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

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

Table 2: Eligible vehicle combinations

Description	Image of vehicle combination	Maximum overall length (m)
B-double (no quad axle group)		23.0
B-double (no quad axle group)		26.0
B-triple (modular)		35.0
B-triple		36.5
A-double		36.5
AB-triple		36.5
AB-triple		44.0
Rigid truck towing two trailers		47.5
A-triple		53.5
BAB-quad		53.5
ABB-quad		53.5

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.

Mass limits - Click to expand

Axle groups and mass limits 

The maximum permissible masses for each axle or axle group on a heavy vehicle operating under the Notice is listed in Table 3.

• 0.25t increase for single steer axle to a maximum of 6.25t
• 0.5t increase for single axle fitted with dual tyres to a maximum of 9.5t
• 1t increase for load sharing twin steer axle groups to a maximum of 12.0t.

Note: An increase in the single axle and axle group mass limits provided by Table 1 increase the general mass limits for the axle spacing by the same amount.

Table 3: Maximum permissible masses for axle or axle groups

Description	Mass limits (t)
Single steer axle	6.25
Twin steer axle group with load-sharing suspension	12.0
Single axle fitted with dual tyres	9.5

The maximum permissible mass limits for a CML vehicle operating under the Notice are listed in Table 4.

Table 4: Maximum permissible mass limits for a CML vehicle

Description	Mass limits (t)
If the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits is more than 85t but not more than 120t.	3t more than the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits.
If the maximum mass permitted for the vehicle under the general mass limits is more than 120t.	4t more than the maximum mass permitted for the heavy vehicle under the general mass limits.

Note: The steer axle mass exception limits in the MDL for a complying steer axle vehicle can be used in conjunction with the Notice.

The maximum mass allowable axle or axle group mass limit under the Notice is summarised in Table 5. To be eligible to operate at CML, the axle group must be eligible for the GML shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Mass limits of axles under GML and CML

Axle group/tyres	Axle	Axle/vehicle requirements	Tyre section width	Mass limit (t) - GML	Mass limit (t) - CML
Steer axle		Default limit	N/A	6.0	6.0
		Complying steer axle	Suitability rated	6.5	6.5
		Road train steer axle	295–375 mm	6.5	6.5
		Road train steer axle	At least 375 mm	7.1	7.1
Single axle		Single tyres	Less than 375mm	6.0	6.0
		Single tyres	375–450mm	6.7
		Single tyres	At least 450mm	7.0	7.0
		Dual tyres	N/A	9.0	9.0
Twin-steer axle group - Single tyres		Non-load-sharing suspension system	N/A	10.0	10.0
		Load-sharing suspension system	N/A	11.0	11.0
Tandem axle group		Single tyres on all axles	Less than 375mm	11.0	11.5
		Single tyres on all axles	375–450mm	13.3	13.8
		Single tyres on all axles	at least 450mm	14.0	14.5
		Single tyres on one axle and dual tyres on the other axle	N/A	13.0	13.5
		Dual tyres on all axles	N/A	16.5	17.0
Tri-axle group		Single tyres on all axles	Single tyres less than 375mm	15.0	15.5
		Combination of single and dual tyres	Single tyres less than 375mm	15.0	15.5
		Single tyres on all axles	At least 375 mm	20.0	21.0
		Combination of single and dual tyres	Single tyres at least 375 mm	20.0	21.0
		Dual tyres on all axles	N/A	20.0	21.0

Restricted axles

The following axle groups are restricted in the Notice:

• Tri-axle drive groups – Prohibited on any vehicle operating under this Notice. Operators with a tri-drive prime mover in their combination require a permit to operate.
• Quad-axle groups – Prohibited on any vehicle operating when on state-controlled roads in Queensland.

One-tonne mass exception

An eligible combination with a tri-axle group operating under the Notice can apply the one-tonne tri-axle mass exception (1TMTA).

1TMTA allows increased mass on tri-axle groups so they can be loaded up to 1t above the standard tri-axle group 20t GML. Any additional mass loaded onto each tri-axle group is offset onto another non-steer axle or other axle groups.

The 1TMTA does not permit any increase to a vehicle’s maximum (total) mass but gives more flexibility in how mass may be distributed across axle groups.

1TMTA only applies where the approved routes covered by this Declaration are also approved under the 1TMT network. Refer to the Queensland Government Globe to check approved roads.

For more information, see 1-Tonne Tri-Axle Mass Transfer Allowance information sheet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Network mapping home page for Queensland

• QLD Heavy vehicle route maps and restrictions

Approved routes covered by the Notice

The following routes are approved for travel for vehicles eligible under this Notice.

Specified road manager network requirements

The following section outlines specific road manager network requirements under the Notice, including route conditions, restrictions, and non-participating road managers.

Road manager network 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 Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Additional Concessional Mass Limits 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

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

Participating jurisdiction heavy vehicle resources

For more information about operating a heavy vehicle in participating jurisdictions, refer to the following sites:

• Queensland: Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) - Heavy vehicles

Changes and updates