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Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) grants exemptions from mass requirements for a Class 3 heavy vehicle that is a combination consisting of a 3-axle prime mover towing a 3-axle semi-trailer that is loaded with a freight container.
The Notice also provides conditions of operation under the mass exemptions, including access to limited routes in and around the Port of Melbourne.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2023G00775 |
| Starts: | 7 July 2023 |
| Expires: | 6 July 2028 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 3, prime mover and semitrailer |
| Exemptions: | Mass requirements (single axle mass limits, axle mass limits, axle group mass limits, general combination mass, single vehicle mass) |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL |
| Coverage: | VIC |
| 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 Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) (Notice) operates, to assist in complying with it. It is important to remember this Operator’s Guide is instructional only and it is the Notice that provides the exemption or authorisation. If there is a difference or misunderstanding between the Operator’s Guide and the Notice, the Notice 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 Notice. 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 Notice.
Please read the Notice and this Operator's Guide together. To download or print this guide, use the print or PDF buttons on the top right of this page
About the Notice
This Notice provides access to the Victorian 'Port of Melbourne Container Vehicle Network' to an eligible vehicle consisting of a 3-axle prime mover towing a 3-axle semi-trailer that is loaded with a freight container that complies with all the conditions of the Notice.
Exemptions
These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.
Mass requirements
Vehicles operating under the Notice are exempt from the following mass requirements in Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL):
- section 2 – Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination
- section 4 – Mass limits for a single axle or axle group
- section 5 – Mass limits relating to axle spacing generally
Note: Other mass and dimension limits in the MDL apply.
Definitions
Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meaning as defined in the HVNL.
Eligible vehicles
To be eligible to operate under the Notice, approved combinations must comply with all requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL).
The Notice applies to a Class 3 heavy vehicle that is a combination consisting of a 3-axle prime mover towing a 3-axle semi-trailer that is loaded with a freight container.
Conditions
Notices 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. See the sections below for specific conditions related to this Notice.
Mass conditions - Click to expand
Total mass of an eligible vehicle
The total mass of an eligible vehicle operating under the Notice must not exceed 48.0t.
Other than the total combination mass limits, the combination must comply with all other General Mass Limits in the MDL.
Mass limits for types of axle groups
The maximum masses for the axle groups of the eligible vehicle are:
| Axle group | Maximum mass (t) |
|---|---|
| Single steer axle on prime mover | 6 |
| Dual-drive tandem axle group on prime mover | 18 |
| Tri-axle group on trailer with dual tyres on all axles | 24 |
Minimum axle spacing
The distance between the centre of the dual-drive tandem axle group on the prime mover, and the first axle of the tri-axle group on an eligible vehicle must be at least 6.5m.
The wheelbase of the prime mover or the distance from the middle of the steer axle to the midpoint between the dual-drive tandem axle group on the prime mover that forms part of an eligible vehicle must be at least 3.6m.
Other conditions and additional information
Third party approvals
A third party is an entity with which consultation is required by either State or Commonwealth law, as a condition of operation or access.
Operators must secure all approvals from third parties such as electricity/utility companies, rail authorities and other third parties as part of their heavy vehicle operations.
For more information, visit the Third party approvals page.
Complying with the HVNL
Unless otherwise exempted by the Notice or this Operator's Guide, operators must ensure their vehicle or combination complies with ADRs, HVNL, MDL and VS Regulation.
Using or permitting another person to use a defective heavy vehicle or a heavy vehicle with unapproved modifications on a road may be an offence.
Failure to comply may result in the driver and/or operator being liable for an offence. Penalties can include infringement notices or prosecution.
Loading requirements
To meet the loading requirements, the heavy vehicle must be loaded:
- in a way that load placement does not make the heavy vehicle unsafe or unstable
- in a way that the load is not likely to fall or be dislodged from the vehicle
- using an appropriate system to restrain the load.
Visit the NHVR loading page for more information on load requirements.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
Under the HVNL, every party in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) has a positive duty to ensure the safety of their activities in relation to a heavy vehicle. This duty, known as the “primary duty”, applies to the scheduling, loading and consigning of a vehicle, as well as to its operation on a road.
Safety is broader than the safety of drivers and other road users. It also includes protection of road infrastructure, preventing damage to other vehicles or property, and minimising environmental harm. Substantial penalties may be imposed upon parties who breach this obligation and upon their executives.
For more information on your CoR obligations visit Chain of Responsibility on the NHVR website.
Our Regulatory Advice offers guidance, tips and tools for managing a range of heavy vehicle safety risks.
The requirement to carry the Notice
Drivers do not need to carry a copy of the Notice.
Network and mapping
For the purposes of s121 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 Notice 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.
National Network Map
National Network Map
The Notice may refer to state or territory government websites for the publication of networks. Certain authorised heavy vehicle road network maps for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria are published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, through the NHVR National Network Map. Additional information and guidance can be found on the National Network Map webpage.
