HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
QUEENSLAND HEAVY VEHICLE STANDARDS (AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES) EXEMPTION NOTICE 2026 (No.1)
- Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to exempt a heavy vehicle that is an agricultural vehicle from certain lighting and braking requirements.
- Authorising Provision
This Notice is made under section 61 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as in force in Queensland.
- Title
This Notice may be cited as the Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Agricultural Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1).
- Commencement
This Notice commences on 1 July 2026.
- Expiry
This Notice expires on 30 June 2027.
- Definition
- Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL and its regulations.
- In this notice –
Conditionally registered has the same meaning as the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2021
VS Regulation means the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation
- Application
- This Notice applies only in Queensland.
- This Notice applies to –
- An agricultural implement
- An agricultural machine
- An agricultural implement being towed by a registered vehicle that is fit for the purpose of towing the particular implement.
- Exemptions from prescribed vehicle standards
An agricultural vehicle to which this Notice applies is exempt from complying with the requirements of the VS Regulation listed in Column 2, subject to the conditions listed in Column 3.
Table 1: Eligible Vehicle Conditions
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
Item No. | VS Regulation Schedule 2 requirement | Condition |
1 | - Division 6 Tail-lights, section 47(1)(2)
- Division 8 Clearance lights, section 54(1)
- Division 9 Side marker light, section 55(1)
- Division 15 Reflectors,
section 70(1)(3)(4) and
section 73(1)(2)(3)
| An agricultural implement is exempt if it is being towed by a conditionally registered vehicle that has been: - issued and complying with a location code (LO) and the vehicle is not permitted to operate between sunset and sunrise (TD); or
- issued and complying with location limitation condition code LO1 or LO5 and the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the trailer or implement; or
- issued and complying with location limitation condition code LO5 may operate between sunset and sunrise on a flood lit work site.
|
2 | - Division 10 Brake lights, section 59(1)
| An agricultural implement is exempt if it is being towed by a conditionally registered vehicle that has been: - issued and complying with location limitation condition code LO1 or LO5; or
- the vehicle speed does not exceed 20km/h; or
- the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the implement.
An agricultural implement being towed by a vehicle that is not conditionally registered is exempt if the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the implement. |
3 | - Division 12 Direction indicator lights, section 64
| An agricultural implement is exempt if it is being towed by a conditionally registered vehicle that has been: - issued and complying with location limitation condition code LO1 or LO5; or
- the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the implement.
An agricultural implement being towed by a vehicle that is not conditionally registered is exempt if the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the implement. |
4 | - Division 3 Headlights, section 40
- Division 6 Tail-lights, section 47(4)
- Division 8 Clearance lights, section 52(3)
- Division 9 Side marker lights, section 56
- Division 12 Direction of indicator lights, section 64
| An agricultural vehicle is exempt from these lighting location requirements if the lights are fitted as close as practicable to the positions required by these sections. |
5 | - Division 3 Heavy trailer braking systems, section 91
| An agricultural trailer with an aggregate trailer mass not exceeding 6 tonnes is exempt if the maximum speed of the vehicle combination that includes the trailer does not exceed 50km/hr. Another agricultural implement, excluding an agricultural trailer, is exempt if the maximum speed of the vehicle combination that includes the implement does not exceed 50km/hr. |
- Conditions
A light or reflector required by this Notice may be attached in a retractable or removable manner (for example a light board) so that the lights or reflectors can be removed when an agricultural implement used off-road to prevent the lights or reflectors from being damaged.
Dated: 15/06/2026
Peter Austin
Director, Policy Implementation
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Overview
The Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Agricultural Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) was enacted to provide specific exemptions to agricultural vehicles from certain lighting and braking requirements as stipulated under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). This Notice, which comes into effect on 1 July 2026 and expires on 30 June 2027, is authorised under section 61 of the HVNL and applies exclusively within Queensland. The policy objective of this Notice is to ease the regulatory burden on agricultural vehicles while ensuring safety standards are maintained by imposing specific conditions on the exemptions provided. This includes restrictions on the speed and operating times of conditionally registered vehicles towing agricultural implements, as well as requirements for the fitting of lights and reflectors in positions as close as practicable to the mandated locations.
Scope and Application
The Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Agricultural Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) applies exclusively within the jurisdiction of Queensland, exempting certain agricultural vehicles from specific lighting and braking requirements. This Notice caters to agricultural implements and machines, as well as agricultural implements towed by registered vehicles that are fit for towing. The exemptions pertain to vehicles that are conditionally registered and subject to specific conditions, including restrictions on operation times and the visibility of towing vehicle lights. Agricultural implements being towed by vehicles that are not conditionally registered also qualify for exemptions provided that the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the implement. The exemptions are conditional, with specific criteria such as location codes and vehicle speed limits outlined in the Notice to ensure safety and compliance under certain circumstances. This Notice does not extend beyond its stated terms and conditions and expires on 30 June 2027.
Key Provisions
The Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Agricultural Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) sets out specific exemptions from certain lighting and braking requirements for agricultural vehicles in Queensland. Under section 2 of the Notice, it applies only to agricultural implements and machines, as well as agricultural implements being towed by registered vehicles that are fit for towing purposes. These vehicles are subject to exemptions from particular requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation as detailed in Table 1 of the Notice. The Notice operates under section 61 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and commences on 1 July 2026, expiring on 30 June 2027.
The Notice imposes specific conditions for these exemptions to apply. For instance, under section 3, agricultural implements being towed by conditionally registered vehicles must comply with certain location codes and lighting conditions to be exempt from requirements such as tail-lights, clearance lights, side marker lights, and reflectors. Similarly, exemptions from brake light requirements, as detailed in section 4, apply when the vehicle speed does not exceed 20km/h or when the lights of the towing vehicle are not obscured by the implement. Agricultural trailers with an aggregate trailer mass not exceeding 6 tonnes are exempt from heavy trailer braking system requirements if the vehicle combination's maximum speed does not exceed 50km/hr, as outlined in section 5.
Failure to comply with the conditions set out in the Notice may result in the agricultural vehicle not meeting the stipulated exemptions, thereby subjecting it to the full requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation. While the Notice does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, contravention of the HVNL or its regulations may result in civil or criminal penalties as provided for in the primary legislation. It is essential for parties governed by this Notice to adhere to the outlined conditions to benefit from the exemptions and avoid potential legal repercussions.