National Class 2 B-double Notice

Project scope

To conduct a comprehensive review and redesign of the current National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2014, including the integration of two ACT transitional B-double notices.

This notice will replace the current notice which will expire in February 2019. The project will deliver a streamlined version of the current notice that will reduce and harmonise the number of conditions with which operators need to comply.

Current notices

There are currently five states that participate in the current national B-double notice and the ACT authorises the operation of B-doubles under two transitional notices. These notices can be found on the Gazette notices - B-double access page.

Issues paper

The NHVR has conducted an analysis and comparison of the current national notice and existing transitional notices to produce a project scope statement and a comparative analysis. These documents have provided the basis for identifying key issues to be addressed in developing a nationally harmonised B-double notice. The following paper addresses these key issues by proposing solutions to eliminate access inconsistencies experienced by operators.

Issues Paper - 2017 Drafting of the National B-double Notice (PDF, 1.2MB)

Draft key positions

Clearly defined positions have been developed for all key issues underlying the development of the issues paper, including:

  1. ACT to allow 19 metre long B-doubles general access to align with general access requirements applied in Vic, Qld and NSW.
  2. 50 tonne mass limit for general access B-doubles.
  3. General access bridge formulae to be applied nationally to all general access B-double operations up to a total combination mass of 50 tonnes.
  4. Jurisdictions to enforce the XY rule (balanced clear space rule) only on tri-tri B-doubles with a total gross combination mass exceeding 52.5 tonnes.
  5. Qld, NSW and SA to reassess their existing 23 metre B-double network to be consolidated into their 25/26 metre B-double network.
  6. SA to consider incorporating their nine commodity routes into a single 25/26 metre B-double network.
  7. Jurisdictions to adopt and align their 25/26 metre B-double network with their PBS Level 2A network.
  8. Removal of SA state specific inspection and label requirements.
  9. Use of flexible warning signs subject to certain conditions.