NHVR regulatory enforcement and law reforms

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has initiated targeted enforcement and updated guidance regarding heavy vehicle compliance and law reforms.

In October 2026, the NHVR announced ‘Operation Melbourne Market’, a compliance blitz at the Melbourne Market in Epping to address high rates of non-compliance. The operation specifically targets loading and mass-related offences, which previously accounted for 90 per cent of breaches at the site. To support this enforcement, the NHVR scheduled an information hub to consult with drivers and operators regarding their obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Concurrently, the NHVR has released new guidance materials, including factsheets and FAQs, to assist operators with recent reforms to the Heavy Vehicle National Law. These reforms include changes to the maximum allowable length for certain vehicle combinations and the transition to the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme. The regulator is also managing the shift for operators moving from existing fatigue management accreditations to the new Alternative Compliance Accreditation – Fatigue (ACA-Fatigue).