Concessional Mass Limits

Concessional Mass Limits (CML) allows National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme Members (NHVAS members)  to utilise mass limits above the national general limits provided the operator is accredited under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS)

Operators wishing to benefit from the productivity gains of CML, are required to become an NHVAS member and meet the 8 standards of compliance in the NHVAS Accreditation module - Mass Management and nominate vehicles to participate in the scheme.

What are the limits for CML?

CML authorises an increase mass to a nominated heavy vehicle by a maximum of  5% above the GML, subject to:

  • a maximum of 1 tonne (t) for a vehicle or combination with an allowable gross mass not exceeding 55t
  • a maximum of 2t for vehicle combinations with an allowable gross mass exceeding 55t
  • The mass of each axle group for a vehicle or combination not be more than the mass limited states in Table 1 and Table 2. 

Additional mass concessions in Queensland

In Queensland a maximum increase of:

  • 3t for vehicle combinations with an allowable gross mass exceeding 85t but not exceeding 120t
  • 4t for vehicle combinations with an allowable gross mass exceeding 120t.

Access restrictions

Operators of vehicles at CML have access to the same network as currently applies to the particular vehicle class, except where prohibited by a load limit specified for a road, bridge or causeway by a sign or notice.

Concessional mass limits for axle groups

See the Concessional Mass Limits fact sheet (PDF, 275KB) for axle group mass limits.

Application of CML

CML does not apply to the following vehicles (due to safety reasons or because they are eligible to operate at masses higher than those afforded by CML):

  • a bus
  • a combination consisting of a truck and pig trailer
  • class 1 vehicles including special purpose vehicles, agricultural machine or agricultural implement
  • Any other vehicle operating under a permit, notice or exemption over those specified in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

Class 2 Permits and Notice

CML can be applied to class 2 vehicles under permit or notice, where access has been granted at GML and the combination is eligible for CML.

CML is an exception under Heavy Vehicle National Law; the Class 2 permit does not require the exemption to be noted on the Notice or permit.

In the instance a Notice or permit specifies a condition opposing the application of CML, the operator must comply with the mass stipulated in the Notice or permit.

Performance Based Standards

Performance Base Standard (PBS) Vehicles are issued PBS Vehicle approvals which specify mass limits the vehicle is approved to operate.

PBS vehicles are therefore only permitted to operate at CML, if approved via the mass limits stipulated on the PBS Vehicle approval.

Hire trailers

Where a hire trailer is used by an NHVAS members, a Statement of Compliance stating that the suspension of the trailer has been maintained equivalent to Standard 8 must accompany the trailer and be produced if requested. This will require that the hirer of the trailer to have an auditable maintenance system that demonstrates the trailer’s suspension has been maintained to Standard 8. See Mass Management accreditation.

Other requirements

Heavy vehicles must not exceed manufacturers’ ratings and must comply with the axle spacing requirements listed in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

For additional information refer to the Concessional Mass Limits fact sheet (PDF, 275KB).