Vehicle Specification Envelopes (VSEs)

A vehicle/combination that is operating under this Notice may operate up to a maximum length of 20m and must comply with the following VSEs. VSEs are a list of parameters the vehicle must meet to be considered eligible.

There are two VSEs under this Notice, applicable to:

• low bin combinations
• high bin combinations.

VSE abbreviations:

BRH - Bin Height.

TFH - Truck Bin Floor Height.

TWB - Truck Wheelbase.

TCO - Tow Coupling Overhang.

DBL - Drawbar Length.

DWB - Dog Trailer Wheelbase.

DFH - Dog Trailer Bin Floor Height.

Low bin combinations

Vehicles with bins up to 3m in height may operate with a total combination mass limit of 50.5t at Level 1 and 57.5t at Level 2.

High bin combinations

Vehicles with bins up to 3.3m in height may operate with a total combination mass limit of 50.5t at Level 1 and 57.5t at Level 2.

Maximum masses (total masses and axle masses)

See the 'Network & Mapping' tab for an explanation of Level 1 and Level 2 access. 

¹Total mass includes a complying steer axle (as per the HVNL).

²An eligible vehicle may operate at 6.5t if the vehicle is fitted with a complying steer axle (as per the HVNL).

An eligible vehicle may only operate with a tandem axle group exceeding 16.5t if:

• the operator of the vehicle holds NHVAS mass management accreditation for the vehicle; or
• any tandem axle group that exceeds 16.5t is fitted with a certified road-friendly suspension system.

Axle spacing limits (Tier 1 bridge formulae)

The axle spacing of an eligible vehicle must comply with the Tier 1 bridge formulae, for each corresponding level of access under this Notice.

L (metres) is the minimum distance between the extreme axles of any combination of axle groups, for a given total gross mass M (tonnes).

Drawbar length exceeds 5 metres

For low bin combinations, the drawbar length is from 3.3m to 5.6m.

An eligible vehicle must be fitted with the following:

• an anti-lock brake system compliant with:
  • Australian Design Rule 35/04 for the truck
  • Australian Design Rule 38/05 for the trailer;
• roll-over control compliant with Australian Design Rule 38/05 for the trailer;
• full contour conspicuity markings compliant with Appendix A of the Australian Design Rule 13/00 (ADR 13/00); and
• if drawbar length exceeds 5m, the outermost surface of the drawbar must be fitted with yellow reflective material that complies with Class C material requirements of United National Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No.104 provisions concerning the approval of retro-reflective markings for vehicles of category M, N and O.

Drawbar length exceeds 5m

Drawbar length below 5m

Drawbar length below 5 metres

For high bin combinations, the drawbar length is from 3.3m to 5.0m.

An eligible vehicle must be fitted with the following:

• an anti-lock brake system compliant with:
  • Australian Design Rule 35/04 for the truck
  • Australian Design Rule 38/05 for the trailer;
• roll-over control compliantt with Australian Design Rule 38/05 for the trailer; and
• full contour conspicuity markings compliant with Appendix A of the Australian Design Rule 13/00 (ADR 13/00).

• Cumberland Council
• Georges River Council
• Gwydir Shire Council
• Hilltops Council
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Penrith City Council
• Snowy Monaro Regional Council
• Willoughby City Council

• Mackay Regional Council
• Noosa Shire Council
• Torres Strait Island Regional Council

• none

• City of Maribyrnong
• City of Melbourne
• Melbourne Airport

 Intelligent Access Program conditions

Eligible vehicles operating in New South Wales must comply with the following conditions:

• An eligible vehicle operating at GML or CML mass limits must be enrolled in Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) telematics.
• An eligible vehicle operating at HML mass limits must be enrolled in either the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) or Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA). 

Lockhart Shire Council 

Restricted roads 

The roads in the table below are not approved under the Notice by the Lockhart Shire Council.

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) conditions

Requirements relating to tandem axle groups at greater than 16.5t

An eligible vehicle that has a tandem axle group with a mass greater than 16.5t must comply with either one of the following conditions:

1. the operator of the vehicle must hold Mass Management Accreditation; or
2. the vehicle must comply with both of the following conditions:
   • the axle must be equipped with functioning road friendly suspension; and
   • the eligible vehicle must be enrolled in and comply with the following approved Intelligent Transport System (ITS), approved by Transport Certification Australia (TCA):
     • For vehicles enrolled from 1 December 2022 – Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)
     • For vehicles enrolled before 1 December 2022 – Intelligent Access Program (IAP).

Note: From 1 June 2024, TMA will be the only approved ITS. Operators should therefore ensure they enrol in TMA before that date. For more information, visit Queensland's transition to Smart On-Board Mass and Telematics Monitoring Application.

Self-Declaration Input Device

In Queensland, operators can elect to install a Self-Declaration Input Device (SDID) that sends information to an Approved Service Provider (ASP) for IAP or TMA.

The SDID requires the driver (or transport operator) to enter the:

• vehicle’s configuration
• number of axle in the configurations
• total mass of the vehicle or combination, including the mass of the hauling unit and any attached trailers, plus any load on board the vehicle or combination.

This information must be declared at the following times:

• at the start of the journey
• whenever there is a change in the vehicle configuration
• whenever there is a change in the total mass of the vehicle or combination, including the mass of the hauling unit and any attached trailers, plus any load on board the vehicle or combination
• whenever prompted by the SDID, if a SDID is available in the vehicle.

Mass declaration requirements must be made through:

• the SDID in the vehicle that is certified by TCA and linked to the ASP; or
• an alternative method approved and certified by TCA.

Malfunctions

The operator must take all reasonable steps to ensure the vehicle’s driver is aware of their obligation to report to the operator any malfunction of the ITS fitted to the vehicle. The driver must report malfunctions before a journey begins or as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the malfunction.

For IAP, report the malfunction to both:

• the ASP, to develop a rectification schedule if applicable; and
• TMR (as a delegate for the NHVR):
  • Telephone – 1300 753 427 (1300 QLD IAP)
  • Email – iapadmin@tmr.qld.gov.au

For TMA, report the malfunction to the ASP, who will then report the malfunction to TCA.

If an ITS malfunction is not rectified either as soon as practicable or as determined by the NHVR or its delegate, the vehicle is no longer eligible to be operated under the Notice.

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

Condition of entry

Access to the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council network is subject to the operator gaining written approval from the Council prior to travel. Approval is required to ensure the combination can be transported by barge to the island.

To  contact Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council:

Email: greg.constantine@palmcouncil.qld.gov.au

Phone: (07) 4770 0200 or 0417 840 688.

Fraser Coast Council

General Access is not provided to local roads within Fraser Coast Council boundaries. 

Eligible vehicles are authorised to operate on local roads approved in the PBS Level 2A Network. To view the network visit the Queensland Globe.

All other local council is to be considered on a case-by-case basis, via permit application through the NHVR Portal.

Note: State roads may be used within the Fraser Coast Council boundary subject to Notice conditions.

• Gympie Regional Council – General Access not allowed

City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters

Restricted roads 

The road in the table below is not approved under the Notice by the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters.

Wattle Range Council

Restricted roads

The roads in the table below are not approved under the Notice by Wattle Range Council.

Bass Coast Shire Council

Restricted structures

Bass Coast Shire Council has consented to Level 1 and Level 2A networks that contain restricted structures and roads. The ‘National Class 3 Truck & Dog Notice’ map has been created to view these networks and their specific restrictions for this Notice. To use the map and its layers, follow these instructions:

1. Open the ‘National Class 3 Truck & Dog Notice’ map.
2. Navigate to the far top right of the map and select the ‘Layer List’ paper stack icon.
3. One layer will be automatically selected in the list. If you wish to view the Level 2A network, untick the Level 1 network and tick the Level 2A network.
4. Once you have ticked the relevant network to your combination, go back to the map and input your address into the “Find address or place” search field.
5. To view the restrictions and details of the structure, select and click on the pin to open the details.
6. To zoom in and out, you can use your mouse scroll function or the plus and minus symbols to the left of the search bar.

Note: This map is to show restricted structures and roads within the Bass Coast Shire Council and Indigo Shire Council municipality. These municipalities are shaded on the map and contain triangular markers for restrictions. All other data within the map is indicative only and should not be utilised.

Hobsons Bay City Council 

PBS Level 1 is not provided to local roads within Hobsons Bay City Council boundaries.

Eligible vehicles are authorised to operate on local roads approved in the PBS Level 2A Cubic Network. To view the network visit the Victorian heavy vehicle map.

All other local council is to be considered on a case-by-case basis, via permit application through the NHVR Portal.

Note: State roads on the PBS Level 1 and Level 2 Cubic may be used within the Hobsons Bay City Council subject to Notice conditions.

Tip: State and local roads are identified on the Victorian heavy vehicle maps.

Indigo Shire Council

Restricted structures

Indigo Shire Council has consented to Level 1 and Level 2A networks that contain restricted structures and roads. The ‘National Class 3 Truck & Dog Notice’ map has been created to view these networks and their specific restrictions for this Notice. To use the map and its layers, follow these instructions:

1. Open the ‘National Class 3 Truck & Dog Notice’ map.
2. Navigate to the far top right of the map and select the ‘Layer List’ paper stack icon.
3. One layer will be automatically selected in the list. If you wish to view the Level 2A network, untick the Level 1 network and tick the Level 2A network.
4. Once you have ticked the relevant network to your combination, go back to the map and input your address into the “Find address or place” search field.
5. To view the restrictions and details of the structure, select and click on the pin to open the details.
6. To zoom in and out, you can use your mouse scroll function or the plus and minus symbols to the left of the search bar.

Note: This map is to show restricted structures and roads within the Bass Coast Shire Council and Indigo Shire Council municipality. These municipalities are shaded on the map and contain triangular markers for restrictions. All other data within the map is indicative only and should not be utilised.

How to apply for a permit

To begin your permit application, navigate to the NHVR Portal. If you are not already registered, follow the prompts to set up an account.

Once registered, from the home screen, click on the ‘Application tracker’ tab and select the ‘NEW APPLICATION’ button and enter a reference for your application.

Note: Where you have an existing permit for an eligible configuration, select the ‘AMEND' application button, which will require the permit number to be entered. Follow the prompts to add the additional routes required.

Step 1 - Click on the green ‘SELECT CONFIGURATION’ button and select the 'Truck and dog' configuration from the list. 

Note: Select the appropriate vehicle being a 'Rigid-truck and dog (20m National Class 3).'

• Once the correct configuration is selected click on the ‘OVERALL' tab and go to ‘Configuration, mass and dimensions.'
• Input the length (no more than 20m), width, and height and then select the total mass being requested. The mass will either be ‘Up to 50.5t’ or ‘Up to 57.5t.'
• Next, click on the truck component image and input the VIN and registration details for the rigid truck/s on the application. The trailer component does not require VIN and registration information.
• In both the truck and trailer component images, you must tick the box ☐ " I confirm selection of the correct component" prior to proceeding to the ‘Travel details’ section of the application.

Note:  The rigid truck component must be 3-axles with a single steer axle and a tandem drive axle. The trailer component must be 4-axles consisting of two tandem axle groups.

Step 2 -  In the ‘Travel details’ section, enter the requested period (the period cannot exceed three years). Input the freight being carried under the 'Description of load', for example, grain, gravel or sand. 

Step 3 -  Navigate to the ‘Route’ section of the application. Select the ‘Route type' as 'Single Route' or 'Area' – note that the route will need to connect to the approved network specified in the Notice.

• If an ‘Area’ application is selected the ‘Area Road Manager’ must be selected. Refer to Routing - Single route and area difference.
• Plot the route(s) required that link to the approved network.
• Select the ‘CONFIRM’ tab and add any additional information in the ‘Route notes’ section in support of your application. You must tick the box ☐ 'I confirm that the list of roads and associated route notes accurately defines my route requirements for this application' prior to proceeding to the next step of the application. 

Step 4 -  In the 'Attachments' section of the application, attach any required supporting documents or additional information.

Step 5 - The 'Additional instructions' section allows the nomination of an approved Portal member of your account (if you will not be the relevant contact for the application). Include any additional instructions required for the application.

Step 6 - In the 'Confirmation' stage ensure all details of the application have been reviewed and confirmed. The application can then be submitted with the appropriate payment.

For more information on applying for a permit refer to the NHVR access permit applications webpage, or contact us.