Western Australian Consolidated Regulations Western Australian Consolidated RegulationsSchedule 2 -- Oversize and overmass vehicles -- conditions on exemptions
[Part 4]
Division 1 — All vehicles travelling under a class 1 notice
This Division applies to all vehicles
travelling under a class 1 notice.
2 . Mass limits relating to tyre width
(1) The mass on an axle
fitted with tyres of a number and width described in Table 1 must not
exceed the mass limit specified in the Table for that axle in relation to
the narrowest tyre on the axle.
Table 1
|
Width of narrowest tyre on axle (mm) |
Mass limit (t) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
axle with 2 tyres |
axle with 4 tyres | ||
|
at least |
less than | ||
|
190 |
228 |
4.5 |
9.0 |
|
228 |
254 |
5.0 |
9.5 |
|
254 |
279 |
6.0 |
10.0 |
|
279 |
305 |
6.5 |
11.0 |
|
305 |
330 |
7.0 |
12.0 |
|
330 |
356 |
7.5 |
13.0 |
|
356 |
381 |
8.0 |
14.0 |
|
381 |
406 |
9.0 |
14.0 |
|
406 |
458 |
10.0 |
14.0 |
|
458 |
508 |
11.0 |
14.0 |
|
508 | |
12.0 |
14.0 |
(2) The mass on an
axle group fitted with tyres of a number and width described in Table 2
must not exceed the mass limit specified in the Table for that axle group
in relation to the narrowest tyre in the group.
Table 2
|
Width of narrowest tyre in the group (mm) |
Mass limit (t) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
tandem axle group with 4 tyres |
tri-axle group with 6 tyres | |||
|
at least |
less than | |||
|
381 |
406 |
16.5 |
22.0 | |
|
406 |
431 |
17.0 |
23.0 | |
|
431 |
458 |
17.5 |
24.0 | |
|
458 |
482 |
18.0 |
25.0 | |
|
482 |
508 |
18.5 |
26.0 | |
|
508 | |
19.0 |
27.0 | |
(3) For the purposes
of Tables 1 and 2, the tyre width of a radial ply tyre is the number of
millimetres marked on the tyre in the position labelled “Section width
in mm” on the diagram below.
Position of section width marking on radial ply tyre
(4) For the purposes
of Tables 1 and 2, the tyre width of a bias-type tyre is the number of
millimetres equal to 25.4 times the number marked on the tyre in the position
labelled “Width code in inches” on the diagram below.
Position of width code marking on diagonal or bias-type tyre
(5) If no section
width or width code is marked on a tyre, the tyre width for the purposes of
Tables 1 and 2 may be determined by measuring the width of the part of the
tyre that normally comes into contact with the road surface.
(1) A vehicle referred
to in the first column of an item in Table 3 must not, together with any
load, exceed the greater of the following —
(a) the
limit specified in column 3 of the item for the dimension of the vehicle and
load specified in column 2 of the item;
(b) the
limit provided for that dimension of the vehicle and load under Part 3 or
under the Vehicle Standards.
Table 3
|
Type of vehicle |
Dimension |
Limit (m) |
|---|---|---|
|
Any vehicle except an agricultural vehicle |
|
|
|
Any vehicle except an agricultural vehicle |
|
|
|
Any combination except an agricultural combination |
|
|
|
Special purpose vehicle |
Length |
14.5 |
|
Other rigid vehicle |
Length |
12.5 |
|
Special purpose vehicle |
Distance from the rear overhang line to rear of the vehicle |
Lesser of 4 m and 90% of the wheelbase |
|
Semi-trailer |
Distance from the rear overhang line to the rear of the vehicle
(or load) |
Lesser of 5.5 m and 25% of the vehicle’s length |
|
Special purpose vehicle |
Projection in front of the centre of the steering wheel |
3.5 |
Rigid mobile crane, showing dimension limits
(2) Any flags, lights
or mirrors on a vehicle or its load must be disregarded when measuring the
dimensions of the vehicle for the purposes of this Schedule.
(3) The centres of
adjacent axles in an axle group on an overmass vehicle must be at least
1.2 m apart.
[Clause 3 amended in Gazette
3 Jan 2005 p. 9.]
4 . Making an unloaded vehicle smaller
An oversize vehicle without a
load must be reduced to the smallest practicable dimensions, with any booms
fully retracted.
5 . Warning devices for oversize vehicles
(1) An oversize
vehicle, together with any load, that is wider than 2.5 m, or longer than 25
m, must have —
(a) one
warning sign at its front;
(b) one
warning sign at its rear or, if it is carrying a rear-projecting load, at the
rear of the load; and
(c) 4
brightly coloured flags or pieces of material, with each side at least
450 mm long.
(2) One of the flags
must be positioned at each side of the front and rear —
(a) of
any projecting load; or
(b) if
there is no projecting load — of the vehicle.
(3) An oversize
vehicle that, together with any load, is not wider than 2.5 m, and whose
length is more than 22 m but not more than 25 m, must have one warning
sign at its rear or, if it is carrying a rear-projecting load, at the rear of
the load.
(4)
Subclauses (1), (2) and (3) do not apply to —
(a) a
road construction vehicle travelling within 1 km of a construction site,
if the vehicle has a warning light;
(b) a
tractor; or
(c) a
rigid mobile crane less than 3 m wide.
(5) If a load projects
more than 150 mm beyond one side of an oversize vehicle, and the
projection is less than 500 mm thick from top to bottom, there must
be —
(a) a
warning light attached to the vehicle; and
(b) at
least 2 yellow, rigid pieces of material (known as “delineators”),
one attached to the front and the other attached to the rear of the
projection.
(6) A delineator
must —
(a) be
at least 300 mm long and at least 300 mm wide;
(b)
comply with Class 1 or 2 of Australian Standard AS 1906-1990
Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes as
amended and in force at the commencement of these regulations;
(c) if
at the front of the projection, be attached so that its reflective surface is
facing forward of the vehicle; and
(d) if
at the rear of the projection, be attached so that its reflective surface is
facing rearward from the vehicle.
(7) In the daytime, an
oversize vehicle must display a warning light if the vehicle, together with
any load, is wider than 3 m.
