New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

HEAVY VEHICLE (MASS, DIMENSION AND LOADING) NATIONAL REGULATION (NSW) - SCHEDULE 5

SCHEDULE 5 – Higher mass limits

section 6(3)

1 Application of higher mass limits to single axle or axle group

(1) The higher mass limits apply to a single axle or axle group on a heavy vehicle as follows--

(a) a single-drive axle on a bus;

(b) a tandem axle group other than a 6-tyred tandem axle group;

(c) a 6-tyred tandem axle group;

(d) a tri-axle group.

(2) The higher mass limits apply if the single-drive axle on the bus mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or if an axle group mentioned in subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d)--

(a) complies with subsections (3) and (4); and

(b) is fitted to a heavy vehicle that complies with subsections (5) and (6).

(3) The mass permitted for the single axle or axle group under the general mass limits must be at least--

(a) for a single-drive axle on a bus--9t; or

(b) for a tandem axle group other than a 6-tyred tandem axle group--16.5t; or

(c) for a 6-tyred tandem axle group--13t; or

(d) for a tri-axle group--20t.

(4) The single axle or axle group must be fitted with a certified road-friendly suspension system.

Example--: The Vehicle Standards Bulletin Number 11 mentioned in the definition
"certified road-friendly suspension system" in section 3 requires axle groups to have dual tyres.

(5) The heavy vehicle must be a heavy vehicle that--

(a) is not a class 1 heavy vehicle; and

(b) is not a rigid truck towing a dog trailer or a vehicle fitted with a drive axle group with more than 2 axles (unless it is a B-double or road train); and

(ba) is not a truck and tag trailer combination; and

(c) if the heavy vehicle is fitted with a tri-axle group and is used on a road outside the Northern Territory--is being operated by a person who holds mass management accreditation for the vehicle.

(6) The higher mass limits apply to the single axle or axle group fitted to a heavy vehicle on all roads--

(a) within an HML area for the heavy vehicle; or

(b) on an HML route for the heavy vehicle.

Example of how the application of higher mass limits can be decided--: In deciding whether the higher mass limits may be applied to a tri-axle group, the following questions will need to be answered in the positive--

• is the tri-axle group fitted to a vehicle that complies with subsections (5) and (6)?

• if so, does the tri-axle group qualify for at least 20t under the general mass limits?

• if so, is the axle group fitted with a certified road-friendly suspension system?

2 Higher mass limits

(1) The higher mass limits apply as an exception to the general mass limits as stated in subsections (2) to (5).

(2) The mass on the single axle or axle group must not be more than the following (the
"mass exception amount" )--

(a) for a single-drive axle on a bus--10t;

(b) for a tandem axle group other than a 6-tyred tandem axle group--17t;

(c) for a 6-tyred tandem axle group--14t;

(d) for a tri-axle group--22.5t.

(3) The mass of the vehicle must not be more than the mass determined by applying section 2 of Schedule 1 with the amount stated for the single axle or axle group in Table 1 of Part 2 of the Schedule changed to the mass exception amount.

(4) Subsection (5) applies if, because of the application of subsection (1) to a single axle or axle group within a particular axle spacing, the mass permitted for the vehicle is increased under subsection (3) by an amount above the general mass limits for the vehicle.

(5) The mass relating to the axle spacing must not be more than the general mass limits for the axle spacing increased by the amount.