The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is working to clarify roadside inspection requirements for bus and coach operators in Queensland after industry questions about signage at some inspection sites.
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), buses and coaches with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) exceeding 4.5 tonnes are classified as heavy vehicles. Their drivers must comply with lawful directions from authorised officers, including instructions to enter a roadside inspection site.
The NHVR says drivers of buses and coaches over 4.5 tonnes GVM must enter an inspection site when directed, even if the sign refers only to trucks. Drivers should not assume they are exempt simply because the signage refers specifically to trucks.
Roadside inspections form part of the regulator’s compliance and enforcement activities, helping assess whether heavy vehicles meet safety and regulatory requirements.
Do drivers need to monitor UHF Channel 40 for inspections?
The NHVR has also addressed questions about whether drivers must monitor UHF Channel 40 to receive instructions to enter an inspection site.
Drivers are not required to routinely monitor the channel for this purpose. Lawful directions can be communicated through roadside signs, signals or instructions from authorised officers, or approved interception methods during mobile operations.
UHF radio may still be used as an additional communication and safety measure.
Signage under review
The regulator acknowledges that signs referring specifically to trucks may cause confusion among bus and coach operators.
It is working with relevant agencies and industry representatives to review the issue and improve the clarity of information provided at roadside inspection sites.
In the meantime, drivers should remain familiar with inspection locations along their routes and follow applicable signage and directions from authorised officers.
What to do if you miss an inspection site
Failing to follow a lawful direction to enter an inspection site is a serious offence under the HVNL. This includes passing a sign requiring heavy vehicles to enter or otherwise bypassing an inspection point.
The NHVR advises drivers who miss an inspection site to continue to the next safe exit and return within a reasonable time. It warns against reversing along the highway to reach the entrance.
Instead, they should continue to the next safe exit and return to the inspection site within a reasonable time to comply with the missed direction.
The NHVR says any concerns about an alleged failure to enter an inspection site will be assessed according to the individual circumstances of the incident.
Bus and coach operators seeking further information about roadside inspection requirements can contact the NHVR on 13 64 87.
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