Heavy Vehicles
Heavy vehicle describes a range of vehicles, including B-doubles, buses, cranes and livestock vehicles. Heavy vehicles are classified as General Access, or Restricted Access Vehicles.
General Access Vehicle
General Access Vehicles (GAV) comply with Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) mass and dimension requirements and have general access to the road network unless the road is sign-posted otherwise.
Restricted Access Vehicle
Restricted Access Vehicles (RAV) exceed GAV mass and dimension requirements and must be provided approval through a notice or permit before they can travel on a road or network.
This chart by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) shows some of the common heavy vehicle combinations used in Australia, including a guide on mass and dimensions. Heavy vehicle Notices describe the specific mass and dimension requirements for each vehicle type.
RAVs include:
| Agricultural vehicles | An agricultural vehicle is considered a RAV if it, together with its load, does not comply with a prescribed mass or dimension requirement. Any agricultural trailer can be considered a RAV e.g. augers, comb trailers and conveyors. You can find information on road access for agricultural vehicles in NSW here. |
| B-doubles | A heavy vehicle consisting of a prime mover towing two semitrailers, with the first semitrailer being attached directly to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling and the second semitrailer being mounted on the rear of the first semitrailer by a fifth wheel coupling on the first semitrailer. A B-double must comply with prescribed mass and dimension requirements. You can find information on road access for B-double vehicles in NSW here. |
| Controlled Access Buses | A bus, other than an articulated bus, that is longer than 12.5m but less than 14.5m, that complies with prescribed mass and dimension requirements. You can find information on buses here. You can find information on road access for Controlled Access Buses in NSW here. |
| Heavy tow trucks | Tow trucks that exceed the mass and/or dimension limits of the Heavy Vehicle National Law require an access permit. You can find information on road access for heavy tow trucks in NSW here. |
| Oversize Overmass (OSOM) Vehicles | A heavy vehicle or combination which alone, or together with its load, exceeds prescribed mass or dimension requirements, and is a heavy vehicle carrying, or designed for the purpose of carrying, a large indivisible item. E.g. a prime mover and extendable trailer or a prime mover and low loader combination. You can find information on road access for OSOM vehicles in NSW here. |
| Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles | PBS vehicles must meet safety and infrastructure standards and are designed to offer higher levels of safety and productivity. You can find information on road access for PBS vehicles in NSW here. |
| Road trains | A heavy vehicle towing two or more trailers (excluding converter dollies supporting a trailer). Road trains must comply with prescribed mass and dimension requirements. You can find information on road access for road trains in NSW here. |
| Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), including mobile cranes | A Special Purpose Vehicle means:
You can find information on road access for mobile cranes in NSW here. |
| Vehicles up to 4.6m high | The height limit for general access vehicles is 4.3 metres, however some vehicles may operate at a height less than 4.6 metres. You can find information on NSW road access for vehicles up to 4.6m high here. |