National Harmonisation Program
The NHVR has established the National Harmonisation Program (NHP) to improve heavy vehicle regulation consistency. The key objectives of this program are to minimise the compliance burden on the heavy vehicle transport industry, reducing duplication and inconsistencies across state and territory borders. The initial work program includes the development of the following four priority national notices and associated networks:
- Higher Mass Limits (HML) Declaration
- Class 2 B-double Notice
- Class 2 Road Train Notice
- Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice.
Download National Harmonisation Program Info Sheet (PDF, 201 KB)
Our goal is to develop a National HML Declaration to authorise the operation of HML vehicles. The National HML Declaration aims to replace transitional arrangements for HML operations in several states and to enact the standard conditions for HML as per the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.
The relevant notices for HML operation can be found here.
National Class 2 B-double Notice
This project consists of a comprehensive review and redesign of the existing National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2014 aimed at improving the consistency of B-double access and vehicle conditions nationally. This project will also integrate existing state based B-double transitional notices into the new national notice.
The relevant notices for B-double operation can be found here.
National Class 2 Road Train Notice
Our objective is to conduct a comprehensive review and redesign of the existing National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2015. We aim to create a nationally harmonised notice by producing standard definitions and categorisation of road train configurations and improve the overall consistency of access and vehicle conditions.
The relevant notices for road train operation can be found here.
National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice
Our aim is to develop a National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice to authorise the operation of agricultural vehicles and combinations. This national notice will replace transitional arrangements for agricultural operations in several states and will harmonise the dimension limits and access conditions.
The relevant notices for agricultural vehicle and combination operation can be found here.
Next steps
The NHVR will be consulting with key industry associations, local government, state and territory road transport authorities throughout the duration of these projects. In particular, engagement with road managers will be instrumental in developing networks supporting the four national notices.
The priority notices project timelines are as follows:
| Key steps | Timing |
|---|---|
| 1. Project Scoping | November 2016 - January 2017 |
| 2. Review of current inconsistencies and draft policy positions | February 2017 |
| 3. Preliminary engagement with industry associations, local government, state and territory road transport authorities | February - March 2017 |
| 4. Draft policy positions and technical/legal review | April – May 2017 |
| 5. Finalising policy positions | June – July 2017 |
| 6. Road manager consultation | August – September 2017 |
| 7. Notices/Declaration published and networks gazetted | Late 2017 |
Please note that these project timelines are subject to change.