Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2022 (No.1)

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

Legislation au C2022G01210 In force Gazette

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 HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

 Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2022 (No.1)

 

1)      Purpose

1)      The purpose of this Declaration is to authorise heavy vehicles eligible to use Higher Mass Limits (HML) on stated areas and routes, during stated hours of stated days and to state the conditions under which they may be used.

2)      This Notice revokes and replaces the Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2019 (No.1).

Note:  This version amends the Intelligent Access System conditions in section 11. All other conditions and access are the same as previous versions.

The Queensland Higher Mass Limits Operator’s Guide (Operator’s Guide) provides more information for operation under this Declaration. The Operator’s Guide is maintained and published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

2)      Authorising Provision

This Declaration is made under section 12 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the National Regulation).

3)      Title

This Declaration may be cited as the Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2022 (No.1).

4)      Commencement

This Declaration commences on 5 December 2022.

5)      Expiry

This Declaration expires on 10 February 2024.

6)      Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Declaration have the same meanings as those defined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

2)      In this Declaration:

Performance based standards (PBS) have the same meaning provided under Chapter 1 of the HVNL.

7)      Application

1)      This Declaration applies to an eligible vehicle operating in Queensland that complies with the provisions of this Declaration.

 


8)      Eligible Vehicles

1)      An eligible vehicle operating under this Notice means:

a)      A heavy vehicle that complies with the HML requirements in Schedule 5 of the National Regulation.

b)      PBS vehicle approved to operate at HML.

2)      As an exception to 1), a vehicle that is a bus may not operate under this Notice.

9)      Conditions – Tri-drive prime mover restriction in a B-double and road train combinations

1)      Access for tri-drive prime movers in a B-double or a road train combination is not authorised under this Declaration.

2)      In this section, tri-drive prime mover means a prime mover with a drive axle group consisting of three axles, all of which are in contact with the road.

10)  Conditions - Stated areas or routes

1)      An eligible vehicle operating in Queensland may access the following network:

a)      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.

b)      A HML vehicle that is a 23 metre B-double may operate on connecting 23 and 25 metre B-double and road train routes to a radial distance of 500m from the National Road Network in Queensland.

c)       A HML vehicle that is a 25 or 26 metre B-double may operate on connecting 25 metre B-double and road train routes to a radial distance of 500m from the National Road Network in Queensland.

d)      A HML vehicle that is a Type 1 road train may operate on connecting road train routes to a radial distance of 500m from the National Road Network in Queensland.

e)      A HML vehicle that is a Type 2 road train may operate on connecting Type 2 road train routes to a radial distance of 500m from the National Road Network in Queensland.

 Table 2-Routes and areas for eligible HML vehicles

Column 1

Column 2

Vehicle Category

Routes or areas authorised for HML

General Access

A general access vehicle may only use routes for Higher Mass Limits

B-double

A B-double may only use the routes and areas that are approved for both:

  • Higher Mass Limits; and
  • Multi-combination routes

Type 1 road train

A Type 1 road train may use the routes and areas that are approved for both:

  • Higher Mass Limits; and
  • Road train routes

Type 2 road train

A Type 2 road train may use the routes and areas that are approved for both:

  • Higher Mass Limits; and
  • Type 2 Road train routes

PBS vehicle

A PBS vehicle may use the routes and areas that are approved for both:

  • Higher Mass Limits; and
  • Approved PBS routes as per approval

 

Note: Queensland Networks approved under this Declaration can be located on the Queensland Globe website, published and maintained by the Queensland Government.

 

11)  Intelligent Access Conditions

1)      Pursuant to s402(1)(a) and (b) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, the following conditions of this Notice are intelligent access program conditions:

a)      any condition relating to mass or dimensions; and

b)      any condition relating to stated areas or routes to which the authority applies, including any relating to speed or time of travel.

2)      Pursuant to s402(1)(c) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle must be monitored by an approved intelligent transport system as set out in this section.

3)      An eligible vehicle must be enrolled in and comply with the following approved intelligent transport system, approved by Transport Certification Australia:

a)      For vehicles enrolled from 1 December 2022 – Telematics Monitoring Application

b)      For vehicles enrolled before 1 December 2022 – Intelligent Access Program

Note:  the option in subsection (1)(b) to comply using IAP will be removed from 1 June 2024.

4)      In this section, Intelligent Access Program means the approved intelligent transport system of that name administered by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

5)      At the time of operation under this notice, an eligible vehicle to which this section applies must be enrolled in and be compliant with the conditions of the required approved intelligent transport system.

12)  Conditions – Intelligent Access Conditions (Self Declaration)

1)      This section applies to an eligible vehicle if it is operating under an approved intelligent access system under section 11.

2)      If an approved intelligent transport system utilises a Self-Declared Input Device (SDID), the relevant information must be entered into the SDID by:

a)      the driver, if the SDID is fitted in or on the vehicle; or

b)      the participating operator, if the SDID is fitted in a place other than the place mentioned in subsection (a).

3)      The relevant information must be true and accurate and must be re-entered irrespective of the mass of the vehicle whenever:

a)      there is a change to the vehicle mass or configuration; or

b)      if prompted by the SDID.

4)      For the purpose of this subsection relevant information means information relating to the mass or configuration of the vehicle.

 

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

 

 

Overview

The Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2022 (No. 1), enacted by the Queensland Government, serves to address the need for authorised heavy vehicles to operate within specified mass limits on designated routes and areas in Queensland. This legislation, which replaces the Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2019 (No. 1), aligns with the provisions of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, specifically section 12. It aims to ensure that eligible vehicles meet the higher mass limits while adhering to the outlined conditions for their operation. The Declaration is effective from 5 December 2022 until 10 February 2024, with a focus on enhancing the efficiency and safety of heavy vehicle operations in Queensland by authorising specific vehicles to use higher mass limits under certain conditions, while also mandating compliance with intelligent access programs. The policy objective is to facilitate smoother and more regulated heavy vehicle movement within the state, ensuring both operational efficiency and adherence to safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2022 (No.1) applies to heavy vehicles eligible to use higher mass limits (HML) in Queensland, provided they comply with the provisions of this Declaration. The Declaration specifies that eligible vehicles must be heavy vehicles that adhere to the HML requirements outlined in Schedule 5 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation and Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles approved to operate at HML. However, it is noted that buses are not eligible to operate under this Declaration. The Declaration sets out specific conditions, such as the prohibition of tri-drive prime movers in B-double or road train combinations and mandates that eligible vehicles must be enrolled in and comply with an approved intelligent transport system, either the Telematics Monitoring Application or the Intelligent Access Program (IAP), depending on the enrolment date. The Declaration also provides details on the authorised routes and areas for eligible vehicles, as well as the conditions for intelligent access, including self-declaration requirements for certain systems. This Declaration is made under section 12 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation and supersedes the Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2019 (No.1). It commences on 5 December 2022 and expires on 10 February 2024.

Key Provisions

The Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2022 (No.1) (the Declaration) outlines the conditions under which eligible heavy vehicles can operate in Queensland with higher mass limits. This includes defining the types of vehicles eligible to use these higher mass limits (section 8), the specific areas and routes where these vehicles can operate (section 10), and the conditions under which they must comply with intelligent access monitoring systems (sections 11 and 12). The Declaration also specifies that tri-drive prime movers in B-double or road train combinations are not authorised to use these higher mass limits (section 9). The eligible vehicles must comply with the mass and dimension requirements outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (section 8). Additionally, they must be enrolled in and comply with an approved intelligent transport system, either the Telematics Monitoring Application for vehicles enrolled from 1 December 2022 or the Intelligent Access Program for vehicles enrolled before this date (section 11). Vehicles using a Self-Declared Input Device must have the relevant information entered accurately by the driver or the participating operator, and this information must be updated whenever there is a change in the vehicle's mass or configuration (section 12). The obligations imposed by the Declaration include ensuring that eligible vehicles comply with the defined higher mass limits and are enrolled in the appropriate intelligent transport system. Operators must ensure that vehicles meet the specific conditions outlined for each vehicle type and route, and that all required information is accurately entered into the approved intelligent transport system. This includes the obligation to update information whenever there is a change in the vehicle's mass or configuration, as stipulated in section 12. Furthermore, vehicles must adhere to the stated areas or routes authorised for use under this Declaration, as detailed in section 10. Breaches of the conditions outlined in the Declaration can lead to various consequences. These include fines, penalties, and potential criminal charges for non-compliance with the heavy vehicle regulations. The specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in the Declaration but can be found in the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Non-compliance with the intelligent access monitoring system requirements can also result in fines and other enforcement actions. Operators and vehicle owners are encouraged to consult the Queensland Higher Mass Limits Operator’s Guide and the Heavy Vehicle National Law for detailed information on penalties and enforcement measures.

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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.