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In September 2023, the Australian Government changed the national road vehicle standards to facilitate the supply of safer trucks in Australia, reduce road trauma and boost productivity. The Safer Freight Vehicles package includes an increase to the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks fitted with a number of specific safety features.
Increased Width for Safer Freight Vehicles (PDF, 135KB) provides guidance to operators wishing to run 2.55m wide vehicles and the specific safety features that need to be fitted to the vehicle. The width increase only applies to rigid or cab chassis trucks and prime movers, NOT trailers or buses. For more information on safer freight vehicles and the new and amended Australian Design Rules please see the federal Guide to Safer Freight Vehicles.
Safer Freight Vehicles exceeding 2.50m in width (max 2.55m) can access the road network via a Class 3 permit or operate under the PBS Scheme.
The NHVR is developing a certification process through VSB6 in case an operator wishes to retrofit a vehicle to comply with all Safer Freight Vehicles specific safety features.