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Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012
sec.153AUsing restricted access vehicle
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### sec.153A Using restricted access vehicle
A person must not use a restricted access vehicle, or permit a restricted access vehicle to be used, on a road unless the road is one on which the vehicle is allowed to be used under a mass or dimension authority applying to the vehicle.
Maximum penalty—$6000.
In this section—
restricted access vehicle means a heavy vehicle that (together with its load) is—
higher than 4.3m; or
wider than 2.5m; or
longer than—
if a single vehicle other than an articulated bus—12.5m;
if an articulated bus—18m; or
if a combination—19m.
safer freight vehicle means a single heavy motor vehicle that meets the requirements prescribed for the purposes of this definition by the national regulations, but does not include a bus.
single heavy motor vehicle means a motor vehicle that, on its own, is a heavy vehicle.
specified semitrailer means a semitrailer that—
is not a PBS vehicle; and
has an air suspension system with effective dampers fitted; and
has a deck height not higher than 1.2m for at least 50% of its deck length; and
if in a combination—the combination—
consists only of—
a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or
a B-double; or
a B-triple; and
has a mass not more than 90% of the prescribed mass requirements for the combination.
Although this section does not apply to certain combinations, a combination that is a class 2 heavy vehicle will still need to have a class 2 heavy vehicle authorisation (see s 137).
This section does not apply to—
a class 2 heavy vehicle; or
a specified PBS vehicle as defined in section 136 (2) ; or
All other PBS vehicles are class 2 heavy vehicles (see section 136 ).
a specified semitrailer; or
a safer freight vehicle; or
a combination that—
includes a safer freight vehicle, together with its load, that is the only component vehicle wider than 2.5m; and
is not higher than 4.3m; and
is not longer than 19m.
sch s 153A ins 2015 No. 12 s 14
amd 2018 No. 18 s 15 ; 2019 No. 29 s 14 ; 2024 No. 2 s 8C
amd 2025 No. 26 s 37 (uncommenced amendment)
(sec.153A-ssec.1) A person must not use a restricted access vehicle, or permit a restricted access vehicle to be used, on a road unless the road is one on which the vehicle is allowed to be used under a mass or dimension authority applying to the vehicle. Maximum penalty—$6000.
(sec.153A-ssec.2) In this section— restricted access vehicle means a heavy vehicle that (together with its load) is— higher than 4.3m; or wider than 2.5m; or longer than— if a single vehicle other than an articulated bus—12.5m; if an articulated bus—18m; or if a combination—19m. safer freight vehicle means a single heavy motor vehicle that meets the requirements prescribed for the purposes of this definition by the national regulations, but does not include a bus. single heavy motor vehicle means a motor vehicle that, on its own, is a heavy vehicle. specified semitrailer means a semitrailer that— is not a PBS vehicle; and has an air suspension system with effective dampers fitted; and has a deck height not higher than 1.2m for at least 50% of its deck length; and if in a combination—the combination— consists only of— a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or a B-double; or a B-triple; and has a mass not more than 90% of the prescribed mass requirements for the combination. Although this section does not apply to certain combinations, a combination that is a class 2 heavy vehicle will still need to have a class 2 heavy vehicle authorisation (see s 137).
(sec.153A-ssec.3) This section does not apply to— a class 2 heavy vehicle; or a specified PBS vehicle as defined in section 136 (2) ; or All other PBS vehicles are class 2 heavy vehicles (see section 136 ). a specified semitrailer; or a safer freight vehicle; or a combination that— includes a safer freight vehicle, together with its load, that is the only component vehicle wider than 2.5m; and is not higher than 4.3m; and is not longer than 19m.
- (a) higher than 4.3m; or
- (b) wider than 2.5m; or
- (c) longer than— (i) if a single vehicle other than an articulated bus—12.5m; (ii) if an articulated bus—18m; or (iii) if a combination—19m.
- (i) if a single vehicle other than an articulated bus—12.5m;
- (ii) if an articulated bus—18m; or
- (iii) if a combination—19m.
- (i) if a single vehicle other than an articulated bus—12.5m;
- (ii) if an articulated bus—18m; or
- (iii) if a combination—19m.
- (a) is not a PBS vehicle; and
- (b) has an air suspension system with effective dampers fitted; and
- (c) has a deck height not higher than 1.2m for at least 50% of its deck length; and
- (d) if in a combination—the combination— (i) consists only of— (A) a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or (B) a B-double; or (C) a B-triple; and (ii) has a mass not more than 90% of the prescribed mass requirements for the combination.
- (i) consists only of— (A) a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or (B) a B-double; or (C) a B-triple; and
- (A) a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or
- (B) a B-double; or
- (C) a B-triple; and
- (ii) has a mass not more than 90% of the prescribed mass requirements for the combination.
- (i) consists only of— (A) a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or (B) a B-double; or (C) a B-triple; and
- (A) a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or
- (B) a B-double; or
- (C) a B-triple; and
- (ii) has a mass not more than 90% of the prescribed mass requirements for the combination.
- (A) a prime mover towing a single semitrailer attached to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling; or
- (B) a B-double; or
- (C) a B-triple; and
- (a) a class 2 heavy vehicle; or
- (b) a specified PBS vehicle as defined in section 136 (2) ; or Note— All other PBS vehicles are class 2 heavy vehicles (see section 136 ).
- (c) a specified semitrailer; or
- (d) a safer freight vehicle; or
- (e) a combination that— (i) includes a safer freight vehicle, together with its load, that is the only component vehicle wider than 2.5m; and (ii) is not higher than 4.3m; and (iii) is not longer than 19m.
- (i) includes a safer freight vehicle, together with its load, that is the only component vehicle wider than 2.5m; and
- (ii) is not higher than 4.3m; and
- (iii) is not longer than 19m.
- (i) includes a safer freight vehicle, together with its load, that is the only component vehicle wider than 2.5m; and
- (ii) is not higher than 4.3m; and
- (iii) is not longer than 19m.