National Class 2

Road Train
Operator’s Guide
JUNE 2020

National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

1
 Contents
Introduction 3
Eligible road trains 3
Livestock transport 4
Commodity transport in South Australia 4
Vehicle carriers 4
Mass requirements 4
Axle groups and mass limits 4
Axle mass spacing limits 4
Local mass requirements 5
Dimension requirements 6
Warning signs 6
Braking requirements 6
Mechanical couplings and ratings 6
Approved routes 7
Speed limits 9
Conditions applying to road trains in individual states 9
NHVAS accreditation 9
Requirement to carry the Notice or Operator’s Guide 9
Appendix 1: Axle spacing mass limits 10
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

Appendix 2: Definitions 11

Further information
For further information about the National Class 2 Road Train
Operator’s Guide please contact:
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487)
www.nhvr.gov.au

2
Introduction Type 2 combinations (up to 53.5m long)
States where operation is permitted: NSW QLD SA VIC
The National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide outlines the
requirements for operating a road train under the National Class    
2 Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2020 (the Notice) in the Allowable Type 2 combinations: Length limit (m)
participating states of New South Wales, Queensland, South
A-triple 53.5
Australia and Victoria.
The Notice commences on 4 June 2020.
AB-triple 44.0
Eligible road trains
BAB-quad 53.5

ABB-quad 53.5

Rigid truck towing two trailers 47.5

A separate and additional road network for AB-triples up to 42.0m long


Figure 1: An example of a road train (AB-triple)
exists in South Australia only.
Road train combination types eligible to operate under the Notice
The eligibility of Type 1 road train combinations varies between states
are shown in Table 1. Operators of road trains that cannot operate
(e.g. Table 1 shows that A-doubles have access in all participating
under the Notice must apply for an access permit.
states, while B-triples and AB-triples only have access in New South
Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Table 1: Eligible road train combinations under the Notice
Type 2 road trains are granted access as a group. Table 1 shows the
Type 1 combinations (up to 36.5m Length States where operation range of allowable Type 2 combinations with access in New South
long) limit is permitted Wales, Queensland and South Australia—but not Victoria.
(m) NSW QLD SA VIC
Two additional road networks are available in South Australia:
A-double1 36.5*    
• A-doubles up to 30.0m long
• AB-triples up to 42.0m long.

For these shorter combinations, these networks are extensions of the

B-triple (Modular) 35.0    
ones for 36.5m A-doubles and 44.0m AB-triples respectively.
To be eligible to operate under the Notice, road trains must fully
comply with all requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension
B-triple 36.5    
and Loading) National Regulation.

AB-triple2 36.5    
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

Rigid truck towing two trailers 36.5    

*A separate and additional road network for A-doubles up to 30.0m long
exists in South Australia only.

