When is a National Driver Work Diary required?
Short answer
A fatigue-regulated heavy-vehicle driver generally must keep and carry a work diary when undertaking 100+km work under Standard Hours, having done so in the previous 28 days, or working under alternative compliance or exemption hours.
Plain English
The current trigger is wider than today’s trip. Section 291 applies when the driver is doing 100+km work under Standard Hours, did that work in the last 28 days, is working under alternative compliance hours or exemption hours, or did so in the last 28 days.
When the requirement applies, the diary must contain the required information for the previous 28 days and be in the driver’s possession while driving. A written diary and an approved electronic work diary can be used according to the applicable rules.
What this means operationally
Check the driver’s preceding 28 days before dispatch, not just the radius of the current job. Confirm that the driver has a valid diary or approved electronic system, that required entries and changeovers are complete, and that the record keeper receives and retains the required records.
Who it applies to
Drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles whose work falls within the statutory trigger, and their employers, operators or other record keepers.
Example
A driver works 140 kilometres from base on Monday, then returns to local work. The driver must continue carrying the required diary record during the following 28-day period even though the later trips remain within 100 kilometres.
Exceptions and traps
A Standard Hours driver doing only 100km work generally does not complete a work diary, but the record keeper still has local record obligations. Published exemptions can modify diary or record-keeping requirements for specified operations and conditions; the exact exemption must be checked before relying on it.
What changed
From 1 August 2026, the work-diary trigger and records use the current alternative compliance hours and exemption-hours terminology. Existing written diary stock can continue to be used in accordance with NHVR transition guidance.
Previous rule
The former provisions referred separately to BFM and AFM hours and used the earlier work-diary terminology and forms.
Legal foundation
Heavy Vehicle National Law ss 289 and 291-305 and record-keeping provisions in ss 318-341; applicable work diary exemptions
Sources & primary documents
- www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2012-hvnlq
- www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/fatigue-management/work-diary
- www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/fatigue-management/record-keeping-requirements
- www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/fatigue-management/fatigue-management-exemptions
WWTG verification: Queensland legislation, NHVR
Frequently asked questions
When does a Standard Hours driver need a work diary?
Generally when undertaking 100+km work or having undertaken it in the previous 28 days.
Does ACA-Fatigue work require a diary?
Yes. Alternative compliance hours are a statutory trigger, including where they were used in the previous 28 days.
Must the driver carry 28 days of records?
Yes. When the diary requirement applies, it must cover the required previous 28 days and be carried while driving.
Is a diary required for local Standard Hours work?
Generally not if the driver does only 100km work, but the record keeper still has local record obligations.
Can an exemption change the rule?
Yes, but only a current exemption covering the driver and operation, and only while every condition is met.