Restrictions to SPV Speed Limits

The Commonwealth of Australia has issued an amendment
to National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (“SPV”) 2016 Notice 1.

WHAT IS A CLASS 1 SPV?

A SPV is defined in the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) 2016 Notice 1 (“the Notice”) as a vehicle built for a purpose other than carrying goods. This would include mobile cranes, concrete pump trucks and drill rigs.

A SPV that exceeds one or more of the general mass and dimension limits set out in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension & Loading) National Regulation is a Class 1 restricted access heavy vehicle.

THE AMENDMENT

The amendments to National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) 2016 Notice 1 introduce a uniform 80km per hour speed restriction for articulated mobile cranes without stabiliser legs or outriggers (also referred to as an articulated steering crane, or ‘pick and carry cranes’ in the Notice).

The amendment affects states in which this specific speed restriction on articulated mobile cranes did not previously exist in the Notice (being Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria).

If an articulated mobile crane exceeds 80kph then it will NOT be covered by the exemptions from the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension & Loading) National Regulation as outlined in the Notice, and penalties will apply.
No modifications to existing articulated mobile cranes (i.e. ‘pick and carry cranes’) are required in order to comply.

Please be advised your insurance cover may be affected if you do not comply with this speed restriction.

Should you have any further queries, please contact your local Roads and Maritime Service or respective State Transport Authorities for more information.