South Australia Class 1 6-Axle to 9-Axle Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

South Australia Class 1 6-Axle to 9-Axle Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1)

1.        Purpose

This notice grants exemptions from mass and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation), for class 1 heavy vehicles that are cranes with 6 to 9 axles.

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.

1.        Title

This notice may be cited as the South Australia Class 1 6-Axle to 9-Axle Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1).

1.        Commencement date

This notice commences on 6 February 2026.

1.        Expiry date

This notice expires on 5 February 2031.

1.        Definitions

1.     Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those in the HVNL and its regulations.

1.     In this notice:

All terrain mobile crane means a special purpose vehicle that has all of the following features and requirements:

1.     is a mobile crane with either 6 axles, 7 axles, 8 axles or 9 axles; and
2.     has two tyres per axle; and
3.      has at least 50% of its axles steerable; and
4.     is not a truck mounted special purpose vehicle; and
5.     has on road and off road capability.

Boom support dolly means a dolly which assists in supporting the mass of a crane’s boom when the boom has been rotated rearwards for on-road travel.

Ground contact width means:

1.     in relation to an axle, the distance between the outermost point of ground contact of the outside tyres on each end of the axle; or
2.     in relation to an axle group, the greatest ground contact width of all the axles in the group.

Guide means the South Australia Class 1 6-Axle to 9-Axle Crane Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, and as amended from time to time.

HVNL means the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

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

Mobile crane means a heavy motor vehicle that is:

1.     equipped with a crane or other lifting device; and
2.     designed primarily for raising, moving and lowering a freely suspended load

1.        Application

1.     This notice applies to a class 1 heavy vehicle that meets all the requirements in this section.

1.     This notice applies to a heavy vehicle that is a:

1.     6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly
2.     7-axle crane
3.      7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly
4.     7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly
5.     8-axle crane
6.      9-axle crane
7.     9-axle crane at reduced axle masses.

1.     This notice applies in South Australia.

1.     A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.

1.        Exemption – Prescribed mass requirements

1.     An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following mass requirements under Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation):

1.     section 2 – Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination
2.     section 3 – Mass limits for a vehicle with a particular axle space less than 2.5m
3.      section 4 – Mass limits for a single axle or axle group
4.     section 5 – Mass limits relating to axle spacing generally

1.     An exemption in (1) applies to an eligible vehicle only to the extent that specific conditional mass limits are provided in sections 9 to 24 of this notice.

1.     To be clear, if this notice provides for more than one mass limit that may apply in the same circumstances the more restrictive mass limit applies.

1.     Regardless of any conditional masses prescribed in this notice an eligible vehicle must not exceed manufacturer mass limits as defined in section 8(8) of the MDL Regulation.

1.        Condition – Mass (total mass of an eligible vehicle)

An eligible vehicle in Column 1 of Table 1 must not exceed the mass limit applying to the vehicle in Column 2 set out in Table 1.

Table 1: Maximum vehicle masses

1.    Condition – Mass (maximum mass for a single axle)

The mass for a single axle fitted with 2 tyres in Column 1 must not exceed the mass limit applying to it in Column 2 set out in Table 2.

Table 2: Maximum mass for a single axle

Note:  Axle loads limits in Table 2 above may be reduced by the tyre rating specified either by the Tyre and Rim Association of Australia, or relevant standards, or by the manufacturer of each tyre or rim in relation to inflation pressures, speeds and other relevant requirements.

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for a 6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle that is a 6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly which complies with the mass limit in Table 1 must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 3.

Table 3: Axle spacing and ground contact width for a 6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

1.    Condition – Mass limits for a 6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

An eligible vehicle that is a 6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly whose axle spacing complies with Table 3 must not exceed the axle mass limit and maximum gross combination mass (GCM) limit set out in Table 4.

Table 4: Mass limits for a 6-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for a 7-axle crane

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane which complies with the mass limit in Table 1 must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 5.

Table 5: Axle spacing and ground contact width for a 7-axle crane

1.    Condition – Mass limits for a 7-axle crane

1.     Each axle of an eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane must not exceed 12.0t.

1.     The gross vehicle mass (GVM) of an eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane whose axle spacing complies with Table 5 must not exceed 84.0t.

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for a 7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly which complies with the mass limit in Table 1 must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 6.

Table 6: Axle spacing and ground contact width for a 7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

1.    Condition – Mass limits for a 7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

An eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly whose axle spacing complies with Table 6 must not exceed the axle mass limit and maximum gross combination mass (GCM) limit set out in Table 7.

Table 7: Mass limits for a 7-axle crane towing a 3-axle boom support dolly

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for a 7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly which complies with the mass limit in Table 1 must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 8.

Table 8: Axle spacing and ground contact width for a 7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly

1.    Condition – Mass limits for a 7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly

An eligible vehicle that is a 7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly whose axle spacing complies with Table 8 must not exceed the axle mass limit and maximum gross combination mass (GCM) limit set out in Table 9.

Table 9: Mass limits for a 7-axle crane towing a 4-axle boom support dolly

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for an 8-axle crane

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle that is an 8-axle crane which complies with the mass limit in Table 1 must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 10.

Table 10: Axle spacing and ground contact width for an 8-axle crane

1.    Condition – Mass limits for an 8-axle crane

1.     Each axle of an eligible vehicle that is an 8-axle crane whose axle spacing complies with Table 10 must not exceed 12.0t.

1.     The gross vehicle mass of an eligible vehicle that is an 8-axle crane whose axle spacing complies with Table 10 must not exceed 96.0t.

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for a 9-axle crane

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle that is a 9-axle crane which complies with the mass limit in Table 1 must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 11.

Table 11: Axle spacing and ground contact width for a 9-axle crane

1.    Condition – Mass limits for a 9-axle crane

1.     Each axle of an eligible vehicle that is a 9-axle crane whose axle spacing complies with Table 11 must not exceed 12.0t.

1.     The gross vehicle mass of an eligible vehicle that is a 9-axle crane whose axle spacing complies with Table 11 must not exceed 108.0t.

1.    Condition – Axle spacing for a 9-axle crane at reduced masses

An eligible vehicle that is a 9-axle crane, and is operating at reduced masses, must comply with the minimum ground contact width (GCW) and minimum axle spacings set out in Table 11.

Note:  To avoid doubt, the 9-axle crane at reduced masses has the same axle spacing requirements as a 9-axle crane.

1.    Condition – Mass limits for a 9-axle crane at reduced masses

An eligible vehicle that is a 9-axle crane at reduced masses must comply with the axle mass limit and maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM) set out in Table 12.

Table 12: Mass limits for a 9-axle crane at reduced masses

Note:  To avoid doubt, the sum of all axles in Table 12 exceeds the maximum GCM of a 9-axle crane at reduced masses. The masses of individual axles must be reduced to achieve the maximum GCM of 68.0t or less.

1.    Exemption – Prescribed dimension requirements

1.     An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following dimension requirements under Schedule 6 of the MDL Regulation:

1.     section 3 – Length - combination or single vehicle
2.     section 5 – Length - rear overhang
3.      section 7 – Width
4.     section 8 – Height

1.     An exemption in (1) only applies to the extent that specific conditional dimension limits are provided in section 26 of this notice.

1.     To be clear, if this notice provides for more than one dimension limit that may apply in the same circumstances the more restrictive dimension limit applies.

1.    Condition – Dimension limits

1.     For a parameter given in Column 1 of Table 13, an eligible vehicle must not exceed the dimension limit given in Column 2.

Table 13: Dimension limits 

1.     For this section, the width of a heavy vehicle must be measured in the same manner as in section 8 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.

1.    Condition – Intelligent access conditions

1.     Pursuant to section 402(1)(a) and (b) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, the following conditions of this notice are intelligent access program conditions:

1.     any condition relating to mass or dimensions; and
2.     any condition relating to stated areas or routes to which the authority applies, including any relating to speed or time of travel.

1.     Pursuant to section 402(1)(c) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle must be enrolled in and comply with the following approved intelligent transport systems approved by Transport Certification Australia:

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)

1.    Condition – Speed restrictions

(1)   An eligible vehicle must comply with the following conditions:

1.     the maximum speed of the vehicle must not exceed 80km/h.
2.     an 80km/h maximum speed sign must be fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
3.      a warning decal in the cabin visible from the driver’s position must display a maximum speed limit of 80km/h.

1.    Condition – Vehicle condition (additional warning pattern)

1.     An eligible vehicle must display a warning pattern of the type and design described in (2) on the left and right sides and extremity of any rigid projection extending more than 1.2m in front or to the rear of the body of the eligible vehicle.

1.     For subsection (1), the pattern must cover an area of at least 0.16m2 and consist of diagonal stripes at least 150mm wide and alternatively coloured red and white, or black and white.

Note:  This section is in addition to the requirements set out in Schedule 8, section 17(2) of the MDL Regulation about rear marking plates and warning patterns.

1.    Condition – Pilots and escorts (Daytime)

1.     An eligible vehicle exceeding 3.0m wide or with a maximum combination length greater than 20m long and up to 22m long and operating in the Adelaide Hills area must be accompanied by one pilot vehicle.

1.     An eligible vehicle exceeding 3.0m wide with a maximum combination length greater than 22m and up to 25m and operating in the Adelaide Hills area must be accompanied by two pilot vehicles.

1.     An eligible vehicle exceeding 3.0m wide with a maximum combination length greater than 25m and operating in the Adelaide Hills area must be accompanied by two pilot vehicles and one police escort.

1.     In this section Adelaide Hills area has the same meaning as specified in the Guide. 

1.    Condition – Pilots and escorts (Night travel)

1.     An eligible vehicle exceeding 3.1m wide and operating at night in the Adelaide Metropolitan area or South Australian Country area must be accompanied by one pilot vehicle.

1.     An eligible vehicle up to 25m length operating at night in the Adelaide Hills area must be accompanied by two pilot vehicles.

1.     An eligible vehicle greater than 25m length operating at night in the Adelaide Hills area must be accompanied by two pilot vehicles and one police escort.

1.     In this section Adelaide Hills area, Adelaide Metropolitan area, and the South Australian Country area have the same meaning as specified in the Guide. 

1.    Condition – Hours of operation

Travel within the Adelaide metropolitan area is prohibited between the hours of 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday inclusive.

1.    Disapplication of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation

1.     Pursuant to section 39(5) of the MDL Regulation, under this notice the conditions in Part 1 of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation relating to class 1 eligible vehicles are disapplied:

1.     Division 1 – General conditions
   1.             Section 7 – Travel restrictions at night
2.     Division 3 – Special purpose vehicles
   1.             Section 18 - Prohibition on towing other vehicles

1.    Condition – Stated areas or routes

1.     An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on areas and routes stated in this section.

1.     For the purposes of section 119 (1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route stated in this section is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.

1.     In this notice a reference to a network is a reference to a map or stated route pursuant to section 119(2) of the HVNL.

1.     An eligible vehicle may operate on the routes and areas specified in Table 14.

Table 14: Table of networks

Note:  Networks are published on the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport website.

1.     Regardless of any access granted under this section, an eligible vehicle must comply with any conditions or restrictions applied to a given area or route by the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements in the Guide.

1.     In this section:

network means a map or stated route, including a list or database, presented electronically or otherwise, that represents the stated areas and stated routes authorised under this notice.

1.     An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route stated in this notice must comply with any of the following conditions prescribed for or by that area or route:

1.     Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and
2.     Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and
3.      Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

Jose Arredondo

Manager Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator