National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Dual Control Waste Collection Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Dual Control Waste Collection Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

1.       Purpose

1.     The purpose of this notice is to exempt a heavy vehicle that is fitted with dual steering controls and used for waste or recycling collection, or street sweeping, from the requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (the National Regulation) specified in this notice.
2.     This notice revokes and replaces the National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Dual Control Waste Collection Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2020 (No. 1).

1.       Authorising Provision

This notice is made under section 61 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as in force in each participating jurisdiction.

1.       Commencement

This notice commences on 9 December 2024.

1.       Expiry

This notice expires on 8 December 2029.

1.       Definitions

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

1.     In this notice—

waste collection vehicle means a heavy vehicle that is—

1.     designed and used for:

(i) the roadside collection of waste or recycling material; or

(ii) street sweeping; and

1.     is fitted with both left-hand and right-hand steering controls.

safe place means an area where the vehicle can be parked where it will not interfere or impede other road users and that is safe for the driver to change steering positions.

1.       Title

This notice may be cited as the National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Dual Control Waste Collection Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

1.       Application

This notice applies to waste collection vehicles operating in all participating jurisdictions.

1.       Exemption from Prescribed Vehicle Standards

1.     A waste collection vehicle is exempt from complying with the following vehicle standards, as required by section 2(1) of Schedule 1 of the National Regulation:

1.     clause 5.1 of Australian Design Rule 42/05 – General Safety Requirements; and
2.     clause 5.3 of Australian Design Rule ADR 93/00.

1.     A reference in clause (1) to a clause of an ADR is a reference to—

1.     the version of the clause applying to the heavy vehicle as a vehicle standard; and
2.     if another clause was superseded by the clause (including with modification or because of a renumbering of the ADR) and a version of the superseded clause applies to the heavy vehicle as a vehicle standard—the version of the superseded clause applying to the heavy vehicle as a vehicle standard; and
3.      if the clause is omitted and remade (with or without modification) or renumbered and a version of the clause as remade or renumbered applies to the heavy vehicle as a vehicle standard—the version of the clause as remade or renumbered applying to the heavy vehicle as a vehicle standard.

1.       Conditions

1.     A waste collection vehicle must only be operated from the left-hand steering control:

1.     from the nearest safe place to the first point of collection or sweeping
2.     while actively collecting waste or recycling, or street sweeping on the left-hand side of a road, relative to the direction of travel
3.      during short transits between one collection or sweeping point and the next
4.     from the last point of collection or sweeping to the nearest safe place.

1.     Additionally, a waste collection vehicle may be operated from the left-hand steering control:

1.     while the driver is being trained under supervision
2.     a supervising driver is seated in the right-hand driver’s position; and
3.      on an established route, provided that the route does not include a road with a posted speed limit greater than 60km/h

1.     A waste collection vehicle must have the words "DUAL CONTROL" displayed clearly on its rear in letters at least 75 mm high and in a colour in a clear contrast with the background.
2.     A waste collection vehicle must be configured to ensure the driver can view traffic in all directions from both steering controls.
3.     The waste collection vehicle must be fitted with a warning light that must be lit at all times when the vehicle is being operated from the left hand steering control that must:

1.            be clearly visible at a distance of 500 metres in all directions; or
2.            be supplemented by 1 or more additional warning lights so that the light emanating from at least 1 of them is clearly visible at a distance of 500 metres in any direction.

1.     When switched on a warning light mentioned under (5) must:

1.     not be a strobe light; and
2.     emit a yellow coloured light of rotating and flashing effect; and
3.      flash between 120 and 240 times a minute; and
4.    must not be of an intensity that is likely to dazzle another road user.

Peter Austin

Director Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator