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Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012
sec.221Definitions for Ch 6
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### sec.221 Definitions for Ch 6
In this Chapter—
100km work has the meaning given by section 289 (1) .
100+km work has the meaning given by section 289 (2) .
AFM fatigue management system has the meaning given by section 457 .
sch s 221 def AFM fatigue management system om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
AFM hours has the meaning given by section 257 .
sch s 221 def AFM hours om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
approved electronic recording system means an electronic recording system the subject of a current approval under section 343 or a corresponding fatigue law.
sch s 221 def approved electronic recording system om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
approved sleeper berth means—
for a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle other than a fatigue-regulated bus—a driver’s sleeper berth that complies with ADR 42 and is able to be used by the driver when resting; or
for a fatigue-regulated bus—a driver’s sleeper berth that—
complies with a standard for sleeper berths that is approved by the responsible Ministers under section 654 ; and
is able to be used by the driver when resting.
sch s 221 def approved sleeper berth sub 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) – (2) (uncommenced amendment)
BFM hours has the meaning given by section 253 .
sch s 221 def BFM hours om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
cancel , in relation to an unused daily sheet in a written work diary, means cancel by writing ‘cancelled’ in large letters across the sheet.
sch s 221 def cancel om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
cause of fatigue means any factor that could cause or contribute to a person being fatigued while driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road (whether or not the cause arises while the person is at work).
physical or mental exertion
long periods of time awake
not enough sleep or not enough restorative sleep
not enough rest time
a person’s circadian rhythm (body clock)
environmental stress factors, including heat, noise, vibrations
personal health
sch s 221 def cause of fatigue amd 2025 No. 26 s 43 (3) – (4) (uncommenced amendment)
corresponding fatigue law —
A corresponding fatigue law is a law of a non-participating jurisdiction that provides for the same, or substantially the same, matters as this Chapter.
A corresponding fatigue law for a provision of this Chapter is a provision of a corresponding fatigue law within the meaning of paragraph 1 that corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to the provision of this Chapter.
For the purposes of paragraph 1, it is irrelevant whether the law of the non-participating jurisdiction—
is in 1 instrument or 2 or more instruments; or
is part of an instrument; or
is part of an instrument and the whole or part of 1 or more other instruments.
critical risk breach , for a maximum work requirement or minimum rest requirement, has the meaning given by section 222 (4) .
daily sheet , for a written work diary, has the meaning given by section 338 (2) (b) .
sch s 221 def daily sheet om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
electronic recording system means a system of recording information electronically.
sch s 221 def electronic recording system om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
electronic work diary , in relation to a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, means all or part of an approved electronic recording system that is fitted to or used in relation to the vehicle to record information a driver of the vehicle is required by this Law to record in a work diary for the purposes of this Law.
sch s 221 def electronic work diary sub 2015 No. 12 s 20 (1) – (2)
electronic work diary label ...
sch s 221 def electronic work diary label om 2015 No. 12 s 20 (1)
entry , in a work record, means anything written or otherwise recorded in the work record.
sch s 221 def entry amd 2015 No. 12 s 20 (3)
exemption hours has the meaning given by section 259 .
fatigue has the meaning given by section 223 .
sch s 221 def fatigue om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
impaired by fatigue has the meaning given by section 225 .
sch s 221 def impaired by fatigue om 2025 No. 26 s 43 (1) (uncommenced amendment)
intelligent access program reporting entity , for an approved intelligent transport system, means a person on whom there is an obligation, imposed by Chapter 7 , to report a malfunction of or tampering with the system to the Regulator.
sch s 221 def intelligent access program reporting entity amd 2016 No. 65 s 139
loading manager —
Section 5 contains the definition loading manager . That definition is affected by the definition regular loading or unloading premises , and is used in this Chapter.
As a result of the interaction of the 2 definitions, this Chapter applies to a person as a loading manager only if the premises concerned are premises at or from which an average of at least 5 fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles are loaded or unloaded on each day the premises are operated for loading or unloading heavy vehicles.
sch s 221 def loading manager amd 2016 No. 65 s 36 (1)
major rest break means rest time of at least 5 continuous hours.
malfunction , of an electronic work diary or an odometer, means the work diary or odometer —
ceases to work at all, or works only intermittently; or
does not perform 1 or more functions required under this Chapter; or
performs the functions mentioned in paragraph (b) only intermittently; or
performs the functions mentioned in paragraph (b) in a way that is inaccurate or unreliable, including intermittently inaccurate or unreliable.
corruption of data held in the electronic work diary
a software program fault
physical damage that impairs the functioning of the electronic work diary
an odometer that no longer keeps an accurate record of distance travelled
minor risk breach has the meaning given by section 222 (1) .
night work time means work time between midnight and 6a.m.
