Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

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HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

 

Purpose

 

  1. The purpose of this notice is to exempt Class 3 heavy vehicles towing an unladen converter dolly from the mass limit in Schedule 1, Part 1, Clause2 (1)(a)(iv), and the dimension limit in Schedule 6, Part 2, Clause 3(1)(a) of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the Regulation).

 

Authorising Provision

 

2.       This Notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction (HVNL).

 

Title

 

3.       This Notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

 

Commencement

 

4.       This Notice commences on 10 February 2024.

 

Expiry

 

5.       This Notice expires on 9 February 2029.

 

Definitions

 

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

 

7.       In this Notice

 

‘converter dolly combination’ means—

a)      a combination consisting of a prime mover, semitrailer and converter dolly; or

b)      a combination consisting of a B-double towing a converter dolly; or

c)       a combination comprising of a Type 1 Road Train towing a converter dolly; or

d)      a combination comprising of a truck operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice towing a converter dolly.

 

‘Type 1 road train’ means a road train consisting of a prime mover hauling unit towing two trailers when the combination length is not longer than 36.5m.

Note: B-triple and AB-triple combinations up to 36.5m are categorised as a Type 1 road train.


Application

 

8.       This Notice applies to—

a)      a combination comprising a prime mover and semi-trailer not exceeding 19 metres in length, towing an unladen converter dolly; and

b)      a combination comprising a B-Double towing an unladen converter dolly.

c)       a combination comprising a Type 1 Road Train towing an unladen converter dolly.

d)      a combination comprising of a truck that is operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 1) towing an unladen converter dolly.

 

9.       This Notice applies in Queensland.

 

Exemption from prescribed mass requirement

 

10.   A converter dolly combination is exempt from the mass requirement set out in section 2(1)(a)(iv) of Part 1 Schedule 1 to the Regulation.

 

Mass requirements - conditions

 

11.   The mass of the vehicle or combination and converter dolly combination must not exceed the mass limits applying to the vehicle or combination plus the mass of the unladen converter dolly.

 

Exemption from prescribed dimension requirement

 

12.   A converter dolly combination is exempt from the dimension requirement set out in section 3(1)(a) of Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the Regulation.

 

Dimension requirements - conditions

 

13.   The length of the vehicle or combination and converter dolly combination must not exceed the length limits applying to the vehicle or combination plus the length of the unladen converter dolly.

 

Additional conditions

 

14.   A converter dolly that forms part of a converter dolly combination, must—

a)      not carry a load; and

b)      have a mudguard firmly fitted for each wheel or for adjacent wheels; and

c)       be fitted at the rear with  a warning sign meeting the requirements of Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation or, for a convertor dolly attached to a road train, another sign authorised under the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2014 (No. 1); and

d)      be fitted with a rear marking plate complying with section 80 of Schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.

 

 

Areas or routes

 

15.   A converter dolly combination comprising a prime mover and semi-trailer towing an unladen converter dolly, may use the routes and areas approved for use by B-Doubles up to 25 metres in length set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-Double Authorisation Notice and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

16.   A converter dolly combination comprising a B-Double towing an unladen converter dolly, may use routes and areas approved for use by roads trains not exceeding 36.5 metres in length set out in the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

17.   A combination comprising a Type 1 Road Train towing an unladen converter dolly may use the Type 1 road train routes mentioned in Schedule 2 of the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorization Notice and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

18.   A combination comprising a truck that is operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice may use the Type 1 and Type 2 road train routes mentioned in that Notice, and must comply with any conditions that apply to those areas or routes.

 

 

 

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Overview

The Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) was enacted to provide relief from certain mass and dimension limits for Class 3 heavy vehicles when towing an unladen converter dolly. This exemption is intended to address practical operational issues faced by operators who use such combinations, while still ensuring safety standards are maintained. The Notice was made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction (HVNL) and applies specifically within Queensland. The policy objective is to facilitate smoother operations for heavy vehicle transport by reducing regulatory burdens without compromising road safety. This Notice exempts specific converter dolly combinations from the mass limit in Schedule 1, Part 1, Clause 2(1)(a)(iv), and the dimension limit in Schedule 6, Part 2, Clause 3(1)(a) of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. It applies to combinations consisting of a prime mover and semi-trailer, a B-double, a Type 1 road train, or a truck operating under a specified exemption notice, each towing an unladen converter dolly. The exemption is contingent upon certain conditions being met, such as the converter dolly not carrying a load and being fitted with specific safety and warning devices. This exemption aims to balance operational flexibility with regulatory compliance.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No. 1) applies to specific types of heavy vehicle combinations within the state of Queensland, exempting them from certain mass and dimension limits stipulated in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. This notice primarily targets Class 3 heavy vehicles that include a prime mover and a semi-trailer not exceeding 19 metres in length, when towing an unladen converter dolly. It also applies to B-Doubles, Type 1 Road Trains, and trucks operating under the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2014, all towing an unladen converter dolly. Despite the exemptions from prescribed mass and dimension requirements, these vehicle combinations must adhere to specific conditions, including ensuring that the converter dolly remains unladen, is equipped with necessary safety features such as mudguards and warning signs, and is fitted with a compliant rear marking plate. The exemption is in effect from 10 February 2024 until 9 February 2029 and is made under the authority of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, specifically section 117.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) concern the exemption of certain heavy vehicle combinations from specific mass and dimension limits, as outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the Regulation). Specifically, section 10 exempts converter dolly combinations from the mass requirement in Schedule 1, Part 1, Clause 2(1)(a)(iv), while section 12 exempts them from the dimension requirement in Schedule 6, Part 2, Clause 3(1)(a). The Notice also outlines the conditions under which these exemptions apply, as detailed in sections 11 and 13, respectively. The obligations imposed by this Notice include ensuring that the total mass and length of the vehicle or combination, including the unladen converter dolly, do not exceed the prescribed limits. Section 11 specifies that the mass of the vehicle or combination plus the mass of the unladen converter dolly must not exceed the applicable mass limits. Similarly, section 13 mandates that the length of the vehicle or combination plus the length of the unladen converter dolly must not exceed the applicable length limits. Additionally, the Notice imposes specific requirements on the converter dolly itself, such as not carrying a load, having a mudguard firmly fitted for each wheel or adjacent wheels, and being fitted with a warning sign and a rear marking plate as per the relevant regulations. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Notice may result in penalties. While the Notice itself does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and the associated regulations can result in substantial fines and other legal consequences. Under section 216 of the HVNL, the penalties for non-compliance can include fines of up to $11,100 for individuals and $55,500 for corporations, along with other potential civil or criminal sanctions as deemed appropriate by the court. It is important to note that these penalties are derived from the overarching HVNL and related regulations, not specifically from this Notice. In summary, the Queensland Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) exempts certain heavy vehicle combinations from specific mass and dimension limits under the Regulation, provided that the vehicle and combination adhere to the conditions outlined in the Notice. Non-compliance with these provisions may result in penalties under the HVNL, including fines and other legal consequences.

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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.