HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (up to 40t total mass) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2026 (No.2)

1.        Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to exempt Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that have a total vehicle mass not exceeding 40t from certain mass and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation) and provide those vehicles with access to prescribed networks under prescribed conditions. This notice only applies to vehicles up to 40t total maximum mass and does not apply to SPV combinations.

1.        Authorising provision

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

1.     section 117 - Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirements.

1.        Title

This notice may be cited as the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (up to 40t total mass) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2026 (No.2).

1.        Commencement

This notice commences on 16 August 2026.

1.        Expiry

This notice expires on 15 August 2031.

1.        Definitions

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

1.     In this notice:

Articulated steering crane means a crane which is steered by use of an articulated point located between the front axle and rear axle or axle group and has a boom projecting to the front of the vehicle that functions as a crane.

Forward projection means the distance from the centre of the steering wheel to the furthest projection of the vehicle to the front, including any load.

Ground contact width (GCW) means:

1.     in relation to an axle, the distance between the outermost point of ground contact of the outside tyres on each end of the axle; or
2.     in relation to an axle group, the greatest ground contact width of all the axles in the group.

Guide means the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (up to 40t total mass) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator's Guide.

Hydro-pneumatic means a suspension system design that uses hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic circuit connected to an air charged accumulator to provide wheel travel, spring and damping while supporting the mass of the vehicle over single or multiple axle groups.

Prescribed SPV means an SPV on which:

1.     at least half of the axles steer; and
2.     there are no more than two tyres per axle.

Rear overhang line means, for:

1.     an eligible vehicle fitted with an axle group as defined in the HVNL, the rear overhang line is as defined in section 1 of Schedule 6 of the MDL Regulation; or
2.     a prescribed SPV which does not meet (a), the rear overhang line is measured from the centre of the last two axles to the rear of the vehicle.

1.        Application

1.     This notice applies to a special purpose vehicle as defined by section 116(4) of the HVNL that does not exceed 40t in mass.

1.     This notice does not apply to an SPV vehicle that is:

1.     a combination of two or more units; or
2.     a trailer.

1.     This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions except Tasmania.

1.     A vehicle to which this notice applies is an eligible vehicle.

1.        Exemption – Prescribed mass requirements

1.     An eligible vehicle to which this notice applies is exempt from the following mass requirements of Schedule 1 of the MDL Regulation:

1.     section 2 - Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination
2.     section 4 - Mass limits for a single axle or axle group
3.      section 5 - Mass limits relating to axle spacing generally

1.     An exemption in this section only applies to the extent that specific conditional mass limits are provided in this notice, or in a schedule to this notice.

1.     To be clear, if this notice provides for more than one mass limit that may apply in the same circumstances the more restrictive mass limit applies.

1.     Regardless of any conditional masses prescribed in this notice an eligible vehicle must not exceed manufacturer mass limits as defined in section 8(8) of the MDL Regulation.

1.        Condition – Total mass of vehicle

1.     The total mass of an eligible vehicle must not exceed the lesser of the following limits:

1.     a total mass of 40t; or
2.     a total calculated mass found using the Total Calculated Mass Formula below; or
3.      the sum of the axle masses that apply to the eligible vehicle under Tables 1 and 2.

1.     A 3-axle prescribed SPV is exempted from compliance with the condition set out in section 9(1)(b).

Total Calculated Mass Formula

Total Calculated Mass = (3 x L) + 15 ±G

1.    Condition – Mass limits for single axle and axle groups

1.     An eligible vehicle with an axle group described in Column 1 and Column 2 of Table 1 must not exceed the mass limit as set out in Column 3, with a minimum GCW set out in Column 2.

Table 1: Axle mass limits

1.    Condition – Mass limits for axles (Limited by tyre size)

1.     A single axle with tyre widths described in Column 1 of Table 2, must not exceed the mass as stated in Column 2 or Column 3 of Table 2, based on the number of tyres on the axle.

Table 2: Mass limit for single axles limited by tyre width

1.     As a specific exemption from section 11(1), the mass limit on an axle fitted with 2 tyres that are at least 445mm wide on a prescribed SPV, is increased to 12t unless excluded in a Schedule.

