Heavy vehicle industry

View information relevant to Industry & Business, such as:

• Fact sheet for Heavy Vehicle Industry (PDF, 240KB) closed and restricted state-controlled roads due to wet weather and flooding

• Under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, a prime contractor and driver of a road vehicle transporting dangerous goods has a number of obligations, which can be found via Transporting dangerous goods by road .

Heavy vehicle industry road report

A number of heavy vehicle and freight restrictions are in place and are available from the Heavy Vehicle Industry Road Report (PDF, 180KB). This can be cross referenced with the Road Freight Network to assess your journey.

This report is automatically updated every hour from information stored within the QLDTraffic system.

To speak with the Heavy Vehicle Road Operations Program Office regarding information on flood-affected heavy vehicle routes and Flood Recovery Permit applications please call the Heavy Vehicle Road Operations Program Office on 1300 105 647 between 8.30am-5.00pm Monday-Friday.

Click to subscribe to a daily/weekly email update for the temporary disaster related Heavy Vehicle Mass and Dimension Restrictions.

State-controlled road freight network

The State-controlled Road Freight Network is a PDF map view of the key state-controlled freight routes throughout Queensland.

State-controlled Road Freight Network (PDF, 1.8MB)

Queensland government heavy vehicle rest areas

National reforms to combat heavy vehicle driver fatigue are now here. The new laws are about making the roads safer and fairer, not just for heavy vehicle drivers but for all road users.

The Queensland Government is committed to helping Heavy Vehicle drivers make more informed travel decisions. Below are links to find information about government managed heavy vehicle rest areas.

• Interactive Map of Queensland Government Heavy Vehicle Rest Sites

• Text list of Queensland Government Heavy Vehicle Rest Sites (PDF, 880KB)

Excess mass and dimension conditions of operations

Vehicles operating under excess mass and/or excess dimension guidelines or permits can potentially damage the road infrastructure and effect the safety of other road users.

To reduce the risks associated with the use of these vehicles, conditions of operation may be imposed on their operation.

General conditions of operation are included in the excess mass and excess dimension guidelines and conditions of operation for specific operations are issued with excess mass permits and Letters of No Objection (LONO).

It is the operator's responsibility to ensure compliance with current conditions of operation.

To assist operators meet the responsibility a Conditions of Operation Database for the state-controlled road network has been developed for public use.

To access the Condition of Operation Database, follow this link: Conditions of Operation Database

M1 truck lane restrictions

From 1 August 2017, truck lane restrictions begin on the Pacific Motorway (M1) between Springwood (Exit 20) and Robina (Exit 79). 

The M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is Queensland’s busiest road and a key freight route. More than 148,000 vehicles travel on the M1 each day, including around 12,000 heavy vehicles. Given these traffic volumes, it is sensitive to traffic congestion, particularly when traffic accidents occur.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads will report on the effectiveness of this initiative after the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 
 

Restrictions
Trucks with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 4.5t will be restricted to travelling in the left 2 lanes in both directions between Springwood and Robina.
Affected trucks

• A truck is defined as a vehicle that weighs 4.5t or more, but does not include a bus.
• The 4.5t relates only to the GVM and excludes any trailer attached to the vehicle.

Trucks are:

• Permitted to use the 2 left lanes only 24 hours a day from 1 August 2017.
• Able to overtake other vehicles, if it is safe to do so, but they must not travel outside the 2 left lanes to do so.
• Allowed to travel in the right lane to avoid an obstruction on the road only for the time it takes to clear the obstruction (for example, debris) and if it is safe to do so.
• Not permitted to travel outside of the 2 left lanes even if traffic is slow or stopped.

Restriction to the left lane
We are committed to keeping traffic moving on the M1. Not only will this improve travel times and safety on the M1 but it will prepare our busiest road for one of the biggest events in Queensland – the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games from 4-15 April.

During the Games, thousands of spectators will attend events on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, and many will be relying on the M1 to get there safely and on time.

In developing this initiative, we looked at interstate and international experience with truck lane restrictions. 

The results show that when trucks are restricted from the right lanes on motorways, traffic flows more smoothly, there are fewer crashes and there is minimal impact on freight efficiency.

Preparing drivers for the change
From June 2017, variable message signs on the M1 will start promoting the implementation of trucks use left lanes from 1 August 2017. This will give truck drivers time to prepare for the change.

Signage showing the lane restriction zones will be installed before August 2017.

Lane restriction offence penalties
Fines apply if a truck driver drives past a no trucks sign.

The fine for an individual is $126 and 3 demerit points, or $630 for businesses.

Queensland Police will enforce the truck lane restrictions.

Download the printable information sheet about the restrictions. (PDF, 2.5MB)