Heavy Vehicle National Law

Tasmania Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2015 (No. 1)

Statutory Instrument Series:  

Class 1/3 Heavy Vehicle Exemption Notice - Mass and Dimension Exemption

1                      Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to exempt categories of laden load carrying vehicles from the stated prescribed mass and dimension requirements in Schedule 1 and Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

Note—

1         A class 1 heavy vehicle is defined in section 116 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

2         Nothing in this Notice exempts the driver or operator of an eligible vehicle from complying with legislation regulating the use of heavy vehicles, including, but not limited to, compliance with—

• all mass and dimension requirements in the HVNL, other than the mass or dimension requirements from which the vehicle is exempted under this Notice; and
• official traffic signs, including mass and dimension limit traffic signs; and
• vehicle standards of the HVNL; and
• lawful directions of authorised officers.

3         Some vehicles included in this Notice may travel unladen under the Tasmania Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Unladen 2.7 Metre Low Loader Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2015.

2                      Authorising Provision

This Notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction.

3                      Commencement

This Notice commences on 18 November 2015.

4                      Expiry

This Notice expires on 17 November 2020.

5                      Definitions and interpretation

(1)         Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions—

(a)     used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law; and

(b)     used in the Tasmanian Class One Load Carrying Vehicle Guide have the same meanings as those defined in this Notice; and

(c)      used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the Tasmanian Class One Load Carrying Vehicle Guide.

(2)         A reference in this Notice to a heavy vehicle includes a reference to the vehicle together with its load, except so far as the context or subject matter otherwise indicates or requires.

(3)         In this Notice—

closed quad-axle group means a group of four axles at least 1.2m apart where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.

closed tandem axle group means a group of two axles at least 1.2m apart where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the 2 axles is not more than 2.0m.

closed tri-axle group means a group of three axles at least 1.2m apart where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 3.2m.

eligible vehicle means a load-carrying vehicle specified in the LCVG, carrying a large indivisible item, that does not comply with a prescribed mass or dimension requirement.

ground contact width means the distance between the outermost points of ground contact of the outside tyres on each end of an axle.

Figure 1- Illustration of ground contact width of an axle

HVNL means the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

LCVG means the Tasmanian Class One Load Carrying Vehicle Guide published by the Tasmanian government at— www.transport.tas.gov.au/vehicles/heavy_vehicle_resources.

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

spread quad-axle group means a group of four axles where—

(a)          the distance between the first and second axle is at least 1.2m; and

(b)          the distance between the second and third axle is at least 2.4m; and

(c)          the distance between the third and fourth axle is at least 1.2m; and

(d)          the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.

spread tri-axle group means a group of three axles at least 1.8m apart where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 3.7m.

steer axle mass exception limit means the mass exception in section 1(3) of Schedule 3 of the MDL National Regulation.

TLC1 means a load carrying vehicle that complies with the prescribed mass requirements applying to the vehicle but does not comply with a prescribed dimension requirement applying to it.

vehicle designator means the alphanumeric text listed next to the “Vehicle Designator” label in the LCVG and includes a TLC sub-category where relevant.

6                      Application

(1)          This Notice applies in Tasmania.

(2)          This Notice applies to an eligible vehicle that does not exceed any of the following limits—

(a)     5.5m wide; or

(b)     30.0m long; or

(c)      5.0m high; or 

(d)     a mass of 103.0t.

7                      Exemption from prescribed dimension requirements

This Notice exempts an eligible vehicle to which it applies from the following dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the MDL National Regulation to the extent provided in this Notice—

(a)     section 3(1)(a) – Length—general; and

(b)     section 4(2) – Length—trailers; and

(c)      section 5(1)(a) and (b) - Length—rear overhang; and

(d)     section 7(1) – Width; and

(e)     section 8(d) – Height; and

(f)       section 13(b)(ii) – Front and side projection of load.

Note—

Section 13(b)(ii) only refers to side projection of a load.

8                      Exemption from prescribed mass requirements

This Notice exempts an eligible vehicle to which it applies, except for TLC1 designated vehicles, from the following mass limits in Schedule 1 of the MDL National Regulation to the extent provided in this Notice—

(a)     section 2(1)(a)(iv) – mass limits for a single vehicle or combination; and

(b)     section 4 as it relates to the general mass limits specified in Table 1 (Axle mass limits table) of Part 2, for the following axle groups—

(i)              a tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres on all axles (16.5t); and

(ii)            a tri-axle group fitted with dual tyres on all axles (20.0t); and

(iii)           a quad axle group fitted with dual tyres on all axles (20.0t); and

(c)      section 5(1) as it relates to an axle spacing specified in Table 2 (Axle spacing mass limits general table) of Part 2.

Note—

A TLC1 is an oversize vehicle only and must operate at general mass limits. Please refer to the LCVG for further details regarding a TLC1.

9                      Maximum permissible dimensions

(1)          An eligible vehicle must not be higher than 5.0m.

(2)          An eligible vehicle of a designation specified in column 1 of Table 1 must not exceed a limit specified for that vehicle in column 3 relating to a dimension specified in column 2.

Table 1 - Maximum width, length and height for eligible vehicles

Note—

Please refer to the LCVG for definitions of, and details regarding, the various TLC vehicle designators.

(3)          The rear overhang of an eligible vehicle must not exceed the lesser of—

(a)     5.5m; and

(b)     25% of the length of the vehicle.

In this subsection, the rear overhang line for a spread tri-axle group is a line running parallel to the axles down the centre of the spread tri-axle group.

