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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is developing a national notice to fast-track increased mass limits for heavy vehicles, effectively raising General Mass Limits (GML) to align with current Concessional Mass Limits (CML).
The Notice will provide operators with greater flexibility and improved productivity across the road network by making CML weights the new standard for general access, while maintaining a strong focus on safety and protecting infrastructure.
NHVR Director of Service Delivery Steven Miller said the initiative responds to ongoing pressures being experienced across the heavy vehicle industry.
“We recognise the challenges currently being experienced across industry and are committed to delivering solutions that improve access while maintaining safety,” Mr Miller said.
“The new Notice is being developed by the NHVR, in close collaboration with state road agencies and local government, with everyone working together to arrive at an outcome that benefits the entire supply chain.
“Planning is underway for the notice to be available in May pending road manager consent, and the NHVR is committed to keeping industry informed as development progresses,” he reiterated.
The Notice brings forward planned mass limit changes ahead of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) amendments, due to commence mid-year.
Under the changes, overall mass limits will increase by:
- 1 tonne for combinations below 55 tonnes
- 2 tonnes for combinations above 55 tonnes.
Maximum axle group limits will also increase to:
- 17 tonnes for a tandem axle group – dual tyres
- 21 tonnes for a tri-axle group – dual tyres.
The changes remove the requirement for Mass Management accreditation and the one-tonne tri-axle mass transfer allowance. There will be no changes to bus axle group limits, which will remain consistent with current CML settings.
The Notice does not apply to PBS combinations - operators of PBS vehicles must continue to comply with the mass limits and conditions specified in their PBS Vehicle Approvals.
“Simply put, this means many operators will be able to carry more without the need for additional requirements such as holding Mass Management accreditation,” Mr Miller said.
“By accelerating these higher mass limits, we are aiming to improve freight productivity and reduce unnecessary cost and complexity, during a time where supply chains continue to face pressure and operators are working hard to meet demand.”
The NHVR is continuing to work with local government authorities to ensure road managers are supported in preparing for implementation, including identifying any local conditions or restrictions required to manage infrastructure impacts.
New fact sheets have been published on the NHVR website to support understanding of the amendments to the MDL Regulations, including the increase in GML to align with current CML weights:
- Proposed changes to heavy vehicle mass and size rules - Fact sheet (PDF, 200KB)
- Mass, Dimension and Loading changes - Fact sheet (PDF, 736KB)
Additionally, a list of notices and permit-based schemes still requiring Mass Accreditation can be found here