Fatigue management

Driver fatigue or drowsy driving is an important safety hazard for the road transport industry. Fatigue laws apply to fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles.

Legislation requires that work time and rest time be counted in a certain way. Understanding the rules for counting time will help drivers manage work and rest times.

An Electronic Work Diary (EWD) is an electronic device or system approved by the NHVR, to monitor and record the work and rest times of a driver and is a voluntary alternative to the written work diary.

Fatigue management exemptions (permits and notices) enable operators and drivers to apply for work and rest hours, work diary, and record keeping exemptions.

The NHVR is undertaking a trial of fatigue safety related technologies to gain a greater understanding of how they work and are used.

The National Heavy Vehicle Work and Rest Hours Exemption (Personal Use) Notice 2018 (No.1) provides up to an hour of additional work time to drivers under Standard Hours to use a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle for permitted personal activities.

Record keepers must keep a record of specific information for drivers of fatigue regulated heavy vehicles.

For the purpose of operating under the NHVAS Fatigue Management Module, operators may need their drivers, schedulers, and supervisors or managers of drivers or schedulers, to complete fatigue units of competency offered by Registered Training Organisations.

In addition to the general duty to not drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while fatigued, drivers must comply with certain maximum work and minimum rest limits.

The National Driver Work Diary (also know as a "log book") is evidence that a driver’s work and rest hours are compliant with the Heavy Vehicle National Law and that their fatigue is being managed.

Frequently asked questions about fatigue management.