The HVNL Unfit to Drive Duty, Explained

Since 1 August 2026, the HVNL says a person must not drive a heavy vehicle on a road while impaired by fatigue or unfit to drive. Here's what that means for drivers and for the businesses around them.

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TRUSTED BY MORE THAN 10,000 DRIVERS

What the Unfit to Drive Duty Says

The duty reads: a person must not drive a heavy vehicle on a road while the person is impaired by fatigue or unfit to drive. A driver is unfit if they aren't of sufficiently good health or fitness to drive the heavy vehicle safely at that time.

It applies to drivers of heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, whatever their hours option, whether or not the vehicle is fatigue-regulated, and whether the work is local or not. Drivers of vehicles under 12 tonnes are a new group the duty captures.

The existing fatigue duty hasn't been replaced. The new duty builds on it, adding health and fitness to the fatigue impairment that was already covered.

What Can Make a Driver Unfit

The NHVR's guidance lists causes well beyond tiredness.

Health conditions

Physical or mental health conditions that affect the ability to drive safely.

Illness or injury

Temporary illness or an injury, even one that seems minor at the start of a shift.

Medication effects

An adverse reaction to medication. Drivers should check with their doctor and take only medication prescribed to them.

Alcohol or other drugs

The effects of alcohol or other drugs on the driver's capacity.

Episodes and distress

A hypoglycaemic episode or psychological distress from something at home, two examples the NHVR gives.

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What Businesses Are Expected to Do

Fitness to drive is managed through the primary duty and the operator's safety management, according to the NHVR.

Make it safe to speak up

Drivers should be able to report being unfit without pressure to keep driving.

Train and educate

Give drivers and supervisors fitness-for-duty education and training.

Support health assessments

Allow time for medical appointments and support assessments aligned with the Austroads standards.

Check in before shifts

Talk with drivers before work when there's a fitness concern, and watch for changes in behaviour.

Plan your response

Have a plan for what happens when a driver can't start or needs to stop.

Document the process

Record how fitness risks are identified and managed, as evidence of reasonable steps.

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

How managing fitness records electronically compares with paper forms.

Electronic Work Diary

Paper Logbook

One minute accuracy Fifteen minute blocks
Automatic syncing Manual entries
Easy to read and access Handwriting varies
Real time operator visibility No live oversight
Secure cloud storage Can be lost or damaged
Faster audits and reporting Time consuming

A paper declaration often sits in a folder until the end of the week. An electronic one reaches the office straight away.

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How It Works

Logmaster can carry part of your fitness-to-drive process into each shift.

Write the procedure

Set out how drivers report being unfit and what the business does next.

Build the declaration

Use Logmaster's fitness declaration, or a custom form with your own questions.

Declare every shift

Drivers complete the declaration in the app before they start work.

Route it to the office

Declarations reach the record keeper in real time for follow-up.

Track medical expiry

Expiry alerts flag when a driver's medical or training record is due.

Talk, then record

Follow up concerns in person and note the outcome using an incident report or form.

Features at a Glance

1. Accurate one minute recording
2. Offline functionality for uninterrupted use
3. Live visibility for fleet managers
4. Fatigue reminders and breach alerts
5. Driver declarations and vehicle checks
6. Secure cloud storage
7. Multi company support for contractors
8. Fast export for audits and reporting
9. Fatigue rule sets including Standard Hours, BFM, AFM, WA plans and bus rules

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Who It's Built For

The duty reaches drivers of heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes and everyone in the chain who influences how they work.

User Type

Benefit

Truck drivers Easier logging and clear alerts
Transport operators Real time visibility and compliance
Compliance managers Reliable logs for inspections
Owner drivers No paperwork and simple routines
Subcontractors Easy switching between employers

Drivers, record keepers and managers can all see the same fitness records in Logmaster.

Why Operators Use Logmaster for Fitness Records

Logmaster's fitness declarations, custom forms and incident reports sit in the same app drivers use for their work diary, so fitness checks become part of the daily routine. The office sees each declaration as it's submitted, and expiry alerts cover medicals and training. A declaration supports your process, and the conversations behind it remain the business's job.

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Ray A.

First day with Logmaster was to my surprise was user friendly. Josh was very thorough in taking me through all the steps in setting up the Logmaster app. I would recommend Logmaster to all drivers regardless of age. Never have to worry about making a mistake as it tells you if you are. Great customer service after hours support is second to none.

Mike H.

Have started using Logmaster after trying 3 other models. I actually enjoy using it. Very easy to use and follow and the help if you need it is top notch by the developer. Does everything by the minute and works when no service is available. My system is customised for me and fits well with my system (I’m WA). Cost is on par with two of the other ones looked at.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which drivers does the Unfit to Drive duty apply to?

Drivers of heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, from 1 August 2026. It applies whatever work and rest option the driver uses, whether or not the vehicle is fatigue-regulated, and to local and non-local work alike.

Do drivers of 4.5 to 12 tonne trucks now need a work diary?

No. The Unfit to Drive duty reaches those vehicles, but work diary and fatigue recording requirements haven't been extended below 12 tonnes. Operators should still bring those drivers into their fitness-to-drive procedures.

Is a fitness‑for‑duty declaration enough to meet the duty?

The NHVR has said a declaration alone isn't enough. Businesses are expected to engage with drivers about their health, provide training, support health assessments and build a culture where drivers can disclose problems. A declaration works best as one step in that process.

Can a driver refuse to drive if they feel unfit?

Yes. Drivers can decline to start or stop driving if their health or fitness affects their ability to drive safely, and the NHVR notes health-related unfitness is generally covered by personal leave under the applicable award or agreement.

What happens if an officer thinks a driver is unfit?

An NHVR authorised officer can prevent a driver from driving if they reasonably believe the driver is impaired by fatigue or unfit to drive. The NHVR has said roadside enforcement works much as before, with officers acting on visible signs.

Ready to Build Fitness Checks Into Every Shift?

Book a demo and see how Logmaster's fitness declarations and forms support your Unfit to Drive procedures.

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TRUSTED BY MORE THAN 10,000 DRIVERS

Health conditions

Illness or injury

Medication effects

Alcohol or other drugs

Episodes and distress

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

Ray A.

Mike H.

Which drivers does the Unfit to Drive duty apply to?

Do drivers of 4.5 to 12 tonne trucks now need a work diary?

Is a fitness‑for‑duty declaration enough to meet the duty?

Can a driver refuse to drive if they feel unfit?

What happens if an officer thinks a driver is unfit?

Policy

Resources

Contact us

Level 1/63-73 Ann St, Surry Hills NSW 2010