National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Tow couplings and fifth wheels are a critical safety component of heavy vehicle combinations and Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6, or VSB6, is the national standard for these modifications. In this interview, NHVR officer, Matt Fletcher (Senior Advisor - Vehicle Safety Standards) speaks with Bob Martin, Branch Manager for QLD, NSW and Papua New Guinea with JOST Australia and an approved person for heavy vehicle modifications. Bob outlines what to look for when selecting tow couplings and fifth wheels, the role of approved vehicle examiners and the latest technological developments in this field.

Installing a body of one of the most common heavy vehicle modifications and Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6, or VSB6, is the national standard for these modifications. In this interview, NHVR officer, Matt Fletcher (Senior Advisor - Vehicle Safety Standards) speaks with Shane Vallely, Chief Engineer with Penske Commercial Vehicles. Shane provides great advice about what to consider in selecting a body, common errors to avoid and issues with sub-frame chassis.

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6: National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications, also known as VSB6, is the national standard for the most common modifications made to heavy vehicles. In this interview with NHVR officer, Matt Fletcher (Senior Advisor - Vehicle Safety Standards), you'll learn about the current framework for heavy vehicle modifications, what to look out for in undertaking modifications and emerging trends.

Australia’s first national heavy vehicle health check, conducted in Aug - Sep 2016, provides a point-in-time snapshot of the mechanical condition of Australia's heavy vehicle fleet. The results show a sound performance by industry in maintaining vehicles, with some room for improvement. For more information, visit nhvr.gov.au/nrbs

Driving lamps are common accessory lights fitted to vehicles. This podcast sets out the requirements for vehicle owners and modifiers, when attaching LED light bars to a heavy vehicle for use as a driving lamp. This information is also available as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201508-0231-vsg1-driving-lamps.pdf

Heavy vehicle owners and modifiers must meet certain requirements for the fitment and use of backlit badges and logos on heavy vehicles. This information can also be downloaded as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/vehicle-standards-and-modifications/vehicle-standards-guides

Vehicle owners, modifiers and dealers must meet certain requirements when modifying a new heavy vehicle by fitting a body or tow coupling. This information is also available as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/vehicle-standards-and-modifications/vehicle-standards-guides

Due to recent changes to the Australian Design Rules (ADR) requirements, semi-trailer rear bumpers no longer need to be painted white. This change only applies to new semi-trailers built from 1 January 2005. The information in this podcast is also available as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/vehicle-standards-and-modifications/vehicle-standards-guides

This guide sets out changes made to heavy vehicle safety standards that take effect from 6 February 2016. This information can also be downloaded as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/vehicle-standards-and-modifications/vehicle-standards-guides

When it comes to managing speed in heavy vehicles, chain of responsibility laws place all parties in the driver’s seat. Parties in the supply chain must take all reasonable steps to make sure don't cause or influence drivers to exceed speed limits. This information is also available as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/chain-of-responsibility/about-the-chain-of-responsibility

Overloading heavy vehicles puts everyone at risk. Learn more about your obligations under chain of responsibility laws and how to minimise the risk of loads in excess of legal limits. This information is also available as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/chain-of-responsibility/about-the-chain-of-responsibility

Every day, the NHVR works with companies and operators in the logistics supply chain to help them understand their Chain of Responsibility obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. This podcast sets out five common risks operators face in managing driver fatigue. This information is also available as a fact sheet from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/chain-of-responsibility/about-the-chain-of-responsibility