Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations

INTERSTATE ROAD TRANSPORT REGULATIONS 1986 - REG 12A

         (1)   For the purposes of paragraphs 12B (2) (a) and 13 (1) (aa) of the Act, the maximum permitted gross mass of a vehicle is the gross mass of that vehicle determined by whichever of the following methods produces the least gross mass:

                (a)    the sum of the gross masses permitted by regulation 12B to be carried on each of the axle groups of the vehicle;

               (b)    the manufacturer's rating;

                (c)    in respect of:

                          (i)    a rigid motor vehicle; or

                         (ii)    an articulated vehicle that includes a motor vehicle; or

                         (iii)    a B‑double;

                        that has an overall axle spacing within the limits specified in column 2 in an item in Schedule 3 -- the maximum permitted gross mass specified in column 3 in that item in that Schedule.

         (2)   In spite of subregulation (1):

                (a)    the gross combination mass of a vehicle comprising:

                          (i)    a trailer or trailers, other than the combined semi‑trailers of a B‑double; and

                         (ii)    the motor vehicle drawing the trailer or trailers;

                        must not exceed 42.5 tonnes; and

               (b)    the gross mass of a trailer or the gross combination mass of trailers, other than the combined semi‑trailers of a B‑double or a semi‑trailer, must not exceed the gross mass of the motor vehicle drawing the trailer or trailers.

         (3)   In spite of subregulation (1) the maximum permitted loaded mass of a B‑double is the least of:

                (a)    the maximum permitted gross mass of the B‑double determined under subregulation (1); and

               (b)    the gross combination mass value specified by the manufacturer of its prime mover; and

                (c)    62.5 tonnes.

         (4)   However, if a motor vehicle has road friendly suspension, the maximum permitted gross mass of the vehicle is the lesser of:

                (a)    the sum of the maximum permitted laden mass mentioned in column 3 of Schedule 3 for the vehicle's axle spacing and:

                          (i)    for each tandem axle group -- 0.5 tonnes; and

                         (ii)    for each triaxle group -- 2.5 tonnes; and

               (b)    the sum of the following axle load limits for each of the vehicle's axle groups:

                          (i)    if an axle load limit is mentioned in column 5 of Schedule 4 -- that limit; and

                         (ii)    if subparagraph (i) does not apply -- the axle load limit mentioned in column 4 of Schedule 4; and

                         (iii)    if neither subparagraph (i) nor (ii) applies -- the axle load limit mentioned in column 3 of Schedule 4; and

                (c)    for a vehicle other than a B‑double -- 45.5 tonnes; and

               (d)    for a B‑double -- 68 tonnes; and

                (e)    the manufacturer's rating.