Approved routes covered by the Notice
An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of the Notice is authorised to operate on the 'Port of Melbourne Container Vehicle Network' in Victoria.
An eligible vehicle operating on the 'Port of Melbourne Container Vehicle Network' in Victoria must comply with the conditions specified for routes and areas set out on that map.
Traffic advisory services - Click to expand
Prior to commencing any journey, operators should review traffic alerts, road closures, travel delays, and other traffic advisory information for participating jurisdictions.
Table 2 provides details and links to official traffic advisory services for each participating jurisdiction. For more information about a particular service, contact the relevant jurisdiction or department via the contact details listed on the service webpage.
|
Jurisdiction |
Website |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | VicTraffic | View live information about incidents and changes in Victoria traffic conditions. |
Applying for a permit - Click to expand
Access permit applications are required for heavy vehicles that don’t comply with the conditions set out in a notice and when accessing routes that aren’t covered on an approved network.
The following pages provide useful information and resources for submitting access permit applications:
- Do I need a permit?: Information and resources for determining whether a road access permit, or a Notice is required to operate on Australian roads.
- Access permit application process: Information, resources, and instructions for submitting a valid access permit application.
Related notices
In this tab, you will find a list of state and territory notices related to the Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1).
A related notice may be comparable with this Notice or provide alternatives for operators to find the appropriate notice under which to operate.
Related national notices
Related state and territory notices
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory |
Australian Capital Territory Class 3 4.6m High Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) Provides dimension exemptions from the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL) and conditional height limits for vehicles operating on specified networks that meet the other requirements of the Notice. |
| New South Wales |
Exempts Class 1 heavy vehicle combinations consisting of a prime mover and approved trailers, including dollies if required, from certain mass and dimension requirements under the HVNL. In addition, this notice exempts certain specialist vehicles such as block trucks that are used to assist the operation of Class 1 combinations. Please note the following supporting document for this notice:
New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) Grants exemptions from mass and dimension requirements for a Class 1 heavy vehicle in New South Wales that is carrying, or is designed for the purpose of carrying, a large indivisible item. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) Exempts Class 3 heavy vehicles that includes a semitrailer that is transporting loads on platform containers to and from port facilities from certain mass and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law under certain conditions. New South Wales Class 3 Port Botany Container Transportation Mass Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) Provides an exemption from prescribed mass requirements for certain configurations of eligible heavy vehicles while they are transporting over-mass freight containers from a Stevedore’s Terminal at Port Botany to a prescribed Container Freight Station (CFS). Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: |
| New South Wales and Queensland |
Exempts a stated category of Class 3 heavy vehicles from the height limit stated in section 8 of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: |
| Queensland |
Exempts vehicles transporting flat rack and open top containers within the Port of Brisbane from prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the notice. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: Allows for the operation of eligible vehicles at masses equivalent to the Higher Mass Limits (HML) within the confines of, and on roads under the control of, the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd. |
| Tasmania |
Tasmania Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No. 1) Exempts categories of laden and unladen Class 1 load carrying vehicles from the stated prescribed mass and dimension requirements in Schedule 1 and Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. Please note the following supporting documents for this Notice: Exempts eligible high-cube freight containers carrying heavy vehicles from stated prescribed dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL). Tasmania Class 3 Transport Export Freight Containers Mass Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) Exempts export freight container carrying combinations from stated prescribed mass requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. This Notice replaces the Tasmania Class 3 Heavy Vehicles Carrying Overseas Export Freight Containers Mass Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1). |
| Victoria |
Victoria Class 2 Converter Dolly Combination Authorisation Notice 2023 (No.1) Authorises Class 2 heavy combinations consisting of a prime mover towing a semi-trailer and converter dolly that is not supporting a semitrailer. Victoria Class 3 Rear Loader Waste Vehicles Rear Overhang Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) Grants exemptions from dimension requirements for a Class 3 heavy vehicle that is a rear loading vehicle used for waste collection. |
Resources
All information about the Notice is contained in this Operator’s Guide. Please refer to the tabs for more information about the Notice, 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
Participating jurisdiction heavy vehicle resources
For more information about operating a heavy vehicle in participating jurisdictions, refer to the following sites:
Changes and updates
| Date | Summary | Links to resources and communications |
|---|---|---|
| 7 July 2023 | Victoria Class 3 Prime Mover and Semi-Trailer (Transport of Containers) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) commenced. | C2023G00775 |
| 7 July 2023 |
Victoria Class 3 Container Vehicle, Rearloader Waste Vehicle And Converter Dolly Combination Vehicle Mass And Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1) replaced by three notices for ease of reference and understanding:
|
www.nhvr.gov.au
E info@nhvr.gov.au
P 13 NHVR (136 487)
PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006