HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1)

1. Purpose

1)      This notice grants exemptions from mass requirements for a class 3 heavy combination consisting of a 3-axle prime mover and a 3-axle semi- trailer transporting containers. It also provides conditions of operation under those exemptions, including access to limited routes in and around the Port of Melbourne.

2)      This notice revokes and replaces Part 2 of the Victoria Class 3 Container Vehicle, Rearloader Waste Vehicle And Converter Dolly Combination Vehicle Mass And Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (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 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1).

4.       Commencement date

This notice commences on 7 July 2023

5.       Expiry date

This notice expires on 6 July 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 is a combination consisting of a 3-axle prime mover towing a 3-axle semi-trailer that is loaded with a freight container.

2)      This notice applies in Victoria.

3)      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

c)       section 5 – Mass limits relating to axle spacing generally

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

3)      If, in relation to a particular vehicle or component, this notice provides for two or more mass limits imposing different mass limits that apply in the same circumstances, the lower mass limit applies, and the other mass limit must be disregarded.

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

An eligible vehicle must not exceed 48t.

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

The axle group in Column 1 of Table 1 must not exceed the mass listed in Column 2.

Table 1: Maximum masses for axle groups

11.   Conditions – Minimum axle spacing

1)      The distance between the center of the dual-drive tandem axle group on prime mover, and the first axle of the tri-axle group on an eligible vehicle must be at least 6.5m.

2)      The wheelbase of the prime mover that forms part of an eligible vehicle must be at least 3.6m.

12.   Conditions – Areas and routes

1)      An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on the following network:

Port of Melbourne Container Vehicle Network

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

3)      An eligible vehicle operating on a network specified in this section must comply with the following conditions as specified for routes and areas set out on that 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.

Note: The Port of Melbourne Container Vehicle Network is maintained by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and is published on its website.

David Hourigan

Chief Regulatory and Policy Standards Officer

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator