Transport compliance & chain of responsibility

---

Transport compliance refers to adhering to the laws, regulations, and standards that govern the operation of vehicles and the transport industry. It ensures that all businesses and individuals involved in the transport sector operate safely, legally, and responsibly. Compliance covers a wide range of areas, including vehicle maintenance, driver licensing, fatigue management, load restraint, and environmental standards.

Staying compliant is not just about meeting legal obligations—it’s about fostering a culture of safety on the roads, protecting lives, and ensuring the efficient movement of goods and people. For businesses, it also reduces the risk of penalties, reputational damage, and costly delays.

Whether you’re a truck driver, a fleet manager, or a transport business owner, or as a foreman, project manager, or site supervisor managing a civil construction site, understanding and maintaining transport compliance is essential for smooth operations and long-term success in the industry. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge, resources, and tools you need to stay up to date and compliant with the latest transport regulations.

The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) is a regulatory framework designed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of heavy vehicles across most of Australia. It applies to vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) and establishes consistent rules for areas such as vehicle standards, mass and dimension limits, fatigue management, and load restraint.

The HVNL also enforces the Chain of Responsibility (CoR), holding all parties in the transport supply chain accountable for ensuring compliance and safety. This means that drivers, operators, schedulers, consignors, and others share the responsibility for preventing breaches that could compromise safety or damage infrastructure.

By standardizing heavy vehicle regulations, the HVNL aims to improve road safety, reduce legal and operational risks, and promote a fair and sustainable transport industry nationwide.

The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) provides a consistent regulatory framework for heavy vehicle operations across most of Australia, including the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It sets out the rules and requirements for vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) to ensure road safety, promote efficiency, and protect infrastructure.

In the ACT, the HVNL covers key areas such as vehicle standards, mass and dimension limits, fatigue management, load restraint, and the Chain of Responsibility (CoR). It applies to all parties in the heavy vehicle supply chain, ensuring shared accountability and a safer road transport system.

Understanding and complying with the HVNL is essential for anyone involved in heavy vehicle transport within the ACT. Whether you’re a driver, operator, or business owner, adhering to these laws helps maintain safety, reduce risks, and support sustainable transport practices.

The Chain of Responsibility (CoR) is a legal framework in the transport industry that ensures accountability is shared across all parties involved in the supply chain. It means that anyone who influences road transport operations—whether directly or indirectly—has a duty to ensure safety and compliance with Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

This includes not only drivers but also loaders, packers, schedulers, consignors, consignees, and operators. The CoR legislation holds everyone responsible ensuring that all reasonable actions have been taken for managing risks such as overloading, unsafe loading practices, driver fatigue, vehicle maintenance, and speed compliance.

The aim of the CoR is to promote a culture of safety and responsibility at every level of the transport process. By working together to comply with these obligations, businesses can improve road safety, reduce legal risks, and contribute to a more efficient and responsible transport industry.

Under the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) framework, heavy vehicle drivers hold several key responsibilities to ensure compliance with road safety and transport laws. These responsibilities are designed to prevent accidents, promote safety, and maintain the integrity of the transport industry. Here’s an overview of a driver’s responsibilities:

• Safely operate the vehicle at all times, ensuring full control, especially in adverse conditions.
• Adhere to load limits and ensure the load is secure before driving.
• Operate the vehicle in a manner that does not cause harm to people, property, or the environment.

• Manage driving hours within legal limits to prevent fatigue-related risks.
• Take required rest breaks and keep an accurate record of work and rest in your logbook.

• Verify the vehicle is not overloaded and complies with mass and dimension limits.
• Ensure the load is properly distributed and securely restrained according to legal standards.

• Conduct pre-start and regular safety checks to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy.
• Report any defects or maintenance needs to the operator or owner.

• Drive within posted speed limits and adjust speed according to road and weather conditions.
• Avoid being pressured by schedules or delivery deadlines to speed.

• Maintain accurate documentation, such as:
  • Work/rest logbooks.
  • Loading and unloading documentation.
  • Inspection reports.
• Provide these documents when requested by authorities.

• Notify the operator or manager of any issues related to vehicle safety, overloading, or breaches of the law.
• Communicate if schedules or work conditions might lead to non-compliance, such as fatigue or unsafe driving practices.

• Understand that as a driver, you share responsibility for safety and compliance with other parties in the supply chain, such as operators, schedulers, consignors, and consignees.

Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in serious consequences, including:

• Heavy fines or penalties for breaches.
• Loss of license or job.
• Accidents or fatalities, for which you may be held legally accountable.

By understanding and following your CoR responsibilities, you contribute to a safer road transport industry and ensure everyone gets home safely.

For drivers operating within a 100 km radius of their base, specific rules apply under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). These requirements are designed to manage fatigue, ensure safety, and maintain compliance for local operations.

The Local Driving Hours rules apply to heavy vehicle drivers who:

• Operate entirely within a 100 km radius of their primary base.
• Do not engage in long-haul or interstate driving.
• Are exempt from maintaining a formal National Driver Work Diary, provided they meet the local driving hours criteria.

Although a formal work diary is not required, drivers must maintain accurate records of their work and rest times. These records can include:

• Start and finish times for each shift.
• Total hours worked and rest breaks taken.
• Weekly records of cumulative hours.

Operators and drivers can use templates available on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website to assist with accurate record-keeping. These templates are simple to use and help ensure compliance with HVNL regulations.

To manage fatigue and promote safety, local drivers must comply with the following rest requirements:

• A maximum of 12 hours of work in a 24-hour period.
• A minimum of 7 continuous hours of rest in a 24-hour period.
• Regular breaks during shifts to prevent fatigue.

The NHVR provides detailed guidance on managing Local Driving Hours, including record-keeping templates and fatigue management tips. Visit the NHVR website to access resources, download templates, and learn more about compliance requirements.

By following these rules and using the tools provided by the NHVR, local drivers and operators can ensure they stay compliant, reduce risks, and contribute to a safer transport industry.