Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation
sec.3Definitions
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sec.3 Definitions
In this Regulation— 6-tyred tandem axle group means a tandem axle group fitted with 6 tyres. ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories) means the ADR titled ‘Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule—Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005’. agricultural combination means a combination consisting of at least 1 agricultural vehicle. approved air suspension system , in relation to a bus, means a suspension system in which— vertical movement between each axle and the body of the bus is controlled by variations in the air pressure in an air spring; and the proportion of the bus’s mass borne by the air spring remains substantially constant despite variations in the air pressure in the air spring. axle group , for Schedule 1 , includes a group of at least 5 axles. s 3 def axle group ins 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (1) centre , of an axle group, has the same meaning as it has in section 4 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation . certified road-friendly suspension system means a suspension system certified as a road-friendly suspension system by the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport in accordance with the Vehicle Standards Bulletin Number 11 (revised edition) published by that branch in July 2004. A copy of the bulletin may be obtained from the website of the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport at <www.infrastructure.gov.au>. At the time of publication the department was called the Department of Transport and Regional Services. CML heavy vehicle means a heavy vehicle to which, or to a component of which, the concessional mass limits apply as provided by Schedule 2 . complying anti-lock braking system , for an eligible 2-axle bus or an eligible 3-axle bus, means an anti-lock braking system that complies with— if a version of ADR 35 later than ADR 35/01 applied to the bus at the bus’s date of manufacture—the version of ADR 35 that applied to the bus at the bus’s date of manufacture or a later version of ADR 35; or otherwise—ADR 35/01 or a later version of ADR 35. s 3 def complying anti-lock braking system ins 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (1) amd 2019 SL No. 238 s 4 (2) complying bus means a bus with 2 or 3 axles, 1 of which is a steer axle, that is fitted with an approved air suspension system and meets— the emergency exit specifications in ADR 44; and the rollover strength specifications in ADR 59; and the occupant protection specifications in ADR 68. complying steer axle vehicle means a heavy vehicle with a single steer axle if the vehicle has all of the following— an engine complying with the emission control requirements contained in— ADR 80/01 or a later version of ADR 80; or if a version of ADR 80 later than ADR 80/01 applied to the vehicle at the vehicle’s date of manufacture—the version of ADR 80 that applied to the vehicle at the vehicle’s date of manufacture or a later version of ADR 80; a front underrun protection device that complies with UN ECE Regulation No. 93 or ADR 84–Front Underrun Impact Protection; a cabin that complies with UN ECE Regulation No. 29; appropriately rated tyres, axle and suspension to permit 6.5t on the steer axle; a GVM of 15t or more. s 3 def complying steer axle vehicle ins 2015 SL No. 188 s 19 (1) amd 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (2) concessional mass limits means the concessional mass limits stated in section 2 of Schedule 2 . dog trailer has the same meaning as it has in section 4 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation . drawbar has the same meaning as it has in section 4 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation . driving axle , in relation to a vehicle, means an axle driven by the vehicle’s engine. dual-drive tandem axle group means a tandem axle group consisting of 2 axles, both of which are a driving axle for a vehicle. eligible 2-axle bus — A bus is an eligible 2-axle bus if the bus— was manufactured before 1 January 2016; and has 2 axles, 1 of which is a single-drive axle fitted with dual tyres; and is 1 of the following— a complying bus; an ultra-low floor bus; a bus, other than an ultra-low floor bus, that is authorised to carry standing passengers; a bus, other than an articulated bus, whose length is more than 12.5m but not more than 14.5m; and is fitted with— a complying anti-lock braking system; or a vehicle stability function that complies with the version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13 that applied to the bus at the bus’s date of manufacture or a later version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13. A vehicle stability function is also known as electronic stability control or ESC. A bus is also an eligible 2-axle bus if the bus— was manufactured on or after 1 January 2016; and has 2 axles, 1 of which is a single-drive axle fitted with dual tyres; and is 1 of the following— a complying bus; an ultra-low floor bus; a bus, other than an ultra-low floor bus, that is authorised to carry standing passengers; a bus, other than an articulated bus, whose length is more than 12.5m but not more than 14.5m; and is fitted with— a complying anti-lock braking system; and either— an eligible electronic braking system; or a vehicle stability function that complies with the version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13 that applied to the bus at the bus’s date of manufacture or a later version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13. s 