Heavy Vehicle Safety Stations (HVSS)

Heavy Vehicle Safety Stations are part of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) heavy vehicle compliance program, which include mobile enforcement and the Safe-T-Cam network across New South Wales.

The NHVR uses HVSS to intercept and inspect heavy vehicles which may be operating illegally or in an unsafe manner on NSW roads and which therefore pose significant risk to road users, the road infrastructure and the environment.

There are nine HVSS located at:

  • Mt Boyce (Great Western Highway)
  • Mt White (northbound and southbound on the M1 Motorway)
  • Marulan (northbound and southbound on the Hume Highway)
  • Twelve Mile Creek (Pacific Highway)
  • Chinderah (Pacific Highway)
  • Pine Creek (Pacific Highway)
  • Halfway Creek (Pacific Highway)
  • Bell (Bells Line of Road)
  • Kankool (New England Highway).

All heavy vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) greater than eight tonnes are required to enter a HVSS (except Bell, Chinderah, Pine Creek and Halfway Creek - 4.5 tonnes). These vehicles must enter a HVSS to ensure the vehicle meets safety and roadworthiness standards and that their drivers are complying with road transport laws.

Failing to enter a HVSS when directed and/or disobeying a 'Trucks must enter' sign may result in a fine.

HVSS by location, type and description

 

Location and highway

Type

Description

Mount Boyce, Great Western Highway

Automated

  • 114km west of Sydney, 2km west of Blackheath, 5km from Victoria Pass
  • Features separate screening lanes for east and westbound vehicles, however westbound vehicles must cross the eastbound lane to enter the Safety Station
  • Inspects vehicles over 8 tonne GVM.

Mount White, M1 Motorway

Automated

56km north of Sydney, 20km south of Gosford

Has separate safety stations for north and south bound traffic

Intercepts vehicles over 8 tonne GVM.

Marulan, Hume Highway

Automated

161km southwest of Sydney, 28km north of Goulburn

Has separate safety stations for north and sound bound traffic

Intercepts vehicles over 8 tonne GVM.

Twelve Mile Creek, Pacific Highway

Automated

183km north of Sydney, 20km north of Raymond Terrace

Southbound traffic only

Intercepts vehicles over 8 tonne GVM.

Chinderah, Pacific Highway

Manual

821km north of Sydney, 11km south of Queensland border

Southbound traffic only

Intercepts vehicles over 4.5 tonne GVM.

Pine Creek, Pacific Highway

Manual

530km north of Sydney, 10km south of Coffs Harbour, 320km south of Queensland border

Northbound traffic only

Intercepts vehicles over 4.5 tonne GVM.

Halfway Creek, Pacific Highway

Manual

580 km north of Sydney, 32 km south of Grafton, 238 km south of Queensland border

Southbound traffic only

Intercepts vehicles over 4.5 tonne GVM.

Bell, Bell's Line of Road

Manual

123km west of Sydney, 20km east of Lithgow

Westbound traffic must cross the eastbound lane to enter the Safety Station

Intercepts vehicles over 4.5 tonne GVM.

Kankool, New England Highway

Manual

335km northwest of Sydney, 85km south of Tamworth

Southbound traffic must cross the northbound lane to enter the safety station

Intercepts vehicles over 8 tonne GVM.

Benefits

The benefits of using HVSS include:

  • Effective monitoring of heavy vehicle traffic for fatigue management which includes a detailed National Written Work Diary check.
  • Checking for valid registration and driver licences.
  • Checking for outstanding defects.
  • Checking for permit compliance.
  • Checking for overloading of vehicles.
  • Checking to ensure relevant load restraint guidelines have been followed.
  • Performing detailed mechanical inspections including, brakes, steering and suspension inspections.

Technology

HVSS are equipped with various types of electronic technology such as Safe-T-Cam, TruckScan and weigh-plates technology.

Safe-T-Cam detects and provides data on heavy vehicle incidents relating to:

  • driver fatigue
  • registration
  • fail to enter HVSS.

