Latest news

Common truck and dog combinations can be pre-approved under changes to Australia’s world-leading Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said that a six-month trial to reduce the administrative burden on operators and manufacturers developing high-tech heavy vehicles had been successful.

“Since March we have been trialing a simplified design approval process for specifications pre-approved by the expert PBS panel for six- and seven-axle truck and dog combinations,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR and Roads ACT have been partnering to return heavy vehicle permit processing to the NHVR during 2017.

Roads ACT will hand back the processing of Class 1 heavy vehicle permit applications for the Australian Capital Territory to the NHVR on 28 August 2017.

This will complete the return of permit processing from the ACT and the NHVR will now process all heavy vehicle permit applications for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles in the ACT.

The NHVR has released a Classes of Heavy Vehicle chart to assist operators to match common heavy vehicles with the three categories used under the law.

NHVR Access Manager Roger Garcia said the new chart illustrated common examples from the three different classes of heavy vehicle defined under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

"While the NHVR and operators use common terms such as B-doubles, low loaders or mobile cranes for Restricted Access Vehicles, they are classified into classes under the HVNL," Mr Garcia said.

The NHVR has welcomed today's release of the PBS assessment discussion paper by the National Transport Commission (NTC).

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Assessing the effectiveness of the PBS Scheme paper highlighted the enormous safety and productivity benefits of PBS vehicles.

"It's almost 10 years since the scheme began, so it's time to look at the future for PBS and ensure these vehicles continue to make a significant contribution towards managing the growth in the Australian freight task, " Mr Petroccitto said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has thanked outgoing Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) CEO Brett Wright for his contribution to the Australian heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Brett's advocacy on behalf of HVIA members had led to significant progress for heavy vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

"Brett has been a big supporter of heavy vehicle reform both in Queensland and more recently at the national level," Mr Petroccitto said.

"He has been a contributor to many of our forums and I've valued his input on many important issues.

JOINT RELEASE
Darren Chester, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
David Littleproud, Federal Member for Maranoa
Sal Petroccitto, CEO National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Queensland's heavy vehicle safety will be boosted with the roll out of three new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras across the state's road freight network.

Updated checklists, compliance procedures, new codes for installation of roll over systems and falling object protection systems are among the key changes for Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6: National Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modifications (VSB6) released by the NHVR today.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the new version of VSB6 was the largest review undertaken since the bulletin was first released in 1992.

The NHVR has released a new chart showing 39 common heavy vehicle combinations, with details about weight limits, length and vehicle classes.

NHVR National Harmonisation Manager Matthew Bereni said the Common Heavy Freight Vehicle Combinations chart would assist operators to understand some of the key conditions required to access the road network.

"This is a user-friendly tool which will contribute to a better understanding of our industry and will help everyone understand and comply with the national heavy vehicle regulation," Mr Bereni said.

The NHVR will introduce a new self-clearing defect notice for heavy vehicle defects that do not pose a safety risk.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the new category of defect notice would be available from July 1 as part of changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

“This category will allow minor non-safety related defects to be rectified by the operator, including where a vehicle’s number plate is obscured or illegible,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR and NSW Road and Maritime Services have agreed to extend the current brake testing transition arrangements in NSW until September 29, 2017.

NHVR Director Safety Daniel Elkins said the recommendation for a detailed procedure for conducting a roller brake test was made by the NHVR’s Technical Working Group.

“We now have a better understanding why some heavy vehicles deliver different results and how that relates to the test procedure being used,” Mr Elkins said.

The NHVR Portal will celebrate its 20,000th permit application with extra functions to make it easier for access customers to plan and build their routes.

AccessCONNECT Program Director David Carlisle said the NHVR Portal, which was formally launched in August last year, has processed more than 95 per cent of permit applications from over 7000 registered heavy vehicle operators.

Australia’s first national heavy vehicle health check shows a sound performance by industry in maintaining vehicles, with some room for improvement.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the results of the National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey would provide further focus on inspection programs and help measure improvements in the mechanical condition of the heavy vehicle fleet.

A trial of livestock unloading equipment will be funded under the next round of the NHVR's Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the program was one of 12 proposals approved for a share of the $3.9 million funding by the NHVR, supported by the Federal Government.

"Landings used for loading and unloading livestock can greatly add to the safety of operators, reducing falls and giving better access to the trailer," Mr Chester said.

Almost 6500 National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) members can now track their current nominated vehicles in the mass and maintenance management modules on-line through the NHVR’s website.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto today released the NHVAS Active Vehicle Module (AVM) search tool which will allow operators to check the status of a vehicle by entering either the vehicle registration, VIN or chassis number, or accreditation label number.

The NHVR has signed an agreement with South Australia’s peak local government body to improve productivity and safety across the state’s heavy vehicle industry.

Up to 165,000 companies that make up Australia’s heavy vehicle supply chain will be required to take steps to deliver a safer road transport industry under new laws coming in mid 2018.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto today released the latest round of Chain of Responsibility information for 10 key supply chain roles.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has congratulated Julie Russell on her appointment as the Queensland Trucking Association's President.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed Ms Russell's appointment as the first female President of one of Australia's largest member-based trucking organisations.

"It's great to be congratulating another ground breaker in the heavy vehicle industry," said Mr Petroccitto.

The NHVR's Chain of Responsibility awareness campaign will be visible on major freight routes over the Easter holidays.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said billboards and on-vehicle advertising would support almost 30 Chain of Responsibility forums being held across the country during April and May.

"Responsibility for safety extends beyond just the driver – everyone has a role in heavy vehicle safety," Mr Petroccitto said.

"I'm urging all road users to take care around heavy vehicles.

Victoria’s roads will be safer for all drivers, with the roll out of new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to five sites across the state’s major freight networks.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the new cameras were being funded under the Coalition Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative which focuses on Australia’s key heavy vehicle corridors and black spots.

The NHVR and the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) have commenced the return of all SA heavy vehicle permit processing back to the NHVR during 2017.

On 10 April 2017 the DPTI handed back the processing of Class 3 heavy vehicle permit applications for South Australia to the NHVR.

Class 3 vehicle operators travelling within South Australia will now need to apply for permits through the NHVR.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has thanked outgoing Australian Trucking Association Chair Noelene Watson for her contributions to the Australian heavy vehicle industry as Chair over the past three years.

NHVR Chair Bruce Baird said Noelene’s advocacy on behalf of her members had led to significant reforms.

“I want to thank Noelene for her commitment to the trucking industry and look forward to continuing to work with her in her ongoing role as a member of the ATA Board and its Council,” Mr Baird said.