Draft HVNL Amendments Set For Release

Last week the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) Steering Committee released a statement of Heavy Vehicle Reform Outcomes, ahead of draft legislative amendments to the heavy vehicle national law which are expected to be released on October 10 for public consultation.

Key commitments outlined in the statement include:

• Revised fatigue management requirements, revised penalties, and a risk management approach to enforcement,
• A new National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) which will include an emphasis on Safety Management Systems, and new National Audit Standards,
• Simplified development of industry codes of practice,
• Improved access through changes to mass, length, and height limits.

The draft legislative amendments to for the heavy vehicle national law are expected to be released on 10 October for public consultation.

This will be followed by amendments to the Mass Dimension and Loading Regulations which are expected to undergo public consultation in Q1 2025.

Both the amended Legislation and the Regulations are expected to be passed in Mid-2025.

The statement also includes a commitment to work on additional changes to the Law (including PBS 2.0) which still require further work and will be progressively implemented over time.

HVIA’s Transport Policy and Legislation Adviser, Greg Forbes said “HIVA is particularly excited by the changes to the Mass Dimension and Loading Regulations which will deliver better access for vehicles with general access including:

• Increasing length 19m to 20m
• Increasing height from 4.3m to 4.6m
• Increasing GML to current CML and removing CML
• Increase twin-steer axle-spacing from 2.0m to 2.5m to support Euro VI.

HVIA has been strongly arguing for access improvements and these are a good start. I am looking forward to seeing the detailed amendment package later this week.”

We will be consulting on the legislative package with our members and will continue to pursue further amendments to the HVNL.

Interested members should contact Greg Forbes (g.forbes@hvia.asn.au) and HVIA will discuss the amendments in more detail at out next online member forum on 31 October – enrol here.