6 . Additional warning devices at night-time
At night-time, an
oversize vehicle must display —
(a)
lights showing yellow to the front and red to the rear (known as “side
markers”) no more than 2 m apart along both sides of the vehicle
and along any front or rear projection;
(b) 2
red lights (known as “rear markers”) fixed to the rear of any
rear-projecting load, within 400 mm of each side of the load, and at
least 1 m but not more than 2.1 m above the ground; and
(c) a
warning light if the vehicle, together with any load, is wider than 2.5 m
or longer than 22 m.
An oversize vehicle,
or the front vehicle in an oversize combination, must have its low-beam
headlights on while travelling in the daytime, unless it is not required under
the Vehicle Standards to have headlights.
8 . Travel restrictions at night-time
At night-time, a
vehicle that, together with any load, is wider than 3.1 m or longer than
22 m, must not —
(a)
travel outside an urban area; or
(b)
travel in an urban area without being accompanied by a pilot vehicle.
9 . No travelling if low visibility
(1) A vehicle must not
begin to travel if, due to circumstances such as fog, heavy rain, smoke, dust
or insect plague —
(a)
visibility is less than 250 m during the daytime; or
(b) the
headlights of a vehicle approaching within 250 m could not be seen at
night-time.
(2) If a vehicle is
already travelling when visibility is reduced to the level described in
subclause (1), the driver must drive it into the nearest safe parking
area, and wait until visibility improves beyond that level before continuing
to travel.
10 . Minimum following distance
A person driving an oversize vehicle
must maintain a distance of at least 200 m from an oversize vehicle
travelling in front of it, unless —
(a) it
is overtaking the vehicle in front or the vehicle in front is stopping;
(b)
there is a separate lane available for the use of overtaking traffic; or
(c) it
is in an urban area and it is not reasonably practicable to maintain a
distance of 200 m.
(1) Before a vehicle
is driven along any route, its driver and operator must be satisfied that the
route has been assessed and that the vehicle can be driven along it without
contravening subclause (2).
(2) A vehicle must not
be driven along a route if to do so would be likely to cause —
(a)
disruption to telecommunication, electricity, rail, gas, water or sewage
services; or
(b)
damage to a road (including a bridge), structure, rail crossing or tree.
(3) Subclause (2)
does not apply if the authority responsible for the services or property has
given permission for the vehicle to travel along the route, and the vehicle is
driven in accordance with the permission.
Division 2 — Load-carrying vehicles travelling under
class 1 notice
This Division applies only to
load-carrying vehicles travelling under a class 1 notice.
13 . Mass limits for axles and axle groups
(1) The mass on a single axle
or axle group described in Table 4 must not exceed the mass limit
specified opposite its description in the Table if it is in a combination
consisting of a tandem drive prime mover towing —
(a) a
low loader;
(b) a
low loader dolly and a low loader;
(c) a
jinker; or
(d) a
low loader dolly and a jinker.
Table 4
|
Single axle or axle group |
Mass limit (t) |
|---|---|
|
Steer axle with 2 tyres .................................... |
6.0 |
|
Twinsteer axle group without a load-sharing suspension system
.................................... |
|
|
Twinsteer axle group with a load-sharing suspension system
.................................... |
|
|
Single axle with 8 tyres .................................. |
12.0 |
|
Tandem axle group with 8 or more tyres, not on a trailer
................................................ |
|
|
Tandem axle group with 16 or more tyres, on a trailer
..................................................... |
|
|
Tri-axle group with 12 or more tyres ............. |
25.0 |
|
Tri-axle group with 12 or more tyres in which the horizontal distance between
the centres of the outermost axles is more than 3.2 m or quad-axle group
with 16 or more tyres ................................................. |
|
(2) The sum of the
mass on each of the combination’s single axles and axle groups must not
exceed the sum of the mass limits specified for each of them in Table 4.
(3) In addition, the
total mass of the combination and any load must not exceed —
(a)
49.5 t if the distance between the centre of the rearmost axle of the
towing vehicle and the centre of the foremost axle of the combination’s
rear axle group is 6 m or more; or
(b)
49.5 t decreased by 1 t for every 0.3 m by which the distance
referred to in paragraph (a) is less than 6 m.
Distance for the purpose of clause 13(3)
(4) The mass on an
axle group or single axle must not exceed the relevant limit under Part 3
if it is —
(a) not
described in Table 4; or
(b) on a
load-carrying vehicle except one described in subclause (1).
(1) If a load can be
safely loaded in more than one way, it must be loaded in a way that minimises
the width of the vehicle and its load.
(2) An unloaded low
loader, low loader dolly or jinker, with 4 tyres on each axle, must not be
wider than 2.5 m.
(3) An unloaded low
loader, low loader dolly or jinker, with 8 tyres on each axle, must not be
wider than 2.7 m.
15 . Carrying goods in addition to a large
indivisible item
(1)
A vehicle must not carry more than one large indivisible item
unless —
(a) the
vehicle and its load complies with the mass limits in Part 3; and
(b) the
carrying of additional large indivisible items does not cause the vehicle and
its load to exceed a dimension limit in Part 3 that would not have been
exceeded by the carrying of one of the large indivisible items.
(2) A vehicle carrying
one or more large indivisible items must not carry any other goods
unless —
(a) the
vehicle and its load complies with the mass limits in Part 3; and
(b) the
other goods are contained within the dimension limits in Part 3.
(3) Despite
subclause (2), a vehicle carrying a special purpose vehicle or
agricultural vehicle may also carry any equipment, tools, substances or
detached parts to be used in conjunction with the vehicle being carried.
16 . Towing a low loader dolly with an unloaded
low loader
An
unloaded low loader must not be towed in a combination with a low loader dolly
unless —
(a) the
combination is 2.7 m wide or less; and
(b) it
would be unreasonable to require the dolly to be loaded onto the low loader
because of the short distance to be travelled, or special difficulties in
loading or unloading the dolly due to the nature of the site.
Division 3 — Special purpose vehicles travelling under a
class 1 notice
This Division applies only to special
purpose vehicles travelling under a class 1 notice.
