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Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2021 Operator's Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2021 (No.1) authorises eligible heavy vehicles to operate on Higher Mass Limits (HML) on stated areas and routes in the Australian Capital Territory.
This Declaration supports HML access in the Australian Capital Territory and replaces the Australian Capital Territory Class 3 Mass Management Accreditation Exemption Notice 2019.
 |
 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette notice: | C2021G00632 |
| Starts: | 10 August 2021 |
| Expires: | 9 August 2026 |
| Vehicle types: | HVNL, MDL, HML, Class 2 |
| Exemptions: |
Higher Mass limits |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL |
| Coverage: | ACT |
| To be carried: | No |
- Overview
- Definitions
- Eligible
Vehicles - Conditions
- Network and
Mapping - Related
Notices - Resources
- Changes and
Updates
Overview
The information in this Operator’s Guide is intended to do two things:
- Explain how the Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration operates, to assist in complying with it. It is important to remember this Operator’s Guide is instructional only and it is the Declaration that provides the exemption or authorisation. If there is a difference or misunderstanding between the Operator’s Guide and the Declaration, the Declaration has priority and must be followed. The only exceptions are the requirements or conditions set out in the ‘Network and Mapping’ section explained below.
- Provide additional information referred to in the network requirements of the Declaration. This includes links to network maps and other information such as vehicle, travel and road conditions. Networks and their conditions published in the ‘Network and Mapping’ section of this Operator’s Guide are not general advice and must be treated as conditions of the Declaration.
Please read the Declaration and this Operators Guide together. To download or print this guide, use the print or PDF buttons on the top right of this page.
About the Declaration
Higher Mass Limits (HML) is a mass exception allowing an increased mass limit to the following single axle and axle groups fitted with road-friendly suspension on eligible vehicles in the Declaration.
Table 1 - HML axle groups
| Axle Groups | Description | Condition |
|---|---|---|
 |
Single drive axles on buses | Fitted with certified road-friendly suspension |
 |
6-tyred tandem axle groups | Fitted with certified road-friendly suspension |
 |
8-tyred tandem axle group | Fitted with certified road-friendly suspension |
 |
Tri-axle group |
Fitted with certified road-friendly suspension |
 |
Quad axle group | Fitted with certified road-friendly suspension |
Refer to the Conditions tab for applicable mass limits
Note: The tri-axle drive group (drive axle group with more than two axles) is ineligible under this Declaration. Operators will need to apply for a permit for all vehicle types with a tri-axle drive group, including rigid and articulated configurations.
Exemptions
These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.
Application
The Declaration applies to an HML heavy vehicle that complies with the requirements of Schedule 5 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL).
The Declaration does not apply to an HML heavy vehicle that is:
- a road train; or
- a PBS vehicle that is not approved to operate at higher mass limits under its PBS vehicle approval; or
- a B-double with a prime mover that has a tri-axle group as its drive axle group.
A vehicle to which this section applies is an eligible HML vehicle.
Definitions
Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Operator’s Guide have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL and the Declaration.
Table 6 - Definitions
| Term | Definitions | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Trailer | A typical dog trailer has an axle or axle group at the front that is steered by connection to a towing vehicle by a drawbar and an axle or axle group at the rear of its load carrying surface. | Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation Section 4 |
| General mass limits (GML) | The heavy vehicle general axle mass limits prescribed in the HVNL that apply to public roads in Australia, unless otherwise limited by load restriction signs. | Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation Schedule 1 |
| Higher mass limits (HML) | A mass exception under the HVNL that allows Higher Mass Limits on approved routes for particular vehicles or vehicle combinations dependent on other conditions being met (e.g. IAP and/or road-friendly suspension may need to be fitted to the vehicle). | Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation Schedule 5 |
| Pig trailer |
A trailer that has:
|
Heavy vehicle National Law (HVNL) Definitions |
| Rigid Truck | A rigid motor vehicle built mainly as a load carrying vehicle. | Heavy vehicle National Law (HVNL) Definitions |
| Road friendly suspension system | A suspension system certified as a road-friendly suspension system by the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Commonwealth Department Infrastructure and Regional Development in accordance with VSB 11. | Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation |
| Semitrailer |
A trailer that has:
|
Heavy vehicle National Law (HVNL) Definitions |
| Tag Trailer | A typical tag trailer is a type of semitrailer that has a single axle or axle group towards the rear of its load carrying surface and is connected to the towing vehicle by a rigid drawbar. | Heavy vehicle National Law (HVNL) Definitions |
| Tandem axle group | An axle group of at least 2 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is at least 1m but not more than 2m. | Heavy vehicle National Law (HVNL) Definitions |
| Tri-axle drive group | A tri-axle on the rear of the prime mover or rigid truck drive axle, where the tri-axle drive group is fitted with more than 2 axles with equal or non-equal torque share. | |
| Tri-axle group | A group of at least 3 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is more than 2m but not more than 3.2m. | Heavy vehicle National Law (HVNL) Definitions |
Eligible vehicles
Vehicles and combinations eligible to operate at HML in the Australian Capital Territory are shown in Table 1.
Table 2 - Eligible vehicles
| Heavy vehicle and combinations | Vehicle image |
|---|---|
| Bus |  |
| Rigid truck |  |
| Prime Mover and semi-trailer |  |
| B-doubles up to 26m |  |
| PBS Vehicles approved for Higher Mass Limits |
Excluded vehicles
The following vehicle types are not eligible to operate at HML in the Australian Capital Territory:
- Road trains (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Class 1 heavy vehicles
- Rigid trucks towing a dog, pig or tag trailer
- Vehicles fitted with a drive axle group with more than 2 axles, otherwise known as a tri-axle drive group.
Conditions
Declarations are subject to various conditions to ensure public safety, protect assets and prevent adverse impacts on the community, such as noise, emissions and traffic congestion.
Mass conditions - click to expand
HML axle mass limits
To be eligible to operate at HML, the axle group must be eligible for the GML shown in Table 3.
The GML may then be increased to the HML shown in Table 3.
Table 3 - GML and HML axle group mass limits
| Axles | Axle group/tyres | Mass limit (t) GML |
Mass limit (t) HML |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Single drive axles on buses | 9.0t | 10.0t |
|
Six tyred tandem axle groups | 13.0t | 14.0t |
|
Eight tyred tandem axle group- Dual tyres | 16.5t | 17.0t |
|
Tri-axle group Dual tyres |
20.0t | 22.5t |
|
Quad axle group dual tyres | 20.0t | 22.5t |
| The Declaration does not provide access for Tri-axle drive axle groups (drive axle groups with more than two axles) | |||
Certified Road Friendly Suspension (RFS)
Single axles or axle groups loaded at the HML must be fitted with certified road-friendly suspension systems. RFS reduces the impact of laden axles on road pavements and most bridge structures.
Any axle or axle group not loaded to mass limits greater than GML, do not need to be fitted with a road-friendly suspension system.
A single axle or axle group must qualify for the stated GML and be fitted with the certified road-friendly suspension before increasing to the stated HML in Table 3.
For additional information refer to Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) 11 - Certification of Road-friendly Suspensions.
Mass Management Accreditation
An eligible vehicle fitted with a tri-axle group or a quad-axle group (other than a drive group), operating at HML (on those axles) must be accredited under the Mass Management Module of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS),
For more information on Mass Management Accreditation, refer to the Mass Management Accreditation Guide (PDF, 3.5MB)
Dimension conditions - click to expand
An eligible vehicle includes a vehicle designed to carry vehicles or livestock up to 4.6m in height.
There are no dimensional exemptions provided by this Declaration. All eligible vehicles must comply with general dimensions applying to the vehicle or combination.
