New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide

The New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) grants exemptions from mass and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL) for Class 3 heavy vehicle combinations used to transport a large indivisible item loaded on a platform container to or from a port, specifically for import or export purposes in New South Wales.

Note: The Notice provides an exemption from certain heavy vehicle mass and dimension limits outlined in the MDL for Class 3 platform container combinations operating in New South Wales.

This instrument does NOT exempt these vehicles from other requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), including, but not limited to, mass and other dimension requirements.

Image is of the New South Wales Port of Botany.

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Specifications
Gazette Notice:	C2023G01153
Starts:	27 October 2023
Expires:	28 October 2028
Vehicle types:	Class 3, prime mover towing a low loader trailer, prime mover towing a low loader dolly and low loader trailer, prime mover towing a skel trailer, prime mover towing a semitrailer
Exemptions:	Mass requirements (axle mass limits, axle spacing mass limits, axle group mass limits, general combination mass, single vehicle mass, trailer mass) Dimension requirements (general length, trailer length, combination length, height by load, height by construction, rear overhang, axle spacing, ground contact width) Network access
Law:	HVNL, MDL
Coverage:	NSW
To be carried:	No

Overview

The information in this Operator’s Guide is intended to do two things:

Explain how the New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) (the 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 this Notice

This Notice assists with understanding the conditions for transporting a large indivisible item loaded on a platform container to or from port facilities, and for import or export purposes in New South Wales.

The NHVR alongside Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) and industry, have identified that a Notice allowing an exemption to carry platform containers such as flat racks and open top containers will increase efficiency within the heavy vehicle industry through flexibility of fleet management, increased competition opportunities and to reduce the need for applicants to apply for permits. On and off road safety of platform container movements will also improve through reduced loading and unloading of indivisible loads and utilising optimum load securing techniques.

Exemptions

These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.

Dimension requirements

An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following dimension requirements of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL):

section 3(1)(a) – Length—combination or single vehicle.
section 4(2) – Length—trailers
section 5(1)(a) and (b) – Length—rear overhang.
section 7(1) – Width.
section 8(1)(d) – Height.
section 13(a)(ii) and (b)(ii) – Front and side projection of load.

Mass requirements

The Notice exempts eligible vehicles from the following mass requirements specified in Schedule 1 of the MDL.

Low loader combinations

section 2(1)(a)(iv) – Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination - Complying steer axles for vehicles that are not B-doubles or road trains.
section 2(1)(a)(v) – Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination - Prime mover with a twinsteer axle group towing a tri-axle semitrailer.
section 4 - Mass limits for a single axle or axle group - Table 1 of Part 2 for:
- a tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres on all axles; and
- a tri-axle group fitted with dual tyres on all axles; and
- a quad axle group fitted with dual tyres on all axles.
section 5(1) – Mass limits in relating to axle spacing generally.

Semitrailer and skel trailer combinations

A combination that includes a semi or skel trailer (i.e., that is not a low loader trailer) is not exempt from any mass requirements. They must comply with applicable requirements in Schedule 1 of the MDL.

Note: Other mass and dimension limits in the MDL apply.

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
Class 3 heavy vehicle	A heavy vehicle is a Class 3 heavy vehicle if: it, together with its load, does not comply with a prescribed mass requirement or prescribed dimension requirement applying to it; and it is not a Class 1 heavy vehicle.
Closed quad-axle group (also denoted as “4 @ 1.2”)	Closed quad-axle group means a group of: 4 axles at least 1.2m apart; where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.
Closed quin-axle group (also denoted as “5 @ 1.2”)	Closed quin-axle group means a group of: 5 axles at least 1.2m apart; where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.
Closed tandem axle group (also denoted as “2 @ 1.2”)	Closed tandem axle group means a group of: 2 axles at least 1.2m apart; where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the 2 axles is not more than 2.0m
Closed tri-axle group (also denoted as “3 @ 1.2”)	Closed tri-axle group means a group of: 3 axles at least 1.2m apart; where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 3.2m.
Container approval plate	Has the same meaning as “approval plate” in Marine Order 44 published by Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Flat rack container	Means a freight container without side walls or a roof.
Ground Contact Width	Means the distance between the outermost points of ground contact of the outside tyres on each end of an axle.
Low loader	Means a trailer with a loading deck no more than 1m above the ground.
Low loader dolly	Means a device for distributing mass that— is usually coupled between a prime mover and low loader; and consists of a rigid frame of a gooseneck shape; and does not directly carry any load; and is equipped with 1 or more axles, a kingpin and a fifth wheel coupling.
Open top container	Means a freight container without a roof.
Platform container	Has the same meaning as set out in Part 8: Platform containers, of the Australian Standard 3711.8, and includes: platform containers; and platform-based containers with either complete or incomplete superstructures. Some common examples include: flat rack containers open top containers bolsters.
Port facility	Has the same meaning as the Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation 2021 (NSW).
Skel trailer	Means a trailer consisting of a frame with no load carrying deck designed for the transportation of multi-modal shipping containers, including platform containers.
Spread quad-axle group (also denoted as “4 @ 1.2, 2.4, 1.2”)	Means a group of 4 axles, where: the distance between the 1st and 2nd axle is at least 1.2m; and the distance between the 2nd and 3rd axle is at least 2.4m; and the distance between the 3rd and 4th axle is at least 1.2m; and the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 4.9m.
Spread tandem axle group (also denoted as “2 @ 1.8”)	Means a group of: 2 axles at least 1.8m apart; where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the 2 axles is not more than 2.0m.
Spread tri-axle group	Means a group of: 3 axles— at least 1.8m apart (also denoted as “3 @ 1.8”); or where the distance between the 1st and 2nd axle is at least 1.2m and the distance between the 2nd and 3rd axle is at least 2.4m (also denoted as “3 @ 1.2, 2.4”); or where the distance between the 1st and 2nd axle is at least 2.4m and the distance between the 2nd and 3rd axle is at least 1.2m (also denoted as “3 @ 2.4, 1.2”); and where the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is not more than 3.7m.

Eligible vehicles

To be eligible to operate under the Notice, approved combinations must comply with the conditions of the Notice and all other requirements of the MDL.

An eligible vehicle under this Notice is a heavy combination consisting of a prime mover with a tandem drive axle towing:

a low loader trailer; or
a low loader dolly and low loader trailer; or
a skel trailer or semi-trailer.

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.

Purpose of travel

This Notice only applies if and when an eligible vehicle is:

operating in New South Wales only; and
transporting a large indivisible item in or on a platform container for the purpose of import or export only; and
transporting one platform container only; and
travelling to or from a port facility.

Dimension conditions - Click to expand

General dimension conditions

Combinations and their loads must not exceed the general (overall) dimension limits described in Table 1.

**Table 1:** General dimension limits
Width (m)	Length (m)	Height (m)
4.6	30.0	5.0

Rear overhang limits

Low loader combinations

A combination with a low loader must have a rear overhang length not exceeding the lesser of:

25 percent of the total combination length; or
The applicable value of Table 2.

**Table 2:** Rear overhang limits
Combination length (including load)		Maximum rear overhang (m)
Over	Up to and including	Maximum rear overhang (m)
22.0	25.0	5.5
25.0	26.0	6.5
26.0	27.0	6.8
27.0	28.0	7.0
28.0	29.0	7.3
29.0	30.0	7.5

Skel trailer and semitrailer combinations

The rear overhang of a skel or semi-trailer combination are not subject to any dimension exemptions. They must comply with general dimension limits (as prescribed by the MDL).

Axle spacing

Low loader combinations minimum axle spacing dimensions are shown in:

Figure 1, for prime mover and low loader combinations.
Figure 2, for prime mover, low loader dolly and low loader combinations.

