HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Victoria Class 3 2-Axle Bus Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1)

1. Purpose

1)      This notice exempts class 3 2-axle buses operating in Victoria manufactured before a certain date from compliance with certain prescribed mass requirements.

2)      This notice revokes and replaces the Victoria Class 3 2-Axle Bus Mass Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1).

2.       Authorising provision

1)      This Notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):

a)      section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.

b)      section 23 of Schedule 1 – Regulator’s power to amend or repeal instrument.

3.       Title

This exemption Notice may be cited as the Victoria Class 3 2-Axle Bus Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1).

4.       Commencement date

This Notice commences on 19 May 2023.

5.       Expiry date

This Notice expires on 18 May 2028.

6.       Definitions

Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those in the HVNL and its regulations.

7.       Application

1)      This exemption notice applies to a Class 3 heavy vehicle that meets all the requirements in this section.

2)      This exemption notice applies to a heavy vehicle that is a:

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.

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

4)      This Notice applies in Victoria.

5)      A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.

8.       Exemption – Prescribed mass requirements

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

a)      section 2 – Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination

b)      section 4 – Mass limits for a single axle or axle group

2)      An exemption in 1) only applies to an eligible vehicle to the extent that specific conditional mass limits are provided in section 9 or 10 of this notice.

3)      In relation to a particular vehicle or component, if this notice provides for more than one mass limit to apply in the same circumstances, the more restrictive dimension limit applies.

4)      In any case, any additional or conditional mass allowed under this Notice may not exceed manufacturer mass limits pursuant to section 8 of the MDL Regulation.

9.       Conditions – Mass (total mass of an eligible vehicle)

An eligible vehicle must not exceed 18.0t.

10.   Conditions – Mass (Mass limits for types of axle groups)

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

a)      for a steer axle – 7.0t.

b)      for a rear drive axle with dual tyres – 12.0t

11.   Condition – stated areas or routes

1)      An eligible vehicle described in column 1 of Table 1 may operate on the networks specified in column 2:

Table 1: Networks

Note: the networks in table 1 are maintained by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning and are published on its website.

2)      For the purposes of section 119(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route specified in this section is a stated area or route to which this Notice applies.

3)      An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in this notice must comply with the following conditions specified in a network:

a)      Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and

b)      Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and

c)       Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

Paul Sariban      

Director     

Freight and Supply Chain Productivity