Which Way To Go

Transport law, news & explainers

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

Vehicle Standards

  • What is a heavy-vehicle defect notice?

    A heavy-vehicle defect notice is an enforcement notice identifying a vehicle defect and the restrictions, repair and clearance steps required before unrestricted use can resume.

  • What are heavy-vehicle roadworthiness and maintenance duties?

    A heavy vehicle used on a road must comply with applicable vehicle standards and must not be unsafe, while each Chain of Responsibility party must control the maintenance and roadworthiness risks within its influence.

  • What is load restraint and who is responsible?

    A heavy-vehicle load must be placed and restrained so the vehicle remains stable and the load is unlikely to fall or move, with responsibility extending to every party whose transport activities influence the loading risk.

  • What is Performance Based Standards?

    Performance Based Standards is an approval system in which an innovative heavy-vehicle design must obtain design approval, be built and certified for vehicle approval, and then obtain lawful road access through a…