Ministers agree to longer, heavier trucks
Australia’s transport ministers have agreed to National Transport Commission recommendations for longer and heavier trucks, subject to safety assurancesMinisters discussed the recommendations when they met on Friday, June 7. The meeting communiqué is now out.
“Ministers agreed to recommendations providing access for heavy vehicles that are slightly longer and heavier, subject to adequate safety assurances,” the communiqué said.
“Ministers also requested the NTC undertake a review of the adequacy of licensing and accreditation arrangements for heavy vehicle drivers, and report back to the next meeting of ITMM,” it said.
In its second consultation statement on changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law, the NTC considered options for:
• Increasing general mass limits by up to five per cent, effectively replacing concessional mass limits
• Increasing the length of 19 metre vehicles to 20 metres.
The Heavy Vehicle National Law applies across Australia except in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Any increases to truck mass and length would take effect at some time in the future.
Read the ATA submission on the consultation statement.
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