Heavy Vehicle National Law and Regulations

HVNL Regulations

Background

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) administers one set of laws for heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. This set of laws consists of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)* and five sets of regulations.

The HVNL commenced on 10 February 2014 in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Each of them passed a law that either adopts or duplicates the HVNL (with some modifications) as a law of that state or territory.

Although the HVNL has not commenced in Western Australia or the Northern Territory at this time, the HVNL applies equally to vehicles from those jurisdictions when they cross into one of the states or territories where the HVNL applies. In some cases, drivers may also need to comply with certain aspects of the HVNL before they cross the border (eg. work diary requirements).

*The HVNL is the schedule to the Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012 (Qld).

Application laws of the states and territories

Each state and territory covered by the HVNL has passed legislation that modifies some aspects of the HVNL for that state or territory.

Jurisdiction Act Regulations
ACT Heavy Vehicle National Law (ACT) Act 2013 N/A
NSW Heavy Vehicle (Adoption of National Law) Act 2013 Heavy Vehicle (Adoption of National Law) Regulation 2013
Queensland Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012 (Qld) Heavy Vehicle National Law Regulation 2014
South Australia Heavy Vehicle National Law (South Australia) Act 2013 Heavy Vehicle National Law (South Australia) (Expiation Fees) Regulations 2013
Tasmania Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania) Act 2013 Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania) Regulations 2014
Victoria Heavy Vehicle National Law Application Act 2013 Heavy Vehicle National Law Application (Infringements) Regulations 2023

Does the HVNL apply to heavy vehicle transport activities on private roads?

In some cases, yes.

However, the NHVR’s role as a national coordinator for access management doesn't extend to negotiating access to private roads that aren’t accessible to the public, such as those on mining sites. Under the HVNL, private road managers remain responsible for managing access to their own properties.

States and territory HVNL derogations

Any derogation to the HVNL is the responsibility of each state and territory and can found either on the relevant jurisdiction website or their parliamentary counsel website.