1.    Exemption- Prescribed dimension requirements

1.     An eligible vehicle operating under this notice is exempt from the following dimension requirements of Schedule 6 of the MDL Regulation:

1.     section 3 – Length (combination or single vehicle)
2.     section 5 – Length (rear overhang)
3.      section 7 – Width
4.     section 8 – Height

1.     An exemption in this section only applies to the extent that specific conditional dimension limits are provided in this notice, or in a schedule of this notice.

1.     To be clear, if this notice provides for more than one dimension limit that may apply in the same circumstances the more restrictive dimension limit applies.

1.    Condition – Dimensions (Height, width, and length)

1.     An eligible vehicle must not exceed the following dimensions:

1.     height – 4.6m,
2.     width – 3.5m,
3.      length – 14.5m.
   

1.    Condition – Dimensions (Forward projection)

1.     The forward projection of an eligible vehicle must not exceed the following:

1.     eligible vehicle that are not articulated steering cranes or prescribed SPVs – 3.5m; or
2.     eligible vehicles that are articulated steering cranes – 5.5m; or
3.      eligible vehicles that are prescribed SPVs – 4.0m.

1.    Condition – Dimensions (Rear overhang)

1.     The rear overhang of an eligible vehicle must not exceed the lesser of:

1.     4.0m; or
2.     90% of the wheelbase.

1.     An eligible vehicle that cannot meet the requirements of (1) but meets Performance Based Standards (PBS) Level 1 tail swing and low speed swept path performance requirements may have a rear overhang of up to 4.5m.

1.     An eligible vehicle that complies with the requirements of (2) must carry a Certificate of Conformance with PBS Level 1 Tail Swing and Swept Path Performance establishing that the vehicle meets Performance Based Standards (PBS) Level 1 tail swing and low speed swept path performance, pursuant to the National Heavy Vehicle Standards Special Purpose Vehicle Exemption Notice.

1.     For an eligible vehicle that is a 3-axle prescribed SPV the requirement in (1)(b) does not apply if:

1.     the rear overhang in excess of 90% is caused entirely by the addition of equipment used for the special purpose of the vehicle; and
2.     the vehicle, including the overhang caused by the equipment, complies with the requirements of section 11 of the National Heavy Vehicle Standards Special Purpose Vehicle Notice.

1.     In this section,

Equipment means items needed for the vehicle to perform its special purpose, but that may be detachable or interchangeable depending on requirements. For example, this may include winches, pump attachments or safety equipment.

Performance Based Standards means the standards set out in the PBS Scheme Standards and Vehicle Assessment Rules published by the NHVR pursuant to s653 of the HVNL.

1.    Disapplication – Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation

1.     Pursuant to section 39(5) of the MDL Regulation, the following conditions in Part 1 of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation are disapplied:

1.     section 2 – Warning signs and flags,
2.     section 7(b) – Travel in an urban area (at night) without being accompanied by a pilot vehicle.

1.     The disapplication in (1)(a) only applies to articulated steering cranes that are less than 3.1m wide.

1.    Condition – Intelligent access program conditions

1.     This section only applies in jurisdictions that have an intelligent access program condition in the relevant Schedule.

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 s402(1)(c) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle must be enrolled in and comply with an approved intelligent transport system as set out in the intelligent access program conditions of a schedule to this notice.

1.    Condition – Other (Speed restrictions for articulated steering crane)

1.     An articulated steering crane must comply with the following conditions:

1.     the maximum speed of the vehicle must not exceed 80km/h.
2.     an 80km/h maximum speed sign must be fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
3.      a warning decal in the cabin visible from the driver’s position must display a maximum speed limit of 80km/h.

1.    Condition – Schedules

In addition to the conditions in the body of the notice above, an eligible vehicle operating must comply with any further conditions set out in the Schedules for a relevant participating jurisdiction.

1.    Condition – Stated areas or 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 119 (1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route stated in a schedule is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.

1.     In this notice a reference to a network is a reference to a map or stated route pursuant to section 119(2) of the HVNL.

