19.08.2013

New road permit system in Oz

Australia's National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), is set to implement a heavy vehicle vehicle road permit system from the start of September, which will apply in most parts of the country. Industry associations have been calling for a phase-in process, and the authorities appear to be co-operating with this strategy.

Road permits are currently administered state to state, but from September 1st the new Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and regulations will provide a national permit system, removing the problem of inconsistent and varying regulations that apply when travelling from state to state.

Under the new system the NHVR will provide a permit, regulator, fee and a single set of regulations for all vehicles over 4.5 tonnes that operate in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Canberra and Northern territories are set to participate at a later date, however Western Australia has opted out at this stage.

Vehicle registration, inspections, driver licensing and all matters related to the carriage of dangerous goods, will still be dealt will relevant state or territory government departments.

The chief executive of the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) Alan Marshall, said: "In the long run, having a national permit system will be better for our industry. However, the challenge now is to help our members and the wider industry deal with what many will regard as the sudden impact of the new system. Understanding and dealing with the change from the known local state requirements to the new national system requirements will be difficult initially."

"CICA believes the best way forward is to seek further education and support for the industry to familiarise themselves and step up to the new system and the CICA is keen to play a supporting role working with the state associations. Its recommendation to the NHVR and state authorities is to apply 'education before enforcement'. It is also hopeful that the NHVR has got the national system fully tested and ready to go and will adopt a phase-in for the necessary enforcement - all of which would make a strong statement that the authorities are keen to continue to work with the industry, not against it."

For more information on the new permit system either visit the NHVR's website: www.nhvr.gov.au or view its brochure which outlines all the changes here.