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The NHVR has released a new chart showing 39 common heavy vehicle combinations, with details about weight limits, length and vehicle classes.

NHVR National Harmonisation Manager Matthew Bereni said the Common Heavy Freight Vehicle Combinations chart would assist operators to understand some of the key conditions required to access the road network.

"This is a user-friendly tool which will contribute to a better understanding of our industry and will help everyone understand and comply with the national heavy vehicle regulation," Mr Bereni said.

The NHVR will introduce a new self-clearing defect notice for heavy vehicle defects that do not pose a safety risk.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the new category of defect notice would be available from July 1 as part of changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

“This category will allow minor non-safety related defects to be rectified by the operator, including where a vehicle’s number plate is obscured or illegible,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR and NSW Road and Maritime Services have agreed to extend the current brake testing transition arrangements in NSW until September 29, 2017.

NHVR Director Safety Daniel Elkins said the recommendation for a detailed procedure for conducting a roller brake test was made by the NHVR’s Technical Working Group.

“We now have a better understanding why some heavy vehicles deliver different results and how that relates to the test procedure being used,” Mr Elkins said.

The NHVR Portal will celebrate its 20,000th permit application with extra functions to make it easier for access customers to plan and build their routes.

AccessCONNECT Program Director David Carlisle said the NHVR Portal, which was formally launched in August last year, has processed more than 95 per cent of permit applications from over 7000 registered heavy vehicle operators.

Australia’s first national heavy vehicle health check shows a sound performance by industry in maintaining vehicles, with some room for improvement.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the results of the National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey would provide further focus on inspection programs and help measure improvements in the mechanical condition of the heavy vehicle fleet.

A trial of livestock unloading equipment will be funded under the next round of the NHVR's Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the program was one of 12 proposals approved for a share of the $3.9 million funding by the NHVR, supported by the Federal Government.

"Landings used for loading and unloading livestock can greatly add to the safety of operators, reducing falls and giving better access to the trailer," Mr Chester said.

Almost 6500 National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) members can now track their current nominated vehicles in the mass and maintenance management modules on-line through the NHVR’s website.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto today released the NHVAS Active Vehicle Module (AVM) search tool which will allow operators to check the status of a vehicle by entering either the vehicle registration, VIN or chassis number, or accreditation label number.

The NHVR has signed an agreement with South Australia’s peak local government body to improve productivity and safety across the state’s heavy vehicle industry.

Up to 165,000 companies that make up Australia’s heavy vehicle supply chain will be required to take steps to deliver a safer road transport industry under new laws coming in mid 2018.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto today released the latest round of Chain of Responsibility information for 10 key supply chain roles.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has congratulated Julie Russell on her appointment as the Queensland Trucking Association's President.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed Ms Russell's appointment as the first female President of one of Australia's largest member-based trucking organisations.

"It's great to be congratulating another ground breaker in the heavy vehicle industry," said Mr Petroccitto.

The NHVR's Chain of Responsibility awareness campaign will be visible on major freight routes over the Easter holidays.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said billboards and on-vehicle advertising would support almost 30 Chain of Responsibility forums being held across the country during April and May.

"Responsibility for safety extends beyond just the driver – everyone has a role in heavy vehicle safety," Mr Petroccitto said.

"I'm urging all road users to take care around heavy vehicles.

Victoria’s roads will be safer for all drivers, with the roll out of new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to five sites across the state’s major freight networks.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the new cameras were being funded under the Coalition Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative which focuses on Australia’s key heavy vehicle corridors and black spots.

The NHVR and the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) have commenced the return of all SA heavy vehicle permit processing back to the NHVR during 2017.

On 10 April 2017 the DPTI handed back the processing of Class 3 heavy vehicle permit applications for South Australia to the NHVR.

Class 3 vehicle operators travelling within South Australia will now need to apply for permits through the NHVR.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has thanked outgoing Australian Trucking Association Chair Noelene Watson for her contributions to the Australian heavy vehicle industry as Chair over the past three years.

NHVR Chair Bruce Baird said Noelene’s advocacy on behalf of her members had led to significant reforms.

“I want to thank Noelene for her commitment to the trucking industry and look forward to continuing to work with her in her ongoing role as a member of the ATA Board and its Council,” Mr Baird said.

The NHVR is advising heavy vehicle operators travelling in Queensland coastal areas to be aware of emergency arrangements  for areas impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

NHVR Sal Petroccitto said while the cyclone had been downgraded to a tropic low, its impact across the Queensland road network in the coming days would be significant.

“Heavy vehicle operators need to be aware of their options when it comes to permits, access to the road network and fatigue provisions,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Heavy vehicle access in NSW and Queensland

NHVR advises all heavy vehicle operators that the impact of Tropical Cyclone Debbie is causing disruptions to large parts of the Queensland and northern NSW state and local road networks.

A new round of heavy vehicle Chain of Responsibility information sessions will kick off in Brisbane today, as the industry gears up for new laws in 2018.

Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said today’s National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Forum would assist businesses in the heavy vehicle supply chain to understand their role in heavy vehicle safety.

“More than 160 companies will receive information about the Chain of Responsibility reforms which are currently being rolled out nationally,” Mr Chester said.

Breaking down barriers for the local freight task will be the focus for the next Local Government Heavy Vehicle Access Forum on March 7 at the Forbes Town Hall.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Forbes Forum would allow local operators, the Regulator and local governments to directly tackle heavy vehicle and freight challenges they experience every day and to identify innovative solutions.

Rural operators who create a safer and more innovative heavy vehicle industry will benefit from an industry award, announced at the combined Australian Livestock and Rural Transport Association and Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland Conference in Toowoomba today.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the NHVR and ALRTA have joined forces to support the $5000 industry award that focuses on safety and innovation within the heavy vehicle industry.

Consultation has opened on the next round of heavy vehicle safety programs to be administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the Federal Government would provide $3.8 million a year to support the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program benefiting both freight operators and the community.

“I want to hear from operators and industry on the next round of safety initiatives and ensure that funding for heavy vehicle safety continues to hit the mark,” Mr Chester said.

The NHVR has joined forces with the Australian Trucking Association's Safety Truck to drive children to become more aware of safety around heavy vehicles.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto announced the sponsorship of the Volvo ATA Safety Truck, powered by BP, protected by NTI program at Browns Plains State School today.

"We're pleased to be able to support this program and bring the Safety Truck message to schools like Browns Plains to educate children on what trucks mean to them and how to safely behave around them," Mr Petroccitto said.