Definitions

Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Operator’s Guide have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL and the Notice.

Eligible vehicles

A vehicle is eligible to operate under this Notice if it is:

• a prime mover and semitrailer combination, and
• used for carrying cattle, pigs, sheep or goats.

An unladen prime mover and semitrailer combination that is otherwise used for carrying cattle, pigs, sheep or goats may operate under this Notice. The Notice does not authorise the transport of livestock species other than those specified here.

To be eligible to operate under the Notice, a combination must comply with:

• All applicable requirements of the MDL– except as exempted under this Notice (and described in this Operator’s Guide).
• All applicable conditions of this Notice (as described in this Operator’s Guide).

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

Length

Under this Notice, a semitrailer’s deck length must not exceed 14.6m. This is an exemption from an increase to the length otherwise allowed under the MDL of 12.5m

Except for the deck length, an eligible combination must comply with all dimension requirements of the MDL. This includes dimension limits for the semitrailer, as outlined below in Figure 2, which shows:

• The part of the semitrailer (or anything attached to it, other than another vehicle) in front of the front articulation point (kingpin) must not protrude further than 1.9m from the front articulation point (R 1.9m).
• The maximum length from the front articulation point (kingpin) to the rear of the semitrailer is 13.2m.
• The distance from the front articulation point to the rear overhang line’s maximum length is 9.5m.
• The maximum length of the semitrailer is 14.6m.

Height conditions

For an eligible vehicle operating in New South Wales (Figure 3):

• The distance from the lowest deck of the semitrailer to the top of the semitrailer must not exceed 2.1m.
• An eligible vehicle must not exceed 4.3m in height.

For an eligible vehicle operating in Victoria (Figure 4):

• An eligible vehicle must not exceed 3.9m in height.

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.

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.

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 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

Eligible vehicles complying with the conditions of the notice are authorised to operate on all roads in the participating jurisdictions - New South Wales and Victoria.

Specified road manager network requirements

The following section outlines specific road manager network 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 national, state and territory notices related to the New South Wales and Victoria Class 3 Long Livestock Semitrailer Deck Length 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 national notices

Related state and territory 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
• Victoria: Department of Transport and Planning - Heavy vehicle industry

Changes and updates