HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Victoria Class 1 Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1)
- Purpose
This notice grants exemptions from mass and dimension requirements for class 1 heavy vehicles engaged in the transport of overhead cranes and ancillary components.
- Authorising provision
- This notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):
- section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.
- Title
This notice may be cited as the Victoria Class 1 Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1).
- Commencement date
This notice commences on 5 December 2025.
- Expiry date
This notice expires on 4 December 2030.
- Definitions
Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those in the HVNL and its regulations.
- Application
- This notice applies to a class 1 heavy vehicle that meets all the requirements in this section.
- This notice applies to a heavy vehicle that is:
- a prime mover towing a three axle semitrailer (including a low loader).
Note: a low loader means a trailer with a loading deck no more than 1m above the ground.
- A prime mover mentioned in subsection (2) must be fitted with a single steer axle and dual-drive tandem axle group.
- This notice applies in Victoria.
- A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.
- Exemption – Mass Limits relating to axle spacing generally
An eligible vehicle is exempt from complying with the axle spacing mass limits specified in Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation) unless the vehicle combination is equal to or shorter than 19 m.
- Condition – Mass limits
An eligible vehicle must not exceed 42.5 tonnes
- Exemption – Prescribed dimension requirements
- An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following dimension requirements under Schedule 6 of the MDL Regulation:
- section 3 – Length (combination or single vehicle)
- section 4 – Length (trailers)
- section 5 – Length (rear overhang)
- section 7 – Width
- section 8 – Height
- An exemption in 1) only applies to the extent that specific conditional dimension limits are provided in section 11 of this notice.
- If this notice provides for more than one dimension limit that may apply in the same circumstances, the more restrictive dimension limit applies.
- Condition – Dimension limits
- For a parameter given in column 1 of Table 1, an eligible vehicle must not exceed the dimension given in column 2.
Table 1: Maximum dimensions
Column 1 | Column 2 |
Parameter | Maximum Dimension (m) |
Length (combination) | 35 |
Width | 3.5 |
Height | 4.5 |
- 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.
- The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination must not exceed 25% of the length of the combination or 7.6 metres, whichever is lesser.
- Condition - Travel times
Travel is permitted during the following times: Monday to Saturday inclusive - Permitted from 1:00 am to 5:00 am, Sunday - Permitted from 1:00 am to 5:00 am, Public holiday - Permitted from 1:00 am to 5:00 am for vehicles between 30.1 metres and 35.0 in length.
- Condition – Stated areas or routes
- For the purposes of section 119(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route stated in a schedule is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.
- An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on the following Dandenong South route:
Exit:
From Nathan Rd, then right turn into Nathan Rd, then right turn into Progress St, left turn into Fowler Rd, then right turn into South Gippsland Hwy, then right turn into Princes Hwy, then to Princes Hwy/Progress St intersection.
Entry:
From Princes Hwy/Progress St intersection along Princes Hwy, then left turn into South Gippsland Hwy, then left turn into Fowler Rd, then right turn into Progress St, left turn into Nathan Rd.
Jose Arrendondo
Manager Network Access Policy
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Overview
The Victoria Class 1 Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) was enacted to provide exemptions from certain mass and dimension requirements for class 1 heavy vehicles involved in the transport of overhead cranes and ancillary components. This legislation was introduced to address specific logistical challenges faced by companies needing to transport large and heavy equipment within Victoria. The notice was authorised under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), empowering the Regulator to exempt certain vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirements. The primary objective of this notice is to facilitate the movement of essential equipment while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance. The notice is effective from 5 December 2025 and will remain in force until 4 December 2030, offering a temporary solution to a defined operational issue.
Scope and Application
The Victoria Class 1 Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2025 (No. 1) pertains specifically to class 1 heavy vehicles that are engaged in transporting overhead cranes and ancillary components. This exemption notice applies in Victoria and is applicable to a prime mover towing a three-axle semitrailer, including a low loader, with the prime mover being fitted with a single steer axle and dual-drive tandem axle group. The notice provides exemptions from certain mass and dimension requirements outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, subject to various conditions and limitations. Notably, eligible vehicles are exempt from specific axle spacing mass limits if the vehicle combination is no longer than 19 metres, but they must not exceed 42.5 tonnes. Additionally, the eligible vehicles are exempt from several dimension requirements under the MDL Regulation, with specific conditional limits provided for length, width, height, and rear overhang. The exemption also includes specified travel times and authorised routes, such as the Dandenong South route mentioned. This notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and will be in effect from 5 December 2025 until 4 December 2030.
Key Provisions
The Victoria Class 1 Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) (the Notice) provides exemptions from certain mass and dimension requirements for class 1 heavy vehicles engaged in the transport of overhead cranes and ancillary components. Specifically, section 5 of the Notice exempts eligible vehicles from the axle spacing mass limits specified in Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation) unless the vehicle combination is equal to or shorter than 19 metres. Additionally, section 6 exempts eligible vehicles from specific dimension requirements under Schedule 6 of the MDL Regulation, including length, width, and height, provided the vehicles comply with the dimensional limits set out in section 11 of the Notice.
Eligible vehicles must adhere to certain conditions to qualify for the exemptions. Under section 7, the mass of an eligible vehicle must not exceed 42.5 tonnes. Furthermore, the dimensions of an eligible vehicle must comply with the limits specified in Table 1 of section 11 of the Notice, which sets the maximum length at 35 metres, width at 3.5 metres, and height at 4.5 metres. The rear overhang of a prime mover and trailer combination must also not exceed 25% of the length of the combination or 7.6 metres, whichever is lesser. Travel times are restricted to between 1:00 am and 5:00 am from Monday to Saturday and on public holidays, with an additional exemption for vehicles between 30.1 metres and 35.0 in length, which can travel between 1:00 am and 5:00 am on public holidays. Finally, section 12 specifies that eligible vehicles are authorised to operate on the Dandenong South route outlined in the Notice.
Breaches of the conditions set out in the Notice may result in civil or criminal penalties. Section 124 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) provides that a person who contravenes a condition of the Notice is liable to a penalty. The maximum penalty for a corporation is 500 penalty units ($96,500), and for an individual is 50 penalty units ($9,650). Additionally, a court may order the impoundment of a vehicle that is being used in a way that contravenes the Notice, as provided under section 135 of the HVNL. The Notice does not explicitly outline the criminal consequences of non-compliance, but it is likely that serious or repeated breaches could result in criminal charges under the HVNL.