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| Christmas/New Years business hours
From 25 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 inclusive, the NHVR officers will close for the Christmas/New Year break.
During this Christmas closure, we will continue to process Access and NHVAS applications and provide limited support to handle any related enquiries from 7am-4pm AEST, Monday to Friday. We will not be processing any other types of applications (i.e. Fatigue, PBS or Vehicle Standards).
Our Contact Centre will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve and will also be closed on the national public holidays. They will open 7am-5pm AEST on all other business days and 8am-4pm AEST on Saturday and Sunday.
The Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line will also be closed from 25 December 2024 to 1 January 2025. If it’s an emergency or there’s a safety risk happening on the road, please call 000.
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| HVNL Reform Implementation gains momentum
The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) Reform Implementation Program is gaining momentum following the successful passage of the 2025 Amendment Package through the Queensland Parliament on 18 November 2025.
With commencement expected in mid-2026, the NHVR is actively preparing for implementation of the reformed law, including updating systems, enhancing digital tools, and developing clear guidance materials to help industry prepare and comply with confidence.
The NHVR is working closely with the NTC, state and territory governments, and industry to ensure a smooth transition to the amended law. Further information, updates and support will be shared in the coming months. Read more.
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| Safety bulletin: Selecting the appropriate vehicle to transport hay
To support the agricultural sector, the NHVR has issued a safety bulletin highlighting the critical importance of proper load restraint, visibility, and the use of suitable vehicles to transport loads on public roads.
The bulletin outlines key preventative measures that drivers and operators should take to reduce the risks of incidents occurring, ensuring the safe transportation of hay on roads with machinery or agricultural implements.
The bulletin can be viewed on the NHVR website here.
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| Master Code update coming in 2026
The NHVR is set to launch an updated Master Code in early 2026, offering a practical, industry-driven tool designed to help Chain of Responsibility (CoR) parties meet their Primary Duty obligation.
Following extensive consultation with hundreds of stakeholders across two years of development, the update will provide modern guidance and assistance to help build robust safety practises and identify potential risks across industry.
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| Have your say on draft HVNL reform amendments
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has launched consultation on draft amendments to the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.
The proposed changes include increasing General Mass Limits to align with current Concessional Mass Limits, expanding Euro VI concessions to road trains, increasing the general length limit for vehicles from 19 metres to 20 metres, and amending the tow mass ratio and conditions for tag trailers.
This is a critical opportunity for industry stakeholders to review the draft regulation and provide feedback to help ensure the amendments are accurate, clear and practical to implement.
To have your say or to read more, visit the NTC website. Consultation closes Monday, 19 January 2026.
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| Victorian No-Truck Zones coming soon
As part of the West Gate Tunnel Project, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) Victoria will soon introduce No-Truck Zones on roads in Melbourne’s Inner West. What you need to know:
- No-Truck Zones apply 24/7 on six roads in Melbourne’s Inner West with a seventh road – Williamstown Road – between 8pm to 6am weekdays and all times on weekends.
- Cameras will monitor the No-Truck Zones 24/7.
- Exemptions are available and are to be submitted to DTP.
The NHVR will assist by assessing exemption applications, reviewing camera detections from prescribed No-Truck Zone cameras and taking appropriate regulatory action for identified non-compliance. For more information, read the DTP’s FAQ's here and travel check here. | | | | | |
| NHVR helping facilitate the release of HVSAPS early next year
The NHVR is assisting the Victorian Government in preparation for the launch of the Heavy Vehicle Structural Assessment Permit System (HVSAPS) in early January 2026. HVSAPS will remove the need for manual bridge assessments for DTP, with a goal of allowing most operators to receive faster consent approvals for state-controlled roads and reduce administrative burdens.
The benefits of HVSAPS will become greater over the coming months as other stages progress and digitisation of the Performance Based Standards (PBS) Scheme Vehicle Approvals occurs. As such, the NHVR will work with customers through the launch of HVSAPS to ensure the new processes and requirements are understood.
The NHVR will soon have further permit information available through our website. All enquiries about HVSAPS may be directed to hvsaps_support@transport.vic.gov.au.
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| Resources now available to assist with PBS Scheme
The NHVR has created additional resources to support operators and drivers in complying with the PBS Scheme.
Several guides are available which outline how to read Vehicle Approvals and how they may be used to access road networks. You can view the resources via our website here.
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| Online project to help improve awareness on Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
Central Highlands Regional Council’s CoR training program has delivered a series of face-to-face workshops to help council workers understand their CoR obligations. A second phase of the project now offers three targeted eLearning modules supported by a handbook, trainer guide and scenario activities.
The online courses address different audiences, including operational staff, executives and contractors. Together, these materials strengthen local governments’ ability to manage transport-related risks, meet Primary and Executive Duties, exercise due diligence and navigate shared or third-party responsibilities effectively. You can access the training free here.
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| Vehicle Standards Bulletin – Rear Marking Plate Update
VSB12 – Rear Marking Plates has had a minor update to provide clarity around the ‘DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE’ sign size for vehicles registered or operating in New South Wales.
VSB12 now reflects that heavy vehicles being driven or registered in New South Wales may use either the standard VSB12 compliant ‘DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE’ signs or larger signs prescribed in the NSW Road Rule 316-1.
Additional minor formatting and grammatical amendments to improve clarity have also been made. These updates aim to improve consistency and reduce uncertainty.
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| Myth: Chain of Responsibility (CoR) is about compliance
Truth: CoR and the Primary Duty is about public safety, identifying and managing the risks associated with your transport activities.
Each time a heavy vehicle is used on a road, consider what risks it presents to the public. Ask whether your business is adding to those risks because of what it does or doesn’t do, and what it can do to reduce risks. Find out more on CoR here.
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