Adding vehicles to a PBS Vehicle Approval guide

I would like to add more vehicles to my PBS Vehicle Approval (VA). What is the process?

For useful tips on adding vehicles to a PBS Vehicle Approval, watch our instructional Adding vehicles to a PBS Vehicle Approval video.

  1. Please contact an authorised PBS Certifier to request the additional vehicles to be added onto your VA. The PBS Certifier will guide you through the process.
  2. If you know which PBS Certifier was used for your current VA, we recommend you approach the same Certifier. If you don’t know which Certifier was used for your current VA, you can contact the PBS team at pbs@nhvr.gov.au to request this information.

Note: Only a PBS Certifier can lodge a request to add vehicles onto a VA. PBS Certifiers will charge a fee for their services, however there is no fee associated with this request payable to the NHVR.

Important Information

The PBS Certifier may need to physically inspect your vehicles to establish compliance with the underlying PBS Design Approval. In some cases, they may be able to do a desktop certification without a physical inspection.

The PBS Certifier will need to seek authorisation from the Design Approval owner to add the new vehicles onto the VA. The DA owner is listed on the front page of the VA (refer to ‘Applicant details’). Typically, the owner of the DA is the trailer builder.

What is the difference between identical and non-identical footprints?

When adding new vehicle combinations to an existing VA, the new vehicles may have axle spacings that are either identical to or differ from those of the vehicles already included in the VA.

If axle spacings of new vehicle combinations are identical, the new vehicles are considered to have an identical footprint. Otherwise, they are non-identical. When sourcing new vehicle combinations, consider seeking identical footprint vehicles to avoid negative access permit implications.

Below is an example of axle spacings (a vehicle footprint) showing distances between consecutive axles, for example, 1-2, 2-3 and so on.

An example of where the different axle spacings of an 11 axle A-double are measured

How do I meet the identical footprint criteria?

Identical footprint vehicles must have the same axle spacings as existing vehicles listed on the VA. There is no tolerance for differences in axle spacings.

The overall vehicle combination length (OAL) may vary due to differences in Front Overhang (FOH) and Rear Overhang (ROH) dimensions, provided the OAL remains within the same access length bracket:

Level Access Class 'A' Access Class 'B'
Level 1 ≤ 20m
Level 2 ≤ 26m ≤ 30m
Level 3 ≤ 36.5m ≤ 42m
Level 4 ≤ 53.5m ≤ 60m

The new vehicle combination must be approved at the same PBS level and masses.

Variations in vehicle specifications, such as engine or suspension, and differences in bin and payload heights are acceptable under the identical footprint criteria.

Do I need to re-apply for an access permit?

Depending on the mass and dimensions of the new vehicles you may need to re-apply for your access permit.

If the new vehicles are identical in mass and dimensions, a new version of the same VA number will be issued. In this case, any existing access permits relating to the nominated VA will remain valid. No change to the associated access permit would be required.

If the new vehicles have higher mass and/or different dimensions, you will need to re-apply for your access permit as the VA number will change. In some cases, a new Road Manager consent and/or Bridge assessment will be required which may take an extended period of time to complete.

To apply for an access permit please see Performance Based Standards vehicle access permit.

NHVR PBS contacts

  • For questions about PBS Design Approvals, contact our PBS Designs team at pbsdesigns@nhvr.gov.au
  • For questions about PBS Vehicle Approvals, contact our PBS Vehicle Approvals team at pbs@nhvr.gov.au
  • For questions about access and permits to operate your PBS vehicle on the road, contact us.