The long-awaited Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) update will commence on August 1, 2026, as confirmed last Friday in a joint statement released by the National Transport Commission (NTC) and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
The sections of the amended law that are most relevant to HVIA members are the changes to Mass, Dimension and Loading (MDL), and the Performance Based Standards (PBS scheme). The NHVR has provided two fact sheets on the MDL changes, and details on the PBS changes on its website. The fact sheets and website are available online via the below links.
> Mass, Dimension and Loading fact sheets.
> PBS scheme guidance fact sheets.
HVIA strongly encourages all impacted members to carefully review the changes and advises that Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger is available to answer questions – please email Adam at a.ritzinger@hvia.asn.au.
The MDL changes impact four key areas and are straightforward, but in some instances are heavy on technical details. In all areas, the law has been made more complex, which presents an increased risk of inadvertent and unintentional non-compliance. The four main areas being changed by the HVNL are:
- Raise General Mass Limits (GML) to match the current Concessional Mass Limits (CML);
- Expand Euro VI (ADR 80/04) steer-axle mass concessions to road trains;
- Increase the prescriptive length limit from 19 metres to 20 metres (for certain combinations); and
- Change the tag trailer tow-mass ratio and add a steer-axle safeguard.
The changes to PBS are not as extensive but again are more complex than previous. They centre around administrative changes to Design Approvals to manage the GML to CML shift, and other administrative matters relating to accreditation, Euro VI exemptions and Euro VI operating conditions.
Again, HVIA strongly encourages all impacted members to carefully review the changes and consider the impacts on their business, and their customers.
HVIA members looking for advice to provide to their customers, and industry in general, about how to prepare for the upcoming changes are advised to consider the below, but note it is not an exhaustive list of all technical considerations that may be necessary under the changes:
> Check vehicle configuration – confirm GVM/GCM, truck wheelbase, trailer S-dimension and rear overhang, and tyre section widths match those in the new MDL tables for all operational configurations.
> Review braking requirements – heavy trailers used in combinations greater than 19m but less than 20m must comply with ADR 38/05, and be powered by the towing vehicle.
> Confirm side underrun protection – semi trailers with S-dimension exceeding 9.5m must be fitted with side underrun protection complying with ADR 106/00 or later.
> Review Euro VI allowance – Euro VI prime movers may be eligible for +0.5-tonne drive axle transfer where a corresponding steer/twin steer reduction and tyre/manufacturer conditions are met.
> Tag trailers operations – Check laden and unladen mass limits are within the new MDL tables and confirm operation within minimum steer axle loading requirements.
> Review PBS Design and Vehicle Approvals and permits – discuss any necessary or beneficial changes/updates to mass tables, dimensions and operating conditions with your PBS assessor.
> Update compliance documentation — if necessary, revise load plans, mass calculations, dimensional limits and other compliance records before operating under new limits.
HVIA will continue to advocate to the NTC and NHVR on further changes to the HVNL, specifically the aspects that were originally flagged to be included in this review but were omitted due to complexity. HVIA consulted with members on those aspects and submitted them to the NTC in its response paper earlier this year.