National truck laws improve road safety and reduce red tape for truck drivers with a single consistent approach to heavy vehicle registration.

The Heavy Vehicle National Law and Regulations commenced in all states (except for Western Australia and the Northern Territory) on 10 February 2014.

What’s changed?

New regulator: The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is responsible for the administration of the laws.

Access Permits: Only one access permit is required for interstate travel. All applications for access are to be made to the NHVR and it issues all permits. Road managers are required to process applications within set time limits.

Notices and Guidelines: One national set of standard guidelines and notices now apply.

Fatigue Management: Fatigue management laws aimed at reducing the risk of truck accident are administered by the NHVR. Accreditation for mass management, maintenance management, basic fatigue management and advanced fatigue management are all through the NHVR. Drivers must carry their accreditation with them.

Work Diary: Drivers travelling more than 100 km from base are required to use the national work diary (this change affects Queensland drivers where the limit was 200km previously).

Fees and penalties: Fees and penalties standardised across participating states and territories.

What’s stayed the Same?

State and territory authorities are still responsible for heavy vehicle registration, inspections, driver licensing and issues relating to carrying dangerous goods. The enforcement of national laws for heavy vehicles remain with State and territory police. And the legal and court processes remain the same.

A safety first approach to avoid truck accident

Laws alone won’t improve road safety and reduce the risk of truck accident. All drivers need to take a safety-first approach to driving. Good safety policies, fatigue management certification and defensive driver training are all ways to ensure drivers have the right skills and education to deal with incidents on the road.