Heavy vehicle health check

Consultation is underway to assess the health of Australia’s 520,000-strong heavy vehicle fleet. National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto said information had been released to each state and territory to measure the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles later this year.

“For the first time in Australia, we’ll be conducting a national survey of heavy vehicle roadworthiness using trained inspectors to gather consistent safety information,” Petroccitto said.

“Different data is currently compiled by each state and territory, which means that the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles nationally is unclear. It’s a fundamental roadblock to understanding the safety of the fleet and to achieving national consistency.

“The National Roadworthy Baseline Survey is on track to roll out in August and September and we’ll be speaking to the industry and government in the coming months to discuss the impacts.”

The survey will sample approximately 9000 heavy vehicles, including rigid, articulated, B-doubles, road trains, buses and plant equipment.

Inspections will be conducted by authorised officers at roadside check points and in depots throughout Australia. Each vehicle will have a comprehensive visual inspection, expected to take up to 45 minutes.

“For the first time all heavy vehicle inspections will rely on a consistent inspection manual, also due to be adopted nationally in the coming months,” Petroccitto said.

“This health check of the heavy vehicle fleet is an important building block to a nationally consistent inspection system.”