Rod Chapman•15 Dec 2017

NEWS

FAQ: Updated HVNL penalties

The NHVR has just updated its schedule of Heavy Vehicle National Law infringements and penalties; here's a snapshot of some of the more common ones…

The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) applies to heavy vehicles with a GVM of over 4500kg and is in place in states and territories except Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, the HVNL is enforced by police and transport officers with a regime of penalties that span infringements, licence demerit points and court-imposed penalties, depending on the severity of the offence.

With the schedule of HVNL penalties listed over 54 pages, how well do you know your infringements and their related consequences? The fines listed below show the indexed amounts that apply for 2017/2018.

Here we've listed some of the more common ones, and what a driver or operator can expect to receive if they're caught breaking the rules…

Driving a heavy vehicle that is unregistered or whose registration is suspended

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Infringement penalty: $1079

Illegally modifying a heavy vehicle

Max court-imposed penalty: $3240

Infringement penalty: $324

Tampering with an emissions control system

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Tampering with a speed limiter fitted to a heavy vehicle

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Exceeding mass requirements

Minor

Max court-imposed penalty: $4310

Infringement penalty: $431

Substantial

Max court-imposed penalty: $6480

Infringement penalty: $648

Severe

Court-imposed penalty: $10,790 (with an additional $500 for every additional 1% over a 120% overload, up to a maximum of $20,000)

Contravening a mass or dimension exemption generally

Max court-imposed penalty: $6480

Infringement penalty: $648

Pilot vehicle warning signs displayed on pilot vehicle unless being used for a heavy vehicle under a dimension exemption

Max court-imposed penalty: $3240

Infringement penalty: $324

False or misleading transport documentation for goods

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Duty to ensure driver's schedule will not cause driver to exceed speed limit

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Liability of employer for speeding offences

Exceed speed limit (90km/h or under) by less than 15km/h

Max court-imposed penalty: $3240

Infringement penalty: $324

Exceed speed limit (70-90km/h) by 15km/h or more

Max court-imposed penalty: $5400

Infringement penalty: $540

Exceed 100km/h speed limit by 15km/h or more

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Duty of driver to avoid driving a heavy vehicle while fatigued

Max court-imposed penalty: $6480 and 3 demerit points

Duty of party in chain of responsibility to prevent driver driving while fatigued

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Solo driver on standard hours exceeds maximum work hours

Minor

Max court-imposed penalty: $4310

Infringement penalty: $431

Substantial

Max court-imposed penalty: $6480

Infringement penalty: $648

Severe

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790 and 3 demerit points

Critical

Max court-imposed penalty: $16,190 and 4 demerit points

Driver of fatigue-related heavy vehicle isn't carrying his or her work diary

Max court-imposed penalty: $6480

Infringement penalty: $648

False or misleading work record entries

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

Ignoring direction to stop or move heavy vehicle by enforcement officers (and without any reasonable excuse)

Max court-imposed penalty: $6480

Infringement penalty: $648

Obstructing or impersonating an authorised officer

Max court-imposed penalty: $10,790

To read the full 54-page schedule of penalties click here.

FAQ: Updated HVNL penalties

Tags