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South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) authorises access on approved routes for long prime mover and single semi trailer combinations. The notice allows the use of long prime movers, typically those used in road train combinations and broken down into a single semitrailer combination, to continue beyond authorised road train routes.
This Notice authorises access on approved routes for long prime movers towing a single semitrailer at up to 20m total length. It supports the use of longer, road train prime movers that would otherwise exceed the 19m length limit as prescribed in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL).
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2023G00823 |
| Starts: | 14 July 2023 |
| Expires: | 13 July 2028 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 3, prime mover and semitrailer |
| Exemptions: | Dimension requirements (combination length) |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL |
| Coverage: | SA |
| 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 South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination 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
Exemptions
These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.
Vehicles operating under the Notice are exempt from the following mass requirements in Schedule 6 of the MDL:
- section 3 – Length (combination or single vehicle)
Definitions
The following are terms used in this Notice or conditions of operation. Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meaning as defined in the HVNL.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Exemption |
This Notice grants exemptions to some mass requirements of the MDL. This means that eligible vehicles can operate at masses greater than otherwise allowed under the MDL. |
| Condition | This Notice makes some conditions on the operation of eligible vehicles. Conditions are requirements not prescribed under the regulations, but must be complied with under this Notice for the exemptions to apply. |
| Long prime mover |
This Notice authorises access for combinations incorporating a long prime mover which is typically a road train-rated prime mover. However, the notice does not require the prime mover to be of any particular length, nor to be road train-rated. Any prime mover complying with mass and dimension requirements of the MDL is eligible to operate under this notice. |
Eligible vehicles
To be eligible to operate under the Notice, approved combinations must comply with all requirements of the MDL.
|
Eligible vehicle type |
Dimensions and conditions |
|---|---|
|
Prime mover towing a semitrailer |
Up to 20.0m long, other dimensions as per general dimension requirements of the MDL. |
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
Eligible vehicles under this Notice must comply with all other General Mass Limits in the MDL.
Dimension conditions - Click to expand
An eligible prime mover towing a semitrailer may be up to 20.0m in total length.
This Notice provides:
- No other exemptions to the general dimension requirements of the MDL.
- No exemptions to mass requirements of the MDL.
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
A load on a heavy vehicle must:
- not be placed in a way that makes the vehicle unstable or unsafe
- be secured so it is unlikely to fall or be dislodged
- be restrained using an appropriate restraint method
- be placed, secured or restrained in a way that meets the loading performance standards listed in Schedule 7 of the MDL.
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.
Approved routes covered by the Notice
Approved road networks for eligible vehicles under this Notice are published at:
The following routes are approved for travel for vehicles eligible under this Notice.
|
Eligible vehicle type |
Approved road network on RAVnet |
|---|---|
|
Prime mover towing a semitrailer |
|
Ceduna District Council
Road condition
An eligible vehicle must not operate on unsealed roads for routes in an area that has received greater than 15mm of rain in the preceding 24 hours of the rain event.
Speed restrictions
An eligible vehicle whether loaded or unloaded is restricted to the following speeds:
- 80km/h on sealed Council maintained roads with speed limits posted above 80km/h;
- 70km/h on unsealed Council maintained roads with speed limits posted above 60km/h;
- 40km/h on all Council maintained roads with speed limits posted at 60km/h or lower.
Related notices
In this tab, you will find a list of national, state and territory notices related to the South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination 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
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| National |
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. National Class 3 Road Train Prime Mover Dimension and Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1) Provides length exemption to eligible combinations under the Notice. It also provides flexibility for operators of road train prime movers to continue their travel when decoupling from a road train combination and to access networks when not operating as a road train. |
Resources
There are currently no resources, supporting documents, tools, or calculators for this Notice.
Note: If you have any feedback on the information provided please contact us at info@nhvr.gov.au.
Changes and updates
| Date | Summary | Links to resources and communications |
|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2023 | Road conditions and speed restrictions added for Ceduna District Council in Network and Mapping. | |
| 14 July 2023 | South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) commenced. This notice revokes and replaces the South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1). | |
| 14 July 2023 | Prime movers towing a semitrailer and converter dolly at up to 26.0m total length, granted access under the South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1), are now authorised under the National Class 3 Road Train Prime Mover Dimension and Mass Exemption Notice. |
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