At automated HVSS, a number of checks are carried out as a heavy vehicle passes through the screening lane. If a vehicle is detected exceeding mass or dimension limits or is suspected of breaching fatigue laws, the driver may be directed to proceed to the HVSS for a compliance check.

Complying vehicles may be directed to return to the highway without stopping for a compliance check. Safe-T-Cam technology can also be used to detect vehicles that fail to enter the HVSS when directed.

HVSS use risk-based screening templates which are aimed at progressively targeting and intercepting more potentially severe offences as the station becomes busier. In this way, the NHVR targets higher safety risks so that enforcement resources are used more effectively.

Frequently asked questions

What are HVSS?

HVSS are permanent NHVR facilities, located along major transport routes.

Heavy vehicles over 8 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) or Gross Combination Mass (GCM) and 4.5 tonne GVM or GCM for Chinderah and Pine Creek, may be stopped and inspected to see that they meet safety and roadworthiness standards and that their drivers are complying with road transport laws.

Why do we have HVSS?

The NHVR uses HVSS to ensure drivers and heavy vehicles are operating legally and in a safe manner on NSW roads. Drivers and vehicles that do not comply provide a significant risk to other road users, the road infrastructure and the environment.

Regulation of vehicles is crucial in preventing road crashes. By checking that truck loads are within legal dimension and mass limits, damage to NSW roads and bridges is minimised. Drivers work diaries are checked to ensure they are complying with fatigue and speed legislation.

HVSS are part of the NHVR on-road enforcement program. The program also includes a mix of targeted and random roadside and mobile enforcement which is supported by information gathered by our Safe-T-Cam network.

How are vehicles selected for inspection at HVSS?

The process for selecting vehicles for inspection depends on the type of Safety Station.

What are automated HVSS?

The NHVR has equipped its busiest HVSS with automated screening lanes.

Automated screening lanes use Weigh in Motion, Safe- T-Cam and Truckscan technology to perform the checks including:

  • gross mass
  • axle mass
  • vehicle height
  • speed
  • tailgating
  • registration status
  • defect status
  • valid vehicle configuration for road type
  • Safe-T-Cam sightings for driver fatigue
  • non-compliance history.

If an anomaly is detected during the automated screening process, that vehicle may be directed into the station to undergo a more detailed series of compliance checks with specific attention to the issues identified during screening.

Vehicles which are not selected for further inspection are directed to return to the highway without delay.

What are manual [non-automated] HVSS?

At safety stations where automated screening is not available, NHVR officers may select a vehicle for inspection based on a preliminary visual check, as part of a targeted operation, or by random selection.

Once the vehicle has been manually selected for inspection, Truckscan software is used to conduct more detailed checks including:

  • registration status
  • defect status
  • valid vehicle configuration for road type
  • Safe-T-Cam sightings for driver fatigue
  • Driver Licence and work diary.

Do HVSS have set operating hours?

HVSS operating hours and staffing levels vary to match road traffic flow patterns.

At peak times, including weekends and public holidays, HVSS may operate 24 hours a day.

At automated HVSS, screening lanes are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except in periods of maintenance).

Why has my vehicle been selected for a heavy vehicle compliance check?

The NHVR uses a risk based approach to select vehicles for inspection.

At automated safety stations with a screening lane, high risk vehicles with poor compliance history may be targeted and directed to the weighbridge for compliance checks.

Occasionally, vehicles with a good compliance history may also be directed to enter a HVSS.

How do I know if I have to enter a HVSS?

The vehicle GVM or GCM is used to determine whether a vehicle may be required to enter a safety station. The GVM and/or GCM requirements for each safety station are provided in the table above.

Signs along a highway notify drivers that they are approaching a HVSS.

As the driver gets closer to the HVSS, signs indicate which lane the heavy vehicle needs to be in to access the safety station.

If a compliance check is required, the driver will be signalled, via an arrow or equivalent direction sign, to divert to the safety station for a detailed compliance check.

What do I do if I am directed to enter a HVSS?

If directed to enter a HVSS, drivers should pay close attention to the road conditions and signage. The approach and entrance route is different for each safety station. Drivers should pay particular attention to signage to ensure they are in the correct lane to access the safety station.

Where there is only one safety station servicing both directions of traffic, (eg. Mount Boyce, Bell and Kankool) heavy vehicle drivers may be directed to cross the highway, via a designated lane, to access the safety station.

When travelling in the screening lane, drivers must maintain a safe speed and distance from the vehicle ahead of them.

Tailgating vehicles will be automatically diverted into the Safety Station.

When directed to enter the safety station, a road sign or an NHVR staff member will direct the driver when they can enter the weighbridge area.

What should I do if I am unsure whether I have been directed to enter a HVSS?

If a driver is unsure whether they have been directed to enter the safety station, they are advised to enter the safety station. Safety station cameras record the details of any heavy vehicle that fails to obey a direction to divert to the inspection station.

Drivers must obey signs and directions and can incur significant financial penalties for non-compliance.

Drivers who have missed entering the safety station should not reverse on the highway and attempt to re- enter the safety station. Reversing the vehicle along the highway poses an extreme safety risk to the heavy vehicle driver and other road users.

What happens during a heavy vehicle compliance check?

Drivers will be directed to where they should stop their vehicle. In most instances, the driver will be directed to the weighbridge.

It is important that the driver co-operates fully with NHVR Officers and follows all instructions, as this will reduce the time required for the inspection process.

NHVR Officers will ask the driver to produce their driver's licence and any necessary documents such as work diaries and vehicle operating permits.

The vehicle will be visually inspected and may be directed for a detailed roadworthiness test, including brake and suspension tests.

Normally, drivers will be asked to stay in the vehicle's cab as an NHVR Officer examines the vehicle. During a vehicle compliance check, NHVR Officers may check any or all of the following:

  • Vehicle Registration
  • Driver Licence
  • Work Diary
  • Permits or Notices
  • Outstanding Defect Notices
  • Noise and Emissions
  • Vehicle mass
  • Load restraint
  • Dimensions
  • Roadworthiness- including brakes, steering and suspension.

What documents do I need for a HVSS compliance check?

Drivers must ensure that they are carrying appropriate documentation, including: relevant permits, work diaries, driver licence and any other paperwork (eg Container Weight Declaration).

What happens if my vehicle fails an NHVR compliance check?

An NHVR Officer will discuss any vehicle defects or breaches with the driver, and may issue notices or directions, depending on the nature of the problem.

If vehicle defects are found, a defect notice will be issued. Other offences can result in the issue of a Penalty Notice. If a vehicle is found to have serious breaches of road transport laws, both the owner and driver of the vehicle may be prosecuted.

If the vehicle exceeds mass (weight) limits, a weight breach report will be issued. Depending on how much the weight limits have been exceeded, the driver may be given a written direction to adjust the load or issued with a weight infringement notice penalty (fine), or a summons to appear in court may be posted to the registered operator of the vehicle.

For serious offences, a driver may be directed to adjust the load, take an appropriate rest break or be required to make other arrangements for the continuation of their journey.

What happens if I don't enter a HVSS when I am directed to?

It is a serious offence to fail to enter a HVSS when directed to do so and may result in a fine.

Safe-T-Cam cameras on gantries along the highway record the details of vehicles that fail to enter heavy vehicle screening lanes. Avoidance cameras in the screening lanes record vehicles that do not obey directions to divert to a HVSS.

If a vehicle fails to enter the screening lane or stop as directed, the vehicle's registration number is recorded and a letter is issued to the registered owner requesting the driver's details, vehicle movement records if applicable, and/or a written explanation in relation to the matter.

Responses are considered by the NHVR and a decision made as to what action should be taken.

Can I get an exemption from HVSS?

Only emergency vehicles en route to an emergency or vehicles with special compliance conditions approved by the NHVR are exempt from the requirement to enter a HVSS.