The Australian Trucking Association and Truck Industry Council’s campaign to change the ADR has been successful, with changes coming into effect.

From Thursday, October 31, the maximum spacing for twin steer axles on heavy vehicle has increased from 2.0 metres to 2.5 metres.

ATA CEO Mathew Munro says the new 2.5 metre spacing was needed to fit the larger mufflers required for Euro VI trucks.

“I’d like to thank Minister Catherine King, her department, the NTC and NHVR for taking up the technical concerns we raised and finding a workable solution that meets the industry’s needs,” he says.

The design rule amendment is just one of the changes needed to increase the spacing between twin steer axles.

The NTC’s executive leader of regulatory reform Aaron de Rozario told delegates at the TMC 24, that the exposure drafts of the HVNL amendment bill and regulations include the parallel amendments that were also needed to change the axle spacing limit.

de Rozario says the NHVR was developing a Notice, and if necessary supporting permits, as an interim solution until the HVNL amendments come into force.

The ATA and the Truck Industry Council campaigned for the package of changes to support the rollout of ADR 80/04, which mandates Euro VI Stage C or the equivalent US/Japanese emission standards.