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Heavy vehicle operator guidelines

Temporary changes during COVID-19

From 1 April 2020 a temporary variation to the current requirement of signing pilot/escort movement record books by the escorted vehicle driver is in place.

The temporary change allows pilot and escort operators to declare that the escorted vehicle driver’s licence has been sighted, rather than requiring the driver to sign the pilot/escort movement record book. This also applies to the details of the second and third pilot/escort driver’s details. 

The variation applies to all Class 1 OSOM movements where a pilot/escort movement record book is required. 

Please call the Road Manager Policy team (07) 3066 8976 if you have any questions.

National notices and permit-based schemes

All national notices and permit-based schemes are implemented by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The following are specific for Queensland.

Conditional registration (Form 17)

Controlled access buses (overall length not exceeding 14.5m)

Livestock loading in Queensland

Multi-combination permits

A permit, can provide access for multi-combination livestock vehicles to:

  • transport livestock to the Roma Saleyards and the meatworks facilities in Rockhampton
  • help move drought affected livestock or fodder— access to certain roads within Darling Downs and the South West District is allowed under this permit. 

Applications for a multi-combination permit are processed by the NHVR via the NHVR Portal.

For help setting up an account and submitting applications, phone the NHVR on 1300 696 487 during business hour.

Livestock Loading Scheme

The Livestock Loading Scheme addresses the difficulty of accurately assessing the mass of livestock when it is being loaded and transported throughout Queensland. It also recognises that livestock travel better when loaded to a comfortable density which provides better load stability and improved safety for both the vehicle and livestock. 

View the Livestock Loading Scheme page for more information.

Queensland access condition guide

This guide is to be read in conjunction with:

  • Safe Movement Guideline Over-dimension Light Agricultural Vehicles and Agricultural Combinations in Queensland

And the following National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Notices:

  • Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice
  • Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Indivisible Item) Dimension Exemption Notice
  • Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Combination Mass Dimension Exemption Notice
  • Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Mass Exemption Notice.

Pilot and escort operations in Queensland

The excess mass and dimensions page provides more detailed information for conditions of operations for excess mass and dimension vehicles.

Information bulletins

Disaster assistance package

Disaster assistance package information bulletin

Drought assistance package

Drought assistance package information bulletin

Grain harvest management scheme

The scheme is administered by AgForce. More information is available from AgForce*.

Load Restraint Guide

Loading heavy vehicles safely is vital to preventing injury to people and damage to property.

The Load Restraint Guide 2018 provides transport drivers, operators, and other participants in the transport chain of responsibility with basic safety principles which should be followed for the safe carriage of loads on road vehicles.

Last updated
22 February 2022