The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is now operational and anticipating the adoption of a series of new regulations in the first quarter of this year.
Queensland is the host jurisdiction for the both the
Heavy Vehicle National Law Bill 2012, which
established the regulator, and the new legislation: the
Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2012, which was introduced to State Parliament on 13 November 2012.
The other states and territories will use the Queensland regulations as a template to ensure the laws are in effect across the country.
The amendment bill includes four principle regulations:
•
Heavy Vehicle (Fatigue Management) National Regulation 2013
•
Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation 2013
•
Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) 2013
•
Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation 2013
The new regulations will ensure fleet managers will be able to operate under a single set of requirements, rather than rules that vary from state to state.
While the move is overall a positive for fleet managers, the Uniqco’s Grant Andrews said in his column for IPWEA Fleet e-news that there is still some uncertainty whether some plant items would fall under the legislation.
“There was an indication last year that plant items would continue within the state regulations, but many of those fall within the heavy vehicle laws,” he said.
“For example, things like road sweepers and some tractors, are over the required GVM of 4.5 tonnes, but are in fact classed as plant. So government fleet managers who run diverse fleets are going to need clarification when and if there are going to be any transitional arrangements.”
For more of Grant Andrews thoughts on the NHVR, please
click here.