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.

Eligible vehicles

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

An eligible vehicle under this Notice is a Class 3 heavy vehicle that:

• is fitted with a spreader box to the rear of the vehicle; and,
• is used for the construction, repair, or maintenance of roads; and, 
• does not exceed the dimension conditions outlined in the Notice.

Figure 1: Example image of Class 3 spreader box heavy vehicle

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.

Dimension conditions - Click to expand

General dimension conditions

Eligible vehicles must comply with the following dimension conditions:

• the width of the vehicle fitted with the spreader box must not be more than 2.9m; and 
• the width of the vehicle without the spreader box must not be more than 2.5m.

Figure 2 illustrates the dimension conditions outlined above. 

Figure 2: Eligible vehicle dimension conditions

General conditions - Click to expand

Headlight requirement

An eligible vehicle must have its low-beam headlights on while it is being used in the daytime.

Schedule 8 conditions

Note: Schedule 8 conditions apply to the Class 3 vehicles operating under this Notice, despite the MDL otherwise, only applying them to Class 1 vehicles.

Under this notice, eligible vehicles must comply with certain conditions from Schedule 8 of the MDL.

Table 1 outlines all Schedule 8 conditions referenced in the Notice and which participating jurisdiction they apply to.

The application of each condition is represented with a symbol in the relevant jurisdiction column. Refer to the Schedule 8 conditions table legend for an explanation of each symbol.

For guidance on the application of Schedule 8 conditions, refer to Schedule 8 - Conditions applying to Class 1 heavy vehicles.

Schedule 8 conditions table legend

Explains symbols used in ‘Table 1 - Application of Schedule 8 conditions’ and their corresponding meanings.

	Schedule 8 condition applies when operating in this jurisdiction. Click on the provided link to view a Schedule 8 condition in full. For guidance on the application of Schedule 8 conditions, refer to Schedule 8 - Conditions applying to Class 1 heavy vehicles.
	Notice applies a similar or duplicate condition that does not reference Schedule 8. See the general conditions, and jurisdiction special conditions sections of this Guide for details.
	Schedule 8 condition does not apply in this jurisdiction.

Table 1: Application of Schedule 8 conditions

Includes links to the MDL and a brief description of what the condition relates to.

Table 1: Application of Schedule 8 conditions

Schedule 8 condition referenced in the Notice			NSW	QLD	SA	TAS
Part 1, Division 1 – General conditions	Section 2	(1)(a) – Warning signs on the front of the vehicle
		(1)(b) – Warning signs on the rear of the vehicle
		(1)(c)(i) – Warning Flags on the front of the vehicle
		(1)(c)(ii) – Warning Flags on the rear of the vehicle
		(3) – Application of warning sign and warning flag conditions
	Section 3 – Warning lights and delineators if load projecting from vehicle
	Section 5	(1)(a) – Side markers
		(1)(b) – Rear markers
		(1)(c) – Warning lights
		(2) – Definition of side and rear markers
	Section 6 – Headlights
	Section 8 – No travelling in low visibility
	Section 11 – Assessing routes
Part 3 Division 1 ­– Warning lights	Section 35 – Characteristics of warning light
	Section 36 – Visibility of warning lights
	Section 37 – Switch for warning lights to be within easy reach
	Section 38 (1) – Warning lights to be on if required, and off if not
Part 3 Division 2 Subdivision 2	Section 41 – Face of warning sign
	Section 42 – Other specifications for warning signs
Part 3 Division 2 Subdivision 3	Section 44 – Application of Sdiv 3
	Section 45 – Size of warning sign
	Section 46 – Face of warning sign
	Section 47 – Fitting warning sign

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.

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.

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

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

Under this Notice, eligible vehicles have general access in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania, except where specified road manager network requirements apply. 

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.

Related notices

In this tab, you will find a list of state and territory notices related to the National Class 3 Spreader Box Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (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 state notices

Resources

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

• 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