For more information on general dimension, refer to the General mass and dimension limits.
Other conditions and additional information
Complying with the Heavy Vehicle National Law
The operator of a heavy vehicle must ensure their vehicle complies with the Australian Design Rules and the HVNL. Using or permitting another person to use a defective heavy vehicle, or a heavy vehicle with unapproved modifications, on the road is an offence.
Failure to comply with the Declaration conditions may result in the driver and/or operator being liable for an offence. Penalties can include infringement notices or prosecution.
For more information, see the Compliance and Enforcement Bulletins at www.nhvr.gov.au/ce-bulletins.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
Under the HVNL CoR laws, everyone in the transport supply chain must take positive steps to prevent any breach of the mass, dimension and loading provisions.
For more information on your CoR obligations, see www.nhvr.gov.au/cor
Requirement to carry the Declaration
Drivers do not need to carry a copy of the Declaration.
Network and mapping
For the purposes of s142 of the HVNL, an area or route specified in the 'Network & Mapping' section of this Operator's Guide is a stated area or route to which this Declaration applies. In addition to complying with the conditions stated in this Operator's Guide, operators must ensure compliance with the specific road manager access requirements set out below or in network maps.
Approved routes covered by the Declaration
The ACT Higher Mass Limit (HML) Vehicles Approved Routes map shows the approved ACT roads for eligible vehicles under this Declaration.
The approved HML network can also be located using map layers in the NHVR Route Planner.
Access off the approved network
Where a vehicle or route is not eligible under this Declaration, operator may chose to apply for a permit via the NHVR Portal.
Operators can apply for a permit to seek access. For more information see Higher Mass Limits permit.
Related notices
In this tab you'll find a list of national and state notices related to the Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2021.
A related notice may coincide with the featured notice or provide alternative solutions for operators to operate under.
Related national notices
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| National |
National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) Authorises access for Class 2 heavy vehicles that are B-doubles. National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.3) Provides complying road trains access in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. The national notice introduces simplified and more nationally consistent conditions for road trains, supporting more seamless cross-border access. |
Related state and territory notices
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| New South Wales |
New South Wales Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2020 (No.1) Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: |
| Queensland |
Queensland Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2024 (No.1) Authorises heavy vehicles eligible to use Higher Mass Limits (HML) on stated areas and routes, during stated hours of stated days and to state the conditions under which they may be used. |
| South Australia |
South Australian Class 3 Road Friendly Suspension Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) Exempts certain heavy vehicles and combinations fitted with certified Road Friendly Suspension from mass requirements set out in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, allowing operation at masses that are equivalent to Higher Mass Limits under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). This Notice replaces the South Australia Class 3 (Application of Higher Mass Limits) Mass Exemption Notice. |
| Tasmania |
Tasmania Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2021 (No.1) Authorises the use of certain categories of heavy vehicles under higher mass limits on stated areas and routes in Tasmania. |
| Victoria |
Victoria Class 3 Road Friendly Suspension Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) Exempts certain heavy vehicles fitted with certified road friendly suspension from mass requirements set out in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. |
Resources
- Higher Mass Limits - Overview of Higher Mass Limits.
- Higher Mass Limits permit - Applying for a Higher Mass Limits permit.
- Joining the NHVAS - Apply for accreditation in Mass Management.
Resources
All information about the Declaration is contained in this Operator’s Guide. Please refer to the tabs for more information about this Declaration, or contact us with your specific questions.
Note: If you have any feedback on the information provided please contact us at info@nhvr.gov.au
Changes and updates
Table 5 - History of Declaration
| Date | Summary | Links to communications |
|---|---|---|
| 10 August 2021 | Industry newsletter - Higher Mass Limits permitted in the ACT | On the Road Issue 121 - 10 August |
| 10 August 2021 | The Australian Capital Territory Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2021 (No.1) commenced and replaced the Australian Capital Territory Class 3 Mass Management Accreditation Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1). | https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021G00632 |
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