September | 2014
Classes of heavy vehicles in the
Heavy Vehicle National Law
The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) provides for three classes of heavy vehicle as a means of managing the different access
requirements of different types of heavy vehicles. Some, but not all, jurisdictions had similar classes under previous legislation.
Vehicle classes will appear on legal documents such as permits and notices, and while beneficial, it is not necessary for operators
to remember or know what class of vehicle they operate. Common terminology describing heavy vehicles, such as B-doubles
and mobile cranes, will continue to be used by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
This fact sheet illustrates some common examples from the three different classes of heavy vehicles and is provided for
guidance only. For further information, please contact the NHVR.
Class 1 heavy vehicles
Special purpose vehicles
A special purpose vehicle is a motor vehicle or trailer, other than an agricultural vehicle or a tow truck, built for a purpose other
than carrying goods, or a concrete pump or fire truck (both of which carry water). Examples of a special purpose vehicle include
a mobile crane, a concrete pump, drill rig or fire truck. Special purpose vehicles are considered class 1 heavy vehicles when they
do not comply with a prescribed mass or dimension requirement applying to it (HVNL s116 (1) (a)).
Figure 1: Truck-mounted drilling rig
Figure 2: 3-axle all-terrain crane
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Figure 3: 7-axle all-terrain crane with boom supported on 4-axle dolly
Agricultural vehicles, implements and trailers
An agricultural vehicle is considered a class 1 restricted access heavy vehicle if it, together with its load, does not comply with a
prescribed mass or dimension requirement (HVNL s116 (1) (b)). Examples of an agricultural vehicle include harvesters and
tractors. Any agricultural trailer is considered a class 1 heavy vehicle, for example augers, comb trailers and conveyors (HVNL
s116 (2)).
Figure 4: Combine harvester Figure 5: Grain auger
Figure 6: Comb trailer
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Oversize/overmass vehicles
An oversize or overmass vehicle is a heavy vehicle or combination which alone, or together with its load, exceeds prescribed
mass or dimension requirements, and is a heavy vehicle carrying, or designed for the purpose of carrying, a large indivisible item
(HVNL s116 (1) (c)). This does not include road trains or B-doubles, or vehicles carrying a freight container designed for multi-
modal transport. Examples include a prime mover and extendable trailer or a prime mover and low loader combination.
Figure 7: Prime mover and tri-axle low loader combination
Figure 8: Prime mover and spread quad-axle low loader with 2-axle gooseneck dolly
Figure 9: Prime mover and platform trailer with 9 axles
Figure 10: Prime mover and extendable trailer
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Class 2 heavy vehicles
Freight-carrying vehicles
General freight carrying vehicles that are longer than 19m require specific networks that are capable of handling these larger
vehicles. This is usually managed by declaring route networks in gazette notices, but where a network does not exist, an
operator may apply for a permit. There are a number of common class 2 heavy vehicle combinations.
A B-double is a class 2 heavy vehicle (HVNL s136 (a) (ii) (A)) that consists of a prime mover towing two semitrailers, with the first
semitrailer being attached directly to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling and the second semitrailer being mounted on
the rear of the first semitrailer by a fifth wheel coupling on the first semitrailer. A B-double must comply with prescribed mass
and dimension requirements.
Figure 11: Typical 7-axle B-double (other axle combinations are possible)
Figure 12: Typical 8-axle B-double (other axle combinations are possible)
Figure 13: Typical 9-axle B-double (other axle combinations are possible)
B-triples are categorised as road trains (HVNL s5 - definitions) and must comply with prescribed mass and dimension
requirements. B-triples sometimes have dedicated networks declared that may be different to road train networks.
Figure 14: 12-axle B-triple
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A road train is a class 2 heavy vehicle (HVNL s136 (a) (ii) (B)) that consists of a motor vehicle towing two or more trailers
(excluding converter dollies supporting a trailer). Road trains must comply with prescribed mass and dimension requirements.
Figure 15: A-double (or 'Type 1' road train)
Figure 16: AB-triple
Figure 17: A-triple (or 'Type 2' road train)
Buses
A bus, other than an articulated bus, that is longer than 12.5m but less than 14.5m, that complies with prescribed mass and
dimension requirements is a class 2 heavy vehicle. These vehicles are also known as a ‘Controlled Access Bus’ (HVNL s136 (a) (ii)
(C)).
Figure 18: Bus longer than 12.5m but less than 14.5m (also known as a ‘Controlled Access Bus’)
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Vehicle carriers
A vehicle carrier is a combination designed and built to carry vehicles on more than one deck that together with its load is longer
than 19m or higher than 4.3m (HVNL s136 (a) (ii) (D)).
Figure 19: Example vehicle carrier (longer than 19m or higher than 4.3m)
Livestock vehicles
A livestock vehicle is a heavy vehicle, or a combination, that is higher than 4.3m and is built to carry cattle, sheep, pigs or horses
(HVNL s136 (a) (ii) (E)).
Figure 20: Example livestock carrier
Performance-Based Standards (PBS) vehicles
Performance-Based Standards (PBS) vehicles are defined as class 2 heavy vehicles (HVNL s136 (b)). There are four levels within
the PBS Scheme, and these vehicles must meet twenty safety and infrastructure standards and are designed to offer higher
levels of safety and productivity. PBS vehicles are able to operate on road networks that have been classified as suitable for their
level of performance.
Figure 21: Quad tri-axle B-double (Level 2 PBS vehicle)
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Class 3 heavy vehicles
A class 3 heavy vehicle is a heavy vehicle which, together with its load, does not comply with prescribed mass or dimension
requirements and is not a class 1 heavy vehicle (HVNL s116 (3)). A truck and dog trailer combination consisting of a rigid truck
with 3 or 4 axles towing a dog trailer with 3 or 4 axles weighing more than 42.5t is an example of a class 3 heavy vehicle. Other
examples might include a B-double or road train transporting a load wider than 2.5m.
Class 3 heavy vehicles do not include PBS vehicles or heavy vehicles complying with prescribed dimension requirements but
operating under Concessional Mass Limits (CML) or Higher Mass Limits (HML).
Figure 22: Truck and dog trailer combination over 42.5t GCM
About the NHVR For more information
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is • visit www.nhvr.gov.au
Australia’s dedicated independent regulator for heavy
• subscribe www.nhvr.gov.au/subscribe
vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass.
• email
[email protected] The NHVR was created to administer one set of rules for
• fax 07 3309 8777
heavy vehicles under the Heavy Vehicle National Law
(HVNL), improve safety and productivity, minimise the • post PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
compliance burden on the heavy vehicle transport • phone 1300 MYNHVR* (1300 696 487)
industry and reduce duplication and inconsistencies *Standard 1300 call charges apply.
across state and territory borders. Please check with your phone provider
201409-0155
© National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (2014)
While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content of this fact sheet, it should not be relied upon as legal advice.
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