Trucks & Heavy Vehicles

In recent years the consequences of not complying with the legal dimension limits for heavy vehicles have been spectacularly displayed, with New South Wales’ major roads being blocked by trucks stuck in bridges and tunnels. As a result, the authorities have stepped up enforcement of the limits.

This article describes the dimension requirements, and the consequences of breaching them.

Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) applies in New South Wales, and contains provisions for offences related to fatigue management. Under the legislation, the core duty of a driver is that they must not drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while impaired by fatigue.

The Roads and Maritime Services requires that drivers of heavy vehicles present their vehicles for inspection at Heavy Vehicle Safety Stations (HVSS) throughout NSW. It does this to ensure compliance with the heavy vehicle regulations.

Failure to stop at a HVSS is an offence. It can also result in close scrutiny of the vehicle’s use and related records.

Being charged with a drink driving or drug driving offence can be a traumatic experience for most people. For truck drivers, an offence often means the loss of their livelihood.

Unsecured loads on heavy vehicles can pose significant danger to road users. The Heavy Vehicle National Law No 42a of 2013 requires all people involved in the operation of a heavy vehicle to ensure that it is loaded safely and securely. It is an offence to load a heavy vehicle incorrectly.

In this section you will find  information on breaches of the load restraint requirements for heavy vehicles, or “load restraint” offences.

Roads and Maritime Services and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator have broad powers to investigate alleged breaches of the law. Notices to Produce are one of the tools the two agencies use.

Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of over 4.5 tonnes, and vehicles and trailers with a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of over 4.5 tonnes, must not travel in excess of 100 kilometres per hour. To ensure compliance with the speed limit, the Road Transport Act 2013 requires most heavy vehicles to be fitted with a device that limits the maximum speed that it can travel to 100 kilometres per hour. There are a number of offences that a person can be charged with if this requirement is not complied with.

Most Australian states and territories operate under a uniform national law in relation to truck and heavy vehicle issues. This law is known as the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). It is overseen by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

The law limits how much weight a heavy vehicle can carry. Exceeding these limits is an offence, known as a “Mass Overload Offence”. In this article you will find information on the mass requirements for heavy vehicles and the consequences of breaching them.