Roadworthiness reforms inch closer

Ministers at the recent Transport and Infrastructure Council have endorsed reforms put forward by the National Transport Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator in their joint heavy vehicle roadworthiness program.

The reforms have been tabled in a final regulatory impact statement published by the NTC today (November 20).

After setting out four potential options of reform along with a composite option drawing on elements of all four, it was determined that the composite model offers the greatest net benefit and represents an "achievable and practical approach" to implementing heavy vehicle roadworthiness reform.

The regulatory impact statement also deems the composite option to represent the best path forward in terms of cost and regulatory burden versus road safety and productivity outcomes.

As such, the composite option recommends a revision of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual and the provision of guidance from the NHVR on how this should be administered and complied with; the development of a risk-based approach to scheduled inspections (once further data and risk criteria have been assessed); strengthened compliance measures through a primary duty on employers, principal contractors and operators and enforceable undertakings; and provision to allow the inspection of heavy vehicles before the renewal of NHVAS accreditation.

"Enforceable undertakings" refers to the creation of a power for the NHVR to take "specified steps" to improve the management of roadworthiness within a road operator's fleet.

An expansion of the use of formal warnings by authorised officers was also recommended, as was the opportunity for states and territories to initiate a risk-based system of inspections ahead of the roll-out of a national system.

The risk-based system will be developed and implemented by the NHVR after the data for identifying 'higher risk' heavy vehicles has been proven to be robust.

The risk-based inspection framework will be linked to the national heavy vehicle registration system, which is slated to commence on July 1, 2018.

The Chief Executive of the NTC, Paul Retter, said the package of reforms would bring benefits for all road users as well as road transport operators.

"Safety should always be our first concern and helping to reduce the number of poorly maintained trucks on our roads will not only make our roads safer but will also increase fleet productivity," he said in a media statement.

Going forward the NHVR will now lead the implementation of the reforms.

Click here to read the regulatory impact statement.