(4)          An eligible vehicle, except for a TLC1 designated vehicle, must have a minimum distance of 6.0m between—

(a)     the centre-line of the prime mover’s rearmost axle and the centre line of the foremost axle of the low loader; or

(b)     if a low loader dolly is towed in the combination, the centre- line of the rearmost low loader dolly axle and the centre-line of the foremost axle of the low loader.

(5)          An eligible vehicle designated as TLC4 or TLC5 in the LCVG must have a distance between the centre-line of the first drive axle and the centre-line of the rearmost low loader dolly axle of no less than 5.0m.

Note—

TLC6 and TLC7 designated vehicles will have a corresponding minimum distance set depending on the combined mass over the drive and dolly axle groups. Please refer to the LCVG for details.

10                   Maximum permissible mass

(1)          An eligible vehicle must not exceed a relevant mass limit for the vehicle designation that is—

(a)     specified in the relevant LCVG table for the vehicle; and

(b)     determined, where relevant, by reference to the minimum ground contact width, or the minimum distance between any axles.

(2)         In subsection (1) a relevant mass limit includes—

(a)     a maximum mass limit for a single axle or axle group; and

(b)     a maximum combined mass limit for more than one axle or axle group; and

(c)      a maximum total mass limit for all the axles or axle groups, or both, in a combination.

(3)         The maximum permissible mass applying to a dual-drive tandem axle group on a prime mover is—

(a)     18.5t when the combination does not include a low loader dolly; and

(b)     18.5t when the combination has a vehicle designator suffix of ‘A’ and includes a low loader dolly fitted with 4 tyres on each axle; and

(c)      17.5t when the combination has a vehicle designator suffix of ‘B’ and includes a low loader dolly fitted with 4 tyres on each axle; and

(d)     16.5t when the combination has a vehicle designator suffix of ‘C’ and includes a low loader dolly fitted with 4 tyres on each axle.

(4)         The minimum mass on a dual-drive tandem axle group on a prime mover must not be less than 14.0t when the combination is loaded and includes a dolly.

(5)            The steer axle mass exception limit—

(a)     applies to an eligible vehicle that meets the requirements of section 1(1) of Schedule 3 of the MDL National Regulation; and

(b)     allows the mass on the steer axle to be up to 6.5t; and

(c)      where it applies, increases each of the following limits for an eligible vehicle by 0.5t—

(i)             an axle spacing limit applicable to the steer axle; and

(ii)           the mass of the vehicle.

11                   Areas or routes to which this exemption applies

 An eligible vehicle—

(a)     may operate on a route specified on the Tasmanian Class One Load Carrying  Network Map set out at— www.transport.tas.gov.au/vehicles/heavy_vehicle_resources  corresponding to the vehicle designator; and

(b)     must operate in accordance with any condition or limitation for a route in paragraph (a).

12                   General operating conditions - section 119 HVNL

(1)         The conditions stated in Part 1 and 3 of Schedule 8 of the MDL National Regulation apply to an eligible vehicle, a pilot vehicle and an escort vehicle accompanying an eligible vehicle except as excluded, modified or supplemented in this Notice.

(2)          Any roadside furniture that is removed shall be replaced immediately after the eligible vehicle has passed in the same position and condition as when removed.

(3)         If a load on an eligible vehicle can be safely loaded in more than one way, it must be loaded in a way that minimises the dimensions of the vehicle.

(4)         An eligible vehicle may only travel during the daytime, and Section 7 (Travel restrictions at night) of Schedule 8 of the MDL National Regulation is disapplied.

13                   Modification of prescribed conditions - section 39 MDL National Regulation

(1)          For the purposes of section 11 of Schedule 8 of the MDL National Regulation—

(a)     the driver or operator of an eligible vehicle must undertake a route survey before travel to ensure that the vehicle can do so safely and without—

(i)             damaging a road, structure (including a bridge), rail crossing,  tree, road infrastructure, or roadside furniture ; or

(ii)           disrupting essential services, including telecommunication, electricity, rail, gas, water or sewage services.

(b)     prior to commencing a journey the driver or operator of an eligible vehicle must check a route network map mentioned in section 11 of this Notice for updates and any restrictions or limitations applying to the proposed route. 

(2)          For the purposes of section 11(1) of Schedule 8, the driver or operator must, before commencing the relevant journey, identify any relevant road closures and road conditions or restrictions that may inhibit the movement of the eligible vehicle.

Note—

The relevant sources for subsection (2) are published at www.nhvr.gov.au/access-contacts.

(3)         Section 9 of Schedule 8 of the MDL National Regulation is disapplied and instead—

(a)     two eligible vehicles may travel in a convoy on any road they are authorised to travel on; and

(b)     a minimum distance of 60.0m must be maintained between the eligible vehicle and another eligible vehicle when travelling in a convoy.

Note—

A 60.0m minimum following requirement must be observed, regardless of whether the road is in a built-up area or is a multi-lane road, or the driver is overtaking.

14                  Pilot and escort vehicle requirements

(1)          An eligible vehicle must be accompanied by a pilot or escort vehicle in the circumstances specified in Figure 2.

Note—

Additional pilots or escorts may be required depending on the route conditions displayed on the network maps in Section 11 of this Notice.

Figure 2 - Pilot and escort vehicle requirements

Example for Figure 2—

An eligible vehicle that is more than 3.5m wide and less than 26.0m long requires one pilot vehicle.

(2)         A device mentioned in section 31 of Schedule 8 of the MDL National Regulation allowing the driver of a pilot or escort vehicle to communicate with the driver of an eligible vehicle does not include a mobile phone.

Dated: 13 November 2015

Sal Petroccitto

Chief Executive Officer

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator