Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2024

In these regulations –

Act means the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999;

ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories)means the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule – Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005 made under the MVSA;

aggregate axle load, in relation to a vehicle or combination, means the sum of the axle loads of all the axles of the vehicle or combination;

axle group means a single axle group, tandem axle group, twinsteer axle group, tri-axle group or quad-axle group;

axle load, in relation to a vehicle, means the sum of the wheel loads in respect of all the wheels on an axle or axle group of that vehicle;

centre line means – in respect of an axle – if the axle consists of one shaft, a line parallel to the length of the axle and passing through the centre of the axle; or if the axle consists of 2 shafts, a line in the vertical plane passing through – the centre of both shafts; and the centres of the wheels on the shafts; in respect of an axle group – if the group consists of 2 axles, one of which is fitted with twice the number of tyres as the other axle, a line located one-third of the way from the centre-line of the axle with more tyres towards the centre-line of the axle with fewer tyres; and in any other case, a line located midway between the centre-lines of the outermost axles of the group;

converter dolly means a light trailer with one axle group or a single axle, and a fifth wheel coupling, designed to convert a semi-trailer into a dog trailer;

dog trailer means a light trailer, including a trailer consisting of a light semi-trailer and converter dolly, with – one axle group or a single axle at the front that is steered by connection to the towing vehicle by a drawbar; and one axle group or a single axle at the rear;

drawbar means a part of a trailer, other than a semi-trailer, connecting the trailer body to a coupling for towing purposes;

exemption means exemption from these regulations or the Vehicle Standards by means of a permit or a Gazette notice;

fifth wheel coupling means a device, except the upper rotating element and the kingpin (which are parts of a semi-trailer), used with a prime mover, semi-trailer or converter dolly to allow quick coupling and uncoupling and to provide for articulation;

Gazette notice means a notice made under Division 2 of Part 6;

heavy combination has the same meaning as in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania);

Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania)has the same meaning as in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania) Act 2013;

light combination means a combination that is not a heavy combination within the meaning of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania);

light motor vehicle means a motor vehicle that is a light vehicle;

light semi-trailer means a semi-trailer that is a light trailer;

light trailer means a trailer that is not a heavy trailer within the meaning of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Tasmania);

night means the hours between sunset and sunrise;

permit means a permit issued under Division 3 of Part 6;

pig trailer means a light trailer that – has one axle group or a single axle near the middle of its load-carrying surface; and is connected to a towing vehicle by a drawbar;

point of articulation means – the axis of a kingpin for a fifth wheel; or the vertical axis of rotation of a fifth wheel coupling; or the vertical axis of rotation of a turntable assembly; or the vertical axis of rotation of the front axle group, or single axle, of a dog trailer; or the coupling pivot point of a semi-trailer;

quad-axle group means a group of 4 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is more than 3.2 metres, but is not more than 4.9 metres;

radial ply tyre has the same meaning as in the ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories);

rear overhang, of a vehicle, means the distance between the rear overhang line and the rear of the vehicle, inclusive of any load;

rear overhang line, of a vehicle – see regulation 6;

single axle means an axle not forming part of an axle group;

single axle group means a group of at least 2 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is less than 1 metre;

tandem axle group means a group of at least 2 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is at least one metre, but not more than 2 metres;

tri-axle group means a group of at least 3 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is at least 2 metres but not more than 3.2 metres;

twinsteer axle group means a group of 2 axles – that – are fitted to a motor vehicle; and have single tyres; and are connected to a common steering mechanism; and in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the axles is at least one metre, but not more than 2 metres;

Vehicle Standards has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2024;

warning light means a warning light specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2;

warning sign means a warning sign specified in Part 2 of Schedule 2.