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 vehicles or combinations must comply with all requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL).

Note: The eligible vehicles listed in Table 1 are indicative of those that can operate under the Notice, and not an exhaustive list. 

Table 1: Eligible vehicle examples

Eligible vehicle	Eligible vehicle image
Rigid trucks up to 12.5m in length
Truck towing a trailer up to 19m in length
A prime mover towing a trailer up to 19m in length

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 the Notice.

Other conditions and additional information

Euro VI emission standards

Euro VI is the sixth and most stringent stage of the European Union's emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, buses, and coaches. It was introduced to significantly reduce harmful pollutants from diesel engines, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and particulate matter (PM), which are major contributors to air pollution and health issues.

Impact and adoption

• Euro VI has led to up to 99% reduction in certain pollutants compared to earlier standards.
• Many countries outside Europe (e.g., Australia, Japan, the U.S.) have adopted similar standards.
• Encouraging fleet renewal to Euro VI-compliant vehicles is seen as a key strategy to improve urban air quality and public health.

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.

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.

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 s142 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 local government authorities who have consented to use Euro VI (wide-spaced twinsteer) vehicles under the Notice.

Since the access requested is applicable to all suitable roads, access will be recorded by listing the names of participating jurisdictions.

Participating road managers

Victoria

• State-controlled roads – see the National Network Map.

Related notices

In this tab, you will find a list of national, state and territory notices related to the National Class 3 Euro VI Vehicle (wide-spaced twinsteer) Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (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 and territory notices

Resources

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

• Australian Capital Territory: Transport Canberra and City Services - Heavy vehicle conditions and network
• 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
• Victoria: Department of Transport and Planning - Heavy vehicle industry

Changes and updates