UsingRoads

FAQ

HVO Updates 

HVO Updates provide you with important information about temporary or permanent changes to the road network that Main Roads is aware of, 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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  1. What does VSR stand for?  
  2. Where can I obtain a copy of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 and the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002?
  3. What is a permit? 
  4. When do I need a permit?
  5. Where are Notices published?
  6. What is a permit network?
  7. What happens if the road I want to use is not on the network?
  8. Whose road is that? 
  9. Where can I pay for my permit?
  10. Can I get a permit while I obtain accreditation?
  11. Are permits transferable between vehicles and operators?
  12. Can I pay my renewal over the phone?
  13. Do Federal plated B-doubles require a permit to operate in WA?
  14. Do I need a permit for towed agricultural equipment?
  15. What is a divisible/indivisible load?
  16. What are Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles?
  17. Do I need to use the Class 2/3 RAV Period Permit disc?
  18. How can I get my truck weighed?
  19. What are the signage requirements for Restricted Access Vehicles?
  20. Can I pay my driver's licence here?
  21. Can I licence my truck here?
  22. What licence do I need to drive a truck?
  23. What axle masses can I get?
  24. At what height do I need a Western Power/telecommunications permit?
  25. What are the requirements for railway crossing approval?
  26. I want to construct or modify a vehicle, who do I contact?
  27. When do I need a pilot or Police escort?
  28. How do I become an accredited pilot?
  29. How do I get a job at Main Roads?
  30. Is there an exemption for non-WA accredited pilots?
  31. Where can get access to the locations of bridges and other structures?
  32. Where are the turning templates/swept paths on your website?
  33. Where can we buy national log books from?
  34. Where can I obtain a distance book and load restraint guide?
  35. How can I contact the HVO Help Desk team?

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1. What does VSR stand for?

Vehicle Standards Regulations.

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2. Where can I obtain a copy of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 and the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002?

They are available from the State Law Publisher's website.

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3. What is a permit?

Permits are required to operate 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.

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4. When do I need a permit?

A permit is required when a load exceeds the following dimensions and weight:

  • 2.5 metres wide
  • 4.3 metres high
  • 19 metres long
  • 42.5 tonne gross combination mass

A permit is also required when towing more than one trailer. 

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5. Where are Notices published?

Notices are published in the Government Gazette, which are available from the State Law Publisher website.

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6. What is a permit network?

Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) are vehicles that are restricted to certain parts of the road network.

These networks are developed in conjunction with Local Government to balance the requirements of industry with community expectations, road safety and preservation of the road asset.

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7. What happens if  the road I want to use is not on the network?

You need to obtain the relevant Local Government approval to operate on the required road. This approval must be submitted to HVO with a written request to add the road to the network. 

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8. Whose road is that? (Main Roads or Local Government)

Main Roads has jurisdiction over all main roads (main roads, highways and freeways). To clarify which roads are Main Roads responsibility please call 138 138.

Local Government has responsibility for all other roads (local roads and residential streets).

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9. Where can I pay for my permit?

You can pay for your permits by VISA, Mastercard, cash or cheque at any Main Roads' office or Police station. 

Click here for permit application forms.

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10. Can I get a permit while I obtain accreditation?

Yes, however, you must become accredited within three months.  

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11. Are permits transferable between vehicles and operators?

No.

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12. Can I pay my renewal over the phone? 

No. A permit renewal must be made in writing with appropriate payment details.

If paying in person - the written renewal together with cash, cheque, VISA or Mastercard will be accepted. 

If sent by mail - the renewal must have either an accompanying cheque or Visa or Mastercard details for the transaction.

If by e-mail or fax - the written renewal must be accompanied with Visa or Mastercard details for the transaction.

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13. Do Federal plated B-doubles require a permit to operate in WA?

No and neither is WA Heavy Vehicle Accrediation required. These vehicles must operate on Network 2, however, if the vehicle combination is over 26 metres in length then a Class 2/3 RAV Period Permit and WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation is required.

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14. Do I need a permit for agricultural equipment? 

This depends on the type of agricultural equipment or implements to be transported. Please click here for more information. 

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15. What is a divisible/indivisible load?

An indivisible load is an item that cannot be divided without extreme effort, expense or risk of damage, ie. machinery. A divisible load is something that can be divided easily to comply with the VSR dimension and mass limits, ie. wool, hay and straw.  

