailer may use all roads in Queensland except where there is insufficient height clearance for the combination to pass without striking or damaging any road infrastructure.

Note:  The driver of the 4.6m high semitrailer 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.

2)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer may only use a route described in 1) if the route is also approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

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

3.       Conditions - General

1)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the B-double notice.

2)      Any load carried under this Notice must be loaded in a way that maximizes continuous contact the lowest deck of the trailer.

3)      A 4.6m high semitrailer cannot be used as a component of a road train.

Note: Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, a road train includes a B-triple

Schedule 4: South Australia

1. Conditions - Stated areas or routes

1)      A combination consisting of a prime mover and 4.6m high semitrailer (semitrailer combination) may use all roads in South Australia.

2)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer may only use a route approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation Notice.

3)      A road train that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer trailer may only use a route approved in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice (the Road Train Notice).

2.       Conditions - General

1)      In addition to complying with the requirements of this Schedule, a B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer must comply with the B-double notice.

2)      In addition to complying with the requirements of this Schedule, a road train that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer trailer must comply with the road train notice.

3)      Before starting the journey, the driver or operator must;

a)      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 Department for Infrastructure and Transport website; and

b)      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.

Schedule 5: Victoria

1. Application

This Schedule applies in Victoria.

2.       Conditions - Stated areas or routes

1)      A combination consisting of a prime mover and a 4.6m high semitrailer may use all roads in Victoria.

2)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer may only use a route approved in the Victorian Schedule of the National Class 2 B-Double Authorisation Notice.

3)      A road train that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer trailer may only use a route approved in the Victorian Schedule of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

3.       Conditions - General

1)      A B-double that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 B-Double Authorisation Notice.

2)      A road train that includes a 4.6m high semitrailer trailer must comply with any relevant conditions set out in the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.