On the Road

A revamped PBS scheme that focuses on flexibility and continued innovation should be a central part of reforms to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), according to the NHVR. 

NHVR Manager Vehicle Safety and Performance Peter Austin said that a vision for a reformed PBS Scheme, PBS 2.0, was a central part of the Regulator’s response to the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) HVNL Review issues paper Vehicle Standards and Safety.

The NHVR regularly reviews the security of its online systems, including the NHVR Portal, to ensure the safety of all users. As a result, a new password format will be required for all future passwords. 

This upgrade will be applied from Wednesday 18 September 2019.

What is changing?

Join the NHVR for a session designed to assist customers in using the functionality of the NHVR Portal, including processing of permit applications.

The NHVR has made a number of recommendations to support driver safety in response to the National Transport Commission’s issues paper Safe People and Practices, the fourth paper released as part of the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). 

A quarter of caravan and Recreational Vehicle users have stayed overnight in truck rest areas according to research released by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

The research is part of a new information campaign, funded under the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

The NHVR is seeking Expressions of Interest from owner operators and drivers to participate in a workshop to discuss the specific issues this group faces in relation to gaining flexibility through Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) accreditation. 

The NHVR is trialling a new process for PBS Design Approval applications submitted in the lead up to the next PBS Review Panel meeting on 29 and 30 October.

The new process is in response to industry feedback will include the following steps:

The NHVR is calling for feedback on the different heavy vehicle loading schemes used during grain harvest across Australia. 

NHVR Executive Director Freight and Supply Chain Productivity Peter Caprioli said the Grain Harvest Management Schemes Review Issues Paper called for feedback on the creation of national standards. 

The recent Queensland Road Safety Week featured Australian Supercars star Garth Tander sending an important message to drivers that trucks need space to keep you safe. 

Garth joined Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, and staff to launch the We Need Space campaign in Queensland.

Assessing permits using consent parameters, rather than each individual vehicle, is the cornerstone to improving heavy vehicle access on Australian roads, according to an NHVR submission to the HVNL.

Changes for Special Purpose Vehicles in New South Wales and Tasmania will see access simplified and expanded. 

Companies are being reminded to take loading safety seriously following a judgement by the South Australian Magistrates Court.

New heavy vehicle laws should allow operators with good fatigue safety systems more flexibility to manage fatigue risks, according to NHVR’s submission to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review.

The Northern Territory Government has adopted two changes to heavy vehicle registration with effect from 1 August to align the Northern Territory with other jurisdictions across Australia.

The NHVR was recently out talking to drivers in the ACT and we heard plenty of feedback about local rest areas.

Now’s the chance to have your say! NatRoad and Transport Canberra and City Services are looking for feedback from operators on the requirement, location and type of facilities for future ACT rest stops.

The NHVR has released An Introduction to Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) booklet during the recent second Fatigue Safety Forum.

NHVR Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous said the new booklet would provide simple information for operators seeking access to more flexible work and rest hours. 

Truck driving is a dangerous job, but also rewarding for many of our professional drivers.

We often talk about the physical risks and demands of the industry – the risk of accidents, long and irregular hours, disrupted sleep patterns for example.

But what isn’t talked about nearly as frequently is how tough life on the road can be on mental health and wellbeing.

Customers leading NHVR service design

The NHVR is committed to offering more services online, giving industry a single source of business information, streamlining interactions and linking NHVR’s services.

Pre-advised PBS combinations extended

The NHVR has expanded the PBS pre-advised design approvals to include PBS combinations carrying dangerous goods.

Vehicle Safety and Performance Manager Peter Austin said the pre-advised process was improving processing times for applicable vehicles.

New crane notices to simplify access on NSW roads

Two new notices for crane operations in NSW will make access simpler and more efficient, significantly reducing the need for permits. 

Heavy vehicle safety gets $5.4 million boost

More than $700,000 of heavy vehicle safety funding has been allocated to supporting truck driver mental health initiatives through the 2019-20 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

A reminder that feedback on the draft Crane Industry Code of Practice closes this Friday 12 July. 

The draft Crane Industry Code of Practice has been developed by the Crane Industry Council of Australia in consultation with industry, and will consider and assess risks and control measures specific to crane operations. These include: 

NHVR on the road in the ACT

On 1 July the NHVR officially took over heavy vehicle safety and compliance for the ACT, with the capital following South Australia and Tasmania who have already transitioned. Come along to our session to find out what this means for you.

With this transition comes a number of changes for operators travelling through the ACT.

The Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (HVCRL) has just celebrated one year of operation, taking almost 1,500 calls in its first year of operation. 

NHVR National Intelligence Coordinator Aarron Unger said that the hotline had proved invaluable for heavy vehicle drivers and supply chain coordinators.