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Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) exempts a prime mover towing a special purpose trailer from the mass and dimension limits in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL).
Please note: This instrument does NOT exempt these vehicles from other requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), including mass and other dimension requirements.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2024G00072 |
| Starts: | 10 February 2024 |
| Expires: | 9 February 2029 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 1, Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) combination, prime mover towing a special purpose trailer |
| Exemptions: |
Mass requirements (axle mass limits, axle spacing mass limits, axle group mass limits, general combination mass, single vehicle mass) Dimension requirements (general length, trailer length, combination length, width, height by construction, rear overhang) |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL |
| Coverage: | QLD |
| 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 Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) (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 enables a Class 1 heavy vehicle that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a special purpose trailer access to stated areas and routes in Queensland.
Exemptions
These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.
Mass requirements
An eligible vehicle to which the Notice applies is exempt from the following mass requirements of Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL):
- section 2 – Mass limits for a single vehicle or combination;
- section 4 – Mass limits for a single axle or axle group;
- section 5 – Mass limits relating to axle spacing generally.
Dimension requirements
An eligible vehicle operating under the Notice is exempt from the following dimension requirements of Schedule 6 of the MDL:
- section 3 – Length (combination or single vehicle);
- section 4 – Length (trailers);
- section 5 – Length (rear overhang);
- section 7 – Width;
- section 8 – Height.
Note: Other mass 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 |
|---|---|
|
Queensland Access Conditions Guide |
Queensland Access Conditions Guide published by TMR that provides specific access conditions for the movement of oversize heavy vehicles (over 4.5 tonnes) operating under a notice, or permit in Queensland. For example, access conditions relating to a time-of-day, route, network, and location. |
|
ADR |
|
|
Australian Road Authority |
Includes the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. |
|
Dual-drive tandem axle group |
A tandem axle group consisting of 2 axles, both of which are a driving axle for a vehicle. |
|
Prescribed dimension requirements |
A dimension requirement prescribed by the MDL. |
|
Prescribed mass requirement |
A mass requirement prescribed by the MDL. |
|
Special purpose combination |
A prime mover towing a special purpose trailer, this combination is an eligible vehicle of the Notice. |
|
Special purpose trailer |
A trailer built for a purpose other than carrying a load and designed to be towed by a prime mover. |
|
Tandem axle group |
A group of at least 2 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centrelines of the outermost axles is at least 1m but not more than 2m. |
Eligible vehicles
To be eligible to operate under the Notice, approved combinations must comply with all requirements of the MDL.
The Notice applies to a Special Purpose Vehicle combination consisting of a prime mover towing a special purpose trailer. The image in Figure 1 is an example image and is used for reference. More detailed descriptions of a SPV can be found below.
Figure 1: Example image of an SPV Combination (Prime mover and single Special Purpose Trailer)
Conditions
Notices are subject to conditions to ensure public safety, asset protection and to prevent adverse effects to the community, such as noise, emissions or traffic congestion.
See the sections below for specific conditions related to this Notice.
Dimension conditions - Click to expand
Dimensions
An eligible vehicle operating under this Notice must not exceed the dimensions provided in Table 1.
|
Type of vehicle or combination |
Dimension |
Limit (m) |
|---|---|---|
|
Special purpose trailer |
Width |
3.5 |
|
Special purpose trailer |
Height |
4.6 |
|
Special purpose trailer |
Length |
14.5 |
|
Special purpose combination |
Length |
25.0 |
|
Special purpose combination |
Distance from the rear overhang line to the rear of the vehicle (Figure 4) |
Lesser of 5.5m or 25% of the total vehicle combination |
Figure 2: Distance from the rear overhang line to the rear of the vehicle
Mass requirements - Click to expand
Prime mover axle mass limits
The maximum mass on an axle group of a Prime mover is shown in Table 2.
