Victoria Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Twinsteer Prime Mover and Semitrailer Combination Mass Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 2)

Overview

The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette published the notice titled "Victoria Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Twinsteer Prime Mover and Semitrailer Combination Mass Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 2)" under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). This notice, made under section 117 of the HVNL, revokes and replaces the previous exemption notice issued in 2014 to correct a minor drafting error. The primary purpose of this notice is to exempt certain class 3 heavy vehicles in Victoria from specific mass requirements prescribed in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, while ensuring compliance with certain mass and route conditions. The exemption applies to class 3 vehicles with particular axle configurations and certified suspension systems, and allows these vehicles to operate within specified mass limits and on designated routes in Victoria, subject to certain conditions. This notice is effective from 12 November 2014 until 11 November 2015. The notice provides detailed mass limits for different axle groups, including twin-steer axle groups, tandem axle groups, and tri-axle groups, all of which must be equipped with certified road-friendly suspension systems. Operators of vehicles with tri-axle groups must also hold mass management accreditation. The total gross combination mass (GCM) for these vehicles must not exceed 49.5 tonnes. Additionally, the notice outlines specific mass limits relating to axle spacing, which increase based on the type of axle group within certain spacing distances. This regulatory measure aims to balance the needs of the heavy vehicle industry with safety and infrastructure considerations in Victoria.

Scope and Application

The Victoria Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Twinsteer Prime Mover and Semitrailer Combination Mass Exemption (Notice) 2014 (No. 2) applies to a specific category of class 3 heavy vehicles in Victoria, namely those consisting of a prime mover with a twinsteer axle group and a tandem axle group, connected to one semitrailer with specific axle configurations, all equipped with certified road-friendly suspension systems. The exemption operates within Victoria and is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as in force in each participating jurisdiction. The notice exempts these vehicles from certain mass requirements prescribed in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the notice. These conditions include adherence to specific mass limits for axle groups and the total combination mass, as well as any conditions specified for the areas or routes in the VicRoads Higher Mass Limits network map. The exemption is effective from 12 November 2014 until 11 November 2015, and during this period, the exempted vehicles must also comply with any additional mass limits relating to axle spacing as specified in the notice. The notice replaces the earlier version (No. 1) and corrects a minor drafting error, maintaining the same terms as the Victorian Government Gazette Notice number S 333 - Class 3 Notice for Twin-steer Prime Mover Combinations.

Key Provisions

This notice, which comes into effect on 12 November 2014 and expires on 11 November 2015, exempts certain class 3 heavy vehicles in Victoria from specified mass requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (National Regulation) (sections 2 and 10). The exemption applies to class 3 heavy vehicles that meet the detailed criteria outlined in section 8, including vehicles with a twinsteer prime mover and certain semitrailer configurations, provided they are used within the areas or routes set out in Schedule 1 of this notice and comply with the conditions specified (sections 8 and 12). The vehicles must also adhere to the mass requirements detailed in Schedule 2, which includes maximum axle group mass limits and total combination mass limits (section 11). Operators of the exempted vehicles must ensure compliance with the mass limits and conditions specified in this notice. This includes holding mass management accreditation if the vehicle is fitted with a tri-axle group (Schedule 2, clauses 1 and 2). Additionally, the vehicles must not exceed the prescribed gross combination mass (GCM) of 49.5 tonnes and must adhere to the mass limits in relation to axle spacing as detailed in Table B of Schedule 2 (Schedule 2, clauses 2 and 4). Breaches of the requirements under this notice may result in significant penalties. Although the specific penalties are not outlined in the notice, breaches of the National Regulation can result in substantial fines and other enforcement actions. For instance, under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, the penalties for non-compliance with mass and dimension requirements can include fines up to $27,500 for individuals and $137,500 for corporations, in addition to other potential enforcement actions such as vehicle impoundment or suspension of operating authority. Therefore, it is crucial for operators to ensure strict adherence to the conditions and requirements set out in this notice to avoid these penalties.