1.     Regardless of any access granted in this notice, 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.     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.

Jose Arredondo

Manager Network Access Policy

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Schedule 1 Australian Capital Territory

1.        Application

This Schedule applies to eligible vehicles operating in the Australian Capital Territory.

1.        Condition - Areas and routes

1.     Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 20 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas and on the routes specified in this section.

1.     An eligible vehicle operating in the Australian Capital Territory may operate on the routes and areas provided in the following networks:

1.     An eligible vehicle up to 4.3m in height may operate on all roads.
2.     An eligible vehicle that is more than 4.3min height but no more than 4.6min height, may operate on the following network:

Australian Capital Territory B-double Network

1.     An eligible vehicle operating on the areas and routes specified in this section must comply with all conditions stated in the ACT Special Purpose Vehicles Network – Routes with Mass and Width Conditions/Restrictions.

1.        Condition – Axle mass limits specific to prescribed SPVs in the Australian Capital Territory.

1.     A 2-axle or 3-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum axle spacing from the first axle in the group to the last axle in the group listed in Column 1 of Table 1 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 3.

Table 1: Maximum mass for axle spacing for 2 and 3 axle prescribed SPVs

1.     A 2-axle or 3-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum GCW listed in Column 1 of Table 2 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 2.

Table 2: Maximum mass for GCWs for 2 and 3 axle prescribed SPVs

Schedule 2 New South Wales

1.        Application

This Schedule applies to eligible vehicles operating in New South Wales.

1.        Definitions

1.     In this Schedule:

Mobile crane means an eligible vehicle that is a crane:

1.     equipped with a boom; and
2.     designed primarily for raising, moving and lowering a freely suspended load; and
3.      is not a truck mounted crane.

Truck mounted crane means a crane built using an Australian Design Rules compliant heavy vehicle cab chassis.

Truck mounted SPV means a SPV built using an Australian Design Rules compliant heavy vehicle cab chassis.

1.        Condition - Areas and routes

1.     Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 20 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas and on the routes specified in this section.

1.     An eligible vehicle operating in New South Wales may operate on the areas and routes provided in the following networks:

1.     an eligible vehicle that is not a 3-axle prescribed SPV:

SPV Level 1 Approved Routes

1.     an eligible vehicle that is a 3-axle prescribed SPV:

SPV Level 3 Approved Routes

1.     An eligible vehicle that is more than 4.3m high but not more than 4.6m high may only operate on a route that is also approved on the 4.6m High Vehicle Network layer (NSW Network Overlays) on the National Network Map.

1.        Condition – Intelligent access program conditions

1.     Pursuant to section 17 of this notice:

1.     an eligible vehicle that is a mobile crane exceeding 2.5m in width may only operate in New South Wales if the vehicle is an intelligent access program vehicle enrolled in and monitored by the following approved intelligent transport system:

Intelligent Access Program (IAP)

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)

1.     an eligible vehicle that is a truck mounted crane exceeding 2.5m in width may only operate in New South Wales if the vehicle is an intelligent access program vehicle enrolled in and monitored by the following approved intelligent transport system:

Intelligent Access Program (IAP)

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)

1.      from 1 July 2027, an eligible vehicle that is a truck mounted SPV exceeding 2.5m in width may only operate in New South Wales if the vehicle is an intelligent access program vehicle enrolled in and monitored by the following approved intelligent transport system:

Intelligent Access Program (IAP)

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)

1.        Condition – Axle mass limits specific to prescribed SPVs in New South Wales

1.     A prescribed SPV with 445mm sized tyres is permitted to operate at the approved 12t per axle mass.

1.     A 2-axle or 3-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum axle spacing from the first axle to the last axle on the SPV listed in Column 1 of Table 1 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 3.

Table 1: Maximum mass for axle spacing for 2-axle and 3-axle prescribed SPVs

1.     A 2-axle or 3-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum GCW listed in Column 1 of Table 2 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 2.

