Definitions

The following are terms used in these Notices or conditions of operation. Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in these Notices have the same meaning as defined in the HVNL.

Eligible vehicles

An eligible Controlled Access Bus (CAB) operating in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania or Victoria must have a length exceeding 12.5m but not more than 14.5m, and be a vehicle described in Table 1.

An eligible CAB does not include an articulated bus.

Table 1: Eligible vehicles

Bus description	CAB
CAB fitted with a single steer axle and single drive axle.
CAB fitted with a single steer axle and 6-tyred tandem axle group
CAB fitted with a single steer axle and tandem axle group
CAB fitted with a twinsteer axle and tandem axle group

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 these Notices.

Dimension conditions - Click to expand

General conditions

Table 2: Eligible vehicle rear overhang limits

State/territory	Rear overhang
Australian Capital Territory	Lesser of 4.9m or 70% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and rear overhang line.
New South Wales	Lesser of 4.9m or 70% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and rear overhang line.
Queensland	Lesser of 4.7m or 70% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and rear overhang line.
South Australia	Lesser of 4.3m or 60% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and rear overhang line.
Tasmania	Lesser of 4.3m or 60% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and rear overhang line.
Victoria	Lesser of 4.3m or 60% of the distance between the centre-line of the front axle and rear overhang line.

How to measure rear overhang

The rear overhang is the distance between the buses rear and its rear overhang line. The location of the rear overhang line is dependent on the rear axle configuration. Table 3 demonstrates how to measure rear overhang with different axle types. 

Table 3: Eligible vehicle rear overhang measurement

CAB type	Axle type	Rear overhang
3-axle CAB	The last axle is steerable	Centre of first axle in rear axle group
3-axle CAB	Rear axle group where the: first axle has 4 tyres second axle has 2 tyres.	1/3 of axle spacing closer to the axle with 4 tyres
3-axle CAB	Rear axle group where neither axle is steerable and with equal number of tyres on each axle	Centre of the rear axle group
2-axle Controlled Access Bus	Single rear axle	Centre of the rear axle

Other conditions and additional information

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.

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.

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 these Notices. 

Network and mapping

For the purposes of s121 of the HVNL and s142 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

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 Notices

A CAB operating in an area or route specified in these Notices is required to comply with any road, travel or vehicle conditions set out in the maps for the individual states or territories.

Road manager network requirements

The following section outlines specific road manager route requirements under these Notices, 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.

Australian Capital Territory

Class 2 and Class 3 CABs may operate on the Australian Capital Territory’s 14.5m Controlled Access Bus Network Approved Routes.

New South Wales

Class 2 and Class 3 CABs may operate on the New South Wales Controlled Access Bus Network.

Queensland

An eligible CAB operating under either Notice may operate on:

• a local government, other than Brisbane City Council, listed in Schedule A Part 1 - Local governments other than Brisbane City Council additional approved roads for controlled access buses (PDF, 496KB);
• a Brisbane City Council road listed in Schedule A Part 2 - Brisbane City Council additional approved roads for controlled access buses (PDF, 428KB);
• all state controlled roads other than those shown on the map in Schedule B - State-controlled roads not suitable for controlled access buses (PDF, 297KB).

South Australia

Class 2 or Class 3 CABs not exceeding 13.7m in length have general access in South Australia.

Class 2 or Class 3 CABs exceeding 13.7m in length may operate on the South Australia Controlled Access Bus up to 14.5m Network.

Prior to commencing a journey, the operator must determine that the proposed route of travel is safe and suitable for Class 2 or Class 3 CABs that are between 12.5m and 13.7m in length.

Note: Operators are reminded of ongoing maintenance and other road infrastructure works across South Australia and are advised to refer to the South Australia Government’s Addinsight app and the TrafficSA website to ensure their route is not impacted by works.
Operators should also consult the South Australia Height Clearance Map and Limited Access Locations Information Bulletin located on the Approved areas or routes page of the South Australia Government’s website.

Tasmania

Class 2 or Class 3 CABs may operate on the Tasmanian 14.5m long Controlled Access Bus network.

Victoria

Class 2 or Class 3 CABs may operate on Victoria’s Controlled Access Bus network.

Related notices

In this tab you'll find a list of national and state notices related to the National Class 3 Bus Rear Overhang Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) and the National Class 2 Bus Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1).

A related notice may coincide with the featured notice or provide alternative solutions for operators to operate under.

Related state notices

Resources

All information about these Notices 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
• Queensland: Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) - Heavy vehicles
• South Australia: Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) - Heavy vehicles
• Tasmania: Department of State Growth (DSG) - Heavy vehicles

Changes and updates