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16. What are Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles?

Refer to the Truck Owner page.

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17. Do I need to use the Class 2/3 RAV Period Permit disc?

Yes. You need to look at vehicle categories 2 and 3 to determine which vehicle combination you are operating. The vehicle combination will have a corresponding network and the road tables for that network must be carried in the vehicle with the Class 2/3 RAV Period Permit and the operating conditions. These can be found on the CD-ROM also. It is acceptable to use the CD-ROM in your lap top rather than printing the road tables and operating conditions, provided you can demonstrate proficiency in navigating through the disc. 

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18. How can I get my truck weighed?

Refer to Compliance and Enforcement FAQs page. 

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19. What are the signage requirements for Restricted Access Vehicles?
  • Vehicle combinations between 19 and 22 metres in length do not require signage.
  • Vehicle combinations between 22 and 30 metres in length require a LONG VEHICLE sign.
  • Vehicle combinations over 30 metres in length require a ROAD TRAIN sign at the front and rear. 
  • Oversize loads must display OVERSIZE signs as per the operating conditions.

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20. Can I pay my driver's licence at Main Roads?

No. Please contact licensing services at the Department of Transport (DoT) via its website or on 13 11 56.

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21. Can I licence my vehicle at Main Roads?

No. Please contact licensing services at the Department of Transport (DoT) via its website or on 13 11 56. 

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22. What licence do I need to drive a truck?

Please contact licensing services at the Department of Transport (DoT) via its website or on 13 11 56. 

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23. What axle mases can I get?

VSR axle masses are as follows:

  • single steer - six tonnes
  • twin steer (non load share suspension) - 10 tonnes
  • twin steer (load share suspension) - 11 tonnes
  • tandem axle groups - 16.5 tonnes
  • tri-axle groups - 20 tonnes

These axle weights can be exceeded with an appropriate permit (Concessional Loading Scheme or Class 1 Overmass Period Permit).  

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24. At what height do I need a Western Power/telecommunications permit?

Western Power approval must be obtained once the load exceeds 4.3 metres in height (from the ground up). Other authorities must be contacted as per the conditions on page 22 of the Class 1 Oversize Period Permit operating conditions.  

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25. What are the requirements for railway crossing approval?

Please refer to page 22 of the Class 1 Oversize Period Permit operating conditions.

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26. I want to construct or modify a vehicle, who do I contact?

Please contact licensing services at Department for Planning and Infrastructure via website or on 13 11 56. 

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27. When do I need a pilot or Police escort?

If operating under a Class 1 Oversize Period Permit, refer to pages 24 and 25 of the operating conditions.

Police Escorts and additional pilot requirements are needed when the load exceeds 5.5 metres wide and 30 metres long. A single trip permit needs to be applied for and will be assessed on an individual basis. 

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28. How do I become an accredited pilot?

Go to the pilot's page on our website

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29. How do I get a job at Main Roads?

Visit our vacancies page

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30. Is there an exemption for non-WA accredited pilots?

It is Main Roads' policy to assist Interstate pilots in becoming a WA Accredited Pilot, where possible. To do this, Main Roads will grant a one-off exemption for Victorian Certified Pilots and Queensland Level 2 Accredited Pilots to escort a single load into WA on the understanding that they will undertake a WA Accredited Pilot course while they are here in WA.

To obtain such an exemption, a pilot must supply the following information:

  • a fax or photocopy of their Victorian pilot authority card or their Queensland pilot licence card;
  • a fax or photocopy of their driver's licence; and
  • written confirmation that they are booked in a course with an approved training provider.

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31. Where can I get access to the locations of bridges and other structures?

Go to our structures page and click on "Standards", then click on "Structures Engineering" and lastly, click on "Asset Management".

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32. Where are the turning templates/swept paths on your website?

Go to our standards page

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33. Where can I buy a national log book?

National log books are currently being phased out and will be replaced with Work Diaries from 29 September 2008. They are available from:

  • Welshpool Licencing Centre: 21 Murray Road South; and
  • Kalgoorlie Licencing Centre: 35 Brookman Street.

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34. Where can I obtain a distance book or load restraint guide?

Alternately, you can purchase a copy of either publication by contacting HVO by phone on 9311 8450 or coming in person to our office, 70 Pilbara Street, Welshpool.

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35. How can I contact the HVO Help Desk team?