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HVNL Regulations: How the Rules Fit Together

The Heavy Vehicle National Law sets the duties. The national regulations underneath it hold much of the detail, including the fatigue rules and work diary requirements your drivers follow every day.
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The Law and Its Regulations

The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) is the schedule to the Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012 (Qld). Queensland's parliament passes the host law, and the other participating jurisdictions adopt it, some with their own modifications.

It commenced on 10 February 2014 in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Western Australia and the Northern Territory haven't adopted it, although it applies to their vehicles when they cross into a participating jurisdiction.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) administers and enforces the law, while the National Transport Commission manages its maintenance and improvement.
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The National Regulations

The NHVR lists five national regulations that sit alongside the law.
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Fatigue Management

Work and rest limits, work diary and record keeping requirements, and the rules for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles.
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Mass, Dimension and Loading

Limits on vehicle mass and dimensions, and the requirements for loading heavy vehicles.
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Vehicle Standards

The construction and performance standards heavy vehicles have to meet.
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Registration

How heavy vehicles are registered under the national scheme.
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General

Administrative provisions that support the rest of the law.
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What the 2026 Amendments Changed

The 2025 amendment package, passed by Queensland's parliament on 18 November 2025, took effect across participating jurisdictions on 1 August 2026.

A new accreditation scheme

The National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme is moving to Heavy Vehicle Accreditation, with General Safety Accreditation as the first tier.

Fatigue hours reworked

ACA-Fatigue replaced BFM and AFM for new applicants. Accreditations already held under BFM or AFM carry on until they lapse, are cancelled or the operator moves across.

Simpler work diary records

Marking the day of the week and writing daily totals on written work diary sheets became optional.

An Unfit to Drive duty

Drivers of heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes must not drive while unfit for any reason, and parties in the chain must not cause or encourage it.

Mass and length changes

General mass limits rose to match the old concessional limits, and the maximum length for eligible combinations went from 19 to 20 metres.

Updated penalties

Industry reporting puts the number of fines that changed at 71, with 50 increasing and 21 decreasing.

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

How an electronic work diary compares with paper under the fatigue regulation.
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
The fatigue regulation allows both. An approved EWD takes care of the record keeping detail for the driver.
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How It Works

Keeping your fleet aligned with the regulations takes a few practical steps.
Step 1

Know your hours

Confirm whether each driver works under Standard Hours, an existing BFM or AFM accreditation, exemption hours or ACA-Fatigue.
Step 2

Choose your diary

Decide between the written work diary and an approved EWD such as Logmaster.
Step 3

Set up record keeping

Nominate a record keeper and a record location for each driver.
Step 4

Train drivers

Make sure drivers understand their limits and how to record work and rest.
Step 5

Monitor every day

Use live data and alerts to spot problems while they can still be fixed.
Step 6

Review regularly

Check records, breaches and procedures against the law as it changes.

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

Anyone who influences how a heavy vehicle is used has a part to play under the HVNL, not only drivers.
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
Logmaster gives each of those people the information their role needs.

Why Operators Use Logmaster to Keep Up

Logmaster's NHVR approved EWD applies the fatigue rules for the plan each driver works under and flags potential breaches as they happen. It's used by more than 10,000 drivers, covers HVNL plans and WA plans in one app, and is ISO 27001 certified.
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Hear from Our Users

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

Ready to Keep Up With the HVNL?

Book a demo and see how Logmaster applies the fatigue regulation for your drivers and keeps your records ready as the law changes.

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