HVNL Reform Timetable Extended As NTC Seeks More Input

Changes to fatigue management, vehicle mass and dimension limits, and national audit standards for operator accreditation now set to be considered by Ministers late next year

The timetable for drafting of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) legislative reforms has been extended with the package now due to go to Ministers in December 2024.

The revised timetable follows discussions with relevant Ministers last week.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has undertaken a preliminary analysis of the 46 responses to the consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (C-RIS), which was released in early October.

The C-RIS sought industry input on three key areas of policy under consideration by the HVNL review: fatigue management; vehicle mass and dimension limits; and national audit standards for operator accreditation. See here for more details.

The NTC is planning to publish the responses on its website shortly. While some of the options raised in the C-RIS were well supported, others had multiple alternative options suggested by respondents. NTC will be conducting further analysis of the responses as it prepares a Decision Regulatory Impact Statement for Ministers.

To assist in conducting a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits for the upcoming D-RIS, NTC has now produced a short survey to assist it in conducting a more thorough analysis of the proposed reforms. The supplementary survey is aimed at collecting operational data to assist in quantifying the options.

The supplementary survey delves into key assumptions and options outlined in the C-RIS, including aspects such as time spent on written and electronic work diaries.

The first part of this survey asks some general questions about a responder’s business and sector. The second part comprises six questions about assumptions made and options included in the C-RIS.

Respondents may select an answer from those listed and may provide more detail in a free-form text box.

The survey can be accessed here.