Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) (Agricultural Vehicles and Agricultural Combinations) Notice 2024
The Transport Commission makes the following notice under regulation 35 of the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2024 .
This notice may be cited as the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) (Agricultural Vehicles and Agricultural Combinations) Notice 2024 .
This notice takes effect on 1 December 2024.
(1) In this notice –agricultural combination means a combination of a light motor vehicle and a light trailer, one of which is an agricultural vehicle;agricultural implement has the same meaning as in the Vehicle and Traffic (Driver Licensing and Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2021 ;agricultural machine has the same meaning as in the Vehicle and Traffic (Driver Licensing and Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2021 ;agricultural vehicle includes an agricultural implement and an agricultural machine;Vehicle Operations Regulations means the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2024 .(2) Unless the contrary intention appears, a word or phrase that is defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 or the Vehicle Operations Regulations and used in this notice has the same meaning in this notice as defined in that Act or in those regulations.(3) The Acts Interpretation Act 1931 applies to the interpretation of this notice as if it were rules within the meaning of that Act.
An exemption specified in this notice –(a) applies to all areas of the State; and(b) applies at all times of the day; and(c) remains in force for a period of 3 years commencing on the date on which this notice takes effect.
5. Exemption of agricultural vehicles and agricultural combinations
(1) In this clause –oversize vehicle sign means an oversize vehicle warning sign in accordance with Divisions 1 and 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations;pilot vehicle means a pilot vehicle that complies with Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations.(2) Subject to the conditions specified in subclause (3) , regulations 10(1) , 11 , 13 , 14(1) and (3) , 15(2) and 16(2)(a) of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, an agricultural vehicle or an agricultural combination.(3) The exemption under subclause (2) is subject to the following conditions:(a) the width of the agricultural vehicle must not exceed 5 metres;(b) an agricultural vehicle that exceeds 3.5 metres in width must not be used at night;(c) an agricultural vehicle which is used in daylight and exceeds 4.5 metres in width must be accompanied by 2 pilot vehicles, with each pilot vehicle displaying a warning light and an oversize vehicle sign;(d) an agricultural vehicle which is used in daylight and exceeds 3.5 metres in width or 12.5 metres in length must be accompanied by a pilot vehicle displaying a warning light and an oversize vehicle sign;(e) if the agricultural vehicle (other than a tractor) or the agricultural combination, exceeds 2.5 metres in width, flags must be displayed, in accordance with clause 4 of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations;(f) if the agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination is not an agricultural machine, a warning light must be displayed on the agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination –(i) if used at night, if the agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination exceeds 2.5 metres in width or 22 metres in length; or(ii) at all times, if the agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination exceeds 3 metres in width;(g) if the agricultural vehicle (other than a tractor) exceeds 2.5 metres in width or 12.5 metres in length, an oversize vehicle sign must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle;(h) if the agricultural combination exceeds 2.5 metres in width or 19.5 metres in length, an oversize vehicle sign must be displayed –(i) if a tractor is not the front vehicle of the combination, at the front and rear of the combination; and(ii) if a tractor is the front vehicle of the combination, at the rear of the combination;(i) the length of the agricultural combination must not exceed 25 metres;(j) an agricultural combination that exceeds 19 metres in length must be accompanied by a pilot vehicle that displays –(i) a warning light; and(ii) an oversize vehicle sign;(k) the length of the agricultural vehicle must not exceed 15 metres, regardless of whether that agricultural vehicle is used alone or as part of an agricultural combination;(l) the rear overhang of the agricultural vehicle must not exceed 5.5 metres;(m) the height of the agricultural vehicle must not exceed 4.6 metres;(n) any axle, on an agricultural vehicle that is a tractor, which protrudes more than 150 millimetres past the outer wall of a tyre must be painted fluorescent yellow or be covered in a high-visibility material;(o) if an agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination operating under this exemption is fitted with headlights, the headlights must be operated on low beam if the vehicle or combination is used in daylight;(p) an agricultural vehicle that is an agricultural implement that is towed at night must be fitted with brake lights, tail lights and reflectors at its rear, either fixed to the implement or mounted on a detachable board;(q) an agricultural vehicle, or agricultural combination, that is used at night must display side markers and rear markers in accordance with clause 6 of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations.
6. Restriction on use of vehicle or combination on certain bridges
An exemption under this notice does not authorise the use of a light vehicle or light combination on –(a) the Tasman Bridge, if the vehicle or combination, inclusive of its load, exceeds 4.4 metres in height or 3 metres in width; or(b) the Bridgewater Bridge, if the vehicle or combination, inclusive of its load, exceeds 4.6 metres in height or 2.5 metres in width.
This notice was made by The Transport Commission at a meeting held on 13 November 2024.
The common seal of The Transport Commission was affixed on 13 November 2024, in the presence of –
CYNTHIA HEYDON
Commissioner for Transport
Displayed and numbered in accordance with the Rules Publication Act 1953.
Notified in the Gazette on 20 November 2024
This notice is administered in the Department of State Growth.