HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Victoria Class 3 2-Axle Bus Mass Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1)

1. Purpose

This Notice exempts 2-axle buses operating in Victoria manufactured before a certain date from compliance with certain prescribed mass requirements.

Note:- For the purpose of Victoria, this notice revokes and replaces the New South Wales and Victoria Class 3 Bus Mass Limit Exemption Notice 2014 (No.1).

 This Notice ensures that the buses operating in Victoria before a specified date will not have to comply with the new conditions for eligible 2-axle buses that are included in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation by amendment.

2.       Revocation

This notice revokes Part 2 of the New South Wales and Victoria Class 3 Bus Mass Limit Exemption Notice 2014 (No.1).

3.       Authorising Provision

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

4.       Title

This Notice may be cited as the Victoria Class 3 2-Axle Bus Mass Exemption Notice 2018.

5.       Commencement

This Notice commences on 1 July 2018.

6.       Expiry

This Notice expires on 30 June 2023.

7.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words or expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as in the HVNL or regulations made under the HVNL.

2)      In this Notice —

Eligible vehicle means a two-axle bus that has a steer axle and a single drive axle with dual tyres and is:

a)      a complying bus;

b)      an ultra-low floor bus;

c)       a bus that is longer than 12.5m, other than an articulated bus,  but not longer than 14.5m (a controlled access bus); or

d)      a bus that is licensed to carry standing passengers, other than an ultra-low floor bus.

8.       Application

1)      This Notice applies to an eligible vehicle operating in Victoria manufactured before 1 January 2019.

9.       Exemption- Mass Requirements

1)      An eligible vehicle operating under this Notice is exempt from the following mass requirements of Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the National Regulation):

a)      section 2(1)(a)(i)(A); and

b)      section 2(1)(a)(iii); and

c)       section 2(1)(b); and

d)      section 4 as it relates to the general mass limits specified in Table 1 (Axle mass limits table) of Part 2.

10.   Conditions - Total mass limit

The mass of an eligible vehicle must not be more than 18t.

11.   Axle mass limits

1)      The mass on an axle of an eligible vehicle must not be more than:

a)      for a steer axle – 7t.

b)      for a rear drive axle with dual tyres – 12t

12.   Conditions – Stated Areas and Routes

1)      An eligible vehicle up to 12.5m may operate on all roads in Victoria.

2)      An eligible vehicle longer than 12.5m may only operate on routes specified in the Controlled Access Bus Network.

Dated: 18 May 2018

Roger Garcia

Acting Executive Director (Access Operations)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator