Telematics and the new access regime

Class 1 heavy vehicles telematics

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have collaborated with Transport Certification Australia (TCA) to embed certified Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) into the Revised Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Access Regime, togther with Smart On-board Mass Management (Smart OBM).

The following Class 1 heavy vehicles will require telematics as part of the new access regime.

Class 1 heavy vehiclesMandatory telematics
Load platform combinations with trailers made up of modules with steerable, load sharing axles, with 5 or more axles TMA and Smart OBM
Low loader combinations with trailers with a loading deck no more than 1m above the ground, with up to 5 axles TMA and Smart OBM
Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) starting with mobile cranes TMA

Telematic requirements

Travel on TMRs network under a HVAMS Notice or Permit will only be available for vehicles that are fitted with the required TMA and Smart OBM—there will be a transition period for installation.

Agreed telematics data will be supplied to TCA and TMR for assurance, asset and access management, and investment purposes. From April 2024, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will be responsible for all enforcement in Queensland (no longer TMR).

Under the NHVRs Chain of Responsibility (CoR) industry operators are obligated to provide a safe working environment for everyone involved in the supply chain. Smart OBM can help industry operators meet these obligations by providing an exact measurement of the gross vehicle mass in real-time.

Telematic certified service providers

TCA is a national organisation that provides assurance services relating to transport technologies and data to enable improved public purpose outcomes from road transport.

A certified service provider offers applications of the National Telematics Framework higher than Level 1 assurance, such as the Telematics Monitoring Application.

Visit the TCA website for a list of telematic certified service providers.

Fitting telematic equipment

Sufficient time will be provided for industry operators to fit certified telematic equipment and for certified Smart OBM to be available for hydraulic suspension systems. We are continuing to consult with TCA and certified service providers of TMA and Smart OBM. More information will be provided.

If your current service provider is not certified to provide TMA, refer them to TCA to discuss how to become a certified service provider.

Visit the TCA website for more information.

When to have TMA and Smart OBM installed

Class 1 load platforms and low loaders greater than 59.5 tonnes will be the first vehicle fleet to transition to the new Class 1 access regime. They will require TMA to be fitted to operate in the new access regime under our mandatory Telematic Policy. We expect this to occur late 2024.

  • These vehicles must have Smart OBM installed within 12–18 months from the start of our mandatory Telematic Policy (a commencement date hasn't been determined yet).

Class 1 SPVs, including mobile cranes, currently operate under TMRs mandatory Telematics Policy and the Intelligent Access Program (IAP):

  • when these vehicles are included in the new access regime, they will need to transition from IAP to TMA to operate under our mandatory Telematic Policy
  • existing IAP equipment will seamlessly transition to TMA—we expect this to occur shortly after the Class 1 load platforms and low loaders greater than 59.5 tonnes stage is complete
  • Class 1 SPVs, including mobile cranes, will not require Smart OBM.

We are committed to working with service and equipment providers as well as transport operators to provide adequate time to implement the required telematics devices.

Number of vehicles requiring TMA and Smart OBM

Based on NHVR Portal data between August 2021 to August 2022, these are the estimated number of Class 1 heavy vehicles that will need TMA and Smart OBM installed.

Types of vehicles Number of vehicles
Prime movers 2,194
Dollies 526
Load Platform Trailers 378
Low Loaders Trailers 1,009
Special Purpose Vehicles 435