| Type of axle or axle group | Axles | Axle/vehicle requirements | Mass limit (t) GML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | 
|
Default limit | 6.0t | |
| Complying steer axle | 6.5t | |||
| Road train steer axle | 6.5t | |||
| 7.1t | ||||
| Single axle | 
|
Single tyres | 6.0t | |
| 6.7t | ||||
| 7.0t | ||||
|
Dual tyres | 9.0t | ||
|
Twinsteer axle group
|
|
Non-load-sharing suspension system | 10.0t | |
| Load-sharing suspension system | 11.0t | |||
| Tandem axle group | 
|
Single tyres on all axles |
11.0t | |
| 13.3t | ||||
| 14.0t | ||||
|
Single tyres on one axle and dual tyres on the other axle | 13.0t | ||
 |
Dual tyres on all axles | 16.5t | ||
Trailer axle mass limits relating to tyre width
Maximum mass limits per trailer axle are described in Table 3 below. This table shows the tyre width in the first two columns and how many tonnes can be carried by the number of tyres in columns three and four.
| Tyre width of the narrowest tyre on the axle (mm) | Mass limit if the axle has 2 tyres (tonnes) | Mass limit if the axle has 4 tyres (tonnes) |
|
| at least | but less than | ||
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
Column 4 |
|
190 |
228 |
4.5 |
9.0 |
|
228 |
254 |
5.0 |
9.5 |
|
254 |
279 |
6.0 |
10.0 |
|
279 |
305 |
6.5 |
11.0 |
|
305 |
330 |
7.0 |
12.0 |
|
330 |
356 |
7.5 |
13.0 |
|
356 |
381 |
8.0 |
14.0 |
|
381 |
406 |
9.0 |
14.0 |
|
406 |
458 |
10.0 |
14.0 |
|
458 |
508 |
11.0 |
14.0 |
|
508 |
- |
12.0 |
14.0 |
Trailer axle group mass limits relating to tyre width
Maximum mass limits per trailer axle group are described in Table 4 below. This table shows the tyre width in the first two columns and how many tonnes can be carried by the axle group and number of tyres in column three (tandem axle) and column four (tri-axle).
| Tyre width of the narrowest tyre on the axle (mm) | Mass limit if the axle has 2 tyres (tonnes) | Mass limit if the axle has 4 tyres (tonnes) |
|
| at least | but less than | ||
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
Column 4 |
|
381 |
406 |
16.5 |
22.0 |
|
406 |
431 |
17.0 |
23.0 |
|
431 |
458 |
17.5 |
24.0 |
|
458 |
482 |
18.0 |
25.0 |
|
482 |
508 |
18.5 |
26.0 |
|
508 |
- |
19.0 |
27.0 |
Tandem axle trailer axle group mass limits
The mass on a tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres (Figure 3), where the centreline of the axles is less than 1.35m apart, must not exceed 20t, unless the amount is:
- decrease this by 1t for each 100mm where the axle group’s ground contact width is less than 2.4m; or
- increased this by 1t for each 100mm where the axle group’s ground contact width exceeds 2.5m, the maximum increase limit is 28t.
Note: The centrelines of adjacent axles in an axle group on an eligible vehicle that is operating under a mass exemption provided in this notice must be at least 1.2m apart.
The mass on a tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres (Figure 3), where the centrelines of the axles are at least 1.35m apart, must not exceed 23t, unless the amount is:
- decreased this by 1t for each 100mm where the axle group’s ground contact width is less than 2.4m; or
- increased this by 1t for each 100mm where the axle group’s ground contact width exceeds 2.5m, the maximum increase limit is 28t.
Figure 3: Tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres
Tri-axle trailer axle group mass limits
The mass on a tri-axle group fitted with dual tyres (Figure 4), where the centrelines of the axles is less than 1.35m apart, must not exceed 25t, unless the amount is:
- decreased this by 1t for each 100mm where the axle group’s ground contact width is less than 2.4m.
Note: The centrelines of adjacent axles in an axle group on an eligible vehicle that is operating under a mass exemption provided in this notice must be at least 1.2m apart.
The mass on a tri-axle group fitted with dual tyres (Figure 4), where the centrelines of the axles are at least 1.35m apart, must not exceed 27t, unless the amount is:
- decreased this by 1t for each 100mm by which the axle group’s ground contact width is less than 2.4m.
Figure 4: Tri axle group fitted with dual tyres
Trailer axle mass limits for trailers without dual tyre axle groups
The mass on a single axle or axle group of a special purpose trailer must not exceed the mass limit specified in Table 5.
| Type of axle or axle group | Axles | Axle/vehicle requirements | Mass limit (t) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single axle or single axle group fitted with single or dual tyres |
|
Single tyres | 12.0t | |
|
Dual tyres | 12.0t | ||
| Tandem axle group fitted with 4 tyres |
|
Single tyres on all axles |
14.0t | |
| Tri-axle group fitted with 6 tyres |  |
Single tyres on all axles | 18.0t | |
Total mass limits for special purpose combinations
The total mass of the combination must not exceed the following:
- A prime mover must not exceed the mass limits in Table 2, and
- the special purpose trailer must comply with the mass limits described in Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5 (the lesser mass limit applies).
Authority to load conditions - Click to expand
Authority to Operate
An eligible SPV operating under this Notice that does not comply with the mass requirements in Schedule 1 of the Regulation must have a current Authority to Operate (ATO) issued by TMR.
The mass of an eligible SPV operating under this Notice must not exceed the limits specified in the ATO. This means if the mass limits under this Notice are greater than those specified in a vehicle’s ATO, the lower ATO mass limits apply.
Where an eligible SPV carries additional equipment (up to a maximum of 1.0t), the SPV tare and approved GVM must be recorded on the ATO.
How to apply for an ATO section
To operate an excess mass SPV in QLD, you must obtain an Authority to Operate for each individual vehicle. To apply, contact the TMR Heavy Vehicle Access Team on (07) 3066 5511.
You will also need to provide:
- vehicle description and approved operating masses; and
- evidence of TMR supervised weigh of the vehicle.
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 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.
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.
Separate conditions apply for mass and dimension access to routes and areas in Queensland, where an eligible vehicle exceeds both mass and dimension requirements, they may only operate on road networks where both mass and dimension networks overlap.
| Eligible vehicle |
Exemption |
Route and area access |
|---|---|---|
| A Class 1 heavy vehicle that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a special purpose trailer |
Dimension exemption |
General access in Queensland |
|
Mass exemption |
State controlled roads in Queensland |
|
|
Mass and dimension exemption |
State controlled roads in Queensland |
An eligible vehicle operating under mass or dimension exemptions of this Notice may operate in Queensland, subject to compliance with TMR Excess Mass and Conditions:
- In Queensland, all Special Purpose Vehicles exceeding regulation mass are required to have a supervised weigh and measure prior to obtaining access to the Queensland state-controlled road network.
- The operator of an excess mass Special Purpose Vehicle in Queensland must obtain an Authority to Operate (ATO) for each individual vehicle.
- The operator and driver must comply with the Conditions of Operations Database that lists changes and updates to road conditions, including:
- Conditions for an excess mass/excess dimension vehicle operating under a Notice or permit.
- Queensland-wide conditions of operation applicable for Queensland roads.
- The operator and driver must comply with the Queensland Access Conditions Guide. This document provides locations, times, routes, and network information for operating on public roads in Queensland.
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 7 provides details and links to official traffic advisory services for Queensland. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | QLD Traffic | View live information about incidents and changes in Queensland traffic conditions, including outback road 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 Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Combination Mass and 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 national notices
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| National |
Provides mass and dimension access for Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) up to a gross mass of 40t. Eligible SPVs include:
National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Special Purpose Vehicles) Exemption Notice 2021 (No. 1) Exempts certain categories of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) from the requirement to comply with specified requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: |
Related state and territory notices
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| New South Wales |
Exempts stated Class 1 heavy vehicles from the prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the notice, subject to the conditions in the notice and the accompanying Operator’s Guide. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice:
Exempts stated Class 1 heavy vehicles from the prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the notice, subject to the conditions in the notice and the accompanying Operator’s Guide. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice:
New South Wales Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle and Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.2) Exempts special purpose vehicles (SPV's) and SPV combinations from specified mass and dimension requirements, subject to certain conditions. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: |
| Tasmania |
Tasmania Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) Exempts eligible Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) from compliance with certain requirements in Schedule 1 and Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. |
| Victoria |
Exempts the stated Class 1 heavy vehicles from the prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the Notice, subject to conditions. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: |
Resources
There are currently no resources, supporting documents, tools, or calculators for this Notice. 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
Changes and updates
| Date | Summary | Links to resources and communications |
|---|---|---|
| 10 February 2024 | Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) commenced. | C2024G00072 |
www.nhvr.gov.au
E info@nhvr.gov.au
P 13 NHVR (136 487)
PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006