NVHR Performance Based Standards (PBS) Updates

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme is a key pillar to delivering safe and efficient movement of freight across the country. Recently the NHVR have announced two changes,  that will reduce complexity around PBS Vehicle Approvals (VAs) and transition common truck and dog trailer combinations out of the scheme, welcoming safer, more productive and innovative vehicles to Australia’s roads.

PBS Applications to be made simpler and faster

The NHVR will introduce changes to the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme Vehicle Approval (VA) document to reduce the administrative burden for industry and provide a better customer experience.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the changes would remove some of the unnecessary complexity in getting a PBS vehicle approved, meaning we can get safer, smarter, more productive vehicles on our roads sooner.

“The new changes will simplify and accelerate the approval of PBS combinations by removing the transfer of PBS vehicle applications when a vehicle is sold and removing duplication, which will reduce the size of a vehicle application by 30 per cent.

“These changes are just the latest improvements in a suite of initiatives we will be delivering over the next year to reform and modernise the PBS scheme.”

Changes to the PBS VAs will be introduced from 14 November 2022.

Find out more here. 

New notice to improve efficiencies and remove cost burden of common truck and dog combinations

The National Class 3 20m Long 3-axle Truck and 4-axle Dog Trailer Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1) will allow operators to use this combination on approved networks without having to go through the Performance Based Standards (PBS) approval process.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the notice was an important first step in moving ‘mature’ combinations out of the PBS scheme and into the ‘normal’ regulatory framework – helping to get safer and more productive vehicles on the road.

“With over 15 years knowledge and experience of hundreds of 3-axle truck and 4-axle dog combination designs, we are confident we can remove the need for them to go through the PBS assessment process,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“By moving these common, well-understood truck and dog trailer combinations out of the PBS scheme, we can reduce the regulatory and cost burden for industry, as well as allow PBS to focus on new vehicle innovation.”

Operators can still choose to operate these truck and dog combinations under the existing PBS arrangements if preferred or they can opt to use the new notice arrangements.

Find out more here.