Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Mass Management Scheme) Mass Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Mass Management Scheme) Mass Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1)

1.        Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to allow for the operation of eligible vehicles at masses equivalent to the Higher Mass Limits (HML) within the confines of, and on roads under the control of, the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd.

This notice replaces and revokes the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Mass Management Scheme) Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1)

1.        Authorising Provision

1.       This Notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):

1.       section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.
2.       Section 23 of Schedule 1 – Regulator’s power to amend or repeal instrument.

1.        Commencement

This notice commences on 1 August 2026.

1.        Expiry

This notice expires on 30 June 2027.

1.        Title

This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Mass Management Scheme) Mass Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1).

1.        Definitions

1.       In this notice:

eligible vehicle means:

1.       a tandem drive rigid truck; or
2.       a tandem drive prime mover; or
3.        a tandem or tri-axle semitrailer; or
4.       a tandem or tri-axle dolly trailer; or
5.       a B-double.

Note: This notice does not apply to any of the following classes of vehicles:

• Truck and dog trailer combinations; and
• Truck and pig trailer combinations; and
• Pig trailers (except converter dollies used in multi-combinations); and
• Single drive axle trucks; and
• Single axle trailers; and
• Vehicles that operate under permit for access to the road network, excess dimension or mass; and
• Vehicles operating under mass concession schemes or guidelines that allow above regulatory mass limits.

National regulation means the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

1.        Application

This notice applies to an eligible vehicle in Queensland.

1.        Exemption from prescribed mass requirements

1.       This notice exempts a vehicle to which it applies from the following general mass limits specified in Schedule 1 of the National Regulation:

1.       Section 2(1)(a)(iv); and
2.       Section 2(1)(b); and
3.        Section 2(2); and
4.       Section 2(4); and
5.       Section 4; and
6.         Section 5(1), (2) and (3).

1.        Conditions – Mass (Axle mass limits)

1.       The additional mass on the axle group for an eligible vehicle operating under this notice must not be more than the following:

1.       a 0.5t increase on a tandem axle group fitted with dual (i.e. 8) tyres, to 17t; and
2.       a 2.5t increase on a tri-axle group with dual (i.e.12) tyres, to 22.5t; and
3.        a 1.0t increase on an axle group with single tyres on 1 axle and dual tyres on the other axle (a 6-tyred tandem axle group), to 14t.

1.    Conditions – Mass Management

1.       The operator of an eligible vehicle fitted with a tri-axle group must:

1.       hold Alternative Compliance Accreditation (ACA) – Mass or mass management accreditation granted prior to 1 August 2026, and display evidence of accreditation on the towing vehicle carrying higher mass limits; or
2.       be accredited under another mass scheme approved or recognised by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

1.       A driver for a vehicle mentioned in Section 7 (1)(a) must produce a NHVAS interception book to an Authorised Officer when requested.

1.    Conditions – States Areas and Routes

This notice applies to all roads, within the confines of and under the control of the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, mentioned in Appendix A of this Notice.

Jose Arredondo

Manager Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Appendix A: Areas and Routes within Port of Brisbane Precinct