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National charging reforms
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National charging reforms for heavy vehicles and trailers

National changes to registration and charging for all heavy vehicles and trailers are being introduced throughout Australia.

This is a national initiative introduced by the National Transport Commission (NTC) in agreement with the Australian Transport Council (ATC). The new charges are intended to ensure that heavy vehicles pay their way on Australia’s road network.

Important: At this stage, in NSW only vehicles registered under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme (FIRS) are affected.

In line with these national reforms, changes which now apply to FIRS vehicles registered in NSW include:

  • Changes to the classification (configuration code) of FIRS prime movers and trailers for registration and charging purposes.
  • New charging arrangements for FIRS heavy trailers, based on a fairer recovery of road use costs.
  • Changes to all FIRS heavy vehicle registration charges in accordance with Commonwealth legislation.

Prime movers (FIRS registered vehicles only)

FIRS prime movers nominated to haul two or more trailers will be automatically assigned a new configuration code for registration and charging purposes. Short prime movers nominated to haul one trailer will retain their existing configuration code.

What do I need to do?

If you are the operator of a FIRS prime mover, you will receive information regarding the changes. This will include a letter and a Description of Heavy Vehicle/Trailer form.

If you receive a renewal notice, renew your registration as usual, online at myRTA, via the Interactive Voice Response System by phoning 1300 360 782, or in person at a motor registry.

If you received a letter and form but not a renewal notice, you will need to attend a registry to renew your registration and receive a registration certificate and label.

Rigid trucks, buses and special purpose vehicles  (FIRS registered vehicles only)

There are no changes to configuration codes for these vehicles, however there is a change in charges. See FIRS NTC charges (in Related links, above right). You will need to follow the same procedure as prime movers.

Heavy trailers  (FIRS registered vehicles only)

Heavy trailers with a gross trailer mass rating (GTMR) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of more than 4.5 tonnes will be classified into one of the following five new categories for registration and charging purposes:

  • Semi-trailers, B-double tail trailers and B-triple tail trailers.
  • B-double lead trailers, B-triple lead and middle trailers.
  • Pig trailers.
  • Dog trailers.
  • Converter dolly or low loader dolly.

What do I need to do?

If you are the operator of an affected heavy trailer, you will receive a letter instead of your usual renewal notice. The letter explains the configuration code changes. You will also receive a Description of Heavy Vehicle/Trailer form. You need to complete the form to nominate the category and axle group of your heavy trailer. A separate form is required for each trailer.

When you are ready to renew your registration, you must attend a motor registry in person, and provide the completed Description of Heavy Vehicle/Trailer form along with any other necessary paperwork. The change in configuration code and the registration renewal will be processed at the same time.

Note: You may authorise someone to represent you at the motor registry by providing in writing a letter with your signature as the registered operator of the trailer, stating the name of the nominated representative and that you authorise them to act on your behalf. Your representative needs to present this letter at the registry along with all other necessary paperwork.

IMPORTANT: It is an offence to operate at a higher configuration than nominated. You can operate at a lower configuration.

Common Expiry Date (CED) customers

CED customers will receive an email explaining the changes, a Description of Heavy Vehicle/Trailer information page and a Description of Heavy Trailer spreadsheet. The email will provide instructions for submitting the required Description of Heavy Trailers form(s) to the CED Unit.

Any questions regarding CED registrations should be directed to the CED Unit by phoning (02) 8837 0481 or by emailing CED_Fleet@rta.nsw.gov.au. Please note that the CED Unit cannot calculate new trailer registration charges without the completed Description of Heavy Trailer spreadsheet.

Why the change?

In February 2008, the Australian Transport Council (ATC) of Ministers approved the 2007 Heavy Vehicle Charges Determination developed by the National Transport Commission (NTC).

The determination aims to:

  • Promote the full recovery of wear and tear costs on roads caused by heavy vehicle usage.
  • Remove cross-subsidies between vehicle categories, where bigger trucks such as B-doubles are subsidised by smaller trucks.
  • Cater for the emergence of higher productivity vehicles such as B-triple trucks.

Revenue generated from new charges will go towards road safety, maintenance and essential infrastructure development.

More information can be found on the NTC website (see Related links, above right).

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National charging reforms heavy vehicles and trailers