Higher Mass Limits (HML) access in New South Wales

Higher Mass Limits (HML) access can be obtained in New South Wales by enrolling under the IAP.

What are the benefits of HML?

HML provides a significant increase in the productivity of road freight transport vehicles, as detailed below:

* Vehicles that comply with Front Under-run Protection Systems (FUPS) requirements, cabin strength requirements, and the Australian Design Rule (ADR) 80/01 are permitted an additional 500kg on a single steer axle and the gross Higher Mass Limit (HML). Further details are contained in the HML Eligible Vehicle Notice 2006. 

The types of vehicles that can operate at HML include:

1. Short combination vehicles (standard six-axle semi-trailers)
2. B-Doubles
3. Road-Trains
4. Car Carriers

Different levels of HML access will be permitted on the road network in New South Wales according to vehicle type.

What do I need to do before I can operate at HML?

Registered operators must enrol all HML vehicles with the RTA and ensure that the following conditions are met before operating at HML. Vehicles must:

• Not exceed the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass limit.
• Be fitted with road friendly suspension.
• Be accredited under the Mass Module of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) if the vehicle or combination has a tri-axle group.
• Comply with in-service and maintenance requirements for road friendly suspension under current and future enhanced elements of the NHVAS.
• Carry and comply with the Higher Mass Limits (Eligible Vehicles) Notice 2006.
• Be enrolled with the RTA to operate at HML under the IAP and obtain an Intelligent Access Permit.

Who is a registered operator?

A registered operator is the person or entity recorded on the certificate of registration provided by RTA or an interstate road authority (this is the person or entity recorded on the vehicle’s registration papers).

How do I enrol for HML under the IAP?

Registered operators can enrol for HML under the IAP through the online enrolment facility, which can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

All enrolments are processed free of charge.

What if I have more than one vehicle that I want to operate at HML?

Any number of vehicles can be enrolled for HML under the IAP. Only prime movers need be enrolled for HML under the IAP.

How do I apply for the HML routes that I wish to operate on? 

Fully enrolled operators gain automatic access to all roads in NSW that have been approved for HML.

A map of key state roads that have been approved for HML access in NSW is available by clicking on the ‘HML State-road network overview’ link at the bottom of this page.

Operators can also utilise the IAP route confirmation service to obtain further information on  roads available for HML access (see below).

A printable fact sheet has been provided at the bottom of this page to provide information on Applying for Higher Mass Limits in NSW.

IAP route confirmation service

The RTA is pleased to offer an IAP route confirmation service to all transport operators considering becoming fully enrolled in the IAP.

This service will provide operators with the ability to obtain formal confirmation of the availability of HML access on specific roads or routes of interest to their business when making a decision to engage an IAP Service Provider.

Transport operators can also initiate assessments of roads within the HML access zone that have not yet been evaluated for HML.  New roads that are approved for HML through this process will be made available only to vehicles fully enrolled in the IAP. 

To use this service, transport operators should complete the ‘IAP route confirmation’ form below, and email it to Intelligent_Access_Program@rta.nsw.gov.au.

Where access is sought on an unassessed local government road(s), the RTA will advise that you need to obtain written approval from the relevant Local Government Authority.

Approval to operate on private roads must be obtained from the relevant private road owner(s).

B-Double or Road Train restrictions

Transport operators should remember that all B-Double or Road Train restrictions apply to HML approved routes and route requests.

Consideration should be given to B-Double or Road Train access arrangements and/or restrictions when considering HML access for these combinations.

Further information regarding B-Double and Road Train by-pass restrictions is available here.

For any inquiries, please e-mail intelligent_access_program@rta.nsw.gov.au.