18 . Mass limits for axles and axle groups
(1) The mass on a single axle
or axle group described in Table 5 must not exceed the mass limit
specified opposite its description in the Table.
Table 5
|
Type of axle or axle group |
Mass limit (t) |
|---|---|
|
Single axle or single axle group fitted with — | |
|
(a) single tyres
.............................................. |
7 |
|
(b) dual tyres
................................................ |
10 |
|
Twinsteer axle group — | |
|
(a) without a load-sharing suspension system
..................................................... |
|
|
(b) with a load-sharing suspension
system ..................................................... |
|
|
Tandem axle group fitted with single tyres ......... |
14 |
|
Tri-axle group fitted with single tyres ................. |
18 |
(2) The mass on a
tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres, where the centres of the axles are
less than 1.35 m apart, must not exceed 20 t —
(a)
decreased by 1 t for each 100 mm by which the axle group’s
ground contact width is less than 2.4 m; or
(b)
increased by 1 t for each 100 mm by which the axle group’s
ground contact width exceeds 2.5 m, but not increased to more than 27 t.
(3) The mass on a
tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres, where the centres of the axles are
at least 1.35 m apart, must not exceed 23 t —
(a)
decreased by 1 t for each 100 mm by which the axle group’s
ground contact width is less than 2.4 m; or
(b)
increased by 1 t for each 100 mm by which the axle group’s
ground contact width exceeds 2.5 m, but not increased to more than 27 t.
(4) The mass on a
tri-axle group fitted with dual tyres, where the centres of the axles are less
than 1.35 m apart, must not exceed 25 t, decreased by 1 t for
each 100 mm by which the axle group’s ground contact width is less
than 2.4 m.
(5) The mass on a
tri-axle group fitted with dual tyres, where the centres of the axles are at
least 1.35 m apart, must not exceed 27 t, decreased by 1 t for
each 100 mm by which the axle group’s ground contact width is less
than 2.4 m.
19 . Total mass limits for special purpose
vehicles
The total
mass of a special purpose vehicle must not exceed the
least of —
(a) the
sum of the mass allowed for each single axle and axle group on the vehicle;
(b) 40
t; and
(c) the
amount, in tonnes, equal to M in the formula —
where —
L is the distance in
metres between the centres of the vehicle’s foremost and rearmost axles;
and
G is a number
of tonnes —
(a) to
be added at the rate of 1 t for each 100 mm by which the ground
contact width of the rearmost axle exceeds 2.5 m; or
(b) to
be subtracted at the rate of 1 t for each 100 mm by which the ground
contact width of the rearmost axle is less than 2.4 m.
Distance “L” for the purpose of the formula in clause 19
20 . Side lights for travel at night-time
(1) When travelling at
night-time, a special purpose vehicle with a projection extending more than
1.2 m in front of the vehicle body must have a yellow light fixed on each
side of the projection, mounted as far forward as possible, and shielded from
the driver’s view.
(2) Both lights must
be visible to any traffic approaching the vehicle from the front, and at least
one of the lights must be visible to any traffic approaching the vehicle from
either side.
21 . Markings for special purpose vehicles
(1) Rear marker plates
complying with ADR 13/00 as published in Periodic Gazette issue of the
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 48 of
13 December 1989, must be displayed at the rearmost part of the body
of a special purpose vehicle.
(2) A pattern covering
an area of at least 0.16 m 2 and consisting of diagonal stripes at least
150 mm wide and alternately coloured —
(a) red
and white; or
(b)
black and white,
must be displayed on
the left and right sides of any rigid projection extending more than
1.2 m in front of the body of a special purpose vehicle, if it is
practicable to do so.
22 . Prohibition on towing other vehicles
A special purpose vehicle
must not tow a vehicle.
Division 4 — Agricultural vehicles travelling under
class 1 notices
This Division applies only to
agricultural vehicles and agricultural combinations.
The mass on an axle
described in Table 6, on an agricultural machine or implement with 2
axles, must not exceed the mass limit specified opposite its description in
the Table.
Table 6
|
Number of tyres on an axle |
Mass limit (t) |
|---|---|
|
Axle fitted with 2 tyres ........................................... |
9.0 |
|
Axle fitted with 4 tyres and a ground contact width less than 2.51 m
...................................... |
|
|
Axle fitted with 4 tyres and a ground contact width at least 2.51 m but
not more than
3.5 m .................................................................
|
|
|
Axle fitted with 4 tyres and a ground contact width more than 3.5 m
...................................... |
|
(1) The height of an
agricultural vehicle must not exceed 4.6 m.
(2) On an agricultural
vehicle, the distance from the rear overhang line to the rear of the vehicle
must not exceed 4.5 m (except for augers or conveyors, on which the
distance must not exceed 5.5 m).
(3) The length of an
agricultural machine must not exceed 12.5 m.
(4) The length of an
agricultural combination must not exceed 25 m.
(5) The width of an
agricultural machine alone or an agricultural machine or rigid vehicle towing
an agricultural implement on a road in an area determined by the Commissioner
of Main Roads to be in a category 1, 2 or 3 area for the purposes of
Table 7, must not exceed the limit specified opposite that category in
the Table.
Table 7
|
Area |
Width limit (m) |
|---|---|
|
Category 1 ...................... |
3.5 |
|
Category 2 ...................... |
5.0 |
|
Category 3 ...................... |
6.0 |
(6) An agricultural
vehicle or agricultural combination of any other type or on a road in any
other area must not be wider than 2.5 m.
26 . Warning devices for agricultural vehicles
(1) An agricultural
vehicle or agricultural combination which is wider than 2.5 m, or an
agricultural combination which is longer than 22 m, must have a warning light
fixed to its highest practicable point when it is on a major road.
(2) A warning sign
must be displayed at the rear of an agricultural implement being towed by a
tractor.
(3) A pattern covering
an area of at least 0.16 m 2 and consisting of diagonal stripes at least
150 mm wide and alternately coloured —
(a) red
and white; or
(b)
black and white,
must be displayed at
the sides of the rear of any auger, conveyor, or harvester comb carried on a
comb trailer.
