HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1)

1.        Purpose

1.       This notice authorises access to specified networks by eligible Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles that hold a PBS vehicle approval, and that comply with the other conditions of this notice and its schedules.  

1.       This notice revokes and replaces the National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1).

Note: Authorised access to the areas and routes specified in this notice is limited by conditions including PBS tier ratings or reference vehicle requirements. A vehicle will need to comply with both its own PBS vehicle approval and the conditions of this notice to access a given area or route.

1.        Authorising provision

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

1.       section 138 – Regulator’s power to authorise use of all or stated categories of class 2 heavy vehicles;
2.       section 23 of Schedule 1 – Regulator’s power to amend or repeal instrument.

1.        Title

This notice may be cited as the National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.1).

1.        Commencement date

This notice commences on 1 April 2026.

1.        Expiry date

This notice expires on 14 November 2026.

1.        Definitions

1.       Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meaning as in the HVNL and its regulations.

1.       In this notice, definitions from the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice apply.

1.       In this notice:

Guide means the National Class 2 Performance Based Vehicle (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice Operator’s Guide published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), as amended from time to time.

PBS network means a PBS network with the following specified characteristics:

1.       Level – as per Vehicle performance level under the Standards and Vehicle Assessment Rules; and
2.       Class – as per Network Access by vehicle length class under the PBS Scheme-Network Classification Guidelines.

In this notice, the level and class of a network may be specified by interpolating these values into the PBS network name. For example, a PBS Network that is level 2 and class A may be identified as PBS 2A network, or a PBS Level 2A network.

PBS Scheme - Network Classification Guidelines means the document of that name published by the National Transport Commission (NTC), as amended from time to time.

PBS Scheme - The Standards and Vehicle Assessment Rules means the document of that name published by the NTC, as amended from time to time.

Reference vehicle means a generic vehicle specified by a set of parameters including mass, dimensions, axle spacing, configuration, or other vehicle characteristics. A reference vehicle may be described by way of a diagram, drawing, list, model, or any combination of those things.

Reference vehicles are used in this notice to match specific vehicle configurations with access to specific routes or areas.  A network, either in a network provision of this notice or as a condition on the network itself, may specify compliance with a given reference vehicle or vehicles.

Note: For example, a reference vehicle may by way of a diagram prescribe a vehicle’s maximum length and height, the number and spacings of axles, and the number of units that compose the combination. A specific network may then apply that reference vehicle either directly from a schedule to this notice, or as a vehicle condition maintained on the network map itself.

1.        Application

1.       This notice applies to a class 2 heavy vehicle that meets all the requirements in this section.

1.       This notice applies to a heavy vehicle that is a PBS vehicle with a PBS vehicle approval issued under section 23 of Part 1.4 of the HVNL.

1.       This notice applies in the following participating jurisdictions:

1.       New South Wales
2.       South Australia; and
3.        Victoria.

1.       This notice applies in a participating jurisdiction subject to the conditions provided in the body of this notice and the conditions of the schedule relevant to that jurisdiction.

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

1.        Conditions – Compliance with PBS vehicle approval

1.       An eligible vehicle must comply with the requirements and conditions of the PBS vehicle approval issued to it.

1.       If another condition of this notice, or a condition of access to a network under this notice, makes a requirement that is more restrictive than the vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval then the more restrictive condition must be complied with.

Note: This notice is an access Authority and not an Exemption from prescribed mass or dimension limits. A schedule to this authorisation notice may include a condition that will apply despite the PBS vehicle approval. For example, access to a network may only be permitted to PBS vehicles no higher than 4.6m despite a greater height shown in the PBS vehicle approval.

1.        Conditions – Areas and routes

1.       An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on areas and routes stated in a schedule.

1.       For the purposes of section 138(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route specified in a schedule of this notice is a stated area or route to which this authorisation notice applies.

1.       An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in a schedule must comply with any of the following conditions prescribed for that area or route:

1.       Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and
2.       Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and
3.        Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

4) Regardless of any access granted under this section or a Schedule, an eligible vehicle must comply with any conditions or restrictions applied to a given area or route by the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements in the Guide.

1.    Conditions – Reference vehicle requirements

1.       If access to an area or route for an eligible vehicle is conditioned by the requirement to comply with a reference vehicle, the eligible vehicle must comply with parameters indicated by the reference vehicle including, but not limited to, those regarding:

1.       number and type of units in a combination; or
2.       mass, length, height, or width; or
3.        axle configuration, axle spacing or axle mass limits; or
4.       draw bar length, overhang, or ground clearance.

1.       Distances for the purpose of axle spacings, or relating to axle groups, are measured from the centres of relevant axles or axle groups.

Note: To be clear, not every network will require compliance with a reference vehicle, and not every reference vehicle will specify all parameters set out in this section. If a reference vehicle exists for a network, then the reference vehicle parameters must be complied with.

1.    Conditions – Intelligent access program conditions

1.       Pursuant to section 402(1)(a) and (b) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, the following conditions of this notice are intelligent access program conditions:

1.       any condition relating to mass or dimensions; and
2.       any condition relating to stated areas or routes to which the authority applies, including any relating to speed or time of travel.

