South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 23m Truck and Dog Trailer Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No.1)

Overview

The South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 23m Truck and Dog Trailer Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No.1) was enacted to address the need for specific exemptions for certain heavy vehicle combinations operating in South Australia. This statutory instrument, made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), aims to provide relief from certain mass and dimension limits for specified 23-metre long truck and dog trailer combinations. The Notice replaces the earlier South Australia Consolidated National Heavy Vehicle Mass and Dimension Notice 2014, introducing new provisions for three-axle truck and four-axle dog trailer combinations that were not previously covered. The Notice is designed to facilitate smoother operations for these specific heavy vehicle combinations while ensuring that safety and regulatory standards are maintained. This exemption Notice, published by the South Australia Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure (DIPTI), is effective from the date of its publication and will remain in force for five years. It applies to 23-metre long truck and dog trailer combinations operating in South Australia, subject to certain conditions such as mass limits, axle spacing requirements, and speed restrictions. The Notice also mandates annual inspections and compliance with specific maintenance standards to ensure the safety and roadworthiness of these vehicles. Furthermore, operators must adhere to designated routes and display the appropriate signage if the vehicle exceeds 22 metres in length.

Scope and Application

The South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 23m Truck and Dog Trailer Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 applies specifically to 23-metre long truck and dog trailer combinations operating within South Australia. This Notice exempts these heavy vehicles from certain mass and dimension limits outlined in Schedules 1 and 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. It applies to specific configurations of trucks towing dog trailers with three, four, or five axles, where the truck has a single steer axle and a dual-drive tandem axle group, and the dog trailer has axle configurations as described in the Notice. The Notice sets out conditions, such as mass limits, length restrictions, and speed limits, to ensure safe operation within the exempted parameters. Additionally, it mandates annual inspections and compliance with certain maintenance standards, and restricts the use of these vehicles to designated routes published by the South Australia Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 23m Truck and Dog Trailer Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No.1) (the Notice) include the definitions (section 6), the application (section 7), the exemption from prescribed mass and dimension requirements (section 8), and the conditions of the exemption (section 9). These sections outline the specific types of vehicles covered by the exemption, the limits on their mass and dimensions, and the conditions under which they can operate. The Notice exempts certain 23-metre long truck and dog trailer combinations from the mass and dimension limits set out in Schedules 1 and 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the Regulation) (section 8). However, these vehicles are subject to certain conditions, including mass limits (section 9(1)), speed limits (section 9(5)), and annual inspection requirements (section 9(7)). The Notice imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. Firstly, the Notice applies to 23-metre long truck and dog trailer combinations operating in South Australia (section 7). Secondly, the Notice specifies the conditions under which these vehicles can operate, including mass limits (section 9(1)), speed limits (section 9(5)), and annual inspection requirements (section 9(7)). Thirdly, the Notice requires that these vehicles comply with minimum axle spacing requirements (section 9(4)) and only use specified routes (section 10). Fourthly, the Notice requires that these vehicles display a Long Vehicle sign if they exceed a length of 22 metres (section 9(8)). The Notice also outlines the consequences of breaching its provisions. Breaches of the Notice may result in a range of civil and criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the breach. For example, exceeding the mass limits specified in the Notice may result in a fine of up to $11,100 for an individual or $55,500 for a body corporate (section 117(2) of the Heavy Vehicle National Law). Similarly, exceeding the speed limit specified in the Notice may result in a fine of up to $3,700 for an individual or $18,500 for a body corporate (section 117(2) of the Heavy Vehicle National Law). Additionally, failure to comply with the annual inspection requirements specified in the Notice may result in a fine of up to $11,100 for an individual or $55,500 for a body corporate (section 117(2) of the Heavy Vehicle National Law). It is important to note that these penalties are in addition to any other penalties that may apply under other laws.