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.

The Notice applies to a South Australia Class 3 heavy vehicle that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly as shown in Table 1 and Table 2 below.

Note: Single or twin steer prime movers and tri-axle trailer/dolly groups are eligible to operate under this Notice.

Table 1: Prime mover, semi-trailer and converter dolly axle groups

Prime mover, semi-trailer and converter dolly
Prime mover 1-2 and tandem-axle trailer and tandem-axle dolly
Prime mover 2-2 and tri-axle trailer and tri-axle dolly

Table 2: B-double and converter dolly axle groups

B-double and converter dolly axle groups
B-double 1-2 towing a tandem axle unladen converter dolly
B-double 2-2 in tri-axle combination towing a tri-axle unladen converter dolly

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

The maximum length of a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer is 19m, and for a B-double combination, the maximum length is 26m.

The maximum length of a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly is 26m, and for a B-double combination towing an unladen converter dolly is 32m; see Table 3 below for reference. 

Please note that single or twin steer prime movers and tri-axle trailer/dolly groups are eligible to operate under this Notice.

Table 3: Maximum length with and without converter dollies

Maximum length of vehicle combinations
Combination without converter dolly	Maximum length
	19m
	26m
Combination with converter dolly	Maximum length
	26m
	32m

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.

Warning signs

Eligible combinations longer than 22m but not longer than 30m must display a long vehicle warning sign at the vehicle's rear (as shown in Figure 1).

Eligible combinations longer than 30m must display a road train warning sign at the front and rear of the combination (as shown in Figure 2).

Warning sign requirements are described in the NHVR's Vehicle Standards Guide (VSG-19).

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.

Vehicle assemble and disassembly

Heavy vehicles are not permitted to assemble or disassemble in parking bays or rest areas, including the side of the road in South Australia. This activity must only be undertaken on private property.

Assembly and disassembly yards in South Australia are privately owned and access to these yards must be negotiated with the owners of the facility.

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

An eligible vehicle that is a combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semitrailer and an unladen converter dolly may operate on the Road Train Converter Dolly (GML) network.

An eligible vehicle that is a combination consisting of a B-double, but that is also towing an unladen converter dolly, may operate on the 36.5m Road Train (GML) network.

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 South Australia Class 3 Converter Dolly Combination 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

Supporting documents

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

Resources

There are no additional resources for this notice. However, 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.

Changes and updates