How do I get my vehicle PBS approved?

The PBS approval process consists of three stages: first, you will need a PBS Design Approval (DA) and then your vehicle must be certified under that design to obtain your PBS Vehicle Approval (VA). Once you have your VA, you must comply with a notice or obtain an access permit to operate on a road network. 

PBS approval process flow chart

Before you invest in a PBS approval

Before investing in a PBS approval, we strongly recommend that you investigate whether your vehicle can access your desired route or road network at the required masses. In some cases, particularly for truck and dog combinations, operation under a notice may provide similar productivity benefits. 

Local and state road managers oversee and approve heavy vehicle access to the roads in their jurisdiction. If your desired route includes bridges, a dedicated bridge assessment may be required, which can take a significant amount of time and attract significant costs.

To investigate your access options, consider lodging an In-Principal PBS access application before you obtain a PBS approval for your vehicle. The In-Principal approval indicates that once your vehicle has been built and PBS-approved, the road manager is likely to grant access to the desired route for your PBS combination.

Apply for a PBS In-Principal approval through the NHVR Portal.

If you need assistance with a PBS In-Principal application, please contact us.

PBS Design Approval (DA)

• Please contact an authorised PBS Assessor to arrange a PBS Design Approval. The PBS Assessor can guide you through the process.
• Note that only a PBS Assessor can lodge a PBS Design Approval application. PBS Assessors will charge a fee for their services.
• The NHVR issues the PBS Design Approval. 

PBS Vehicle Approval (VA)

• After receiving your PBS Design Approval, the next step is to have your vehicle certified under that design and obtain a PBS Vehicle Approval.
• Contact one of the authorised PBS Certifiers to organise for a PBS Vehicle Approval. The PBS Certifier may need to physically inspect your vehicle to verify compliance with the PBS Design Approval. The PBS Certifier will be able to guide you through the process.
• The PBS Certifier will submit an application for a PBS Vehicle Approval along with the certification report, and the NHVR will issue a PBS Vehicle Approval.
• Note that only a PBS Certifier can lodge a PBS Vehicle Approval application. PBS Certifiers will charge a fee for their services.

Purchasing an existing PBS Vehicle

If you are considering purchasing, or have purchased an existing PBS vehicle that has a VA, you may need to organise for a transfer. For more information, refer to Transfer of a PBS Vehicle Approval.  

After your vehicle has been PBS-approved

Your vehicle is PBS-approved once it has been issued with a PBS Vehicle Approval (VA).

The next step is to organise access. The VA is not an authorisation to access the road network. PBS combinations must comply with the relevant notice or apply for an access permit.

Apply for a PBS access permit through the NHVR Portal.

If you need assistance with an application, please contact us.

Fees

PBS Assessors and PBS Certifiers will charge a fee for their services. There’s no fee payable to NHVR for DA or VA applications. There are however fees for access permits. 

NHVR PBS contacts

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