New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2025 (No.1)

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

Legislation au C2025G00153 In force Gazette

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2025 (No.1)

 

  1.        Purpose

 

The purpose of this HML declaration is to authorise the use of certain categories of heavy vehicles under higher mass limits on stated areas and routes and to state the intelligent access conditions under which these heavy vehicles may be used.

 

  1.        Authorising Provision

 

This HML declaration is made under section 12 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation).

 

  1.        Title

 

This HML declaration may be cited as the New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2025 (No.1).

 

  1.        Commencement

 

This HML declaration commences on 2 April 2025.

 

  1.        Expiry

 

This HML declaration expires on 1 April 2030.

 


  1.        Definitions

 

  1.       Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this HML declaration have the same meanings as in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and its regulations.

 

  1.       In this HML declaration, definitions from the following notices apply:

 

  1.       National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice
  2.       National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice

 

  1.       In this HML declaration, the following definitions apply:

 

Short combination means a three axle prime mover fitted with one steer axle and an eight tyred tandem drive axle group, towing a three axle semitrailer fitted with one twelve tyred triaxle group, that is not longer than 19m.

 

  1.        Application

 

  1.       This HML declaration applies in New South Wales to heavy vehicles that meet the conditions of this notice and that comply with the requirements of the higher mass limits set out in Schedule 5 of the MDL Regulation.

 

  1.       This HML declaration only applies to heavy combinations that are:

 

  1.       short combinations
  2.       B-doubles
  3.        Type 1 road trains that are:
  1.             A-double
  2.             B-triples
  3.             AB-triples up to 36.5m in length
  4.             Modular B-triples

 

  1.        Conditions - Particular categories of vehicles

 

The driver or operator of a category of vehicle mentioned in Column 1 of Table 1 must comply with all conditions, as amended from time to time, listed in Column 2 opposite the entry for that vehicle category.

 

Table 1 - Conditions for particular categories of vehicles

Column 1

Column 2

Vehicle category

Conditions

B-double

Any conditions for B-doubles up to 26 metres long as applied by the New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 2 B-Double Authorisation Notice.

Type 1 road train

Any conditions for Type 1 road trains up to 36.5 metres long as applied by the New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

 

B-triple not longer than 36.5m

Any conditions for B-triples up to 36.5 metres long as applied by New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

 

 

Modular B-triple

Any conditions for Modular B-triples up to 35.0 metres long as applied by the New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

 

AB-triple not longer than 36.5m

Any conditions for AB-triples up to 36.5 metres long as applied by the New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

 

 

  1.        Conditions - Stated areas and routes

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this HML declaration is authorised to operate on areas and routes stated in this section.

 

  1.       For the purposes of section 12 of the MDL Regulation, an area or route stated in this section is a stated area or route to which this HML declaration applies.

 

  1.       An eligible vehicle that meets all the conditions of this HML declaration may operate on the routes and areas provided in Table 2.

 

  1.       A HML vehicle of a category stated in Column 1 of Table 2 is authorised to be used on the stated areas or routes set out in Column 2.

 

Table 2-Routes and areas for eligible HML vehicles

Column 1

Column 2

Vehicle category

Routes or areas authorised for HML

Short combination not more than 4.3m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) maps" that are approved for HML Short combinations.

Short combination not more than 4.6m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) maps" that are approved for HML Short combinations and are also approved for 4.6m high vehicles in the New South Wales Schedules of the -

 

(A) New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Loaded Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice; or

 

(B) National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice; or

 

(C) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice.

 

B-double not more than 4.3m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) maps" that are approved for 25/26m B-double combinations.

 

B-double not more than 4.6m high

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) maps" that are approved for 25/26m B-double combinations and are also approved for 4.6m high vehicles in -

 

(A) New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Loaded Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice; or

 

(B) National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice; or

 

(C) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice.

 

Type 1 road train not more than 4.3m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks.

Type 1 road train not more than 4.6m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks are also approved for 4.6m high vehicles in -

 

(A) New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Loaded Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice; or

 

(B) National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice; or

 

(C) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice.

 

B-triple not longer than 36.5m and not more than 4.3m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks.

 

B-triple not longer than 36.5m  and not more than 4.6m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks that are also approved for 4.6m high vehicles in -

 

(A) New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Loaded Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice; or

 

(B) National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice; or

 

(C) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice.

 

Modular B-triple not more than 4.3m high

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks.

 

Modular B-triple not more than 4.6m high

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks. that are also approved for 4.6m high vehicles in -

 

(A) New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Loaded Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice; or

 

(B) National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice; or

 

(C) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice.

 

AB-triple not longer than 36.5m and not more than 4.3m high

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks.

AB-triple not longer than 36.5m and not more than 4.6m high

 

Map and/or list of approved routes and areas as specified under the heading "Road Train maps" for HML Networks. that are also approved for 4.6m high vehicles in -

 

(A) New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Loaded Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice; or

 

(B) National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice; or

 

(C) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice.

 


  1.    Condition - Intelligent access program conditions (IAP conditions)

 

  1.       Pursuant to section 402(1)(a) and (b) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, the following conditions of this notice are intelligent access program conditions:

 

  1.       any condition relating to mass or dimensions; and
  2.       any condition relating to stated areas or routes to which the authority applies, including any relating to speed or time of travel.

 

  1.       Pursuant to section 402(1)(c) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle must be enrolled in and comply with the following approved intelligent transport systems approved by Transport Certification Australia:

 

Intelligent Access Program (IAP); or

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA).

 

 

Jose Arredondo

Manager Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

 

 

Overview

The New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2025 (No.1) was enacted to address the need for more efficient transport of goods by allowing certain categories of heavy vehicles to operate under higher mass limits on specified areas and routes within New South Wales. This declaration is made under section 12 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation) and is a part of the broader Heavy Vehicle National Law. It comes into effect on 2 April 2025 and will expire on 1 April 2030. The purpose of this declaration is to enable the use of higher mass limits for specified heavy vehicle categories, ensuring these vehicles can operate within the framework of the MDL Regulation while meeting the intelligent access conditions set forth by the New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice and the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice. This legislative measure aims to balance the operational efficiency of heavy vehicles with the need to protect infrastructure and ensure road safety.

Scope and Application

The New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2025 (No.1) applies to certain categories of heavy vehicles that operate within New South Wales and are subject to the higher mass limits set out in Schedule 5 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation). This declaration specifically pertains to heavy vehicle combinations, including short combinations, B-doubles, Type 1 road trains, B-triples, AB-triples, and modular B-triples, provided they comply with the length and height restrictions outlined in the declaration. The vehicles must also adhere to the conditions specified in Table 1 of the declaration, which detail the specific requirements for each vehicle category. The geographic scope of this declaration is confined to New South Wales, and it authorises the operation of these vehicles on designated areas and routes as specified in Table 2 of the declaration. The declaration also includes conditions relating to intelligent access program (IAP) requirements, necessitating the vehicles to be enrolled in and compliant with either the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) or the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) approved by Transport Certification Australia. The declaration does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and any further application or restrictions are to be determined by subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2025 (No. 1) outlines specific provisions for the use of certain heavy vehicle categories under higher mass limits in New South Wales. Section 1 specifies that this declaration applies to short combinations, B-doubles, and certain Type 1 road trains, including A-doubles, B-triples, AB-triples, and modular B-triples, up to specified lengths. The vehicles must comply with the conditions outlined in the declaration and the higher mass limits detailed in Schedule 5 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation). Section 2 clarifies that this declaration applies to heavy vehicles in New South Wales that meet the conditions of the declaration and comply with the MDL Regulation's higher mass limits. Section 3 stipulates that drivers and operators of the specified vehicle categories must adhere to all conditions listed in Table 1 of the declaration. Section 4 specifies the stated areas and routes where eligible vehicles can operate, as detailed in Table 2. The declaration imposes obligations on the parties it governs, including vehicle operators and drivers. They must ensure that their vehicles meet the defined categories and comply with the conditions listed in Table 1, such as adhering to specific mass and dimension limits. Additionally, operators must comply with the intelligent access program conditions outlined in Section 5, which include conditions relating to mass, dimensions, and the stated areas or routes of operation. Vehicle operators must also enrol in and comply with the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) or the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) as specified. Breaches of the conditions set out in this declaration can result in legal consequences. Section 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation stipulates that any contravention of the regulations, including the failure to comply with the conditions set out in this declaration, may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for such breaches can include fines and, in more severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in the relevant sections of the MDL Regulation and other applicable laws.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.