Which Way To Go

Transport law, news & explainers

Independent Australian transport journalism and plain-English reference guides built from primary sources.

Fatigue & Fitness

  • How do Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) work under the HVNL?

    An Electronic Work Diary is an NHVR-approved electronic system that a driver can choose to use instead of a written work diary to record required work and rest information.

  • What is ACA–Fatigue?

    ACA–Fatigue is the HVA alternative compliance pathway for operators that need approved work and rest hours different from Standard Hours and can demonstrate effective fatigue-risk controls through an audited system.

  • What is the Unfit to Drive duty?

    A person must not drive a heavy vehicle on a road while impaired by fatigue or otherwise not of sufficiently good health or fitness to drive it safely.

  • How do Standard Hours and 24-hour counting periods work?

    Under Standard Hours, a solo driver must satisfy every applicable short and long counting period, including no more than 12 hours work and at least seven continuous hours stationary rest in any applicable 24-hour period.

  • When is a National Driver Work Diary required?

    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.

  • When do the heavy-vehicle fatigue rules apply?

    The HVNL work, rest and fatigue-record rules apply when a person drives a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle: generally a vehicle or combination above 12 tonnes, or a qualifying heavy bus.

  • What is Assessing Fitness to Drive?

    Assessing Fitness to Drive is the national medical-standards and guidance publication used by health professionals and driver-licensing authorities when assessing whether a person is medically fit to drive.