Table 2: Maximum mass for GCWs for 2-axle and 3-axle prescribed SPVs

Schedule 3 Queensland

1.        Application

1.     This Schedule applies to eligible vehicles operating in Queensland.

1.     This Schedule does not apply to prescribed SPVs that have three axles.

1.        Definitions

1.     In this Schedule:

Queensland Special Purpose Vehicles Local Government Network means the map of that name published by the NHVR that displays:

1.     the approved Local Government roads or areas for eligible vehicles in this notice; and
2.     any road and travel conditions that may apply on approved roads or areas.

Queensland Excess Mass and Dimension Conditions means the route and area conditions, including the Conditions of Operation Database restrictions, available on the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads website.

Queensland Access Conditions Guide means the Queensland Access Conditions Guide published on the Queensland Government Publications Portal that contains further specific information referenced in this schedule.

1.        Condition – Authority to Operate

1.     An eligible vehicle that exceeds regulation mass operating in Queensland must have a current Authority to Operate (ATO).

1.     The mass of an eligible vehicle must not exceed the maximum mass limits specified in the ATO. Where the mass limits of the ATO are less than the mass limits available under this notice, the limits in the ATO must apply.

1.     In this section;

Authority to Operate (ATO) means an approval of that name granted by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

1.        Condition - Areas and routes

1.     Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 20 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas and on the routes specified in this section.

1.     An eligible vehicle operating under this Schedule may operate on the following routes and networks subject to the conditions of this Schedule:

1.     state controlled roads in Queensland; and
2.     roads and areas listed in the Queensland Special Purpose Vehicles Local Government Network.

1.     Travel by any eligible vehicle on a route in Queensland must comply with the conditions relating to routes specified in (2), as set out in:

1.     the Queensland Special Purpose Vehicles Local Government Network; and
2.     the Queensland Excess Mass and Dimension Conditions; and
3.      the Queensland Access Conditions Guide as it applies to class 1 SPVs on State controlled roads.

1.     An eligible vehicle that is either a 2-axle prescribed SPV or a 2-axle articulated steering crane that has a mass on any axle exceeding 10t must not cross a structure that is listed on the 2-axle Prescribed SPV and 2-axle Articulated Steering Crane Map.

1.     An eligible vehicle that is a 3-axle articulated steering crane must not cross a structure that is listed on the 3-axle Articulated Steering Cranes Map.

1.        Condition – Conditions for operation under this notice in Queensland

1.     Section 11(2) of this notice does not apply to prescribed SPVs

1.     Prescribed SPVs must comply with the tyre and axle mass requirements specified in s.11(1)(Table 2) of this notice.

1.        Condition – Additional mass limits for tandem axle special purpose vehicles in Queensland

1.     The mass on a tandem axle group described in Column 1 of Table 1 of this Schedule with a GCW in Column 2 must not be more than the mass limit in Column 3.

Table 1: Additional Mass limits for tandem axle special purpose vehicles

1.        Condition – Axle mass limits specific to prescribed SPVs in Queensland

1.     A 2-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum axle spacing listed in Column 1 of Table 2 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 2.

Table 2: Maximum mass for axle spacing for 2-axle prescribed SPVs

1.     A 2-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum GCW listed in Column 1 of Table 3 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 2.

Table 3: Maximum mass for GCW for 2-axle prescribed SPVs

1.        Condition – Requirements for 3-axle articulated steering cranes

1.     A 3-axle articulated steering crane must meet or exceed the minimum distance between a pair of axles stated in Column 2 of Table 4 of this Schedule, for the relevant axle listed in Column 1.

Table 4: Minimum spacing between axles

1.     A 3-axle articulated steering crane must ensure that the total mass distributed across all axles, as specified in Column 1 of Table 5 of this Schedule, does not exceed the corresponding maximum mass listed in Column 2.

Table 5: Maximum mass on axles or groups of axles

1.     A 3-axle articulated steering crane must have a minimum GCW of 2.65m.

Schedule 4 South Australia

1.        Application

This Schedule applies to eligible vehicles operating in South Australia.

1.        Condition - Areas and routes

1.     Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 20 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas and on the routes specified in this section.

