The operation of heavy vehicles is strictly regulated because of their size and potential to be dangerous.
There are many steps involved in operating a heavy vehicle safely and legally in Western Australia.
- Ensure drivers licence is the correct class (LR, MR, HR, HC or MC) (Department of Transport Licensing Services)
- ABN registration to perform business
- Update vehicle registration details with Department of Transport (Department of Transport's Owner-Drivers Guide)
- Know the regulations governing the use of Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs)
- Ensure vehicle ratings are suitable, including but not limited to the following:
- GCM (Gross Combination Mass)
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)
- GTM (Gross Trailer Mass)
- Tyre ratings
- Axle ratings
- Obtain Heavy Vehicle Accreditation
- Apply for a permit with Main Roads.
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What is a Heavy Vehicle?
a vehicle with a GVM exceeding 4.5 tonne;
a combination that includes a vehicle with a GVM exceeding 4.5 tonne; and
a load being carried on a vehicle and or trailer.
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A vehicle is classed as a Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) if that vehicle alone or together with any load, exceeds one or more of the following limits:
- mass limit prescribed in Part 3 of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002; or
- one of the following dimension limits:
- a width of 2.5 metres;
- a height of 4.3 metres;
- a length of 12.5 metres in the case of a motor vehicle that is not part of a combination; or
- a length of 19 metres in the case of a combination;
- any other dimension specified in the:
Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) Classes
The regulation of heavy vehicles is based on the
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002 and the
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 (VSRs).
Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Classes
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All vehicles must abide by regulation mass limits and regulation dimension limits. Vehicles outside these limits must be operated under a valid permit or notice, or in some instances of extra mass, be part of a concessional loading scheme.
To see what the typical regulation mass limits are for some common heavy vehicles, refer to Mass Limits of Typical Heavy Vehicles Poster - April 2011 (1 page PDF 1 MB).
What are permits?
Permits are required to operate Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) in WA and are an instrument issued by the Commissioner of Main Roads Western Australia to grant access to these vehicles to certain parts of the road network under specific operating conditions.
All RAVs require a permit, unless they are exempted under an exemption notice issued by either the Commissioner of Main Roads or the Director General, Transport.
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Vehicle Signage
Long vehicle and road train signs:
HVO Updates provide industry with notification of temporary or permant changes to the road network, such as permit conditions, roadworks, changes in road conditions and emergency detours.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of any changes to the network via HVO Updates.
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As a subscriber, an email is sent to you notifying you of changes to heavy vehicle pages on this website. You can subscribe to this system by using the online registration form.
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