| From 1 August 2026, a new chapter begins for Australia’s heavy vehicle industry. The amended Heavy Vehicle National Law represents one of the most significant reforms to the sector in a generation. It is the culmination of years of work to modernise the law and create a stronger framework for safety, productivity and consistency across the heavy vehicle sector. Throughout this process, the NHVR has engaged with industry to understand operational challenges and practical considerations, and that feedback has helped inform our approach to implementation and support. I know this is a substantial amount of change. For many businesses, it means adapting processes, learning new requirements and preparing for a different regulatory framework. Change of this scale can be demanding, and the NHVR is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. Over the past year, we have worked extensively to support industry through this process. We have delivered more than 60 information sessions, webinars and training events, presented at more than 35 conferences and forums across Australia, and issued close to 50 targeted updates to operators, auditors and road managers. We have also published 25 On the Road articles and reached more than six million people through social media and out-of-home campaigns. While 1 August is an important milestone, it is not the end of the conversation. The NHVR will continue to engage with industry, provide guidance and assist wherever we can as the amended law comes into effect. Your feedback remains critical. It will help us understand where further support is needed and ensure these reforms deliver real benefits for industry and the broader community. Together, we can make this transition a success and continue building a safer, more productive and more sustainable heavy vehicle industry for Australia. Nicole Rosie
NHVR Chief Executive Officer | | | | | |
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| HVA Scheme Operator Guideline now available The Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) Scheme Operator Guideline is now available on the NHVR website, providing operators with practical guidance ahead of the new scheme commencing on 1 August 2026. The guideline explains how the HVA scheme works, the benefits of becoming accredited, and the requirements operators must meet to apply for and maintain accreditation. It also brings together key tools, resources and supporting information in one place, making it easier for operators to understand the accreditation process and their ongoing obligations. Operators are encouraged to review the guideline and prepare for the transition to the new HVA scheme before it commences. | | | | | |
| New Written Work Diary resources explain HVNL changes New fatigue resources are now available on the NHVR website to help drivers and operators understand changes to the Written Work Diary (WWD) under the amended HVNL. A new video provides a practical walkthrough of the updated WWD, explaining key changes and how drivers can prepare. This resource complements the updated Written Work Diary information sheet which outlines the changes and ongoing record-keeping requirements. Industry can also hear more about the WWD changes in the latest episode of the What’s Your 20? podcast, where the NHVR dispels common myths around penalties, including minor errors in work diaries, and explains how the changes will help simplify record keeping. Listen here at What's Your 20?. | | | | | |
| Building the next generation of Electronic Work Diaries The NHVR, in partnership with Transport Certification Australia (TCA), is strengthening the Electronic Work Diary (EWD) Framework to improve consistency, reliability and usability for drivers and operators. There are no immediate changes for industry. Approved EWD systems remain valid, and drivers should continue recording work and rest hours as they do today. The next generation of EWDs (Gen 2.0), expected from 31 August 2026, will introduce practical improvements, including a central Driver ID registry and data repository to streamline onboarding and ensure more consistent record keeping across providers. These enhancements will support future fatigue management arrangements under the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme while helping ensure EWDs remain fit for purpose as the industry evolves. Keep an eye out for updates here. | | | | | |
| SMS sessions available for operators The NHVR’s SMS sessions are continuing to provide practical guidance for small operators and owner operators preparing for the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme. The eight-part online series explains the safety management requirements that underpin accreditation under the amended HVNL and provides practical information to help operators strengthen their understanding of SMS. Each session runs for approximately 30 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session to address operator queries. All sessions are recorded and available on the NHVR website for those unable to attend live, alongside registration details for upcoming sessions. | | | | | |
| Reminder: 20-metre length limit applies to certain combinations only From 1 August 2026, the maximum length limit for specific heavy vehicle combinations will increase from 19 metres to 20 metres under the amended HVNL. This applies to: - prime mover and semitrailer
- rigid truck and pig trailer
- rigid truck and dog trailer
- rigid truck and tag trailer combinations.