3 def eligible 2-axle bus ins 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (1) eligible 3-axle bus — A bus is an eligible 3-axle bus if the bus— was manufactured before 1 January 2015; and has 3 axles, including a rear tandem axle group fitted with single tyres on 1 axle and dual tyres on the other axle; and is 1 of the following— a complying bus; a bus, other than an articulated bus, whose length is more than 12.5m but not more than 14.5m; an ultra-low floor bus; a bus, other than an ultra-low floor bus, that is authorised to carry standing passengers under an Australian road law; and is fitted with— a complying anti-lock braking system; or a vehicle stability function that complies with the version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13 that applied to the bus at the bus’s date of manufacture or a later version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13. A vehicle stability function is also known as electronic stability control or ESC. A bus is also an eligible 3-axle bus if the bus— was manufactured on or after 1 January 2015; and has 3 axles, including a rear tandem axle group fitted with single tyres on 1 axle and dual tyres on the other axle; and is 1 of the following— a complying bus; a bus, other than an articulated bus, whose length is more than 12.5m but not more than 14.5m; an ultra-low floor bus; a bus, other than an ultra-low floor bus, that is authorised to carry standing passengers under an Australian road law; and is fitted with a complying anti-lock braking system; and for a type of bus mentioned in paragraph (c) (i) or (ii) —is fitted with— an eligible electronic braking system; or a vehicle stability function that complies with the version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13 that applied to the bus at the bus’s date of manufacture or a later version of UN ECE Regulation No. 13. s 3 def eligible 3-axle bus ins 2019 SL No. 238 s 4 (1) eligible electronic braking system , for an eligible 2-axle bus or an eligible 3-axle bus, means a service brake system operating on the wheels of the bus that— is primarily activated by electronic means; and has a secondary means of activation if the electronic means of activation fails. pneumatic activation s 3 def eligible electronic braking system ins 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (1) amd 2019 SL No. 238 s 4 (3) Euro VI vehicle (complying steer axle) — means a heavy motor vehicle with a single steer axle that— has an engine complying with the requirements about emission control contained in ADR 80/04 or a later version of ADR 80; and has a front underrun protection device that complies with UN ECE Regulation No. 93 or ADR 84; and has a cabin that complies with UN ECE Regulation No. 29; and has appropriately rated tyres, axle and suspension to permit 7.0t on the steer axle; and is fitted with tyres with section widths of at least 315mm; and has a GVM of 15t or more; but does not include— a bus; or a heavy motor vehicle forming part of a road train. s 3 def Euro VI vehicle (complying steer axle) ins 2024 SL No. 201 s 4 Euro VI vehicle mass transfer allowance means the mass transfer allowance stated in section 1 of Schedule 5B . s 3 def Euro VI vehicle mass transfer allowance ins 2024 SL No. 201 s 4 Euro VI vehicle (single steer axle) — means a heavy motor vehicle with a single steer axle, other than a complying steer axle vehicle, that— has an engine complying with the requirements about emission control contained in ADR 80/04 or a later version of ADR 80; and has appropriately rated tyres, axle and suspension to permit 6.5t on the steer axle; but does not include— a bus; or a heavy motor vehicle forming part of a road train. s 3 def Euro VI vehicle (single steer axle) ins 2024 SL No. 201 s 4 Euro VI vehicle (twinsteer) — means a heavy motor vehicle with a twinsteer axle group that— has an engine complying with the requirements about emission control contained in ADR 80/04 or a later version of ADR 80; and has a load-sharing suspension system for the axle group; and has appropriately rated tyres, axles and suspension to permit 11.5t on the axle group; and is fitted with tyres with section widths of at least 275mm; but does not include— a bus; or a heavy motor vehicle forming part of a road train. s 3 def Euro VI vehicle (twinsteer) ins 2024 SL No. 201 s 4 front articulation point , in relation to a trailer used in a heavy combination, means the point of articulation at the front of the trailer, which may, and may only, be any of the following— the vertical axis of a kingpin used with a fifth wheel coupling; the vertical axis of rotation of a fifth wheel coupling; the vertical axis of rotation of a turntable; in relation to a trailer that is a dog trailer, the vertical axis of rotation of the front axle group, or single axle, of the trailer; in relation to a trailer that is a semitrailer or tag trailer, the imaginary vertical line passing through the pivot point for a coupling fitted to the semitrailer or tag trailer. s 3 def front articulation point amd 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (3) general mass limits has the meaning given by section 6 (2) . higher mass limits means, in relation to a heavy vehicle to which the higher mass limits mentioned in section 1 of Schedule 5 apply as provided by the section, the higher mass limits stated in section 2 of Schedule 5 . HML area , in relation to an HML heavy vehicle, means an area within which the vehicle is authorised to be used under the higher mass limits under— an HML declaration; or an HML permit. HML declaration has the meaning given by section 12 (2) . s 3 def HML declaration amd 2015 SL No. 188 s 19 (2) HML heavy vehicle means a heavy vehicle to which the higher mass limits mentioned in section 1 of Schedule 5 apply as provided by the section. HML permit has the meaning given by section 20 (2) . s 3 def HML permit amd 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (4) HML route , in relation to an HML heavy vehicle, means a route on which the vehicle is authorised to be used under the higher mass limits under— an HML declaration; or an HML permit. jinker means a trailer— comprising an axle or axle group built to support a load that is being transported by the trailer and its towing vehicle; and connected to the towing vehicle by a pole or cable or the load itself, if any. LED technology means light-emitting diode technology. light vehicle standards means the standards with which a vehicle other than a heavy vehicle must comply before it may be registered under a law of a participating jurisdiction providing for the registration of vehicles other than heavy vehicles. load-carrying vehicle means a heavy vehicle carrying, or designed for the purpose of carrying, a large indivisible item, including, for example, a combination including a low loader. load-sharing suspension system , of an axle group, means a suspension system— built to divide the load between the tyres on the group so no tyre carries a mass more than 10% above the mass it would carry if the load were divided equally; and with effective damping characteristics on all axles of the group. low loader has the same meaning as it has in section 116 (4) of the Law. low loader dolly means a device for distributing mass that— is usually coupled between a prime mover and low loader; and consists of a rigid frame of a gooseneck shape; and does not directly carry any load; and is equipped with 1 or more axles, a kingpin and a fifth wheel coupling. major road means a road declared to be a major road for this Regulation under Division 2 of Part 5 . mass exception has the meaning given by section 6 (3) . one tonne tri-axle mass transfer allowance means the mass transfer allowance stated in section 1 of Schedule 5A . s 3 def one tonne tri-axle mass transfer allowance ins 2014 SL No. 216 s 4 police vehicle means a motor vehicle driven by a police officer in the course of the police officer’s duty. quad axle group mass exception limits means the quad axle group mass exception limits stated in section 1 of Schedule 4 . radial ply tyre means a radial ply tyre within the meaning of ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories). rear overhang has the meaning given by section 1 of Schedule 6 . rear overhang line has the meaning given by section 1 of Schedule 6 . relevant accreditation label ... s 3 def relevant accreditation label om 2017 SL No. 113 s 10 relevant participating jurisdiction , in relation to an HML declaration, means a participating jurisdiction in which the whole or part of an area or route the subject of the declaration is situated. relevant road manager , in relation to an HML declaration or HML permit, means a road manager for a road in an area or on a route the subject of the declaration or permit. retractable axle means an axle that can be raised so the tyres on it do not touch the ground. road manager consent provisions means Division 2 of Part 4.7 of the Law. section width , of a tyre, has the meaning given by section 4 . single axle group means a group of 2 or more axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is less than 1m. single-drive axle means a single axle that transmits automotive power. single-drive tandem axle group means a tandem axle group consisting of 2 axles, only 1 of which is a driving axle for a vehicle. special purpose vehicle has the same meaning as it has in section 116 (4) of the Law. steerable axle means a single axle that connects the wheels of a vehicle to a steering mechanism for the vehicle. steer axle means the front steerable axle used to steer the vehicle. steer axle mass exception limits ... s 3 def steer axle mass exception limits om 2015 SL No. 188 s 19 (3) tag trailer means a trailer— with 1 axle group or a single axle towards the rear of its load-carrying surface; and connected to a towing vehicle by a drawbar. s 3 def tag trailer ins 2018 SL No. 89 s 11 (1) transport enforcement vehicle means a motor vehicle marked as a vehicle of a road authority for a participating jurisdiction and used by the authority for the purposes of investigating or prosecuting an offence against an Australian road law. turntable has the same meaning as it has in section 4 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation . ultra-low floor bus means a bus that— has stairless entry; and is accessible to wheelchairs; and is authorised to carry standing passengers. UN ECE Regulation means an addendum to the United Nations Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts done at Geneva on 20 March 1958. s 3 def UN ECE Regulation ins 2015 SL No. 188 s 19 (1) urban area means an area declared to be an urban area for this Regulation under Division 2 of Part 5 . warning light , in Schedule 8 , means a warning light complying with Division 1 of Part 3 of Schedule 8 . warning pattern means a pattern covering an area of at least 0.16m 2 and consisting of diagonal stripes at least 150mm wide and alternately coloured— red and white; or black and white. warning sign , in Schedule 8 , means a warning sign complying with Division 2 of Part 3 of Schedule 8 . wheelbase , in relation to a vehicle, means the distance from the centre line of the vehicle’s foremost axle to the rear overhang line. yellow , in relation to a light, includes amber.