(4) Any part of an
axle extending more than 150 mm from the outside wall of a
tractor’s tyre must be painted fluorescent yellow or have yellow
fluorescent or other high-visibility material wrapped around it.
27 . Pilot vehicle requirements for agricultural
vehicles
(1) An
agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination of a width described in
Table 8 must be accompanied by pilot vehicles in accordance with the
Table.
Table 8
|
|
Width | |
|---|---|---|
|
More than 3.7 m but less than 4.5 m |
More than 4.5 m but less than 6 m | |
|
If the terrain limits a clear view of approaching traffic to less than 500 m
........................... |
|
|
|
A major road ........................... |
one pilot vehicle ...... |
2 pilot vehicles |
|
If there is a clear view of approaching traffic for at least 500 m, but not on
a major road ............................ |
|
|
(2) In spite of
subclause (1), an agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination does
not have to be accompanied by a pilot vehicle if it is travelling less than
500 m.
28 . Agricultural vehicles not to use freeways
An oversize
agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination must not be driven on a
freeway.
29 . Agricultural implements not to carry loads
An agricultural
implement must not carry a load.
30 . Speed limits for agricultural implements
without brakes
An
agricultural implement without brakes must not be towed at a speed greater
than the lesser of —
(a)
20 km an hour less than the speed limit set by the Road Traffic Code 2000
; and
(b)
50 km/hour.
31 . Exemption from requirement for rear vision
mirrors
A vehicle
towing an agricultural implement wider than 3.5 m, which obscures the view to
the rear of the vehicle, is exempt from any requirement under the Vehicle
Standards to have a rear vision mirror fitted.
Division 5 — Pilot and escort vehicles
This Division applies to the operation
of a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle that is accompanying a vehicle that is
required by a class 1 notice or class 1 permit to be accompanied by a pilot
vehicle or escort vehicle.
33 . Requirements for a pilot vehicle
(1) A pilot vehicle must have
4 or more wheels and a GVM of —
(a)
6.5 t or less in the case of a rear pilot vehicle if 2 pilot vehicles are
required; or
(b)
4.5 t or less in any other case.
(2) A pilot vehicle
must have a warning sign on its roof.
(3) A pilot vehicle
must only have a warning light attached —
(a)
above or below the sign; or
(b) at
each side of the sign.
34 . Requirements for an escort vehicle
(1) An escort vehicle, other
than a police motor bike, must have —
(a) 4 or
more wheels;
(b) a
GVM of 4.5 t or less; and
(c) on
its roof a light that flashes or 2 lights that flash when switched on.
(2) A light referred
to in subclause (1) must flash yellow (or another colour or colours
approved by the Director General) unless the vehicle is a police vehicle.
35 . Headlights on a pilot vehicle or escort
vehicle
The low-beam
headlights on a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must be switched on when it is
accompanying an oversize vehicle during the daytime.
36 . What may a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle
carry
A pilot vehicle
or escort vehicle must not tow a trailer or carry a load, but it may carry
tools, equipment or substances for use in connection with the oversize vehicle
that it is accompanying or for restraining the load on that vehicle.
37 . Where must a pilot vehicle be driven
(1) When one pilot vehicle
accompanies an oversize vehicle, the pilot vehicle must travel —
(a)
behind the oversize vehicle if they are on a divided road; or
(b) in
front of the oversize vehicle if they are on a road that is not divided.
(2) When 2 pilot
vehicles accompany an oversize vehicle, one pilot vehicle must travel in front
of the oversize vehicle, and the other behind it.
(3) A pilot vehicle
must travel far enough away from the oversize vehicle it is accompanying to
give adequate warning to other road users of the presence of the oversize
vehicle, taking into account traffic speed, weather, visibility and other
driving conditions.
38 . Communication between drivers
(1) An oversize vehicle and any
accompanying pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must have an electronic device
that allows the drivers to communicate effectively with each other.
(2) Subclause (1)
does not apply if —
(a) the
oversize vehicle is an oversize agricultural machine;
(b) the
oversize vehicle is an oversize combination that includes an agricultural
machine; or
(c) the
escort vehicle is a police vehicle.
39 . Characteristics of warning lights
When switched on, a warning
light on an oversize vehicle or pilot vehicle must —
(a) emit
a rotating, flashing, yellow (or another colour or colours approved by the
Director General) coloured light;
(b)
flash between 120 and 200 times a minute;
(c) have
a power of at least 55 watts; and
(d) not
be a strobe light.
40 . Visibility of warning lights
(1) A warning light on an oversize
vehicle or a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle (other than a police vehicle)
must be —
(a)
clearly visible at a distance of 500 m in all directions; or
(b)
supplemented by one or more additional warning lights so that the light
emanating from at least one of them is clearly visible at a distance of
500 m in any direction.
(2) In spite of
subclause (1), in the case of a pilot vehicle travelling in front of an
oversize vehicle, a filter may be placed behind the warning light on the pilot
vehicle, to reduce the intensity of the light directed to the driver of the
oversize vehicle.
41 . Warning lights to be on if required, and off
if not
(1) Any
warning light which an oversize vehicle is required to have must only be
switched on when the vehicle is travelling or is stationary in a position that
is likely to cause danger to other road users.
(2) Any warning light
which a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle is required to have must be switched
on when the vehicle is travelling and accompanying an oversize vehicle.
(3) If a vehicle is
not required under this Schedule to have a warning light, it must not have one
that is switched on.
Subdivision 1 — When this Division applies
42 . What specifications must a warning sign
comply with
A warning
sign on an oversize vehicle, an oversize agricultural vehicle or a pilot
vehicle, must comply with the specifications in this Division.
Subdivision 2 — Oversize vehicles and pilot vehicles
(1) The face of a warning sign must have a
yellow surface which complies with Class 1 or 2 of Australian Standard AS
1906 — 1990 Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for Road
Traffic Control Purposes , Divisions 1 to 4 (inclusive).
(2) The face of the
warning sign must have a black border at least 20 mm wide.
(3) The outermost edge
of the border must be set at least 10 mm in from the edge of the sign
unless the sign has been made with a box edge.