The length increase does not apply to all heavy vehicles, and B-doubles are not included. All trailers, used in a combination that is longer than 19m but not more than 20m, with a Gross Trailer Mass over 10 tonnes (ADR category TD) must be fitted with braking systems compliant with ADR 38/05 or later, and the braking system must be powered by the towing vehicle. Read more. | | | | | |
| NHVR secures landmark prosecution The NHVR has secured a landmark prosecution against a transport company and its director for repeated breaches of prohibition notices. In a matter that was also notable for the first use of court injunction powers to stop ongoing non-compliance, both parties were convicted on all charges, with fines of $80,000 and $20,000 respectively. The outcome demonstrates the NHVR’s continued focus on targeting the highest-risk operators, whose actions put road users and the vast majority of industry doing the right thing at risk, while also undermining fair competition across the transport sector. Read more. | | | | | |
| Binge What’s Your 20? Season 2 The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s What’s Your 20? podcast has wrapped its second season, with nine new short and sharp episodes available to binge. In Season 2, What’s Your 20? hosts Rob and Sarah interview members of the heavy vehicle industry on key issues from driver training to work diaries, answer common operator and driver questions, and share more of their experiences behind the wheel. Listen to What’s Your 20? on all major podcast platforms or the NHVR website. | | | | | |
| National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice updates The Department of Transport and Planning Victoria worked with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to roll out the new PBS Level 3A cubic network, giving high-productivity vehicles greater access to Victoria's roads from 9 July 2026. This newly gazetted network covers operators moving low-density, high-volume freight (or running empty trailers), enabling them to make the most of their cubic capacity without the hassle of individual permits. It covers vehicles up to 36.5m long and 68.5t GVM, giving industry more certainty and less red tape. For more information, see the National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2026 (No.2). | | | | | |
| New Loading Guides Loading Guides feature best practice methods to assist industry with common loading tasks. The NHVR has recently published three new guides covering: - Shipping containers
- Tie-down restraint method
- Tie-down tables.
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) have a primary duty to ensure the safety of their transport activities, so far as reasonably practicable, and drivers have an obligation to comply with prescriptive loading requirements to maintain safety for all road users. Read the full list of published loading guides. | | | | | |
| Changes to speed limitations for PBS vehicles travelling in New South Wales Recently, Transport for New South Wales made changes to speed limitations for some PBS vehicles travelling under permit on the New South Wales State Road Network. From 1 July 2026, PBS vehicles over 26m long operating under an access permit are no longer limited to 90km/h. A variation letter is available on the NHVR website and provides an interim exemption for eligible vehicles until permits are updated. The change is designed to align permit conditions with existing Notice arrangements for PBS vehicles over 26 metres, harmonise PBS vehicle operation across jurisdictions and support more efficient road freight transportation across the network. For more information, please contact freight@transport.nsw.gov.au | | | | | |
| Sham Contracting – A Reminder from the FWO Independent contractors (contractors) and employees have different minimum rights and entitlements. Contractors work for themselves by providing services to another person or business. They usually negotiate their own fees and working arrangements and can work for more than one client at a time. Sham contracting can happen when a business or person tells or represent to a worker that they’re a contractor when they don’t reasonably believe this. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has information about independent contractors to help you make the correct decision when engaging workers. | | | | | |
| New training video for routing - Single route and area differences When submitting a heavy vehicle access application, it is important to understand what type of application will be best suited to the needs of your business whilst ensuring it meets the requirements of the HVNL and the NHVR’s policies. A new video has been created to assist you in navigating the difference between a single route and an area, and how this affects your application. For more information see: | | | | | |
| NHVR Go and website planned outage ahead of HVNL implementation The NHVR Go platform will be offline for a planned outage to allow for necessary updates ahead of the commencement of the updated HVNL on 1 August. The platform and its associated tools, including Freight Pass and the Intercept Outcomes Tool, will be unavailable for users from 11pm Friday 31 July to 5am Saturday 1 August. After the outage, users can log in to the platform as normal. Users are encouraged to log into the platform in advance to access tools and information they may require during the outage period. The outage has been scheduled to apply upgrades ensuring the platform is providing users with HVNL-compliant information from the day the reformed law comes into effect on 1 August. The NHVR website will also be offline for scheduled maintenance tomorrow from 9-11am on Friday 24 July. During this time you can still access NHVR Go or contact us for assistance on 13 NHVR (13 64 87). | | | | | |
