Regulatory Advice

Our Regulatory Advice offers guidance, tips and tools for managing a range of heavy vehicle safety risks.

Use this information to:

  • understand the risks of your heavy vehicle tasks
  • identify who is responsible for managing those risks
  • determine what actions you should take to minimise those risks
  • ensure your business is complying with the HVNL.
Title Topic Published
Livestock Guidance to businesses and individuals that use or engage the use of heavy vehicles to transport livestock by road, on how to meet the primary duty under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) section 26C. 30 May 2024
Loading and load restraint Guidance on how parties in the CoR can ensure the safety of packing, loading, unloading, and load restraint practices and meet their primary duty under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) section 26C. 13 February 2024
The Primary Duty Guidance on the primary duty established under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) section 26C and the principles applying to the primary duty. 18 December 2023
Local Government as a CoR Party Guidance to local governments who undertake functions which make them a party in the CoR under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). 24 October 2023
Managing the risks associated with heavy vehicles travelling down steep descents Guidance on managing the risks associated with heavy vehicles travelling down steep descents, especially steep descents which requires the use of low gear. 26 April 2023
Heavy vehicle safety technology and telematics Guidance to parties in the CoR on best practice for using safety technologies and telematics to improve the safety of their transport activities and meet primary duty obligations under the HVNL. 27 March 2023
Managing the risk of a light or empty lead trailer in a laden B-double Guidance to parties in the CoR on managing the risks associated with a light or empty lead trailer in a laden B-double. 23 December 2022
Maintenance of heavy vehicles used in agricultural or seasonal work Guidance to parties in the CoR on managing the risks associated with maintaining heavy vehicles used in agricultural or seasonal work, such as harvest or snow activity. 15 December 2022

Operating in the agricultural sector

Guidance to parties in the CoR who operate in the agricultural sector to assist them in ensuring the safety of their transport activities and meeting their primary duty obligations under the HVNL. 15 December 2022
Reasonably practicable Guidance to parties in the CoR on the meaning of reasonably practicable under the HVNL. 29 November 2022
Managing the risks associated with non-compliant heavy vehicles arriving at premises Guidance to parties in the CoR on how to manage the risk of non-compliant heavy vehicles arriving at their premise and their obligations under the HVNL. 22 November 2022
Fitness to drive: Mental health Guidance on mental health and wellbeing in the heavy vehicle transport industry. 10 October 2022
Fitness to drive: Physical health Guidance on the management of known and unknown medical conditions of drivers and other workers in the heavy vehicle industry. 28 September 2022
Fitness to drive: Fatigue Guidance to parties in the CoR on fatigue in the heavy vehicle transport industry and outlines their obligations under the HVNL. 16 August 2022
Discrimination against or victimisation of employees Guidance on employee protections against discrimination and victimisation under section 699 of the HVNL. 16 August 2022
Seatbelt use compliance in the heavy vehicle industry Guidance on seatbelt use in the heavy vehicle transport industry and obligations under the HVNL. 12 August 2022
Driver distraction Guidance on obligations under the HVNL to manage the safety risks associated with driver inattention and distraction. 12 August 2022

Obligations for Restricted Access Vehicles

Guidance on HVNL obligations for the operation of Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs).

18 July 2022
Prohibited requests and contracts under the HVNL Guidance on how to comply with speed, fatigue, work and rest hours obligations under section 26E of the HVNL. 22 June 2022
Providing false or misleading information to the NHVR

Why providing false or misleading information about your heavy vehicle transport activities to the NHVR, other Authorised Officers, or responsible persons is prohibited by law.

8 June 2022
Managing the risks of undertrained workers Guidance on identifying and managing the safety risks of insufficiently or inadequately trained workers in the heavy vehicle industry. 25 May 2022
Managing the risks of time slot bookings Guidance on recognising and managing the risks associated with the scheduling of delivery or pick-up times for heavy vehicles. 10 May 2022
Managing the risks of heavy vehicle transport activities in the construction industry (Principal Contractor) Guidance to businesses in the construction industry about their obligations as parties in the CoR when engaging in heavy vehicle transport activities and how to manage those risks under the HVNL. 27 April 2022
Managing the risks of heavy vehicle transport activities in the construction industry (Operator) Guidance to businesses in the construction industry about their CoR legal obligations and how to manage safety risks and hazards. 27 April 2022
Managing the risks of employees impaired by alcohol and other drugs Guidance on managing the risks associated with alcohol and other drug use impairment in the workplace. 29 March 2022
Managing the risks of light to medium heavy vehicles Identifying and managing the safety risks linked to the use of light to medium heavy vehicles. 12 January 2022
Managing the risks of transporting freight in shipping containers Identifying and managing the safety risks of transporting freight in shipping containers by road. 17 November 2021