Exemptions from prescribed Vehicle Standards for PBS vehicles

PBS vehicles, due to their innovative nature, may be eligible for exemptions from certain vehicle standards and regulations that apply to prescriptive vehicles. These are contained in:

• Australian Design Rules (ADRs); and,
• Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL); and,
• Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (VS Regulation).

Exemptions that can be granted under PBS

A list of exemptions that can be granted under PBS is listed under Section 28 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation.

If your VA contains exemptions

The combination/s listed on the PBS Vehicle Approval have been granted an exemption from specific areas of compliance regarding the requirements set out in the legislation for prescriptive combinations.

Common exemptions for PBS vehicles

The most common exemptions granted under PBS include:

• combination length
• trailer length, including swing radius, s-dimension, and rear overhang
• vehicle height and length
• tow coupling overhang and location
• drawbar length.

Exemptions example

Consider a truck and dog combination with an overall length exceeding 19 meters and a drawbar length longer than 5 meters. In this case, the PBS VA would list the following exemptions, with explanatory notes in italics:

Special exemptions that cannot be granted under PBS

In some cases, highly innovative combinations may require additional exemptions that cannot be granted through PBS.

A common example is for vehicles fitted with non-compliant axle groups, such as a semi-trailer with two axle groups.

In such instances, the corresponding Design Approval includes a section titled 'Additional Exemptions’, specifying the extra exemptions that need to be obtained by the vehicle owner, often through an application to the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

NHVR PBS contacts

• For questions about PBS Design Approvals, contact our PBS Designs team at pbsdesigns@nhvr.gov.au
• For questions about PBS Vehicle Approvals, contact our PBS Vehicle Approvals team at pbs@nhvr.gov.au
• For questions about access and permits to operate your PBS vehicle on the road, contact us.