1.       Pursuant to section 402(1)(c) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle must be monitored by an approved intelligent transport system as set out in the intelligent access program conditions of a schedule to this notice.

Jose Arredondo

Manager – Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Schedule 1 New South Wales

1.        Application

This schedule applies in New South Wales.

1.        Definitions

1.       In this schedule:

30m A-Double with a tandem axle dolly means a PBS Level 2 approved A-double that does not exceed 30.0m in length on which the dolly axle group is tandem axle only.

A-Double has the same meaning as in section 6 of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

Quad-Quad B-double means a B-double with quad-axle groups on both trailers.

Quad Semitrailer means a combination consisting of a prime mover and semitrailer fitted with a quad-axle group.

Quad-Tri B-double means a B-double with a quad-axle group on the first trailer and a tri-axle group on the rear trailer.

1.        Conditions – Stated Areas and Routes (Networks)

1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 9 of this notice an eligible vehicle may operate on a network named in column 2 of Table 1, on condition that it meets the requirements listed in columns 3 to 5 and complies with all other conditions of this notice.

1.       In column 2 of Table 1, “network mass level” means the category of network as provided on the network maps. These will be either “GML, CML and QML 1” or “HML and QML 2”. “Network name” refers to the specific network under that category. Together, these identify a specific network map on which an eligible vehicle may operate.

Note: For network purposes, “CML” equates to “QML 1” while “HML” equates to “QML 2”. The QML levels are specified because they are used on some PBS vehicle approvals for vehicles with quad axles instead of CML and HML.

1.       In column 3 of Table 1, “vehicle configuration” means the eligible vehicle configuration that can operate on a given network under column 2. Any requirements described in the vehicle configuration must be complied with.

1.       In column 4 of Table 1, “VA Mass and Bridge Assessment Tier” indicate the mass limits from the vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval that must be complied with when operating on a network under column 2. In column 4:

VA GML means general mass limits prescribed in a vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval.

VA CML means concessional mass limits prescribed in a vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval.

VA HML means higher mass limits prescribed in a vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval.

VA QML 1 means Level 1 quad mass limits prescribed in a vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval.

VA QML 2 means Level 2 quad mass limits prescribed in a vehicle’s PBS vehicle approval.

Tier 1 means the vehicle is limited to mass limits allowed under Tier 1 Bridge Assessment only.

Tier 3 means the vehicle is limited to mass limits allowed under Tier 3 Bridge Assessment only.

Table 1: New South Wales Networks

1.       An eligible vehicle that is a:

1.       truck and dog combination that is a PBS Level 1 Tier 1 vehicle and does not exceed 20m in length may operate on the Great Western Highway between the M4 Western Motorway/Russell Street interchange at Emu Plains and the Great Western Highway/ Castlereagh Highway interchange at Marrangaroo at PBS Level 2 mass limits up to 57.5t if the vehicle’s VA permits PBS Level 2.

1.       B-double combination that is PBS Level 1 Tier 1 vehicle and does not exceed 20m in length may operate on the Great Western Highway between the M4 Western Motorway/Russell Street interchange at Emu Plains and the Great Western Highway/ Castlereagh Highway interchange at Marrangaroo at PBS Level 2 mass limits up to 57.5t if the vehicle’s VA permits PBS Level 2.

1.       Conditions – Prohibited vehicles

1.       The following heavy vehicles are prohibited from operating on a network under this schedule:

1.       prime movers with twin steer axles; or
2.       prime movers that have a drive axle group with more than two axles in contact with the ground; or
3.        combinations including tri-axle dollies; or
4.       PBS Vehicles operating under an approval given under section 8 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation for non-compliance with the Pavement Vertical Loading Standard (A1); or
5.       PBS vehicles higher than 4.6m.

2)  In this section, drive axle group means an axle group that has one or more driving axles.

1.        Conditions – Intelligent access program conditions

1.       Pursuant to section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle operating on a network under this schedule must be enrolled in and comply with one or both of the following approved intelligent transport systems, approved by Transport Certification Australia (TCA):

1.       For vehicle operating at GML, CML or QML 1 Tier 1 mass limits:

Road Infrastructure Management (RIM)

Note: Enrolment in higher assurance telematics applications, such as Telematics

Monitoring Application (TMA) or Intelligent Access Program (IAP) are also acceptable alternatives to RIM.

1.       For vehicles operating at GML, CML or QML 1 Tier 3 mass limits:

Intelligent Access Program; or

Telematics Monitoring Application

1.        For vehicles operating at HML or QML 2 mass limits:

Intelligent Access Program; or

Telematics Monitoring Application

Schedule 2 South Australia

1.        Application

This schedule applies in South Australia.

