Is Your Fleet Ready for Compliance in Victoria?
Operating a heavy vehicle in Victoria comes with a set of legal responsibilities under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). Are you confident your drivers are adhering to fatigue management rules? Are your vehicles meeting the required mass, dimension, and loading standards? Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to significant fines, operational disruptions, and safety risks.
This guide provides an overview of HVNL compliance in Victoria, covering key legal requirements, potential risks, and practical solutions to help you keep your fleet safe and compliant.
Key Compliance Areas Under HVNL in Victoria
1. Fatigue Management: Are Your Drivers Keeping Within Legal Limits?
Driver fatigue is a leading cause of heavy vehicle accidents, which is why strict work and rest hour regulations exist under the HVNL.
Standard Work Hours: Drivers can work a maximum of 12 hours in any 24-hour period, requiring a continuous 7-hour rest break before resuming work. Work time includes not only driving but also loading, unloading, and vehicle maintenance.
How to Stay Compliant:
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Ensure drivers stick to regulated schedules.
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Implement Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) to automatically track compliance.
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Provide fatigue management training to reinforce best practices.
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Cross-check work diaries against job records to prevent breaches.
Quallogi’s NHVR-approved EWD eliminates paperwork, provides real-time alerts, and ensures compliance for drivers and fleet operators.
2. Mass, Dimension & Loading: Are You Managing Load Limits Correctly?
Overloaded or improperly loaded vehicles increase safety risks and can result in hefty fines. The HVNL enforces strict limits on vehicle mass, dimensions, and load restraint to protect road users and infrastructure.
Key Rules:
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A 2-axle rigid truck can operate up to 16.5 tonnes, while a 3-axle truck is capped at 20 tonnes.
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Higher mass limits may apply for NHVR-accredited operators.
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Loads must be secured using approved load restraint methods to prevent movement during transport.
How to Stay Compliant:
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Verify load distribution and weight limits before trips.
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Enrol in NHVR’s mass management accreditation schemes to access higher mass allowances.
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Train drivers on proper load securing techniques.
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Use onboard mass measurement systems to ensure legal compliance.
Quallogi’s real-time tracking assists operators in monitoring mass limits and compliance, reducing overloading risks and ensuring road safety.
3. Vehicle Standards: Are Your Trucks Roadworthy?
Heavy vehicles must meet stringent safety and roadworthiness standards covering brakes, tyres, lighting, emissions, and modifications. Non-compliance can lead to vehicle defect notices, fines, and unplanned downtime.
Common Compliance Issues:
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Braking system defects leading to unsafe driving conditions.
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Speed limiter malfunctions causing breaches.
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Non-compliant vehicle modifications voiding registration.
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Failure to maintain roadworthiness, increasing the risk of enforcement actions.
How to Stay Compliant:
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Conduct regular pre-start vehicle checks before hitting the road.
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Schedule preventative maintenance to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
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Maintain detailed vehicle inspection records to streamline audits.
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Use fleet management software to track maintenance schedules.
4. Chain of Responsibility (CoR): Who is Accountable?
Under Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws, compliance responsibility extends beyond drivers—it also applies to fleet managers, dispatchers, consignors, and loaders.
Potential Liability Areas:
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Pressuring drivers to exceed work hour limits.
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Allowing vehicles to operate with excessive loads.
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Failing to conduct adequate vehicle maintenance.
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Lack of compliance training for transport personnel.
How to Stay Compliant:
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Educate all team members on their CoR obligations.
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Implement compliance tracking systems to monitor performance.
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Develop documented policies and risk assessments.
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Conduct periodic safety audits to maintain compliance.
The Cost of Non-Compliance: Can You Afford the Risk?
Ignoring compliance requirements isn’t just risky—it’s expensive. The Heavy Vehicle National Law Application (Infringements) Regulations 2023 outlines penalties for breaches, including:
Example Fines:
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Minor vehicle defect notice: $758.
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Failure to carry required accreditation details: $377.
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Not keeping journey documentation for 28 days: $758.
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Minor risk breach of mass requirements: $502.
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Critical breaches of fatigue laws: Up to $12,600 for individuals and $63,000 for corporations.
With these significant financial risks, ensuring compliance is essential for any transport business.
How to Streamline Compliance in Victoria
Navigating heavy vehicle compliance can be complex, but smart technology solutions can make it easier.
Key Strategies for Compliance:
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Automate fatigue management with Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs).
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Use fleet telematics to track vehicle mass, location, and maintenance schedules.
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Implement digital document storage to maintain records for audits.
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Provide regular compliance training to staff and drivers.
By integrating these solutions, fleet operators can reduce risk, improve safety, and maintain compliance with Victorian regulations.
Need an all-in-one compliance solution? Quallogi’s NHVR-approved EWD, Q-Safe for safety management, and Q-Start for pre-start checks help ensure your fleet operates safely and within legal limits.
Stay compliant. Stay ahead.