Under sections 248 and 303 , the time must be based on the time zone of the driver’s base for drivers on a journey in a different time zone to the driver’s base.
sch s 221 def night work time amd 2025 No. 26 s 43 (5) (uncommenced amendment)
non-participating jurisdiction means a State or Territory that is not a participating jurisdiction.
participating jurisdiction means a State or Territory in which—
this Chapter applies as a law of the State or Territory; or
a law containing provisions that substantially correspond to the provisions of this Chapter is in force.
party in the chain of responsibility ...
sch s 221 def party in the chain of responsibility om 2016 No. 65 s 36 (2)
record keeper has the meaning given by section 317 .
record location , of the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, has the meaning given by section 290 .
rest , in relation to a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, means not work in relation to a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle.
rest time , for the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, means any time that is not work time for the driver.
severe risk breach has the meaning given by section 222 (3) .
sign of fatigue means any sign that a person was, is or will be fatigued while driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road (whether the sign manifests itself before, during or after the driver drove the vehicle).
lack of alertness
inability to concentrate
reduced ability to recognise or respond to external stimuli
poor judgment or memory
making more mistakes than usual
drowsiness, or falling asleep, at work (including microsleeps)
finding it difficult to keep eyes open
needing more frequent naps than usual
not feeling refreshed after sleep
excessive head-nodding or yawning
blurred vision
mood changes, increased irritability or other changes to the person’s mental health
changes to the person’s health or fitness
sch s 221 def sign of fatigue amd 2025 No. 26 s 43 (6) – (7) (uncommenced amendment)
solo driver means a driver who is not a party to a two-up driving arrangement.
standard hours has the meaning given by section 249 .
stationary rest time means rest time a driver spends—
out of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
in an approved sleeper berth of a stationary fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle.
substantial risk breach has the meaning given by section 222 (2) .
supplementary record means a supplementary record made under section 305 .
tamper , with an approved electronic recording system, has the meaning given by section 334 .
two-up driving arrangement means an arrangement under which 2 persons share the driving of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle that has an approved sleeper berth.
work , in relation to a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, means—
drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
instruct another person to drive, or supervise another person driving, a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
perform another task relating to the use of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, including, for example—
load things onto, or unload things from, the heavy vehicle; and
inspect, service or repair the heavy vehicle; and
inspect or attend to a load on the heavy vehicle; and
if the heavy vehicle is a bus, attend to passengers on the bus; and
clean or refuel the heavy vehicle; and
perform marketing tasks in relation to the use of the vehicle; and
arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
help another person to perform, or supervise another person performing, a task mentioned in any of subparagraphs (i) to (vi) ; and
record information or complete a document, as required under this Law, a corresponding fatigue law or otherwise, in relation to the use of the vehicle; or
occupy the driver’s seat of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle while its engine is running.
work and rest change , for the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, means—
a change from work time to rest time; or
a change from rest time to work time; or
a change from being a solo driver to being a driver who is a party to a two-up driving arrangement; or
a change from being a driver who is a party to a two-up driving arrangement to being a solo driver.
work and rest hours option has the meaning given by section 243 .
work diary , for the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle—
generally, means a written work diary or electronic work diary kept by the driver for the purposes of this Law; and
for Subdivision 1 of Division 2 of Part 6.4 , see section 292 .
work record means—
a written or electronic work diary of the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
a supplementary record; or
a record required to be made or kept under (or by a condition under) Division 2 , 3 , 8 or 8A of Part 6.4 ; or
a copy of a document, or an entry in a document, mentioned in paragraph (a) , (b) or (c) .
work time , for the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, means any time the driver spends undertaking work in relation to the vehicle.
written work diary means a written work diary issued to the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle by the Regulator under section 340 or a corresponding fatigue law.
sch s 221 def written work diary amd 2025 No. 26 s 43 (8) (uncommenced amendment)
- (a) for a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle other than a fatigue-regulated bus—a driver’s sleeper berth that complies with ADR 42 and is able to be used by the driver when resting; or
- (b) for a fatigue-regulated bus—a driver’s sleeper berth that— (i) complies with a standard for sleeper berths that is approved by the responsible Ministers under section 654 ; and (ii) is able to be used by the driver when resting.
- (i) complies with a standard for sleeper berths that is approved by the responsible Ministers under section 654 ; and
- (ii) is able to be used by the driver when resting.
- (i) complies with a standard for sleeper berths that is approved by the responsible Ministers under section 654 ; and
- (ii) is able to be used by the driver when resting.
- • physical or mental exertion
- • long periods of time awake
- • not enough sleep or not enough restorative sleep
- • not enough rest time
- • a person’s circadian rhythm (body clock)
- • environmental stress factors, including heat, noise, vibrations
- • personal health
- 1 A corresponding fatigue law is a law of a non-participating jurisdiction that provides for the same, or substantially the same, matters as this Chapter.
- 2 A corresponding fatigue law for a provision of this Chapter is a provision of a corresponding fatigue law within the meaning of paragraph 1 that corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to the provision of this Chapter.
