Definitions 

Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this guide have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL and the Notice.

Eligible vehicles

Under the Notice, a PBS vehicle with a listed mass assessed as a Tier 1 bridge assessment in its Vehicle Approval may operate up to that mass or the network mass cap for the approved network. The Notice excludes specific combinations or vehicle types that may vary between jurisdictions, with South Australia applying some additional restrictions, and Victoria applying a specific set of approved configurations under the Notice that also excludes the national exclusions.

Nationally excluded vehicles

Any unit that is part of a combination with a specific ADR exemption for additional axle groups or split axle groups

For example, the axles on the trailer below are considered to be two separate axle groups and, as such, this combination is an excluded vehicle under the Notice. This ADR exemption is reflected in the Vehicle Approval under the Required Additional Exemptions section. If additional confirmation is required, check with your vehicle assessor. Please see definitions for further information relating to oversize axle groups.

Vehicles with tri-axle drive groups

Specific restrictions have been placed on A-doubles

Operators of A-doubles must check to see which network is specified see individual jurisdiction network conditions of the network section of this Operator’s Guide.

Vehicles where PBS approvals use exemptions under sections 8 and/or 9 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation

PBS vehicles must comply with all PBS Standards, conditions and mass limits prescribed in this notice. The use of a section 8 or 9 exemption is prohibited under this notice.

However, If your PBS Vehicle Approval has an exemption under Section 8 or 9 to one or more of those standards it does not necessarily disqualify a PBS vehicle from operating under this notice, as long as the vehicle meets the requirements of the National PBS (Tier 1) Authorisation Notice including the conditions and mass limits imposed.

PBS vehicles are required to meet stringent standards to get approved for a specific PBS level and network. Under certain conditions, an exemption may be issued against one of these standards under section 8 or 9 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation. PBS vehicles issued with an exemption under either of these sections will not be allowed to operate under the Notice. To see whether an exemption has been issued under either of these sections, look in the operating conditions section of the vehicle approval. If you require additional confirmation, check with your vehicle assessor.

The PBS Vehicle Approval will identify any section 8 and/or 9 exemptions to which the vehicle is subject. You may also consult the PBS Vehicle Assessor who issued the approval.

Specific jurisdictional requirements – Eligible and excluded vehicles

Some jurisdictions have opted to exclude certain vehicle types from the Notice, while others have made the Notice available only to specific combinations.

ACT

Any eligible vehicle.

NSW

Any eligible vehicle.

SA

Any eligible vehicle. Please note: Combinations that include a twin steer prime mover may only operate on the state controlled roads of the PBS Level 3A network.

TAS

Any eligible vehicle.

VIC

Eligible vehicles are:

• B-doubles
• Semitrailers
• Rigid trucks
• Rigid truck towing a dog trailer
• Rigid truck towing a pig trailer
• Rigid truck towing a tag trailer

Conditions

Notices are subject to various conditions to ensure public safety, protect assets and prevent adverse impacts on the community, such as noise, emissions and traffic congestion.

Please read the national dimension and mass conditions first, then consider the specific conditions sections below for each jurisdiction, noting any specific council conditions, and then read the Other conditions.

A PBS vehicle operating under this Notice must comply with all network conditions, including travel and road conditions imposed in the network maps for the relevant state or territory. Compliance with each jurisdiction’s telematics requirements is also required, including when cross-border travel is undertaken.

Network and mapping

For the purposes of s142 of the HVNL, an area or route specified in the 'Network & Mapping' section of this Operator's Guide is a stated area or route to which this Notice applies. In addition to complying with the conditions stated in this Operator's Guide, operators must ensure compliance with the specific road manager access requirements set out below or in network maps.

Approved routes covered by this notice

The following networks are approved for operations for vehicles eligible under this Notice.

Table 5 – Approved networks

PBS Network	ACT	NSW	SA	TAS	VIC
Level 1
Level 2A					cubic
Level 2B
Level 3A
Level 3B
Level 4A
Level 4B

These networks are published on each jurisdiction’s website, as included in the Jurisdictional PBS and HML network maps section below. If access is required that isn’t shown on the approved networks, or if the road manager is listed in the Non-participating road managers section below, a permit will be required.

Road manager conditions should be reviewed regularly to ensure that the travel of eligible combinations complies with any access condition. Road manager conditions and restrictions in this section may change from time to time.

For further information on how to comply with these conditions, please contact the relevant road manager.

Non-participating road managers

The following road managers have not yet provided support for the Notice. Access on local roads in the following council areas is not approved for any combination under the Notice, and operators will need to apply for a permit from the NHVR.

However, access to state and territory roads (other than in Queensland) on the approved nominated networks in these council areas is approved.

Related notices

A related notice may coincide with the featured notice or provide alternative solutions for operators to operate under.

Resources

All information about the Notice is contained in this Operator’s Guide. Please refer to the tabs for more information about this Notice, or contact us with your specific questions.

Note: If you have any feedback on the information provided please contact us at info@nhvr.gov.au

Changes and updates