Heavy Vehicle National Law

Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1)

Statutory Instrument Series:

Class 1/3 Heavy Vehicle Exemption Notice - Mass Exemption

1. Purpose

(1)   The purpose of this notice is:

a)      to allow triaxle low loader trailers to exceed extreme axle dimensions for a conforming axle group; and

b)      to provide limited exemptions from prescribed mass requirements to allow the efficient operation of unladen load platform trailers under specified conditions.

c)       to exempt heavy vehicle combinations used to carry power poles from stated prescribed dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

2.      Authorising Provision

This notice is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

3.      Commencement

This notice commences on 1 July 2017.

4.      Expiry

This notice expires on 30 June 2022.

5.      Title

This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 1 Heavy Vehicle (Load Carrying) Dimension Exemption Notice 2017.

6.      Definitions

1)   Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the National Heavy Vehicle Law.

2)   In this Notice-

Electricity authority means a distribution entity under the Electricity Act 1994 (Qld).

Note- a distribution entity is a person who holds a distribution authority (s 36 EA 1994).

Form 4 Guideline means the Guideline for Excess Dimension: Vehicles Carrying Indivisible Articles; Special Purpose Vehicles and Vehicles that require a Pilot or Escort, in Queensland Form Number 4, Version 8, February 2013.

Load Platform Trailer means a trailer consisting of one or more modules having all of the following features:-

a)      At least five equally spaced rows of axles; and

b)      A minimum of 1.6m longitudinal spacing between axle rows; and

c)      At least eight tyres per axle row; and

d)      All axle rows are steerable.

The Regulation means The National Heavy Vehicle Regulation.

Pole Erecting Truck means a truck or a combination that is used for carrying and erecting power poles.

7.      Routes and Areas

1)      Vehicles operating under this Notice may operate on all roads in Queensland; and

2)      Triaxle Low Loaders and Unladen Load Platform Trailers operating under this notice must comply with the following restrictions:

a)      Those roads signed to restrict the use of a low loader combination; and

b)      Any road where restricted by a weight restriction or mass permit condition imposed from time to time.

Part 1: Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

8.      Application- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

This Part applies to triaxle low loader trailers in Queensland.

9.      Exemption- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

Vehicles operating under this Part are exempt from the 3.2m maximum horizontal distance between axles under the definition of “tri-axle” under section 5 of the HVNL.

10.  Condition- Triaxle Low Loader Axle Dimension Exemption

1)      Triaxle low loaders operating under this Part may exceed the extreme axle dimensions for a conforming axle group of 3.2m by up to 0.5m.

2)      An axle group subject of this Part is a conforming axle group.

Part 2: Unladen Load Platform Trailer Dimension Exemption

11.  Application- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

This Part applies to load platform trailers that are unladen.

12.  Exemptions- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

1)      Vehicles operating under this Part are exempted from the dimension requirement under Schedule 6, section 4(2)(b) of the Regulation.

2)      Subject to 1) above, vehicles operating under this Part have the following dimension exemptions:

a)      The distance from the kingpin or towing point to the rear of the trailer may exceed 12.3m; and

b)      The deck length may exceed 13.7m in length.

13.  Conditions- Unladen Load Platform Trailer

1)      While operating under this Part, an unladen load platform trailer must

a)      travel in its narrowest configuration; and

b)      must not exceed 3.5m in width.

2)      While operating under this Part, a heavy vehicle combination including an unladen load platform trailer must not exceed 35m in length.

3)      While operating under this Part, a combination must comply with the operating conditions of the Form 4 Guideline.

Part 3: Pole Erecting Vehicles Dimension Exemption

14.  Application- Pole Erecting Vehicles

This Part applies to a pole erecting truck operated by an electricity authority or their agent.

15.  Dimension Exemptions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

Pole erecting trucks operating under this Notice are exempted from the dimension requirements for the length of a vehicle and trailers in section 3 and 5, Part 2 of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

16.  Exclusion of prescribed conditions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

The application of Part 1 Division 1 of Schedule 8 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation to this notice is expressly excluded.

17.  Conditions - Dimensions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

1)      While operating under this Notice, a heavy vehicle or combination must not exceed the following dimensions:

a)      Pole erecting truck rear overhang not to exceed 3.5m;

b)      The rear overhang of a pole trailer must not exceed 5m while carrying poles; and

c)      A combination must not exceed 25m in length, when loaded with power poles.

18.  General Conditions- Pole Erecting Vehicles

1)      While operating under this Notice, a combination must comply with the operating conditions of the Form 4 Guideline.

2)      It is a condition of this exemption that the driver must keep in the driver’s possession a copy of this notice and must produce the notice to an authorised officer when requested.

Dated: 21 June 2017

Sal Petroccitto

Chief Executive Officer

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator