Performance Based Standards vehicle access permit

Do I need a Performance Based Standards Permit?

Apply for this permit if you have a PBS-level vehicle and the vehicle does not comply with the mass, dimension or operating requirements set out in a gazette notice.

On this page

How do I apply for a PBS permit?

  1. Check the gazette notice and state jurisdictional maps for your journey. This will show you all the latest schedules and conditions for your intended route. If your journey is covered by a gazette notice, you may not need to apply for a PBS permit. Take me to the gazette notices.
  2. Check you are applying to the correct authority. At the NHVR, we process all PBS permit applications for travel in and between the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria through the NHVR Portal. For travel within the Northern Territory and Western Australia, you need to apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority.
  3. Prepare your application. Find the relevant application, complete the details and submit it through the appropriate channel. I’m ready to begin my application.

Learn more about our application process.

PBS vehicle operators

Operators must hold a PBS Vehicle Approval before we can begin the process of seeking access for a PBS vehicle.

Operators that have a PBS Design Approval can submit a PBS application for a PBS Vehicle Approval and an access permit at the same time.

Please Note: Prior to the introduction of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), PBS Vehicle Approval was known as a PBS Final Approval. PBS Final Approval remains valid under the new laws.

Learn more about Performance-Based Standards.

Resources

Please note: Operators should check that their vehicle complies with the schedules and conditions in the relevant gazette notice as the permit relevant to this application will reference these same conditions.

Gazette notices - Performance Based Standards access

Please note: The table below shows the most common notices used for PBS vehicles and combinations. For a full list of notices and schemes please see Notices and permit-based schemes.

State Notice
ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC

National Class 2 PBS Level 1 & 2a Truck and Dog Trailer Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.1)

Authorises the use of 3 and 4 axle trucks towing 3-, 4- or 5-axle dog trailer PBS combinations on gazetted networks

Please note the following supporting documents for this Notice:

NSW, VIC

National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2022 (No. 1)

Allows certain Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles to operate on approved networks without the need for a permit.

ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC

National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (Tier 1) Authorisation Notice 2022

Provides eligible Tier 1 Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles with immediate access to relevant PBS networks across Australia to operate on approved networks without the need of a permit as soon as a Vehicle Approval is issued, although this may be at a restricted mass.

NSW

New South Wales Class 2 Safety, Productivity & Environment Construction Transport Authorisation Notice 2021 (No. 1)

Authorises the use of stated categories of Class 2 heavy vehicles that are Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles on the New South Wales SPECT Scheme Network, subject to specified conditions.

Full information on the Scheme can be found on the Transport for New South Wales website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/spects

QLD

Queensland Class 2 Performance Based Standards A-Double (Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane) Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.1)

The purpose of this Notice is to authorise Performance Based Standards (PBS) A-doubles to access a special PBS network running from Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane up to a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 85 tonnes.

Submit my application

We process all SPV applications through the NHVR Portal. Click the Launch Now button below.

Need help? Learn more about using the NHVR Portal.

Online application

NHVR Portal

Post or fax application

Yes, you can. However, please note that if you apply through post or fax, all correspondence relating to that application will be done through the same channel. If you can apply online through the NHVR Portal but need help, our team members are here to provide specialist guidance. Contact us for assistance.

Select application form: