Joining the NHVAS

The National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) recognises operators with robust safety management systems in place. You can apply for accreditation in Mass Management, Maintenance Management or Fatigue Management.

Mass Management

With Mass Management you can make fewer trips, carrying more, by operating at Concessional Mass Limits on the general access road network. Some of the benefits include:

  • increased productivity
  • increased mass for a nominated heavy vehicle by up to 5% above General Mass Limits
  • up to 1t more for a vehicle or combination with an allowable Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) not exceeding 55t
  • up to 2t more for combinations with an allowable GVM exceeding 55t
  • longer vehicle life and lower maintenance costs
  • reduced risk of penalties arising from mass offences.

Maintenance Management

With Maintenance Management, you’ll see the benefits in reduced vehicle downtime and improved overall vehicle safety. Some of the other benefits include:

  • an alternative to taking vehicles to inspection stations for mandatory annual mechanical inspection
  • increased vehicle life
  • fewer breakdowns and broken delivery deadlines and improved road safety
  • reduced risk of penalties for faulty vehicles or equipment.

Fatigue Management

With Fatigue Management you have greater flexibility in how you manage your work and rest hours. Some of the benefits include:

  • more flexible work and rest hours with Basic Fatigue Management
  • genuine risk management approach to managing driver fatigue with Advanced Fatigue Management
  • simpler schedules
  • less compliance stress for drivers
  • routes completed more effectively than your competitors.

Step up to safety

Whether you’re a business or a single-vehicle owner-operator, you can use NHVAS accreditation as your pathway to improve the safety of your transport activities, regardless of business sector you operate in. Once you have NHVAS accreditation, it’s easy to build on it by using our 9 Step SMS Roadmap to make your safety management system even more comprehensive.

Gain a competitive edge

When you’re a contractor or subcontractor with NHVAS accreditation, companies know they’re hiring someone with an auditable system who gets the job done safely and is serious about meeting their primary duty requirements.

For more information on the benefits and how to apply, read the guides in Accreditation modules.