Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Warning Lights and Signs on School Buses) Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Warning Lights and Signs on School Buses) Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to exempt a heavy vehicle to which it applies from specified requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (the National Regulation).

2.       Authorising Provision

This Notice is made under section 61 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (the National Law) as in force in Queensland.

3.       Title

This Notice may be cited as the Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Warning Lights and Signs on School Buses) Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1).

4.       Commencement

This Notice commences on 10 February 2022.

5.       Expiry

This notice expires on 9 February 2027.

6.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the National Law and the Australian Design Rules.

2)      In this Notice:

bus means a bus —

a)         operated in Queensland; and

b)        fitted with warning lights after June 1999.

defined urban area means—

a)         the area of the City of Brisbane under the City of Brisbane Act 2010 (Qld); or

b)        an area for which a service contract is required under section 42 of the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 (Qld) for the provision of road-based general route services that are not—

i. school services only; or

ii. services only for the carriage of eligible school students.

An eligible vehicle means –

a)         a school bus;

b)        a bus other than a school bus.

Queensland bus light and signage requirements means the requirements set out in Part 4 (Operators) of the Transport Operations Passenger Transport Standard 2010 (Qld), made under the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 (Qld).

school bus means a bus being used to provide a school service outside, or partly outside, a defined urban area, even though the bus may be used for other purposes at other times.

school service means a scheduled passenger service only or primarily for the transport of school students to and from school (other than for school excursions) on days that schools are open for instruction.

school student means a person who is—

a)         under 18 years; and

b)        enrolled at a State school or a non-State school

7.       Application

1)      This notice applies in the State of Queensland.

2)      This notice applies to—

a)         a school bus carrying school students; and

b)        a bus, other than a school bus.

8.       Exemption from Prescribed Vehicle Standards

An eligible vehicle is exempt from Division 16, Part 6 of Schedule 2 of the National Regulation.

9.       Conditions

An eligible vehicle must comply with the ‘Queensland bus light and signage requirements’.

Peter Austin

Director Vehicle Safety and Performance

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator