Why compliance matters for your truck body
Heavy vehicles in Victoria are covered by the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which is administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The HVNL applies to vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM), and it does not apply in every state and territory, because Western Australia and the Northern Territory have their own rules. Roadside checks look at everything from load restraint to body dimensions, and a truck that is found to be non-compliant can be fined or kept off the road until it is fixed, which means late deliveries as well. This guide runs through the main areas where the truck body plays a part, so you know what to ask your builder, your engineer or certifier, and the NHVR.
Dimension and mass limits
The HVNL sets general dimension limits for heavy vehicles. The general width limit is 2.5 m. A width of 2.55 m is allowed only for vehicles that are eligible under the Safer Freight Vehicle (SFV) provisions, which come with conditions about the vehicle and its safety features, and having a refrigerated body does not make a vehicle eligible on its own. The general height limit is 4.3 m, and the length limit depends on the type of vehicle and combination. Mass limits vary with the axle configuration and the road network, and a vehicle that goes over the general limits needs a permit or a notice to operate. If you have had bodywork done, do not assume the dimensions are still what they were, and check the current limits on the NHVR website or with your certifier before you rely on them.
Load restraint requirements
The Load Restraint Guide, published by the NHVR and the National Transport Commission, sets out how freight should be secured. Your truck body needs anchor points, tie-down rails or containment that suit the freight you carry. Poor load restraint is a common reason for roadside infringement notices, and it is also one of the easiest problems to prevent when the body is set up properly.
Lighting and reflective marking
Lighting has to meet the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). Your truck body needs marker lights, reverse lights and brake lights that work properly and sit in the correct positions. Reflective markings and rear marking plates have their own requirements, which depend on the size and mass of the vehicle, so check which ones apply to your truck when a body is built or repaired.
Roadworthiness and structural condition
A truck can be found unroadworthy if its body is in poor structural condition, for example with cracked crossmembers, failing floorboards or damaged hinges. This matters even more on tipping bodies, where a hydraulic failure or a structural collapse is a serious safety risk. Having qualified tradespeople inspect the body every year is a sensible investment, both for your legal protection and for the safety of the people working around the truck.
Modifications may need certification
If you modify a truck body, whether that means extending it, adding a crane or changing its configuration, the change may need engineering certification before the vehicle can legally go back on the road. At VN Truck Bodies we work with registered engineers and certifiers, and they handle the approval when a modification needs one. Ask us about it when you request a quote, and we will tell you whether we expect your job to need it.
What our work covers
When we build or repair a body, we work to keep your truck within the dimension and mass limits that apply to it, we fix the body faults we find, and we tell you about anything we notice that may need certification. We do not certify vehicles ourselves. For approvals, talk to your engineer or certifier, and for the current rules, check with the NHVR. If you are not sure about the condition of a body in your fleet, get in touch and we can arrange an inspection of the body.
You can call us on 0447 452 222 or visit the workshop at 17 Cambria Road, Keysborough VIC 3173.