HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

South Australia Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

1. Purpose

1)      This Notice provides access for tractors used for agricultural purposes, agricultural machines, agricultural machines towing agricultural implements and agricultural combinations which exceed regulation dimensions to travel on roads in South Australia subject to the conditions specified in this Notice.

2)      This Notice works in conjunction with the Code of Practice for Oversize or Overmass Agricultural Vehicles (The Code), published on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulators (NHVR’s) website.

Note: This notice replaces the Notice of Approval and Exemption for Oversize or Overmass Agricultural Vehicles Driven on Roads, published in the South Australian Government Gazette.

2.       Authorising Provision

This notice is made under Section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), and s169 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation.

3.       Commencement

This Notice commences on 10 February 2019.

4.       Expiry

This Notice expires on 9 February 2024.

5.       Title

This Notice may be cited as the South Australia Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019.

6.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice and in the Code have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

2)      In this Notice:-

Code means the Code of Practice for Oversize or Overmass Agricultural Vehicles, produced by the South Australia Government 2008.

Note: the Code is available on the NHVR website.

Eligible vehicle means tractors used for agricultural purposes, agricultural machines, agricultural machines towing agricultural implements and agricultural combinations.

DPTI means the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

7.       Application

This Notice applies to eligible vehicles operating in South Australia.

8.       Exemptions - Mass

1)      Eligible vehicles operating under this notice are exempt from the following dimension requirements in Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation):

a)      Section 4 Mass Limits for a single axle or axle group

9.       Exemptions - Dimension

1)      Eligible vehicles operating under this notice are exempt from the following dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation)

a)      Section 3 – Length

b)      Section 4 – Length (Trailers)

c)       Section 6 – Rear overhang

d)      Section 8 – Width

e)      Section 9 – Height

10.   Conditions - Mass

1)      An eligible vehicle operating under this notice must comply with all of the conditional mass requirements set out in the Code. Specifically, these are provided in the following sections of the Code:

a)      Section 6 - Mass Limits for Singe Axles

11.   Conditions - Dimension

1)      An eligible vehicle operating under this notice must comply with all of the conditional mass requirements set out in the Code. Specifically, these are provided in the following sections of the Code. Specifically, these are provided in the following sections of the Code:

a)      Section 7 - Maximum Heights

b)      Section 8 - Height Restrictions in Optus Clearance Zone.

c)       Sections 18 through to 32 - Height restrictions for Zones of Operation.

12.   Condition - Towing Vehicles

In relation to s184 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle operating under this Notice may tow more than one other vehicle.

Note: as a heavy vehicle operating under this Notice is subject to the HVNL, an exemption from any road rules limiting towing is not required dur to the operation of this section.

13.   Conditions – Use of Pilots

An eligible vehicle operating under this notice must comply with pilot and escort requirements set out in the Code.

14.   Conditions – Times of Travel

An eligible vehicle operating under this Notice may operate at night according to the conditions provided under the Information Bulletin – Night Travel for Agricultural Machinery - Approved Council Areas.

Note: the Information Bulletin – Night Travel of Agricultural Machinery- Approved Council Areas is published by DPTI and is available on its website.

15.   Exemptions - Vehicle Standards

1)      Eligible vehicles operating under this notice are exempt from the following vehicle standards requirements in Schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (VS Regulation), as far as it applies to so far as it relates to tractors or agricultural machines towing an agricultural implement that exceeds 3.5m in width:

a)      Section 12 - Rear Vision Mirrors.

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator