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South Australia Class 3 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice Operator's Guide
South Australia Class 3 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice Operator's Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The South Australia Class 3 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) grants exemptions from dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL) for Class 3 heavy vehicles that are vehicle carriers with a single deck and that are no more than 23m long.
Note: The Notice provides an exemption from certain heavy vehicle length and rear overhang limits outlined in the MDL for Class 3 vehicles operating in South Australia.
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.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2023G01154 |
| Starts: | 27 October 2023 |
| Expires: | 26 October 2028 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 3, single deck vehicle carrier combination |
| Exemptions: |
Dimension requirements (general length, combination length, rear overhang) |
| 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 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier 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 the Notice
The Notice assists operators with additional length and rear overhang to carry vehicles such as cars, aircraft or boat secured to a trailer on single deck vehicle carrier combinations.
Exemptions
These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.
Dimension exemptions
An eligible vehicle operating under this Notice is exempt from the following dimension requirements of Schedule 6 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 |
|---|---|
|
ADR |
Australian Design Rules. |
|
Class 3 heavy vehicle |
A heavy vehicle is a Class 3 heavy vehicle if:
|
| HVNL | Heavy Vehicle National Law |
| Laden | For the purposes of the Notice and this Guide, this means an eligible vehicle that is loaded with only vehicles. |
| MDL | Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. |
| Prescribed dimension requirement | A dimension requirement prescribed by the MDL. |
| The Notice | South Australia Class 3 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) |
| Unladen | For the purposes of the Notice and this Guide, this means an eligible vehicle that is not carrying a load. |
|
Vehicle |
For the purposes of the Notice, vehicle includes an aircraft or boat secured to a trailer. |
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, except where specifically exempted by the Notice.
The Notice only applies to an eligible vehicle as listed in Table 1 where it is:
- loaded with only vehicles (laden); or
- is not carrying a load (unladen).
The trailer must be fitted with a single deck, built for the purpose of carrying vehicles.
| Description | Image of eligible vehicle | Maximum length (m) |
|---|---|---|
| A rigid truck with a single steer axle and single drive axle; and a trailer fitted with a single axle group (unladen). |
|
19.0 |
| A rigid truck with a single steer axle and single drive axle; and a trailer fitted with a tandem axle group (unladen). |
|
19.0 |
| A rigid truck with a single steer axle and single drive axle; and a trailer fitted with either a single axle or a tandem axle group (laden). |
|
23.0 |
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 the Notice.
Dimension conditions - Click to expand
General dimension conditions
- An eligible vehicle must not exceed 23.0m in length.
- The rear overhang of the trailer must not exceed 4.9m provided the rear overhang greater than 3.7m consists only of a vehicle that is not a heavy vehicle.
- An eligible vehicle must be able to be reduced to 19.0m in length when unladen.
- A load must not be carried above the cabin of the rigid truck.
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.
Warning signs
Eligible combinations longer than 22m must display a long vehicle warning sign at the vehicle's rear (as shown in Figure 1).
Warning sign requirements are described in the NHVR's Vehicle Standards Guide (VSG-19).
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.
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
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
An eligible vehicle that complies with all the conditions of the Notice is authorised to operate on the 23m Vehicle Carrier (GML) network.
Specified road manager network requirements
The following section outlines specific road manager route requirements under the Notice, including route conditions and restrictions.
Road manager route requirements in this section may change from time to time and should be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance.
For further information on how to comply with a requirement, please contact the relevant road manager.
Road managers may publish specific route conditions and restrictions on the approved network map. These must be complied with in addition to any route requirements outlined in this Operator's Guide. If a condition listed in any section of this Operator's Guide conflicts with a route condition or restriction published on an approved network map, the more restrictive requirement applies.
South Australia network conditions - Click to expand
Dimension Restrictions map
The Dimension Restrictions map has been developed to assist in journey and route planning and should be used alongside the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Route Planner and TrafficSA prior to commencing any journey in South Australia.
The map includes the following information:
- points, roads, and zones where there are dimension limitations (height, width and length)
- major railways and level crossings
- pilot and marshalling locations in South Australia
- network access notes.
For further information about the map please visit the Dimension Restrictions map webpage.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| South Australia | Outback Road Warnings | Access the latest information about temporary closures, restrictions, and warnings for outback roads north and west of Port Augusta. |
| Traffic SA | View live information about incidents and changes in South Australia traffic conditions. Traffic SA is available as a mobile app. See Addinsight download details on the Traffic SA website. |
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 South Australia Class 3 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier 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 4.6m high and/or 25m Long Vehicle Carrier Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) Authorises the use of Vehicle Carriers from 4.3 to 4.6 metres in height, or from 19 to 25 metres in length, or both, in stated areas or on stated routes, during stated hours of stated days and states the conditions under which these Vehicle Carriers may be used National Class 3 Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) Exempts the stated categories of Class 3 heavy vehicles from the stated dimension requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation specified in the Notice, subject to specified conditions. |
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:
- South Australia: Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) - Heavy vehicles
Changes and updates
| Date | Summary | Links to resources and communications |
|---|---|---|
| 27 October 2023 | South Australia Class 3 23m Long Single Deck Vehicle Carrier Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) commenced. | C2023G01154 |
www.nhvr.gov.au
E info@nhvr.gov.au
P 13 NHVR (136 487)
PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006