The new NVHR rules come into effect today although changes are likely to take months
The impact of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which comes into effect today, remains to be seen in the bus industry as work continues with implementation over the next year.
The new rule book will be overseen by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), which opened for business just over one year ago.
The NHVR was initially managing the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) and Performance-Based Standards (PBS) design and vehicle approvals.
The HVNL aims to streamline heavy vehicle legislation and will be in effect in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australia Capital Territory.
Bus Industry Confederation Executive Director Michael Apps says while it is significant most of the country is working towards one set of rules, the changes are not likely to have immediate impacts.
He says there are still a variety of rules which need to come into alignment and be put into practice.
“We’ve been working for the Bus Industry Task Force for the last 18 months to get as much aligned as we can and the next 12 months is where action will take place,” he says.
“There’s still some tweaking to do.”
NVHR Chief Executive Officer Richard Hancock says the commencement of the HVNL national rule book has effectively replaced up to six different sets of legislation.
“This is a significant step in our evolution as a one-stop-shop for heavy vehicle road transport business with government,” says Hancock.
“With one rule book under one regulator, we can now offer a much broader range of services previously delivered by state road authorities and the ACT Government.”
Hancock says the NHVR had been working closely with state and territory road transport authorities, local government and police agencies to support them with their preparations for the new national law.
“It has taken a national effort to bring the national rule book together and I sincerely thank our partners for their commitment to achieving this important step towards the vision of a single, national regulatory system for Australia’s heavy vehicle industry.”