1.     An eligible vehicle operating in South Australia may operate on the routes and areas provided in the following networks:

1.     An eligible vehicle that is a 3-axle prescribed SPV may operate on the :

3 Axle Crane Network

1.     An eligible vehicle that is not a 3-axle prescribed SPV and that does not exceed 3.1m in width may operate on the:

40t Special Purpose Vehicle Network

1.      An eligible vehicle that is not a 3-axle prescribed SPV, that exceeds 3.1m but does not exceed 3.5m in width may operate on:

25m 59.5t Low Loader Network

1.        Condition – Mass (Tyre mass limits for prescribed SPV in South Australia)

Section 11(2) of the notice does not apply to prescribed SPV’s operating in South Australia.

1.        Condition – Mass (3-axle articulated steering cranes)

1.     An eligible vehicle that is an articulated steering crane with a single front axle and a dual rear axle must not exceed the following mass limits:

1.     front axle – 12t,
2.     rear axle group – 20t,
3.      total vehicle mass – 32t.

1.        Condition – Pilots and escorts

Where a pilot vehicle is specified to accompany the SPV, the pilot vehicle driver must operate in accordance with, and carry a copy of, the booklet titled “Escorting Guidelines for Oversize and Overmass Vehicles and Loads in South Australia” published by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and must produce that booklet when requested by an Authorised Officer or a Police Officer.

1.        Condition – Axle mass limits specific to prescribed SPVs in South Australia

1.     A 2-axle or 3-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum axle spacing from the first axle to the last axle on the SPV listed in Column 1 or 2 of Table 1 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 3.

Table 1: Maximum mass for axle spacing for 2-axle and 3-axle prescribed SPVs

1.     A 2-axle or 3-axle prescribed SPV with a minimum GCW listed in Column 1 of Table 2 of this Schedule may have a single axle mass limit up to the corresponding mass in Column 2.

Table 2: Maximum mass for GCW for 2-axle and 3-axle prescribed SPVs

Schedule 5 Victoria

1.        Application

This Schedule applies to eligible vehicles operating in Victoria.

1.        Condition - Areas and routes

1.     Pursuant to the authorisation granted in section 20 of this notice, an eligible vehicle may operate in the areas and on the routes specified in this section.

1.     An eligible vehicle operating in Victoria may operate on the routes and areas provided in the following network:

1.     An eligible vehicle that is a two-axle prescribed SPV or a two-axle articulated steering crane may use routes marked in green on the following network:

2-Axle SPVs

1.     An eligible vehicle that is not a two-axle prescribed SPV or a two-axle articulated steering crane may use the following network:

40t SPVs

1.     Notwithstanding the access granted in (2), a prescribed SPV that exceeds:

1.     2.5m in width must not use any part of the approved routes consisting of the Mountainous Area or the Otway Area; or
2.     3.0m in width must not use any part of the approved routes consisting of the Colac-Surf Coast Area or the Gippsland Ranges Area.

1.     In this section, the following terms have the same meaning as in the 40t SPVs Network:

1.     Mountainous Area or the Otway Area,
2.     Colac-Surf Coast Area or the Gippsland Ranges Area.

1.     A prescribed SPV must not use any part of the approved routes consisting of:

1.     a timber deck bridge; or
2.     a road, bridge or other structure with a mass or dimension limit indicated by a traffic sign if the vehicle would exceed that mass or dimension limit; or
3.      a tunnel.

1.        Condition – Conditions for operation under this notice in Victoria

1.     If a prescribed SPV has the centre of a steering control to the left of the vehicle or has a boom which obscures the driver’s vision, it must either:

1.     be fitted with a closed-circuit television system that provides the driver with an adequate view to the right rear quarter of the vehicle; or
2.     be accompanied by one pilot vehicle.

1.        Condition – Axle mass limits specific to prescribed SPVs in Victoria

1.     The distance between the centre of the first axle and the centre of the last axle of a 2-axle prescribed SPV must be a minimum of 2.95m.

1.     A 2-axle prescribed SPV must have a GCW of at least 2.35m.

1.     The distance between the centre of the first axle and the centre of the last axle of a 3-axle prescribed SPV must be a minimum of 4.0m.

1.     A 3-axle prescribed SPV must have a GCW of at least 2.5m.