(4) The warning sign
must display the manufacturer’s name or logo, and the brand and class of
retro-reflective material used in block letters at least 3 mm, but not more
than 10 mm, high.
(5) The marking may
appear in any visible location on the sign, except in a bottom corner of a
sign used on a pilot vehicle.
[Clause 43 amended in Gazette
3 Jan 2005 p. 9.]
44 . Material for a warning sign
(1) A warning sign must be made of
stiff, flat, weatherproof material.
(2) In spite of
subclause (1), a warning sign may be made of flexible material if the
sign is held taut, and is clearly visible and unlikely to become dislocated,
furl or otherwise become difficult to read by other road users.
(3) A flexible warning
sign must comply with all the other requirements as if it were a stiff sign.
(4) A flexible warning
sign that is in such condition or state that its message cannot be easily read
by other road users is deemed not to be a warning sign for the purposes of
this Schedule.
45 . Keeping warning signs clean
A warning sign on a vehicle must be
kept clean enough so that it can be easily read by other road users.
46 . Warning sign must not be displayed if not
required
A warning
sign must not be displayed on a vehicle that is not an oversize vehicle or a
pilot vehicle.
Subdivision 3 — Oversize vehicles only
(1) A warning sign on an oversize vehicle
must be at least 1200 mm long and at least 450 mm high.
(2) The sign may be
split into 2 parts, in which case the combined length of its parts must be at
least 1200 mm.
(1) A warning sign on an oversize vehicle
must show the word “OVERSIZE”, in black upper-case lettering,
conforming with Australian Standard AS 1744 — 1975 Forms of Letters
and Numerals for Road Signs , in typeface Series C(N).
(2) The lettering must
be at least 200 mm high.
(3) The top and the
bottom of the lettering must be at least 125 mm from the top and bottom
of the sign, respectively.
(4) If the sign is
split into 2 parts —
(a) the
part mounted on the left must show the letters “OVER” and the part
mounted on the right must show the letters “SIZE”; and
(b)
there must be no border between the 2 parts, in spite of clause 43(2) and
(3).
Warning sign for an oversize vehicle
[Clause 48 amended in Gazette
3 Jan 2005 p. 9.]
(1) A warning sign on an oversize vehicle
must be mounted vertically.
(2) The lower edge of
the sign must be —
(a)
above the bottom of the bumper bar; or
(b) if
there is no bumper bar — at least 500 mm from the ground
level.
(3) If the sign is
split into 2 parts, each part must be fitted at the same height as the other.
Subdivision 4 — Pilot vehicles only
50 . Size and shape of a warning sign
(1) A warning sign on
a pilot vehicle must be at least 1200 mm long and at least 600 mm
high.
(2) The sign may have
bottom corner cut-outs not more than 150 mm wide and not more than
100 mm high if they are needed for mounting the warning lights.
(1) Both faces of a
warning sign on a pilot vehicle must show —
(a) the
word “OVERSIZE”, in black upper-case lettering at
least 200 mm high, conforming with Australian Standard
AS 1744 — 1975 Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road Signs ,
in typeface Series C(N); and
(b) the
words “LOAD AHEAD”, in black upper-case lettering at least
100 mm high, conforming with Australian Standard
AS 1744 — 1975 Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road Signs ,
in typeface Series D(N).
(2) The bottom of the
lettering of the word “OVERSIZE” must be at least 300 mm from
the bottom of the sign.
(3) The bottom of the
lettering of the words “LOAD AHEAD” must be at least 100 mm
from the bottom of the sign.
Warning sign for a pilot vehicle
[Clause 51 amended in Gazette
3 Jan 2005 p. 9.]
A warning sign on a
pilot vehicle must not lean back so that there is more than 200 mm
measured horizontally from the top of the sign to a vertical line running
through the bottom of the sign.
Maximum slant of warning sign
53 . Application to retractable axles
For the purposes of
this Schedule, a retractable axle must be taken to be an axle when it is in
the lowered position and must be taken not to be an axle when it is in the
raised position.
54 . Application of mass limits where more than
one applies
If 2 or more mass
limits apply to the same axle or axle group as a result of the application of
provisions in Table 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, or in any 2 or more of those Tables,
the axle or axle group must comply with the lower or lowest of those limits.
[r. 3(2)]
(1) Unless the
contrary intention appears, in these regulations and the Vehicle
Standards —
“50 mm kingpin” means a kingpin
meeting the dimension requirements for a 50 mm kingpin in Australian
Standard AS 2175-1990 Articulated Vehicles — Kingpins ;
“75 mm kingpin” means a kingpin
with the dimensions mentioned in rule 159(3) of the Vehicle Standards;
“90 mm kingpin” means a kingpin
meeting the dimension requirements for a 90 mm kingpin in Australian
Standard AS 2175-1990 Articulated Vehicles — Kingpins ;
“adopted standard” has the meaning
given by rule 18 of the Vehicle Standards;
“ADR” (which stands for
“Australian Design Rule”) has the meaning given by rule 8 of
the Vehicle Standards;
“agricultural combination” means a
combination that includes at least one agricultural vehicle;
“agricultural implement” means a
vehicle without its own motive power, built to perform agricultural tasks;
“agricultural machine” means a machine
with its own motive power, built to perform agricultural tasks;
“agricultural vehicle” means an
agricultural implement or agricultural machine;
“air brake” means an air-operated or
air-assisted brake;
“approved air suspension system” , in
relation to a vehicle, means a suspension system in which —
(a)
vertical movement between each axle and the body of the vehicle is controlled
by variations in the pressure of air in an air spring; and
(b) the
proportion of the vehicle’s mass that is borne by the air spring remains
substantially constant despite variations in the pressure of air in the air
spring;
“articulated bus” means a bus with at
least 2 rigid sections that allow passengers access between the sections and
are connected to allow rotary movement between the sections;
“Australian Standard” means a standard
approved for publication on behalf of the Standards Association International
Limited (ACN 087 326 690) ;
“axle” means one or more shafts,
positioned in a line across a vehicle, on which one or more wheels intended to
support the vehicle turn;
“axle group” means a single axle
group, tandem axle group, twinsteer axle group, tri-axle group or quad-axle
group;
“B-double” means a combination
consisting of a prime mover towing 2 semi-trailers; 
B-double
“braking system” , of a vehicle, means
all the brakes of the vehicle and all the components of the mechanisms by
which they are operated;
“British Standard” means a standard
approved for publication on behalf of the British Standards Institution, being
an institution established under royal charter in the United Kingdom;
“bus” means a motor vehicle built
mainly to carry people that seats more than 9 adults (including the driver);
“car” means a motor vehicle built
mainly to carry people that —
(a)
seats not more than 9 adults (including the driver);
(b) has
a body commonly known as a sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible or
roadster; and
(c) has
4 or more wheels;
“centre” , in relation to an axle,
means —
(a) if
the axle consists of one shaft — a line parallel to the length of
the axle and passing through its centre; and
(b) if
the axle consists of 2 shafts — a line in the vertical plane
passing through the centre of both shafts and through the centres of the
wheels on those shafts;
“centre” , in relation to an axle
group, means —
(a) a
line midway between the centres of the outermost axles of the group; or
(b) if
the axle group consists of 2 axles, one of which is fitted with twice as many
tyres as the other — a line one-third of the way from the centre of
the axle with more tyres to the centre of the axle with fewer tyres;
Centre of an axle group 
Quad-axle group
“class 1 notice” means a notice issued
under regulation 24;
“class 1 permit” means a permit
granted under regulation 25;
“class 1 vehicle” means a restricted
access vehicle —
(a) that
is —
(i)
a special purpose vehicle;
(ii)
an agricultural machine or agricultural implement; or
(iii)
designed to carry, or is carrying, a large indivisible
item;
(b) that
is not —
(i)
a road train;
(ii)
a B-double; or
(iii)
carrying a freight container designed for multi-modal
transport;
and
(c) that
together with its load exceeds —
(i)
a mass limit in Schedule 1 Division 1 or 2;
(ii)
a dimension limit in the Vehicle Standards; or
(iii)
a dimension limit in Schedule 1 Division 3
or 4;
“class 2 notice” means a notice
published under regulation 29;
“class 2 permit” means a permit issued
under regulation 30;
“class 2 vehicle” means a restricted
access vehicle that complies with the mass and dimension limits prescribed in
Part 3 and the Vehicle Standards, and is —
(a) a
B-double;
(b) a
road train;
(c) a
controlled access bus not more than 14.5 m long;
(d) a
combination carrying vehicles on more than one deck that, together with its
load, meets one or both of the following criteria —
(i)
its height exceeds 4.3 m but does not exceed
4.6 m;
(ii)
its length exceeds 19 m;
or
(e) a
vehicle that exceeds 4.3 m, but does not exceed 4.6 m, in height and is built
to carry cattle, sheep, pigs or horses;
“class 3 notice” means a notice
published under regulation 33;
“class 3 permit” means a permit issued
under regulation 34;
“class 3 vehicle” means a restricted
access vehicle other than a class 1 vehicle or a class 2 vehicle;
“combination” means a group of
vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle connected to one or more vehicles;
“compliance notice” means a compliance
notice issued under regulation 61;
“complying bus” means a
bus —
(a) with
2 or 3 axles and a single steer axle that —
(i)
is fitted with a compliance plate in accordance with the
Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth indicating that the
bus was manufactured during or after July 1994;
(ii)
meets the emergency exit specifications in ADR 44;
(iii)
meets the rollover strength specifications in
ADR 59;
(iv)
meets the occupant protection specifications in
ADR 68; and
(v)
is equipped with an approved air suspension system;
or
(b) that
is the subject of a declaration under regulation 19 or under a law of the
Commonwealth or another State or a Territory that corresponds with that
regulation;
“controlled access bus” means a bus,
except an articulated bus, over 12.5 m long;
“converter dolly” means a trailer with
one axle group or single axle, and a fifth wheel coupling, designed to convert
a semi-trailer into a dog trailer;
Converter dolly
“dangerous goods” has the meaning
given by regulation 2.2 of Dangerous Goods (Transport) (Road and Rail)
Regulations 1999 ;
“daytime” means the period from
sunrise to sunset;
“Department” means the department of
the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the Act;
“departmental exemption” means an
exemption under section 103B of the Act granted by the Director General
in accordance with Part 6;
“dog trailer” means a trailer
(including a trailer consisting of a semi-trailer and converter dolly)
with —
(a) one
axle group or single axle at the front that is steered by connection to the
towing vehicle by a drawbar; and
(b) one
axle group or single axle at the rear;
Dog trailer
“drawbar” means a part of a trailer
(except a semi-trailer) connecting the trailer body to a coupling for towing
purposes;
“drive” includes be in control of;
“driver” , of a motor vehicle, means
the person driving the vehicle;
“emergency brake” means a brake
designed to be used if a service brake fails;
“emergency vehicle” means —
(a) a
vehicle operated by the police force and ordinarily used by police officers in
the course of carrying out their duties;
(b) a
vehicle operated by —
(i)
a fire brigade under the Fire Brigades Act 1942 ;
(ii)
a bush fire brigade under the Bush Fires Act 1954 ;
or
(iii)
the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western
Australia under the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia
Act 1998 ,
and ordinarily used by
members of the brigade or members of staff of that Authority in the course of
carrying out their duties;
(c) an
ambulance;
(d) an
emergency vehicle within the meaning of a law of the Commonwealth or another
State or a Territory that corresponds with these regulations or the Vehicle
Standards;
or
(e) a
vehicle in respect of which a declaration under subclause (3)(a) is in
force;
“emission control system” , for a
vehicle, means an emission control system —
(a)
fitted to the vehicle when it was built; or
(b)
better than, or equivalent to, an emission control system fitted to the
vehicle when it was built;
“escort vehicle” means a motor vehicle
that is being used —
(a) to
transport a police officer, or other person authorised to direct traffic; and
(b) to
warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle;
“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;
“front fog light” means a light used
to improve the illumination of the road in case of fog, snowfall, heavy rain
or a dust storm;
“GCM” (which stands for “gross
combination mass”), in relation to a motor vehicle, means the greatest
possible sum of the maximum loaded mass of the motor vehicle and of any
vehicles that may lawfully be towed by it at one time —
(a) as
specified by the motor vehicle’s manufacturer —
(i)
on a plate fixed to the vehicle by the manufacturer; or
(ii)
if the manufacturer has not specified the sum of the
maximum loaded mass on a plate fixed to the vehicle — in
another place;
or
(b) as
specified by the relevant authority if —
(i)
the manufacturer has not specified the sum of the maximum
loaded mass;
(ii)
the manufacturer cannot be identified; or
(iii)
the vehicle has been modified to the extent that the
manufacturer’s specification is no longer appropriate;
“goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle
built to be used primarily to carry goods or materials used in any trade,
business or industry;
“ground contact width” —
(a) in
relation to an axle, means the distance between the outermost point of ground
contact of the outside tyres on each end of the axle; and
(b) in
relation to an axle group, means the greatest ground contact width of all the
axles in the group;
Ground contact width of an axle
“GTM” (which stands for “gross
trailer mass”) means the mass transmitted to the ground by the axles of
a trailer when the trailer is loaded to its GVM and connected to a towing
vehicle;
“GVM” (which stands for “gross
vehicle mass”) means the maximum loaded mass of a vehicle —
(a) as
specified by the manufacturer; or
(b) as
specified by the relevant authority if —
(i)
the manufacturer has not specified a maximum loaded mass;
(ii)
the manufacturer cannot be identified; or
(iii)
the vehicle has been modified to the extent that the
manufacturer’s specification is no longer appropriate;
“high-beam” , for a headlight or front
fog light fitted to a vehicle, means that the light is built or adjusted so
that, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam
of light projected is above the low-beam position;
“identifier” , in relation to a
vehicle, has the same meaning as in regulation 2 of the
Road Traffic (Written-Off Vehicle Register) Regulations 2003 ;
“inspection station” means premises
established by a person authorised under regulation 3A(1)(b) of the Road
Traffic (Vehicle Licensing) Regulations 1975 3 ;
“jinker” means an axle or axle group
which is built to support part of a load, and is connected to the vehicle in
front of it by a pole or cable or the load itself, if any;
“large indivisible item” means an item
that —
(a)
cannot be divided without extreme effort, expense or risk of damage to it; and
(b)
cannot be carried on any vehicle without exceeding a mass or dimension limit
in these regulations or the Vehicle Standards;
“left” , for a vehicle, means to the
left of the centre of the vehicle when viewed by a person in the vehicle who
is facing to the front of the vehicle;
“load” , in relation to a vehicle,
includes anything that is normally removed from the vehicle when the vehicle
is not in use, but does not include —
(a)
tools, equipment or substances necessary for the vehicle or combination to
function, or for any load to be restrained; or
(b)
personal items used by the driver;
“load-carrying” , in relation to a
vehicle, means a vehicle that is carrying, or is built to carry, a load;
“load-sharing suspension system” means
an axle group suspension system that —
(a) is
built to divide the load between the tyres on the group so that no tyre
carries a mass more than 10% greater than the mass it would carry if the load
were divided equally; and
(b) has
effective damping characteristics on all axles of the group;
“loaded mass” , of a vehicle, means
the total mass of the vehicle and its load;
“low-beam” , for a headlight or front
fog light fitted to a vehicle, means that the light is built or adjusted so
that, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam
of light projected is —
(a) not
higher than the centre of the headlight or fog light, when measured 8 m
in front of the vehicle; and
(b) not
more than 1 m higher than the level where the motor vehicle is standing,
when measured 25 m in front of the vehicle;
A headlight in the low-beam position
“low loader” means a gooseneck
semi-trailer with a loading deck no more than 1 m above the ground;
“low loader dolly” means a
mass-distributing device that —
(a) is
usually coupled between a prime mover and a low loader;
(b)
consists of a gooseneck rigid frame;
(c) does
not directly carry any load on itself; and
(d) is
equipped with one or more axles, a kingpin and a fifth wheel coupling;
“Ministerial exemption” means a
declaration under section 103B of the Act made by the Minister in
accordance with Part 5;
“moped” means a motor bike or motor
trike with an engine cylinder capacity of not over 50 mL and a maximum speed
of not over 50 km/h;
“motor bike” means a motor vehicle
with 2 wheels, and includes a 2 wheeled motor vehicle with a sidecar
attached to it that is supported by a third wheel;
“motor trike” means a motor vehicle
with 3 wheels, but does not include a 2 wheeled motor vehicle with a sidecar
attached to it that is supported by a third wheel;
“motor vehicle” means a vehicle built
to be propelled by a motor that forms part of the vehicle;
“mudguard” means a fitting or device,
with or without a mudflap, that is built and fitted to a vehicle in a way that
will, as far as practicable, catch or deflect downwards any stone, mud, water
or other substance thrown up by the rotation of the wheel to which the fitting
or device is fitted;
“national standard” has the meaning
given by rule 9 of the Vehicle Standards;
“night-time” means the period between
sunset and sunrise;
“omnibus” means a motor vehicle that
is equipped to seat more than 8 adult persons (including the driver) and that
is used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward;
“operator” means a person who controls
or directs the operations of a vehicle, or who is otherwise responsible for
it;
“overmass” , in relation to a vehicle,
means having a mass that, including the mass of any load, exceeds a relevant
mass limit in Part 3 (whether or not the vehicle is also oversize);
“oversize” , in relation to a vehicle,
means having a dimension that, including the dimension of any load, exceeds a
relevant dimension limit in Part 3 or the Vehicle Standards (whether or
not the vehicle is also overmass);
“oversize tri-axle group” means a
group of 3 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centres of the
outermost axles is more than 3.2 m;
“pig trailer” means a trailer with one
axle group or a single axle near the middle of its load-carrying surface, and
connected to the towing vehicle by a drawbar;
Pig trailer
“pilot vehicle” means a motor vehicle,
other than an escort vehicle, being used to warn other road users of the
presence of an oversize vehicle;
“point of articulation”
means —
(a) the
axis of a kingpin for a fifth wheel;
(b) the
vertical axis of rotation of a fifth wheel coupling;
(c) the
vertical axis of rotation of a turntable assembly;
(d) the
vertical axis of rotation of the front axle group, or single axle, of a dog
trailer; or
(e) the
coupling pivot point of a semi-trailer;
Point of articulation — fifth wheel coupling
on a converter
dolly (forming the front axle
group of a dog trailer) 
Point of articulation — fifth wheel on a prime mover 
Point of articulation — kingpin for fifth wheel
“pole-type trailer” means a trailer
that —
(a) is
attached to a towing vehicle by a pole, or an attachment fitted to the pole;
and
(b) is
ordinarily used for transporting loads, such as logs, pipes, structural
members, or other long objects, that can generally support themselves like
beams between supports;
Pole-type trailer
“prime mover” means a motor vehicle
built to tow a semi-trailer;
“quad-axle group” means a group of 4
axles in which the horizontal distance between the centres of the outermost
axles is over 3.2 m, but not over 4.9 m;
“RAV notice” means a class 1 notice,
class 2 notice or class 3 notice;
“RAV permit” means a class 1 permit,
class 2 permit or class 3 permit;
“rear fog light” means a light used on
a vehicle to make it more easily visible from the rear in dense fog;
“rear overhang” , of a vehicle, means
the distance between the rear overhang line and the rear of the vehicle;
Rear overhang and rear overhang line 
Rear overhang and rear overhang line —
vehicle with tri-axle group
at rear 
Rear overhang and rear overhang line — semi-trailer
“relevant authority” , in relation to
a vehicle, means —
(a) if
the vehicle has never been licensed or registered but the vehicle is used or
is intended to be used in this State — the Director General;
(b) if
the vehicle was last licensed in this State — the Director
General; or
(c) if
the vehicle was last licensed or registered in another State or a
Territory — the authority in that State or Territory whose
functions most nearly correspond to those of the Director General;
“repairable write-off” has the same
meaning as in regulation 2 of the
Road Traffic (Written-Off Vehicle Register) Regulations 2003 ;
“restricted access vehicle” means a
vehicle that alone, or together with any load, exceeds one or more of the
following limits —
(a) a
mass limit prescribed in Part 3; or
(b) one
of the following dimension limits —
(i)
a width of 2.5 m;
(ii)
a height of 4.3 m;
(iii)
a length of 12.5 m in the case of a motor vehicle
that is not part of a combination, or 19 m in the case of a combination;
(iv)
any other dimension limit specified in these regulations
or the Vehicle Standards;
“retractable axle” means an axle that
can be raised so that the tyres on the axle do not touch the ground;
“right” , for a vehicle, means to the
right of the centre of the vehicle when viewed by a person in the vehicle who
is facing to the front of the vehicle;
“road tank vehicle” has the same
meaning as in the sixth edition of the Australian Code for the Transport of
Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail ;
“road train” means a combination,
except a B-double, consisting of a motor vehicle towing at least 2 trailers
(counting as a single trailer a converter dolly supporting a semi-trailer);
Road train
“school bus” means a motor vehicle
that —
(a) is
equipped to carry more than 8 adult persons;
(b) is,
at the material time, being used to pick up, transport and set down school
children; and
(c) is
solely or principally used for the purpose referred to in paragraph (b);
“second edition ADR” has the meaning
given by rule 11 of the Vehicle Standards;
“semi-trailer” means a trailer
(including a pole-type trailer) that has —
(a) one
axle group or single axle to the rear; and
(b) a
means of attachment to a prime mover that results in some of the load being
imposed on the prime mover;
“service brake” , for a vehicle, means
the brake normally used to decelerate the vehicle;
“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 centres of the
outermost axles is under 1 m;
“special purpose vehicle” means a
motor vehicle, other than a tow truck or an agricultural vehicle, built for a
purpose other than carrying a load, except for water in the case of concrete
pumps and fire trucks;
“statutory write-off” has the same
meaning as in regulation 7 of the
Road Traffic (Written-Off Vehicle Register) Regulations 2003 ;
“tandem axle group” means a group of
at least 2 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centres of the
outermost axles is at least 1 m, but not over 2 m;
“third edition ADR” has the meaning
given by rule 12 of the Vehicle Standards;
“trailer” means a vehicle without its
own motive power that is built to be towed, or is towed, by a motor vehicle,
but does not include a motor vehicle that is being towed;
“transport enforcement vehicle” means
a vehicle in respect of which a declaration under subclause (3)(b) is in
force;
“tri-axle group” means a group of at
least 3 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centres of the
outermost axles is over 2 m, but not over 3.2 m;
“turntable” means a bearing built to
carry vertical and horizontal loads, but does not allow quick separation of
its upper and lower rotating elements, and that is used to connect and allow
articulation between —
(a) a
prime mover and semi-trailer;
(b) the
steering axle or axle group of a dog trailer and the body of the trailer; or
(c) a
fifth wheel coupling and the vehicle to which it is mounted;
“twinsteer axle group” means a group
of 2 axles —
(a) with
single tyres;
(b)
fitted to a motor vehicle and connected to the same steering mechanism; and
(c) the
horizontal distance between the centres of which is at least 1 m, but not over
2 m;
“unloaded mass” means the mass of the
vehicle in running order, equipped with all standard equipment and with all
fuel and other fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity, but unoccupied and
without any other load;
“vacuum brakes” means vacuum-operated
or vacuum-assisted brakes;
“vehicle” means a motor vehicle,
trailer or combination, including —
(a) the
equipment fitted to, or forming part of, the vehicle; and
(b) in
Part 3, any substances that the vehicle is carrying that are essential
for its operation;
“vehicle examiner” means —
(a) an
officer of the Department authorised by the Director General to examine and
test vehicles for the purposes of the administration of the licensing
provisions of the Act; or
(b) a
person authorised under regulation 3A(1)(a) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle
Licensing) Regulations 1975 3 ;
“vehicle for which a person is
responsible” means a vehicle for which the person is a responsible
person;
“