1 A-doubles are sometimes called double road trains.

2 AB-triples are sometimes called AB-doubles.

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 Livestock transport Mass requirements
Road trains may be used to transport livestock. They typically have The default mass limits are the General Mass Limits (GML).
two, three or four decks, and a total height of up to 4.6m. Their A summary of mass requirements is available on the NHVR website
operation is authorised under the Notice. at www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/mass-dimension-and-loading.
These include mass limits:
Livestock-transport-specific mass requirements vary between states
and are summarised in Table 2. • specified by the vehicle manufacturer
• for individual axles and axle groups
Table 2: Mass limits for livestock transport road trains by state and • for individual component vehicles and trailers
territory • for the combination as a whole
• as determined by axle spacing (Appendix 1).
State/territory Livestock transport road train mass limits
Road trains may also load to Concessional Mass Limits (CML). The
New South Wales Livestock transport mass limits standard requirements for CML apply, including for operators to be
Queensland Livestock volumetric loading accredited under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme
(NHVAS) Mass Management module.
South Australia
As per non-livestock Road train operators may operate under Higher Mass Limits
Victoria
(HML). When loaded under HML, operators may only access roads
approved under both this Notice and for HML. This means that more
Volumetric loading is permitted in South Australia and Victoria for
restricted access applies when operating at HML than at GML or
some combination types, but not road trains.
CML.
More information is available on the NHVR website at www.nhvr.
More information can be found at:
gov.au and on state and territory road agency websites.
• https://www.nhvr.gov.au/cml for CML
Some specific requirements apply to operating livestock transport
• https://www.nhvr.gov.au/hml for HML.
road trains in New South Wales. In some instances, A-doubles must
be fitted with a tri-axle converter dolly. Details are published on
Transport for New South Wales’ road train access maps (see the
Approved routes section of this guide).
Axle groups and mass limits
Table 3 shows the maximum mass allowable on an axle or axle
Commodity transport in South Australia group.
All of the axle group types listed in Table 2 are allowed on road
Dedicated road networks for road trains carrying certain trains operating under the Notice, except:
commodities are available in South Australia. These networks
• tri-axle drive groups – prohibited on any road trains operating
provide additional access, beyond that for the same combinations
under the Notice
carrying goods other than the specified commodities.
• quad-axle groups – prohibited on any road trains operating
Road trains eligible to operate on the South Australian commodity under the Notice and when on state-controlled roads in
networks are: Queensland only.
• A-doubles up to 36.5m long
• B-triples up to 36.5m long (including modular B-triples up to
35.0m long)
Axle mass spacing limits
• rigid trucks towing two trailers up to 36.5m long.
In addition to complying with the mass and dimension requirements,
Detailed information on local conditions for commodity-carrying road trains must comply with the axle spacing mass limits included
road trains in South Australia is available on the South Australian in Appendix 1.
RAVNet Online Map system at www.dpti.sa.gov.au/ravnet.
Figure 2 shows an example of the axle spacing requirements and
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

mass limits for a 36.5m A-double.

Vehicle carriers
Road trains used to carry vehicles may operate under the Notice.
Vehicle carrier road trains may be up to 4.6m high if built with more
than one deck.

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 Axle/s Axle group/ Axle/vehicle Tyre section Mass limit (t)
tyres requirements width GML CML HML
less than
11.0 11.5 11.0
375mm
single tyres on
all axles 375- 450mm 13.3 13.8 13.3
at least
14.0 14.5 14.0
450mm
Tandem
axle group3 single tyres on
one axle and
n/a 13.0 13.5 14.0
dual tyres on
the other axle
Figure 2: Measuring axle spacing on a 36.5m A-double dual tyres on all
n/a 16.5 17.0
Table 5 specifies road train axle spacing mass limits. The distance axles
between axle groups determines the maximum allowable mass over single tyres on
those axle groups. all axles single tyres
Table 3: Mass limits for single axles and axle groups a combination less than 15.0 15.5 15.0
of single and 375mm
Axle/s Axle group/ Axle/vehicle Tyre section Mass limit (t) dual tyres
tyres requirements width GML CML HML Tri-axle single tyres on at least 375
default limit n/a 6.0 group all axles mm
complying steer a combination single tyres
n/a 6.5
axle vehicle of single and at least 375 20.0 21.0 22.54
Steer axle dual tyres mm
n/a 295-375 mm 6.5
at least 375 dual tyres on all
n/a 7.1 n/a
mm axles

less than less than

6.0 15.0
375mm single tyres on 375mm
all axles at least
single tyres 375- 450mm 6.7 Quad-axle 5
375mm
Single axle at least 20.0
7.0 dual tyres on all
450mm n/a
axles
dual tyres n/a 9.0

non load- Local mass requirements

sharing
n/a 10.0
Twin-steer suspension The mass requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension
axle group system and Loading) National Regulation and described—GML, CML and
Single tyres load-sharing HML—determine whether a road train is eligible to operate under the
suspension n/a 11.0 Notice (at all).
system Operators must also comply with local mass requirements. These
are as shown on the maps detailing road train access. These
local requirements reflect limitations of specific road infrastructure
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

(e.g. a bridge load limit).

3 Tri-axles cannot be used as the drive axle group.

4 HML (22.5t) is unavailable for single-tyred tri-axle groups when operating on roads in Victoria.
5 Quad axles prohibited when operating on state-controlled roads in Queensland.

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 Dimension requirements Braking requirements
Road trains must meet the dimension requirements as prescribed Most braking system requirements are made by the Australian
in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Design Rule (ADR) to which the vehicle was constructed. A road train
Regulation. These are mostly the same requirements as those that must continue to comply with those requirements.
apply to non-road trains, including a width limit of 2.5m and a
The Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation makes
default height limit of 4.3m (or 4.6m for livestock and car carrying
some additional requirements that apply to road train combinations.
vehicles, and B-triples meeting certain conditions6).
These include ensuring there is sufficient air pressure available in the
There are some dimension requirements specific to road trains under braking system.
the Notice, particularly the length limits for each eligible road train
The following additional braking requirements apply in New South
combination type as shown in Table 1.
Wales:
• The prime mover of a B-triple or AB-triple must be fitted with an
Warning signs anti-lock braking system (ABS) complying with third edition ADR
64.
Road trains longer than 22m, but not longer than 30m, must display • A tank trailer forming part of any heavy vehicle combination and
a long vehicle warning sign at their rear (as shown in Figure 3). used to transport specified dangerous goods must be fitted with
an electronic roll-over control system.
These requirements apply to heavy vehicles, irrespective of when
they were built.
The ADRs have also mandated:
• anti-lock braking systems to be fitted on prime movers built from 1
January 2015
• vehicle stability control to be fitted on prime movers built from 1
July 2020
• rollover control systems to be fitted on heavy trailers built from 1
November 2019.
The ADRs requirements apply to heavy vehicles operating in any
state or territory of Australia.
Figure 3 Example of a long vehicle sign
Road trains longer than 30m must display a road train warning sign Mechanical couplings and ratings
at the front and rear of the combination (as shown in Figure 4).
Mechanical couplings are the devices that connect one component
vehicle of a combination to another. They include:
• fifth wheels, king pins and turntables
• pin-type couplings and drawbar eyes on converter dolly
couplings.
Eligible road trains are defined in the Notice partly by the types of
mechanical couplings with which they are fitted. A key difference
between coupling types is their capacity to resist roll between the
connected vehicles.
• Fifth wheel assemblies that utilise two rotating plates are
considered to be roll-coupled connections.
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

• Pin-type couplings and drawbar eyes—a feature of converter

dollys—are not considered to be roll-coupled. The pin-type
Figure 4 Example of a road train sign connection to the towing (forward) vehicle offers lesser resistance
to roll.
Warning sign requirements are described in the NHVR’s Vehicle
Standards Guide (VSG-19): Vehicle Warning Signs at www.nhvr.gov.
au/files/201806-0736-vsg19-vehicle-warning-signs.pdf.

6 See NHVR information sheet - 4.6m High Specified Semitrailer Information Sheet at www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201908-1086-information-sheet-specified-semitrailer.pdf.