The axle spacing dimensions must be no less than those described.

Image of a prime mover towing a low loader with the axle spacing reading 6m — Figure 1: Axle spacing conditions for a prime mover and low loader combination

Image of a prime mover towing a dolly and a low loader with the axle spacing reading 2.6m for a dolly with 4 tyres, and 3.2m for a dolly with 8 tyres. — Figure 2: Axle spacing conditions for a prime mover and low loader dolly combination

Mass conditions - Click to expand

Total combination mass

Low loader combinations

This Notice allows access to eligible combinations carrying platform containers (flat racks and open top containers) at the masses listed below.

A combination’s total mass must not exceed:

77.5t, if the vehicle is fitted with any axle group with 4 tyres on each axle.
100.0t if the vehicle is fitted with any axle group with 8 tyres on each axle.

Skel trailer and semitrailer combinations

Skel or semi-trailer combinations total combination mass limits must comply with general dimension limits (as prescribed by the MDL). There are no mass exemptions applied under this Notice.

Axle mass limits

Low loader combinations

Table 3 describes mass limits for low loader dolly axle groups fitted with 4 tyres per axle.
Table 4 describes axle group mass limits for low loader.

**Table 3:** Axle mass limits for 4 tyred low loader dollies
Number of axles on the low loader dolly	Axle group mass limit (tonnes)
1	9.0
2	18.5

**Table 4:** Axle mass limits for low loaders
Minimum axle group ground contact width (m)	Number and spacing of axles in axle group (spacing in metres)
Minimum axle group ground contact width (m)	Closed tandem axle group or spread tandem axle group	Closed tri-axle group	Spread tri-axle group	Closed quad-axle group	Spread quad-axle group or closed quin-axle group
4 tyred axle mass limit (t)
2.4	18.5	25	27	30	35
8 tyred axle mass limit (t)
2.4	21	25	27	30	35
2.6	21	26	29	31.5	36
2.7	21	27	31	33	37
2.8	22	28	33	34	39
2.9	22	29	34	35	40
3.0	24	30	36	36	41
3.1	24	31	37	37	42
3.2	26	32	39	39	43
3.3	26	33	40	40	44
3.4	27	34	41	41	46
3.5	27	35	42	42	47
3.6	28	36	43	43	48
3.7	28	37	44	44	49
3.8	30	38	45	45	50
3.9	30	39	46	46	51
4.0	31	40	47	47	52
4.1	31	40	48	48	53
4.2	31	40	48	49	54

Skel trailer and semitrailer combinations

Skel or semi-trailer combinations axle group mass limits must comply with general dimension limits (as prescribed by the MDL). There are no mass exemptions applied under this Notice

General conditions - Click to expand

How items may be loaded

An eligible vehicle must only carry a maximum of one platform container.
If carrying more than one large indivisible item on a platform container, the mass of the container and the load together must not exceed the gross container mass as stated on the container safety approval plate.
All goods carried by the eligible vehicle must be loaded on the single platform container.
A platform container may be loaded with more than one large indivisible item provided the additional large indivisible items do not exceed height or width dimensions that would not be exceeded if the platform container carried only one large indivisible item.
A platform container loaded with one or more large indivisible items in conjunction with other goods must not allow the goods not considered indivisible to exceed the regulatory height and width dimensions when loaded on the platform container.
For goods being carried on a platform container that do not trigger a dimension exemption, they must be contained within the platform container at regulatory height and width dimensions.
If a load on an eligible vehicle can be safely loaded in more than one way, it must be loaded in a way that minimises the dimensions of the vehicle and its load to the greatest extent practicable.

‘Regulatory height and width dimensions' means the general dimension limits as prescribed by the MDL Regulation.

Some examples of compliant and non-compliant loading of multiple items are provided in Table 5.

**Table 5:** Examples of compliant and non-compliant multiple indivisible loading
Multiple indivisible items	Width (m)	Length (m)	Height (m)	Compliant
Example 1
1st item	3.8	24	4.3	yes
2nd item	2.8	24	4.6	no

Example 2
1st item	3.7	22	4.8	yes
2nd item	2.9	22	4.6	yes

Example 3
1st item	3.8	28	4.3	yes
2nd item	2.8	28	4.3	yes
3rd item	2.8	28	4.9	no

Import and export documentation

The following documentation must be carried, in either electronic or paper form by the driver for the following movements:

Import: Shipping Line Delivery Order (SLDO) – including the container number, tare mass, gross container mass, and destination.
Export: Pre Receivable Advice (PRA) - including the container number, tare mass, gross container mass, delivery destination (Port). The documentation must be current and relative to the load being carried on the platform container.

Pilot and escort vehicle conditions

An eligible vehicle must comply with pilot and escort requirements set out in the New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2).

MDL Schedule 8

An eligible vehicle must comply with the following conditions from Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation.

Note: These conditions apply to the Class 3 vehicles operating under this notice, despite the MDL Regulation otherwise only applying them to Class 1 vehicles.

The applicable conditions from the MDL Schedule 8 are:

Part 1:
- Division 1 – All sections.
- Division 2 - section 12 and section 14 (excluding section 13 – which is addressed under "How items may be loaded' in this Guide).
- Division 5 – All sections.
Part 3 - All sections.

A description of these conditions is provided in the NHVR’s Standard conditions legislative requirements - Class 1 (PDF, 367KB).

Other conditions and additional information

Assessing routes

Before an eligible vehicle is driven along any route, its driver and operator must be satisfied that the route has been assessed and that the vehicle can be driven along it without:

disrupting telecommunication, electricity, rail, gas, water or sewage services; or
damaging a road (including a bridge), structure, rail crossing or tree.

Third party approvals

Gazette notices, permits and some jurisdictional laws may require third parties and other entities to provide permission for a vehicle to travel if it exceeds certain mass or dimension limits.

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.

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.

Complying with the HVNL

Unless otherwise exempted by the Notice or this Operator's Guide, operators must ensure their vehicle or combination complies with the:

Australian Design Rules (ADRs); and,
Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL); and,
Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL); and,
Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (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.

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.
Must carry documentation that complies with the requirements of the Import/Export Documentation section of the Guide.

General conditions

All general conditions contained within New South Wales Schedule of the National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2) and the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) must be complied with.

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.

In this tab, you will find the approved routes authorised under the Notice. There may also be network conditions pursuant to the stated areas and routes under the Notice. Network conditions relate to road and travel conditions that are not contained within the Notice.

National Network Map

This Notice may refer to state or territory government websites for the publication of networks. From 20 December 2023, 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

The following routes are approved for travel for vehicles eligible under this Notice.

Approved routes covered by the Notice - Click to expand

The following road networks listed in Table 6 are approved for travel for vehicles eligible under this Notice.

**Table 6:** Available road networks by loaded vehicle height
Vehicle height	Applicable road networks
Vehicle height	Roads approved by participating road managers - as described in Table 7	The New South Wales 4.6m High Vehicle Network layer
Up to 4.3m		N/A
Greater than 4.3m and up to 5.0m
Note: Where more than one road network applies (i.e., for vehicles with a height greater than 4.3m and up to 5.0m), a road is approved under this Notice only if it is approved under both applicable networks. The New South Wales 4.6m High Vehicles Network layer means the network overlay of that name as displayed on the NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map on the NNM. The 4.6m high network in New South Wales is approved for 4.6m high vehicles. If access is required over 4.6m high and up to 5.0m the operator must scope the route thoroughly prior to travel.to ensure the route is appropriate for travel over 4.6m high and up to 5.0m.

Participating road managers

Table 7 describes the approved roads for each participating road manager. In Table 7:

NSW OSOM Network means the NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network, which comprises:
- the OSOM network layer as displayed on the NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map, and
- the NSW Local Councils approved OSOM access (PDF, 85.03 KB), also listed on the NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map.
Council roads means all roads managed by the council road manager (i.e., all roads within their boundary – except state controlled roads).
All roads means all roads within the road manager’s boundary.

**Table 7:** Approved roads for participating road managers
Participating road managers	Approved roads
Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW)	All state controlled roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Albury City Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Blacktown City Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Clarence Valley Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Coffs Harbour City Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Greater Hume Shire Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Kempsey Shire Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Nambucca Shire Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Parkes Shire Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Port Botany	All roads
Port Kembla	All roads
Port Macquarie	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network
Port of Newcastle	All roads
Singleton Council	Council roads that form part of the NSW OSOM Network

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 8 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.

**Table 8:** Traffic advisory services
Jurisdiction	Website	Purpose
New South Wales	Live Traffic NSW	View live information about incidents and changes in New South Wales 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 national, state and territory notices related to the New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container 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 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2) Authorises the use of Class 1 load carrying vehicles that are up to 5.5m wide, 35m long and 5m high (state and territory dependant). Please note the following supporting documents for this Notice: Information Sheet - National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice (PDF, 261KB) ACT Additional Conditions Booklet (PDF, 820KB) ACT Load Carrying Vehicles Stated Routes and Areas (PDF, 560KB) New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide (PDF, 1.2MB) Queensland Access Conditions Guide Queensland Safe Movement Guideline – Pilot and escort vehicles South Australia Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide (PDF, 408KB) Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) Authorises the use of Class 1 load carrying vehicles that are up to 115t (state dependant). Please note the following supporting documents for this Notice: Information Sheet - Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice (PDF, 290KB) ACT Additional Conditions Booklet (PDF, 820KB) New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide (PDF, 1.2MB) Queensland Access Conditions Guide Queensland Safe Movement Guideline – Pilot and escort vehicles South Australia Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide (PDF, 408KB) National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) 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: National Class 3 4.6m High Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notices Operator's Guide

Jurisdiction

Notice

National

National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2)

Authorises the use of Class 1 load carrying vehicles that are up to 5.5m wide, 35m long and 5m high (state and territory dependant).

Please note the following supporting documents for this Notice:

Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1)

Authorises the use of Class 1 load carrying vehicles that are up to 115t (state dependant).

Please note the following supporting documents for this Notice:

National Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High by Construction Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

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:

National Class 3 4.6m High Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notices Operator's Guide

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	New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Combination (Hunter Region) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) 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: Information Sheet - New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Combination (Hunter Region) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice (PDF, 129KB) Operator's Guide - New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Combination (Hunter Region) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice (PDF, 505KB) 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 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide (PDF, 1.18MB) 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 Class 2 and Class 3 Port Botany Container Transportation Mass Exemption Notices Operator's Guide (PDF, 470KB)
New South Wales and Queensland	New South Wales and Queensland Class 3 4.6m High Loaded Semi-Trailer Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) 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: National Class 3 4.6m High Semitrailer Dimension Exemption Notices Operator's Guide
Queensland	Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Class 3 Flat Rack and Open Top) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2020 (No. 2) 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: Information Sheet - Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Class 3 Flat Rack and Open Top) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2020 (No. 2) (PDF, 1.01MB) Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Port of Brisbane Mass Management Scheme) Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1) 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: Tasmanian Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Guide V7 April 2024 (PDF, 1.46MB) Tasmania Class 3 Heavy Vehicles Transporting High-Cube Freight Containers Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) 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 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.

Resources

All information about this Notice is contained in this Operator’s Guide. Please refer to the tabs for more information about these Notices, 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:

New South Wales: Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) - Heavy vehicles

Changes and updates

Date	Summary	Links to resources and communications
27 October 2023	New South Wales Class 3 Livestock Transportation Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) commenced and revoked New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1).	C2023G01153
17 December 2018	New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1) commenced.	C2018G01008