The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on Thursday announced the changes that would significantly reduce the number of permits required for truck and trailer combinations.

Combinations listed in the notice for the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme are modern vehicles designed to perform tasks more productively, safely and sustainably and are tested to vigorous standards according to the regulator.

Solicitor David King-Christopher who specialises in road transport law, said the changes will be a positive step towards attaining greater efficiencies for freight transported on Australian roads.

“The notice will hopefully lead to fewer truck movements than those currently experienced on our roads and will also accommodate in part the steady increase each year of the volume of freight being transported on our roads,” he said.

“It is pleasing to see that the rationale for establishing the NHVR is to provide a range of heavy vehicle road transport services and standards for heavy vehicle road users on a national level,” Mr King-Christopher said.

The changes mean the notice for PBS will replace the need for state based permits for heavy vehicle combinations comprising of a three or four-axle truck, towing a three, four or five-axle dog trailer.

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay congratulated the regulator and the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) saying the change is a big win for NSW trucking operators who will no longer be required to obtain individual access permits.

“This change removes around 300 permits in the state and it is a commonsense improvement that supports the NSW Government’s commitment of making it easier for trucking companies to do business,” Mr Gay said.

NHVR chief executive officer Sal Petroccitto said the regulator had co-designed the notice following detailed consultation with state and local government representatives.

“These vehicles are delivering safer transport while a higher degree of access certainty will improve efficiency and improve productivity for operators,” she said.

A PBS vehicle approval will continue to be required according to the regulator.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au. 

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au