The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and regulations commenced in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria on 10 February 2014. In addition to passing the HVNL, states and territories agreed to four regulations made under the national law. The Northern Territory and Western Australia have not commenced the HVNL at this time.

Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)

Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) (PDF, 3.1MB)

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) looks after one rule book for heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. State and territory police, and authorised officers are appointed to enforce heavy vehicle offences under the HVNL.

Some aspects of heavy vehicle regulation remain as they were before the HVNL. Heavy vehicle registration, inspections, driver licensing and all matters related to the carriage of dangerous goods are still the responsibility of the relevant state and territory authorities. Legal and court processes largely remain as they were, before the national law commenced.

HVNL regulations

The regulations were made by the Queensland Governor following unanimous approval by state and territory transport ministers and commenced at the same time as the HVNL on 10 February 2014. The regulations were first published on the NSW Legislation website on 31 May 2013, and are also available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.

Amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law

Amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law that took effect on 6 February 2016