Attention Drivers and Operators: What you need to know about getting a Special Driving Permit

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Whether you need to know what getting a Special Purpose Vehicle permit entails, finding out if you need a B-Double permit or need to figure out if you require a Performance-Based Standards vehicle permit, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s website can provide all the information you need.

All the requirements for all 3 types of special permits can be found in a gazette notice relating to the permit, according to the NHVR website.

Operators should keep in mind that the quickest and most hassle-free way to submit an application is online or via fax only once. The NHVR warns that duplication of submissions will slow down the process. See more at https://www.nhvr.gov.au 

Here is some of the basic information pertaining to the 3 types of driving permits that most operators requiring a special permit want to know.

1. Special Purpose Vehicle Permit

If your vehicle does not comply with mass, dimension or operating requirements, you must apply for a class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator sets out the following information for those applying for a SPV permit:

  • for travel within Qld/NSW/Vic/ACT/SA—apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority. Note: If your SPV travels through Queensland, you may be required to register as an Approved Heavy Vehicle Haulage Operator (AHHO) and obtain an Authority to Operate (ATO). For more information you will need to contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads. For movement within New South Wales only, you will need to apply directly to Roads and Maritime Services for state-controlled roads and to individual councils for access to local government roads.

  • for travel within Tasmania—apply directly to the NHVR by submitting an Special Purpose Vehicle permit application form (PDF, 580KB)

  • for cross-border travel—apply directly to the NHVR by submitting an Special Purpose Vehicle permit application form (PDF, 580KB). Note: The NHVR processes all cross-border applications except for travel within the Northern Territory and Western Australia. For these jurisdictions, apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority.

Source: https://www.nhvr.gov.au 

The notice on NHVR.gov.au goes on to provide operators with a useful checklist that can be used to ensure that everything is in order when applying for the SPV permit including information on what must be included in your application.

2. B-Double Permit

The regulator says on its website that a B-double permit is required for travel on a road outside of the approved B-double network. It also notes that all class 2 B-double permit applications with be processed by the NHVR except for travel within the Northern Territory and Western Australia. For these jurisdictions, operators should apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority.

The NHVR website informs operators that:

If any part of your journey is not on an approved B-double route, you will need to submit a B-double permit application form (PDF, 490KB) with the NHVR. Note: In the process of seeking consent from the road manager, the NHVR will request the road manager to consider the route to be included as a route approved under the gazette notice.

If you are operating a B-double that does not meet the prescribed mass or dimension limits within the National class 2 heavy vehicle b-double authorisation (notice) 2014 (no. 2) (PDF, 670KB), you may need to submit a Class 3 (Miscellaneous) permit application if the requested journey is not an approved class 3 route.

Source: https://www.nhvr.gov.au

The regulator also notes that operators should check that their vehicle is compliant in terms of schedules and conditions in the gazette notice.

The checklist included for B-Double permit applications includes information about incomplete applications, details needed for the application, vehicle details, route and area details as well as the route assessment fee.

This application is also submitted quickly via the online process and the payment can be made via cheque or credit card.

See more at: https://www.nhvr.gov.au

3. Performance-Based Standards vehicle permit

Figuring out if you require a Performance-Based Standards vehicle permit is also made easy by the NHVR website. This type of vehicle permit is needed for all travel on the PBS network or on a route that is outside of the network for that level of vehicle, according to the NHVR. The NHVR’s Journey Planner will help you to determine different levels of access to the PBS network.

Similarly to the other types of permits, applications for travel within the Northern Territory and Western Australia needs to be processed in those jurisdictions by the relevant state or territory road transport authority because these states have not adopted the NHVR as their main transport authority.

The NHVR said on its website:

Operators must hold PBS Vehicle Approval before the NHVR can commence the process for seeking access for the PBS vehicle. For operators that have a PBS Design Approval, you can submit the PBS permit application form to obtain a PBS Final Approval and an access permit at the same time.   

Source: https://www.nhvr.gov.au 

The NHVR includes more information as well as the checklist of things you need to know and what to include with your application on its website and can be accessed at https://www.nhvr.gov.au