6
Table 4: Key road train trailer coupling strength requirements of Approved routes
ADR 63/00
Road trains may access the routes authorised under the Notice.
Coupling type Relevant Australian Standard Minimum Approved routes are a combination of areas (all roads within a
D-value (kN) defined area) and specific roads. These are described on maps
Fifth wheel 1773-1990 162 published by each state government. Maps are available as follows.
assembly Articulated Vehicles-Fifth Wheel
Assemblies New South Wales
Fifth wheel 2175-1990 162 www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/maps/
kingpins Articulated Vehicles - Kingpins restricted-access-vehicles-map/index.html#InteractiveRoadTrainmap
Pin-type 2213-1984 186
couplings and 50mm Pin-Type Couplings and Drawbar Queensland
drawbar eyes Eyes for Trailers qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/?topic=heavy-vehicle-routes-and-
restrictions
All road train trailers built from July 1991 onwards must comply with
The below excerpt from the Queensland Globe (Figure 5) shows
Australian Design Rule 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road
approved heavy vehicle routes in Queensland. When accessing
Trains. ADR 63 requires that they be equipped with mechanical
the map in Queensland Globe, the legend can be expanded by
couplings meeting the standards and strength requirements shown
clicking on the arrow that appears on the right-hand side of the
in Table 4.
screen.
For road train trailers built before July 1991 and not subject to ADR
• Blue roads (designated ‘RT1 route’) show roads approved for
63/00, requirements made in the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards)
access by Type 1 road trains.
National Regulation apply. Those include complying with the
• Pink roads (designated ‘RT2 route’) show roads approved for
following Australasian Standards and updated/later versions of
access by both Type 1 and Type 2 road trains.
these:
• AS 2175-1990: Articulated Vehicles – Kingpins
• AS 2213-1984: 50mm Pin-Type Couplings and Drawbar Eyes for
Trailers
• AS/NZS 4968.1:2003: Heavy road vehicles –Mechanical coupling
between articulated vehicle combinations.
These Australasian Standards describe a method to, and require
operators to, calculate coupling strength requirements (minimum
D-values). Example calculations are shown in Table 5. Alternatively,
values no less than those required by ADR 63/00 and shown in
Table 4 are acceptable.

Table 5: Examples of minimum coupling strength values calculated

via the Australian Standards

Combination type Dolly converter Minimum D-value (kN)

Rigid truck towing two Tandem axle 124
trailers
A-double Tandem axle 128
Tandem axle 161
A-triple
Tri-axle 172
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

Figure 5 Excerpt from the Queensland Globe showing approved

road train routes.
The Queensland Globe shows restrictions on road train routes. These
are visible by zooming in on sections of approved routes on which
restrictions apply. A restriction example is shown in Figure 6. It is
signified by the blue dot at the road intersection.
Information on the restriction is viewed by clicking on the:
• blue/white spanner icon
• identify icon that appears on the toolbar
• route restriction, where displayed on the map

7
 • restriction menu item from the panel that appears on the left of Victoria
screen
The Victorian road train network is available on the VicRoads
• restriction item(s) that appear on the menu panel for information
webpage. Figure 7 shows an excerpt of the road train map for
on the restriction’s nature.
Victoria. Operators can click on:
• the menu icon (shown as the middle icon at the top right of
Figure 7) for a map legend
• an approved road for information on that road
• a restriction (yellow dot) for information on that the restriction.

Figure 7 Excerpt of the maps showing approved routes and

restrictions in Victoria.

Figure 6 Excerpt from the Queensland Globe showing a restriction Each of the Victorian maps displays:
on a Type 1 road train route.
• approved routes of operation for eligible road trains
• any conditions and restrictions applicable to a given route
South Australia
All of the routes allow operation of road trains at GML and CML.
www.dpti.sa.gov.au/ravnet
Operators must still comply with any mass restrictions (e.g. as
Select the type of road train routes you are seeking to access from applies on a specific road).
the menu on the left of screen, choosing from:
HML-approved routes comprise those parts of the default (GML)
• GML routes road train network assessed as having sufficient capacity to support
• HML routes the additional mass. There was no HML access for road trains
• Commodity routes (road train). operating in Victoria at the time of writing.
The selected routes are displayed on the screen. Approved roads
are represented by black lines. Network restrictions are indicated
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

by red dots with white crosses and green stars for level crossing
restrictions. Click on the dots and stars to display the restriction.
South Australia has provided routes for road trains transporting
specific commodity types. The routes provide additional access
beyond those available for general road train operation. They are
available at GML and CML only.
Commodity routes are represented by blue lines. Orange borders
designate local government boundaries. Printing the map will
produce a list of local government restrictions not visible on the
interactive map.

8
Speed limits Victoria
• Nil.
Road trains must be operated in accordance with the speed limits
applying on a given road. Additional conditions to those described above apply to road train
operation on a road-by-road basis. These are described on the
Road trains are restricted to the lesser of an absolute maximum
individual roads as displayed on the maps for road train access.
speed and the applicable speed limit on a given road. The absolute
maximums are summarised in Table 6.
Table 6: Summary of road train absolute maximum speed limits NHVAS accreditation
State or territory Maximum speed limit The circumstances in which operators utilising the Notice must be
New South Wales 90 km/h accredited under the NHVAS have been reduced.
Queensland 90km/h Operators of road trains registered in South Australia have the
option to participate in the NHVAS Maintenance Management
100km/h On the:
module as an alternative to displaying a valid inspection label. This
• Eyre Highway - west of Port Augusta
South Australia • Sturt Highway, north of Port Augusta
condition reflects requirements of the South Australian Government’s
Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme.
90km/h On any other road in SA
Operators seeking to load a road train to CML or HML8 must
Victoria 90km/h participate in the NHVAS Mass Management module. This is a
standing requirement under the Heavy Vehicle National Law
An information sheet on road train speed limits is available on the (HVNL).
NHVR website.
Road trains must also be limited (i.e. mechanically, electronically or
otherwise) to be incapable of exceeding 100km/h.
Requirement to carry the Notice or
Operator’s Guide
Conditions applying to road trains in Drivers do not need to carry a copy of the Notice or Operator’s
Guide. 
individual states
As much as possible, road train requirements nationally have been
made uniform. However, it has been necessary to retain some state-
specific conditions. These conditions apply to road trains operating
on any and all roads within a given state.

New South Wales

• Prime movers forming part of B-triple and AB-triple combinations
must be equipped with ABS brakes.

Queensland
• Quad-axle groups must not be fitted on any road trains while
operating on state-controlled roads in Queensland only.

South Australia
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

• Operators of road trains registered in South Australia must7:

− be accredited in the NHVAS Maintenance Management
module, or
− display a valid inspection label on their road train that
was issued by the South Australia Department of Planning,
Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).

7 The requirement does not apply to road trains visiting, but not registered in South Australia.
8 NHVAS Mass Management is only required when a vehicle is being loaded to CML or a tri-axle group to HML.

9
 Appendix 1: Axle spacing mass limits
The axle spacing mass limits shown in Table 5 are as prescribed
in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National
Regulation.
Table 5: Restricted access axle spacing mass limits
Length of axle spacing (m) Length of axle spacing (m) Length of axle spacing (m) Length of axle spacing (m) Length of axle spacing (m)
At least Less than Mass limit (t) At least Less than Mass limit (t) At least Less than Mass limit (t) At least Less than Mass limit (t) At least Less than Mass limit (t)
0.0 2.5 15.0 13.5 13.7 53.0 23.7 23.8 83.5 33.8 34.0 114.0 44.0 44.2 144.5
2.5 3.7 23.0 13.7 13.8 53.5 23.8 24.0 84.0 34.0 34.2 114.5 44.2 44.3 145.0
3.7 3.8 23.5 13.8 14.0 54.0 24.0 24.2 84.5 34.2 34.3 115.0 44.3 44.5 145.5
3.8 4.0 24.0 14.0 14.2 54.5 24.2 24.3 85.0 34.3 34.5 115.5 44.5 44.7 146.0
4.0 4.2 24.5 14.2 14.3 55.0 24.3 24.5 85.5 34.5 34.7 116.0 44.7 44.8 146.5
4.2 4.3 25.0 14.3 14.5 55.5 24.5 24.7 86.0 34.7 34.8 116.5 44.8 45.0 147.0
4.3 4.5 25.5 14.5 14.7 56.0 24.7 24.8 86.5 34.8 35.0 117.0 45.0 45.2 147.5
4.5 4.7 26.0 14.7 14.8 56.5 24.8 25.0 87.0 35.0 35.2 117.5 45.2 45.3 148.0
4.7 4.8 26.5 14.8 15.0 57.0 25.0 25.2 87.5 35.2 35.3 118.0 45.3 45.5 148.5
4.8 5.0 27.0 15.0 15.2 57.5 25.2 25.3 88.0 35.3 35.5 118.5 45.5 45.7 149.0
5.0 5.2 27.5 15.2 15.3 58.0 25.3 25.5 88.5 35.5 35.7 119.0 45.7 45.8 149.5
5.2 5.3 28.0 15.3 15.5 58.5 25.5 25.7 89.0 35.7 35.8 119.5 45.8 46.0 150.0
5.3 5.5 28.5 15.5 15.7 59.0 25.7 25.8 89.5 35.8 36.0 120.0 46.0 46.2 150.5
5.5 5.7 29.0 15.7 15.8 59.5 25.8 26.0 90.0 36.0 36.2 120.5 46.2 46.3 151.0
5.7 5.8 29.5 15.8 16.0 60.0 26.0 26.2 90.5 36.2 36.3 121.0 46.3 46.5 151.5
5.8 6.0 30.0 16.0 16.2 60.5 26.2 26.3 91.0 36.3 36.5 121.5 46.5 46.7 152.0
6.0 6.2 30.5 16.2 16.3 61.0 26.3 26.5 91.5 36.5 36.7 122.0 46.7 46.8 152.5
6.2 6.3 31.0 16.3 16.5 61.5 26.5 26.7 92.0 36.7 36.8 122.5 46.8 47.0 153.0
6.3 6.5 31.5 16.5 16.7 62.0 26.7 26.8 92.5 36.8 37.0 123.0 47.0 47.2 153.5
6.5 6.7 32.0 16.7 16.8 62.5 26.8 27.0 93.0 37.0 37.2 123.5 47.2 47.3 154.0
6.7 6.8 32.5 16.8 17.0 63.0 27.0 27.2 93.5 37.2 37.3 124.0 47.3 47.5 154.5
6.8 7.0 33.0 17.0 17.2 63.5 27.2 27.3 94.0 37.3 37.5 124.5 47.5 47.7 155.0
7.0 7.2 33.5 17.2 17.3 64.0 27.3 27.5 94.5 37.5 37.7 125.0 47.7 47.8 155.5
7.2 7.3 34.0 17.3 17.5 64.5 27.5 27.7 95.0 37.7 37.8 125.5 47.8 48.0 156.0
7.3 7.5 34.5 17.5 17.7 65.0 27.7 27.8 95.5 37.8 38.0 126.0 48.0 48.2 156.5
7.5 7.7 35.0 17.7 17.8 65.5 27.8 28.0 96.0 38.0 38.2 126.5 48.2 48.3 157.0
7.7 7.8 35.5 17.8 18.0 66.0 28.0 28.2 96.5 38.2 38.3 127.0 48.3 48.5 157.5
7.8 8.0 36.0 18.0 18.2 66.5 28.2 28.3 97.0 38.3 38.5 127.5 48.5 48.7 158.0
8.0 8.2 36.5 18.2 18.3 67.0 28.3 28.5 97.5 38.5 38.7 128.0 48.7 48.8 158.5
8.2 8.3 37.0 18.3 18.5 67.5 28.5 28.7 98.0 38.7 38.8 128.5 48.8 49.0 159.0
8.3 8.5 37.5 18.5 18.7 68.0 28.7 28.8 98.5 38.8 39.0 129.0 49.0 49.2 159.5
8.5 8.7 38.0 18.7 18.8 68.5 28.8 29.0 99.0 39.0 39.2 129.5 49.2 49.3 160.0
8.7 8.8 38.5 18.8 19.0 69.0 29.0 29.2 99.5 39.2 39.3 130.0 49.3 49.5 160.5
8.8 9.0 39.0 19.0 19.2 69.5 29.2 29.3 100.0 39.3 39.5 130.5 49.5 49.7 161.0
9.0 9.2 39.5 19.2 19.3 70.0 29.3 29.5 100.5 39.5 39.7 131.0 49.7 49.8 161.5
9.2 9.3 40.0 19.3 19.5 70.5 29.5 29.7 101.0 39.7 39.8 131.5 49.8 50.0 162.0
9.3 9.5 40.5 19.5 19.7 71.0 29.7 29.8 101.5 39.8 40.0 132.0 50.0 50.2 162.5
9.5 9.7 41.0 19.7 19.8 71.5 29.8 30.0 102.0 40.0 40.2 132.5 50.2 50.3 163.0
9.7 9.8 41.5 19.8 20.0 72.0 30.0 30.2 102.5 40.2 40.3 133.0 50.3 50.5 163.5
9.8 10.0 42.0 20.0 20.2 72.5 30.2 30.3 103.0 40.3 40.5 133.5 50.5 50.7 164.0
10.0 10.2 42.5 20.2 20.3 73.0 30.3 30.5 103.5 40.5 40.7 134.0 50.7 50.8 164.5
10.2 10.3 43.0 20.3 20.5 73.5 30.5 30.7 104.0 40.7 40.8 134.5 50.8 51.0 165.0
10.3 10.5 43.5 20.5 20.7 74.0 30.7 30.8 104.5 40.8 41.0 135.0 51.0 51.2 165.5
10.5 10.7 44.0 20.7 20.8 74.5 30.8 31.0 105.0 41.0 41.2 135.5 51.2 51.3 166.0
10.7 10.8 44.5 20.8 21.0 75.0 31.0 31.2 105.5 41.2 41.3 136.0 51.3 51.5 166.5
10.8 11.0 45.0 21.0 21.2 75.5 31.2 31.3 106.0 41.3 41.5 136.5 51.5 51.7 167.0
11.0 11.2 45.5 21.2 21.3 76.0 31.3 31.5 106.5 41.5 41.7 137.0 51.7 51.8 167.5
11.2 11.3 46.0 21.3 21.5 76.5 31.5 31.7 107.0 41.7 41.8 137.5 51.8 52.0 168.0
11.3 11.5 46.5 21.5 21.7 77.0 31.7 31.8 107.5 41.8 42.0 138.0 52.0 52.2 168.5
11.5 11.7 47.0 21.7 21.8 77.5 31.8 32.0 108.0 42.0 42.2 138.5 52.2 52.3 169.0
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

11.7 11.8 47.5 21.8 22.0 78.0 32.0 32.2 108.5 42.2 42.3 139.0 52.3 52.5 169.5
11.8 12.0 48.0 22.0 22.2 78.5 32.2 32.3 109.0 42.3 42.5 139.5 52.5 52.7 170.0
12.0 12.2 48.5 22.2 22.3 79.0 32.3 32.5 109.5 42.5 42.7 140.0 52.7 52.8 170.5
12.2 12.3 49.0 22.3 22.5 79.5 32.5 32.7 110.0 42.7 42.8 140.5 52.8 53.0 171.0
12.3 12.5 49.5 22.5 22.7 80.0 32.7 32.8 110.5 42.8 43.0 141.0 53.0 53.2 171.5
12.5 12.7 50.0 22.7 22.8 80.5 32.8 33.0 111.0 43.0 43.2 141.5 53.2 53.3 172.0
12.7 12.8 50.5 22.8 23.0 81.0 33.0 33.2 111.5 43.2 43.3 142.0 53.3 — 172.5
12.8 13.0 51.0 23.0 23.2 81.5 33.2 33.3 112.0 43.3 43.5 142.5
13.0 13.2 51.5 23.2 23.3 82.0 33.3 33.5 112.5 43.5 43.7 143.0
13.2 13.3 52.0 23.3 23.5 82.5 33.5 33.7 113.0 43.7 43.8 143.5
13.3 13.5 52.5 23.5 23.7 83.0 33.7 33.8 113.5 43.8 44.0 144.0

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Appendix 2: Definitions Table 7 Other definitions

The road trains authorised to operate under the Notice are defined Combination Definition
in Table 6 below. Complying steer A road train with a single steer axle is a complying
Table 6 Authorised road train combinations axle vehicle steer axle vehicle, if the vehicle has all of the
following:
Combination Definition • an engine complying with the emission control
requirements contained in ADR 80/01 (Euro IV
engine) or a later version of ADR 80
A-double A prime mover towing a semitrailer towing another • a front underrun protection device that complies
semitrailer connected by a converter dolly. with UN ECE Regulation No. 93 or ADR 84 – Front
Underrun Impact Protection
• a cabin that complies with UN ECE Regulation
A-triple A prime mover towing three semitrailers. The second and No. 29
third semitrailers are each connected by a converter dolly. • appropriately rated tyres, axle and suspension to
permit 6.5 tonnes on the steer axle
• a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 15 tonnes or more.
AB-triple A prime mover towing three semitrailers. The second D-value D-value is a measure of a mechanical coupling’s
semitrailer is connected by a converter dolly and the third strength capacity. These values are calculated
trailer is connected by a fifth wheel located towards the rear using methods described in relevant Australasian
of the preceding semitrailer. Can also be described as a Standards.
semitrailer towing a B-double using a converter dolly.
The Australasian Standards require a D-value to
be permanently marked on a mechanical coupling
by its manufacturer. Operators must ensure their
ABB-quad A prime mover towing four semitrailers. The third and fourth road train’s couplings have a sufficient D-value, as
semitrailers are connected by a fifth wheel located towards required by the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards)
the rear of the preceding semitrailer, and the second National Regulation.
semitrailer is connected by a converter dolly. Can also be
Heavy Vehicle This Regulation is made under the HVNL and
described as a semitrailer towing a B-triple using a converter
(Vehicle Standards) prescribes the vehicle standards with which a single
dolly.
National Regulation heavy vehicle or heavy combination must comply for
its use on a road.

B-triple B-triple means a combination consisting of a prime mover

towing three semitrailers, with— (a) the first semitrailer
being attached directly to the prime mover by a fifth wheel
coupling; and (b) the second semitrailer being mounted
on the rear of the first semitrailer by a fifth wheel coupling
on the first semitrailer; and (c) the third semitrailer being
mounted on the rear of the second semitrailer by a fifth
wheel coupling on the second semitrailer.

B-triple A B-triple that is not longer than 35m consisting of a prime

(modular) mover with a single steer axle and a tandem drive axle,
towing three tri-axle group semitrailers connected by fifth
wheel couplings, where—(a) the combination can form a
compliant B-double if any one semitrailer is removed; and
(b) the distance from the king pin of the first trailer to the
rear of the combination is not longer than 29.6m; and (c) the
prime mover is rated by the manufacturer for a startability
of 10 per cent and a gradeability of 12 per cent; and (d) the
prime mover is capable of maintaining a minimum speed
of 70km/h on a one per cent grade at a Gross Combination
Mass (GCM) rating of 84.5t; and (e) the prime mover must
have an engine with a maximum power output of not less
than 370 kW (500 horsepower (hp)).
National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

BAB-quad A prime mover towing four semitrailers. The second and

fourth semitrailers are connected by a fifth wheel located
towards the rear of the preceding semitrailer, and the third
semitrailer is connected by a converter dolly. Can also be
described as a B-double towing a B-double using a converter
dolly.

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National Class 2 Road Train Operator’s Guide – 2020

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