Truck Rules Apply

[Dot]

Yeah that just may exclude me in the car!!!

[T1 Terry]

I thought that motor vehicles UNDER 4.5 tonne GVM could be operated with a class "C" license.

But what rooly annoys me is the 3t limit!

3t Limit.jpg

Where is that sign Brad? What a joke, prams and push bikes only is it

[generdawg]

Where is that sign Brad? What a joke, prams and push bikes only is it

I think that was in West Pennant Hills visiting my daughter* Terry, but they are literally EVERYWHERE in Sydney metro now and have been for years.
The only exception is for deliveries that require that road and if there is no other way for you to get from point A to B!

*When I lived in Seven Hills, I could only take the bus a certain way and visiting my daughter was technically verbotin as I think she lived on a 3t road limit where that photo was taken.

dawg (but the memory dims after breakfast - yesterday )

[bobk]

Hello Dot, just have a comment on this article.

Words by Joseph Van Woerkom

In this issue I thought we’d have a look at the latest Australian Road Rules (ARR 02/2012) and how they affect RVers. The first thing to note is that this document’s definition of a ‘vehicle’ also includes a ‘combination’ (Rule 15) and therefore the term GVM also includes GCM. Weird, I know.

Then there’s the definition of a ‘heavy vehicle’. Rule 21 states that any vehicle/combination over 5 tonnes is a ‘heavy vehicle’ (In rule 21, 5 tonnes relates to a 'heavy omnibus', and is not applicable) but Rule 200 reduces this to 4.5 tonnes. This means that your rig may or may not be a ‘heavy vehicle’ depending upon which rule is in force. Ridiculous! (4.5 tonnes applies).

The AAR also define a ‘truck’ to be a motor vehicle with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes, except a bus, tram or tractor. Because ‘vehicle’ includes ‘combination’ your rig is considered a ‘truck’ if the GVM/GCM is over 4.5 tonnes. A 'truck' is a motor vehicle, but a motor vehicle is not necessarily a truck.

Finally, Rules 28, 127 and 200 define any vehicle (including a combination) which is over 7.5m as a ‘long vehicle’.

So how does all this affect RVers?

First, the speed at which you are permitted to travel may be lower than the posted speed limit. This is because the ARR supersede state and territory road rules (unless explicitly overruled in the state/territory road rules) and ARR Rule 15 restricts ‘heavy’ vehicles to 100km/h. Not that this should be a problem because I reckon that these heavy rigs should be travelling no more than 90-95km/h anyway.

Next, if your rig is classified as a ‘truck’ because it is over 4.5 tonne GVM/GCM, you must obey ‘NO TRUCKS’ signs. This means that you are not permitted to proceed past a ‘NO TRUCKS’ sign unless your GVM/GCM and/or length is less than that displayed on the sign. If the sign does not display a mass or length limit, no ‘truck’ is permitted to drive past the sign. However, you may pass these signs if your destination requires you to travel on that piece of road.

Then there’s the ‘TRUCK & BUS LANE’ signs. By now it won’t surprise you to learn that if your GVM/GCM is over 4.5 tonne then you must use the truck and bus lane until a sign indicates that the lane has ended. You must also obey ‘TRUCKS MUST ENTER’ and ‘TRUCKS & BUSES MUST USE LOW GEAR’ signs.

But perhaps the most surprising of all are the parking restrictions. Firstly, a heavy or long vehicle must not stop on a length of road that is not in a built-up area, except on the shoulder of the road. This is fair enough, but did you know that heavy or long vehicles are not permitted to park in a built-up area for more than one hour (unless the driver is engaged in dropping off, or picking up, goods)? What do you do when you need to do some shopping.

I admit that I am ignorant with ADRs as they may apply here. This is an interesting article but I believe there are too many assumptions. I don't believe there is any 'considered' in the law: I could be wrong but any sentence above that implies you are driving a 'truck' may well be in error.

BobK

[SteveW]

In my opinion the document is flawed and ought to be removed from the forum lest people are misled by it.

This is a difficult area to navigate and I suggest that interested parties should access the relevant State legislation.

[native pepper]

Whether the article if flawed or not, is irrelevant, what is does do is bring peoples attention to the situation around rules revolving around articulated and long vehicles. Which for sensible people should result in them learning and taking notice of what state and federal rules are regarding these types of vehicles. Being informed if the cops or transport pull you up can make a big difference in how you are treated

In my personal opinion, all people towing vans, trailers or lengthy vehicles should have to undergo testing on their competence and ability to handle them under all conditions. I've been driving long distance all my working life in everything from road trains to big buses and machinery moving. Over the years, have seen many accidents where a tittle knowledge would have saved vanners from the disaster they create themselves, by ignorance, lack of knowledge and ability. There is a massive difference in controlling the family car and controlling an articulated unbalanced wind shear effected van at 100kph, which most vanners seem to want to travel at.

Every time I leave Tas, always check to see what if any rules have changed in Aus. One time went over there and tried to drive down a road we'd used before in Footscray, only to find a sign half way down the road restricting size and they had narrowed it with humps and round abouts. Had a hell of time trying to turn a 12m bus round a small round about with lots of cars trying to get by and they were all in a hurry and wouldn't wait until I got round, Had to force them to stop so could make the turn. Good laugh later, but trying at the time for all concerned, especially the people whose drive way I backed into to be able to turn.

[SteveW]

The points you make, NP, mirror my position - look it up and learn. That's why I think a flawed article which might mislead those who do not undertake research for themselves is dangerous. BTW, it seems many on this forum have been long distance drivers.

[T1 Terry]

I think the article is fair warning of what is on the horizon, the times of rules for road users being different for one group than another are going to change, just like the old days of the driver holding one end of the tape when measuring over hang etc and SA being allowed to have different laws that made the mirrors and chain dogs part of the total vehicle width, road rule unification is coming and that will not only be between the states but also between the licence classes.

T1 Terry

[BruceS]

Yes Steve... I have been one of those that have driven trucks and I very seldom comment on items referring to "truck issues" simply because most of my info relates to before the Australian wide Heavy Vehicle rules & regulations came about & are enforced.
In my day if You lost your license in NSW you just ran from Melb to Perth till you got it back.
A license in each state also helped!!
Computers stuffed a lot of the "fun" ........
I've found that there are so many 'experts' with the correct info that I don't need to comment.
I also have found that there's not so many Police & scalies on the River!!! '
lol haha

[BernieQ2]

My Bro is currently guarding Sydney Harbour (AFP) might get him to holiday in Mannum Bruce he'll get ya. haha.
Bernie .