This list of heavy vehicle industry acronyms is by no means complete. It does not include state regulatory agencies, not industry associations. It does however provide a handy understanding of policy and regulatory terminology.
ADR – Australian Design Rule
a specification of the rules a vehicle needs to comply with to be registered for use on Australian Roads
ARRB – Australian Road Research Board
ATSB – Australian Transport Safety Bureau
AVE – Approved Vehicle Examiner
appointed under the HVNL – responsible for approving modifications made under VSB6
AVV – Authorised Vehicle Verifier
responsible for approving vehicles under the RVSA
BITRE – Bureau of Infrastructure Transport Research Economics
CRN – Component Registration Number
approval number for components under the MVSA
CTA – Component Type Approval
approval number for Components (including subassemblies under the RVSA)
DITRDC (or DIT) – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
the Federal Government Department responsible for the RVSA (often referred to as the Department of Infrastructure)
HVNL – Heavy Vehicle National Law
governs in service regulation of vehicles
IPA – Identity Plate Approval
approval to supply a vehicle to market under the MVSA
MVSA – Motor Vehicle Standards Act
governs first supply to market of vehicles up to 30 June 2021
NEVDIS – National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System
national database run by Austroads which holds vehicle and driver data including VINS and WOHVR
NHVR – National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
in-service Regulator that operates under the HVNL
NMVTRC – National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council
NTC – National Transport Commission
does policy work on transport on behalf of Governments
Motor Vehicle Standards Act (governs first supply to market of vehicles from 1 July 2021)
SARN – Sub-assembly Registration Number
approval number for sub assemblies under the MVSA
SVSEG – Strategic Vehicle Safety and Environment Group
industry consultation group run by the Department of Infrastructure (deals with high level policy)
TIC – Transport and Infrastructure Council
State and Federal Government Transport and Infrastructure Ministers’ Meeting – normally held in May and November
also Truck Industry Council – Industry body
TLG – Technical Liaison Group
industry consultation group run by the Department of Infrastructure (deals with technical policy like ADRs)
TWG – Technical Working Group
industry consultation group run by the NHVR to deal with technical policy issues
VIN – Vehicle Identification Number
17 character vehicle identifier stamped on the compliance plate
VSB6 – Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6
the National Code of Practice for Heavy vehicle modification (called up under the HVNL)
VSG – Vehicle Standards Guide
issued by the NHVR to provide guidance on vehicle standards issues
VTA – Vehicle Type Approval
approval to supply a vehicle to Market under the RVSA (replaces the IPA)
WOHVR – Written Off Heavy Vehicle Register
holds details of damaged vehicles to discourage Vehicle Theft and rebirthing – Part of NEVDIS run by the NMVTRC