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Tasmania implements national inspection standards for heavy vehicles today, representing the first step in moving toward a new approach for managing the safety of Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet.

The adoption of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual Version 2 in Tasmania provides a national set of standards and criteria for inspecting heavy vehicles. Developed with extensive industry consultation, all participating states and territories will adopt the manual into their inspection regimes by 1 July 2016.

Operators under NHVAS mass management accreditation are now only required to keep trip records when the vehicle/combination is loaded above general mass limits (GML) under changes announced today by the NHVR.

NHVR Executive Director, Productivity and Safety, Geoff Casey said the change would benefit up to 4,500 transport operators using approximately 32,000 vehicles.

"After discussions with industry we have decided that only when a trip involves an axle or gross vehicle mass above GML will the operator be required to keep a mass record for the trip," said Mr Casey.

The NHVR will deliver additional productivity benefits through a reduction in red tape, following the Commonwealth Government's relaxation of the Australian Design Rules.

The NHVR today issued a vehicle standards exemption notice that removes the requirement for in-service semitrailers to have their rear bumper bars painted white.

NHVR's Executive Director of Productivity and Safety, Geoff Casey confirmed the NHVR exemption broadens the Commonwealth's decision to remove the requirement for new semitrailers built after 1 January 2005.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Board Chairman, Bruce Baird, said today the nation's trucking Regulator is set to work with Darren Chester, incoming federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

"I congratulate Mr Chester on his appointment and assure him that the Regulator is ready to work with him and all states and territories on continued reform for Australia's road transport industry.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) pays tribute to the outgoing Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister, Warren Truss, who announced his retirement today.

"I'm indebted to Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss for his support for the national Regulator and enduring commitment to reform in the road transport industry, said NHVR Board Chairman, Bruce Baird.

Moree Plains Shire Council embraces permit process, benefiting local economy and freight businesses.

The NHVR has developed a video capturing the council’s outstanding work, which is providing widespread benefits across the community.

NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto said the council’s approach to access permit requests and their commitment to engagement with the heavy vehicle sector is a great example of the productivity benefits which can be achieved for local governments and industry.

The NHVR supports the use of telematics within the Heavy Vehicle Industry.

NHVR Executive Director for Productivity and Safety, Geoff Casey appreciates the Australian Logistics Council’s (ALC) commitment to improving the Heavy Vehicle industry.

"The NHVR agrees with the ALC's recent statement that data captured from heavy vehicles, with regard to their speed, fatigue and a variety of other measures, can lead to improved safety and compliance outcomes on our roads.

The NHVR's enhanced performance heat map technology will advance the movement of freight across the country. The maps will provide local government with the ability to compare permit requests and work with adjoining councils to locate where improvements can be made to the road network.

NHVR Director of Access, Peter Caprioli said that the NHVR developed tool will assist with the unblocking of impacted red areas shown on the maps.

Australia’s openness to the idea of high productivity vehicle design has gained it international attention, but a complex approval process and on-going political quarrel have long held it back. Where are we standing now?

Prime Mover magazine published a national PBS fleet report in December 2015 that explored the beginning of the PBS to its growth today.

Heavy vehicle operators now have a comprehensive guide to heavy vehicle safety with the launch of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's (NHVR) revised National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.

The manual provides a simple guide to what makes a vehicle roadworthy. Although designed as a compliance tool for assessing roadworthiness, heavy vehicle operators can use the manual in routine maintenance programs to ensure compliance with vehicle standards and improve their vehicle's safety.

A nationally consistent approach to heavy vehicle safety moved one step closer with the launch of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's (NHVR) revised National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual by South Australia's Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen Mullighan at the South Australian Freight Industry Council meeting in Adelaide today.

Minister Mullighan said the manual paved the way for a consistent national approach to heavy vehicle inspections and was a foundation towards improvement in safety across the heavy vehicle industry.

Every individual in the Chain of Responsibility can make a difference to safety for all road users, says the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's (NHVR) Manager for Chain of Responsibility, Michael Crellin, speaking at the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Chain of Responsibility Conference in Sydney today.

"With a national Regulator and national law in place, we have the right infrastructure to effect change.

With more than 70% of Australia's domestic freight being moved on our nation's road network, maximizing access to Australia's road assets will give regional economies the best chance for growth.

Speaking at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Ballarat this week, NHVR Chief Executive, Sal Petroccitto, reinforced the critical role local government plays in Australia’s productivity.

The NHVR has moved to clarify the requirements around the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) auditor training and qualifications.

This follows the Regulator becoming aware of incorrect information being sent to auditors to promote paying for qualifications and courses that are not necessary to be registered as an NHVAS Approved Auditor.

NHVR Executive Director Productivity and Safety, Geoff Casey said the criteria to be an NHVAS Approved Auditor is set out in the NHVAS Business Rules and Standards (Section 14).

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released its 2014-2015 Annual Report, tabled by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss in Parliament today.

NHVR CEO, Mr Sal Petroccitto said the report outlined the NHVR's achievements and performance in pursuit of a more productive and safe heavy vehicle industry for Australia.

"I am proud of the remarkable turnaround that has been achieved by our organisation over the last financial year.

NHVR Chief Executive Officer Sal Petroccitto welcomes the creation of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), following unanimous support by Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland (CVIAQ), as the new national body.

The HVIA will provide an Australian wide industry focus for its members and will be the representative body in design, manufacture, importation, distribution, modification, sale, service and repair of on-road vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) board of directors has been re-appointed for a second three year term.

The re-appointment ensures leadership continuity and stability for the Regulator as it continues to drive regulatory reform for the Australian Heavy Vehicle Transport Industry.

Heavy vehicle transport operators are set to reap productivity benefits with the granting of a dedicated network for AB Triple vehicles across South Australia.

NHVR Manager of Access, Roger Garcia said this new network, PBS 3A, is a major step forward for South Australia’s heavy vehicle industry and runs to the core of their business operations.

“We appreciate the efforts of the South Australian Government who worked with us to make this happen.

There is a perception that heavy vehicle drivers are tough and the industry is tougher. But on the eve of Mental Health Day, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO, Sal Petroccitto is calling for greater awareness to ensure drivers have the support they need.

While the NHVR has a critical part to play in helping to ensure the safety of the heavy vehicle transport industry and its people, greater awareness and understanding is needed by both the community and those on the front line.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) sets out next steps for industry uptake, as the move toward Electronic Work Diaries (EWD) gains momentum.

The recent passing of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2015 is the first important milestone for a more streamlined recording process which will provide the heavy vehicle industry with a much needed reduction in paperwork.

The nation's heavy vehicle and freight industries will continue to benefit from further reductions in red tape with the passing of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill, 2015.

The Bill ensures consistency across participating states and territories in the rules and regulations applied to heavy vehicles, operators and their drivers.