- 3 For the purposes of paragraph 1, it is irrelevant whether the law of the non-participating jurisdiction— (a) is in 1 instrument or 2 or more instruments; or (b) is part of an instrument; or (c) is part of an instrument and the whole or part of 1 or more other instruments.
- (a) is in 1 instrument or 2 or more instruments; or
- (b) is part of an instrument; or
- (c) is part of an instrument and the whole or part of 1 or more other instruments.
- (a) is in 1 instrument or 2 or more instruments; or
- (b) is part of an instrument; or
- (c) is part of an instrument and the whole or part of 1 or more other instruments.
- (a) ceases to work at all, or works only intermittently; or
- (b) does not perform 1 or more functions required under this Chapter; or
- (c) performs the functions mentioned in paragraph (b) only intermittently; or
- (d) performs the functions mentioned in paragraph (b) in a way that is inaccurate or unreliable, including intermittently inaccurate or unreliable.
- • corruption of data held in the electronic work diary
- • a software program fault
- • physical damage that impairs the functioning of the electronic work diary
- • an odometer that no longer keeps an accurate record of distance travelled
- (a) this Chapter applies as a law of the State or Territory; or
- (b) a law containing provisions that substantially correspond to the provisions of this Chapter is in force.
- • lack of alertness
- • inability to concentrate
- • reduced ability to recognise or respond to external stimuli
- • poor judgment or memory
- • making more mistakes than usual
- • drowsiness, or falling asleep, at work (including microsleeps)
- • finding it difficult to keep eyes open
- • needing more frequent naps than usual
- • not feeling refreshed after sleep
- • excessive head-nodding or yawning
- • blurred vision
- • mood changes, increased irritability or other changes to the person’s mental health
- • changes to the person’s health or fitness
- (a) out of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
- (b) in an approved sleeper berth of a stationary fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle.
- (a) drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
- (b) instruct another person to drive, or supervise another person driving, a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
- (c) perform another task relating to the use of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, including, for example— (i) load things onto, or unload things from, the heavy vehicle; and (ii) inspect, service or repair the heavy vehicle; and (iii) inspect or attend to a load on the heavy vehicle; and (iv) if the heavy vehicle is a bus, attend to passengers on the bus; and (v) clean or refuel the heavy vehicle; and (vi) perform marketing tasks in relation to the use of the vehicle; and Examples for the purposes of subparagraph (vi) — • arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle • canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle (vii) help another person to perform, or supervise another person performing, a task mentioned in any of subparagraphs (i) to (vi) ; and (viii) record information or complete a document, as required under this Law, a corresponding fatigue law or otherwise, in relation to the use of the vehicle; or
- (i) load things onto, or unload things from, the heavy vehicle; and
- (ii) inspect, service or repair the heavy vehicle; and
- (iii) inspect or attend to a load on the heavy vehicle; and
- (iv) if the heavy vehicle is a bus, attend to passengers on the bus; and
- (v) clean or refuel the heavy vehicle; and
- (vi) perform marketing tasks in relation to the use of the vehicle; and Examples for the purposes of subparagraph (vi) — • arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle • canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- • arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- • canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- (vii) help another person to perform, or supervise another person performing, a task mentioned in any of subparagraphs (i) to (vi) ; and
- (viii) record information or complete a document, as required under this Law, a corresponding fatigue law or otherwise, in relation to the use of the vehicle; or
- (d) occupy the driver’s seat of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle while its engine is running.
- (i) load things onto, or unload things from, the heavy vehicle; and
- (ii) inspect, service or repair the heavy vehicle; and
- (iii) inspect or attend to a load on the heavy vehicle; and
- (iv) if the heavy vehicle is a bus, attend to passengers on the bus; and
- (v) clean or refuel the heavy vehicle; and
- (vi) perform marketing tasks in relation to the use of the vehicle; and Examples for the purposes of subparagraph (vi) — • arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle • canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- • arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- • canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- (vii) help another person to perform, or supervise another person performing, a task mentioned in any of subparagraphs (i) to (vi) ; and
- (viii) record information or complete a document, as required under this Law, a corresponding fatigue law or otherwise, in relation to the use of the vehicle; or
- • arranging for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- • canvassing for orders for the transport of goods or passengers by the heavy vehicle
- (a) a change from work time to rest time; or
- (b) a change from rest time to work time; or
- (c) a change from being a solo driver to being a driver who is a party to a two-up driving arrangement; or
- (d) a change from being a driver who is a party to a two-up driving arrangement to being a solo driver.
- (a) generally, means a written work diary or electronic work diary kept by the driver for the purposes of this Law; and
- (b) for Subdivision 1 of Division 2 of Part 6.4 , see section 292 .
- (a) a written or electronic work diary of the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle; or
- (b) a supplementary record; or
- (c) a record required to be made or kept under (or by a condition under) Division 2 , 3 , 8 or 8A of Part 6.4 ; or
- (d) a copy of a document, or an entry in a document, mentioned in paragraph (a) , (b) or (c) .