1.       Conditions – Stated Areas and Routes

1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 9 of this Notice, an eligible vehicle may operate on a network named in Column 4 of Table 1 to this Schedule, on condition that:
   1.       Its PBS Vehicle Approval authorises its operation at the PBS Level referenced in Column 1.
   2.       It complies with the conditions of its PBS Vehicle Approval for that PBS Level.
   3.        Its total combination mass does not exceed that in Column 2, except if it is a Euro VI vehicle (complying steer axle) or Euro VI vehicle (twinsteer), in which case the total combination mass may exceed the value in Column 2 by up to 0.5 tonnes.
   4.       The total combination mass does not exceed 74.5t, regardless of subsection c), for the following networks:
      1.       PBS Level 2A 74.5t HPFV Network A (single steer)
      2.       PBS Level 2A 74.5t HPFV Network A (twinsteer)
      3.       PBS Level 2A 74.5t HPFV Network B (single steer)
      4.       PBS Level 2A 74.5t HPFV Network B (twinsteer)
   5.       Its total combination length does not exceed that in Column 3.
   6.         It complies with the vehicle conditions of the Reference Vehicle Information Sheet – South Australia, as indicated by the Ref ID that corresponds with Column 5 of Table 1 of this Schedule.

Table 1: South Australian Networks

Note: The networks named in Column 4 of Table 1 are published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, through the NHVR National Network Map.

1.       Conditions – Axle group mass limits

Table 2: Axle group mass limits

Schedule 3 Victoria

1.        Application

This schedule applies in Victoria.

1.       Definitions

1.       In this schedule:

Quad-Quad B-double means a B-double with quad-axle groups on both trailers.

Quad Semitrailer means a combination consisting of a prime mover and semitrailer fitted with a quad-axle group.

Quad-Tri B-double means a B-double with a quad-axle group on the first trailer and a tri-axle group on the rear trailer.

1.       The following terms are used to identify certain networks in section 3, and to prescribe what type of reference vehicles may operate on those networks:

a Cubic network means one on which an eligible vehicle that meets the dimension limitations and other requirements of a General Freight reference vehicle or Volumetric reference vehicle may operate.

a General Freight network means one on which an eligible vehicle that meets the dimension limitations and other requirements of a general freight reference vehicle may operate.

a Volumetric network means one on which an eligible vehicle that meets the dimension limitations and other requirements of a volumetric reference vehicle may operate.

a General Freight reference vehicle means a reference vehicle consisting of a towing unit and one or more trailers carrying goods, including one that qualifies as a volumetrically loaded vehicle.

a Volumetric reference vehicle means a reference vehicle consisting of a towing unit and one or more trailers that are purpose-built tankers designed to carry liquids or gases in bulk. It does not mean vehicles with loads consisting of gases or liquids contained in separate vessels such as bottles, cylinders, or tanks may operate.

Example: A semi-trailer carrying LNG in a single tank that is integral to the trailer is a volumetric vehicle, while a semi-trailer carrying LNG in separately loaded cylinders is not.

1.       Conditions – Stated Areas and Routes (Networks)

1.       Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 9 of this notice an eligible vehicle may operate on a network named in Column 4 of Table 1, on condition that it has a PBS Approval that meets the requirements for the PBS network and does not exceed the maximum length and mass requirements in Column 2 and 3.

Table 1: Victorian networks

Note: The networks named in Column 4 of Table 1 are published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, through the NHVR National Network Map.

1.       In addition to complying with the requirements in Table 1, an eligible vehicle operating on a network under this section must comply with the dimension limitations and other requirements of a reference vehicle specified as a condition of that network.

Note: More than one reference vehicle may be provided for a single network, in which case compliance with only one reference is required.

1.       Conditions – Vehicle conditions

1.       An eligible vehicle must have:

1.       an antilock braking system that complies with Australian Design Rule 38/01, or a later version of that rule on all axles, excluding those on convertor dollies; and
2.       certified road friendly suspension.

1.       An eligible vehicle that contains a prime mover manufactured after 2007 must meet the emissions control standard, Australian Design Rule 80/02, or a later version of that rule.

1.       Conditions – Prohibited vehicles

A PBS Vehicle operating under an approval given under section 8 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation for non-compliance with the Pavement Vertical Loading Standard (A1) is prohibited from operating on a network under this schedule.

1.        Conditions – Intelligent access program conditions

1.       Pursuant to section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle operating on a network under this schedule that is a:

1.        vehicle with total mass greater than 68.5t; or
2.       a quad semi-trailer exceeding 46t gross combination mass

must be enrolled in and comply with one or both of the following approved intelligent transport systems, approved by Transport Certification Australia (TCA):

On Board Mass Management Category B (OBM B); or

On Board Mass Management Category C (OBM C).

1.       Pursuant to section 11 of this notice, an eligible vehicle operating on a network under this schedule must be enrolled in and comply with one or both of the following approved intelligent transport systems, approved by TCA:

Intelligent Access Program; or

Telematics Monitoring Application.

1.       Any approved intelligent transport system required under this section must be functioning while operating under this notice.

1.       Conditions – Crossing railways and tramways

The driver or operator of an eligible vehicle longer than 26m must obtain permission from the Department of Transport and Planning’s Over Dimensional Load team before attempting to cross a railway or tramway track.