NHVR releases guidance on Heavy Vehicle National Law reforms

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has issued new guidance materials, including FAQs and factsheets, to assist operators in adapting to recent changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

NHVR Director Strategic Policy Paul Daly stated that industry feedback regarding real-world applications is helping to shape the next phase of implementation. Key areas of interest for operators include the increase in maximum length for eligible vehicle combinations, which can now reach up to 20 metres provided they meet specific safety, dimension, and braking requirements.

Additionally, the regulator is addressing the transition to the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme. Operators currently holding Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) or Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) accreditations may continue under their existing conditions until they expire, are cancelled, or the operator chooses to transition to the HVA scheme. New applicants seeking alternative fatigue hours will now utilize the Alternative Compliance Accreditation – Fatigue (ACA-Fatigue).