Australia’s National Heavy Vehicle Regulator opens its doors on January 21 however, the full impact of the NHVR will only be felt later in the year when states and territories adopt the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) covering mass, dimension, loading, fatigue, speeding compliance, chain of responsibility and vehicle standards.
In the short term NHVR Chief Executive Officer Richard Hancock said the NHVR will make it easier for industry to do National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) and Performance-Based Standard (PBS) Scheme business from anywhere in Australia.
He said, from January 21 heavy vehicle owners and operators will deal directly with the NHVR for all NHVAS business, rather than their individual state or territory road transport departments.
“We’re introducing a more efficient system that combines the application and payment processes into one easy step,” he said.
“This system will save you time and money because it can reduce the number of steps you go through to obtain or renew NHVAS accreditation.
“There’s no need for an invoicing step because in most cases our system involves just one transaction before your accreditation request is processed.”
Mr Hancock said the NHVR website will enable NHVAS participants to lodge application information at any time of the day or night using new web-based ‘smart forms’.
He said NHVAS participants can still continue to submit applications to the NHVR via mail, fax or email.
“We know how busy operators and third parties are and we understand how important it is to help them conduct their business in a way that fits in with their schedules,” he said.
“Our fast and efficient website means NHVAS participants won’t have to go to a customer service centre.
The NHVR will be contacting all current NHVAS participants to explain the NHVAS changes from 21 January 2013.
The NHVR will also administer the Performance-Based Standard (PBS) Scheme, approving PBS designs and vehicles on advice from the PBS Review Panel.
The NHVR will introduce processing efficiencies for applicants and will be able to provide some help to operators seeking access to the road network for approved designs.
The National Transport Commission’s PBS network classification maps portal will be integrated into the NHVR website.
Looking beyond January 21 Mr Hancock said the full extent of the NHVR will be in place later in 2013 when the states and territories pass the respective bills through their respective parliaments.
“At that time existing permits, notices, exemptions and accreditations will be recognised under the HVNL and this means that you do not have to reapply until they are due to expire,” Mr Hancock said.
Operators will continue to deal with their local road transport authority for heavy vehicle registration including any concession schemes, driver licensing and all matters related to the carriage of dangerous goods.
For more information on the go to the NHVR website (www.nhvr.gov.au) and the NHVR Call Centre will be fully operational from 21 January 2013 and can be contacted on 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487) to answer questions about NHVAS, PBS and the NHVR in general.
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