HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Bus Driver Safety Screen) Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1)
- Purpose
The purpose of this notice is to exempt public passenger transport ultra-low floor buses modified for the installation of a driver safety screen from certain prescribed heavy vehicle standards.
- Authorising Provision
This notice is made under section 61 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as in force in each participating jurisdiction.
- Commencement
This notice commences on 17 June 2025.
- Expiry
This notice expires 16 June 2030.
- Title
This notice may be cited as the National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Bus Driver Safety Screen) Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1).
- Definitions
- Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.
- In this notice—
Driver’s emergency exit means a pathway from the driver’s cabin to either the outside of the bus or to the passenger cabin by which you can then get to the outside of the bus in the case of an emergency.
Driver safety screen means a driver protection device, which has been designed and fitted in accordance with the document titled “Bus Industry Confederation – Driver Safety Screens Guide”
Ultra-low floor bus means a bus that—
(a) has stairless entry;
(b) is accessible to wheelchairs; and
(c) is authorised to carry standing passengers.
- Application
This notice applies to a heavy vehicle which is an ultra-low floor bus, fitted with a driver’s safety screen and used to provide public passenger transport.
- Exemption – Prescribed vehicle standards for driver safety screens
- All other requirements applicable to the vehicle that are not affected by the fitment of the driver safety screen must comply with relevant vehicle standards.
- Referring to Table 1, any driver safety screen fitted to an ultra-low floor bus used to provide public passenger transport and operating under this notice is exempt from the requirement in Column 2, of the Australian Design Rule in Column 1, providing it satisfies the requirement in Column 3.
Table 1: Exemptions from prescribed vehicle standards
Column 1 Australian Design Rule | Column 2 Applicable requirement | Column 3 Condition of exemption |
ADR 8/01 – Safety Glazing Material | Clause 7.5.2.1 – Supplementary general requirements Appendix A – clauses 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.4, 8.1.4.1, 8.1.4.2 & 8.1.4.3 | When tested independently, the windscreen and any driver’s safety screen must not have an optical transmission of less than 70 per cent. |
ADR 44/02 – Specific Purpose Vehicle Requirements | Clause 44.9.1.4 – Emergency exits for omnibuses Clause 44.9.4.1.1 – Emergency door opening Clause 44.9.4.1.7 – Emergency door latches Clause 44.9.4.2.5 – Emergency windows Clause 44.9.5.1 – Marking of emergency exits Clause 44.9.5.2.1 – Internal signs Clause 44.9.5.2.3 – Internal signs Clause 44.9.5.3 – Marking of controls Clause 44.9.5.4 – Instructions for operation | Exemptions only apply to Driver’s emergency exit. |
- Conditions
- The fitment of the driver safety screen must be performed in accordance with the “Bus Industry Confederation – Driver Safety Screens Guide” dated May 2025.
Note: “Bus Industry Confederation – Driver Safety Screens Guide” is published on the Regulator’s website.
- The driver safety screen must be designed and fitted in a way which minimises any non-compliances listed in Table 1.
- The driver’s emergency exit is not to be considered when ensuring the vehicle complies with all Australian Design Rule emergency exit requirements.
- Prior to disposing of an ultra-low floor bus fitted with a driver safety screen to anyone other than an operator providing a public passenger transport service, the vehicle must be returned to a configuration that complies with all applicable ADRs.
- This notice only applies to an ultra-low floor bus which is used to provide public passenger transport service and has been modified to fit a driver safety screen prior to 1 July 2027.
Dated 17 June 2025
Kelli Walker
A/Chief, Safety and Productivity
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Overview
The National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Bus Driver Safety Screen) Exemption Notice 2025 (No. 1) was introduced to address the specific needs of public passenger transport ultra-low floor buses modified for the installation of a driver safety screen. This notice was enacted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and commenced on 17 June 2025, with an expiry date of 16 June 2030. The primary policy objective of this legislation is to exempt these modified buses from certain prescribed heavy vehicle standards, ensuring they meet the necessary safety requirements while allowing for the installation of driver safety screens designed to protect bus drivers from potential harm. The exemption applies to ultra-low floor buses fitted with driver safety screens and used for public passenger transport, provided they adhere to the conditions outlined in the notice.
Scope and Application
This notice exempts ultra-low floor buses modified for the installation of a driver safety screen from certain prescribed heavy vehicle standards, as per the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). The exemption applies to these specific buses used for public passenger transport. The exemption is effective from 17 June 2025 until 16 June 2030. The notice mandates that while the driver safety screen is exempt from certain standards, other vehicle requirements must still comply with relevant vehicle standards. The driver safety screen must be designed and fitted according to the "Bus Industry Confederation – Driver Safety Screens Guide" dated May 2025, and the driver’s emergency exit must meet emergency exit requirements under Australian Design Rules. Additionally, before disposal, the bus must be restored to comply with all applicable ADRs if it is to be sold to a party not providing public passenger transport services. The notice applies to ultra-low floor buses modified to fit a driver safety screen before 1 July 2027.
Key Provisions
The National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Bus Driver Safety Screen) Exemption Notice 2025 (No. 1) (C2025G00295) is designed to provide a temporary exemption from certain heavy vehicle standards for public passenger transport ultra-low floor buses that have been modified to include a driver safety screen. This exemption aims to facilitate the safe and effective operation of these buses while allowing for necessary modifications to enhance driver safety. The notice applies to buses that meet specific criteria and have been modified to include a driver safety screen before 1 July 2027 (section 3).
Entities governed by this notice must adhere to several obligations and requirements. Firstly, the driver safety screen must be designed and fitted in accordance with the “Bus Industry Confederation – Driver Safety Screens Guide” dated May 2025, which is available on the Regulator’s website. The fitment must minimise any non-compliances listed in Table 1 of the notice, and it must be noted that the driver's emergency exit is not to be considered when ensuring the vehicle complies with all Australian Design Rule (ADR) emergency exit requirements. Furthermore, any modifications to the bus must ensure that all other requirements applicable to the vehicle, apart from those affected by the driver safety screen, comply with relevant vehicle standards. Additionally, before disposing of the bus to anyone other than an operator providing a public passenger transport service, the vehicle must be returned to a configuration that complies with all applicable ADRs (section 4).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this notice may result in various consequences. While specific offences, penalties, or civil and criminal consequences are not detailed in the notice itself, breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) could lead to penalties under the respective state or territory legislation where the breach occurred. The HVNL typically includes provisions for fines and potential imprisonment for serious or repeated breaches, as outlined in the relevant state or territory heavy vehicle acts. It is important to note that the maximum penalties can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the breach.
This notice provides a temporary exemption from certain heavy vehicle standards, allowing for the safe operation of modified ultra-low floor buses with driver safety screens in public passenger transport services. By adhering to the conditions and requirements set out in the notice, operators can ensure their vehicles remain compliant with the necessary safety standards while benefiting from the enhanced protection provided by the driver safety screens.