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The National Driver Work Diary: Buying, Using and Replacing It

The National Driver Work Diary is the printed book most heavy vehicle drivers start with. This guide covers where to buy it, how it's laid out, the version introduced on 1 August 2026 and what to do when a diary runs out or goes missing.
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What the Written Diary Is

The National Driver Work Diary is the written work diary issued under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles use it to record work and rest when they work 100km or more from base under Standard Hours, or at any distance under BFM, AFM, ACA-Fatigue or exemption hours.

It's one of two legal options. The other is an electronic work diary approved by the NHVR, and drivers are free to choose either.

Written diaries are sold at more than 500 outlets around Australia. In New South Wales they're issued at Service NSW service centres, and in Queensland the Department of Transport and Main Roads still handles sales.
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What's Inside the Book

The diary is laid out so an officer can read a driver's day at a glance.
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Start‑of‑day details

Each sheet opens with the date, vehicle registration, the driver's name and licence number, solo or two-up, and the base time zone.
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Daily sheets

Each day of work is recorded on its own sheet, with a 24-hour grid split into 15-minute blocks for marking work and rest.
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Driver hours options

A section on every sheet where the driver marks the hours they're working under, such as BFM, AFM or exemption hours.
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The accreditation table

Page 29 holds a table where drivers working under alternative hours write their accreditation number.
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Cancelled pages

Sheets that won't be used must be struck out with two parallel lines and the word CANCELLED in large letters.
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Version 1.4 and the 2026 Changes

An updated written diary, version 1.4, went on sale on 1 August 2026 to match the amended HVNL. Its size, look and structure stayed the same.

An ACH box

Drivers on Alternative Compliance Hours tick the new ACH box. In an older diary, they tick AFM, strike out those letters and write ACH next to it.

Fewer compulsory fields

Marking the day of the week and writing daily totals are no longer required.

Standard box optional

Ticking Standard or Standard Bus is optional, although drivers on other hours options still mark theirs.

Old stock still sold

Outlets may sell earlier versions until their stock runs out, and those diaries remain usable until they're full.

No need to return a found diary

A lost diary that turns up no longer goes back to the NHVR, but its unused sheets are cancelled and the find is reported if it's within 28 days of the loss.

Same places to buy

The outlets selling the written diary didn't change with the new version.

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

The written diary still works well for many drivers. Here's how it compares with an approved electronic one.
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
Neither is better in law. The written book suits some drivers, and others prefer the app doing the arithmetic.
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How It Works

If a written diary is lost, stolen, destroyed or filled up, the NHVR sets out what happens next.
Step 1

Notify the NHVR

Report it within two business days of becoming aware, using the written work diary notification enquiry type on the NHVR contact page.
Step 2

Keep the acknowledgement

The NHVR emails an acknowledgement, and the driver must carry that email while working.
Step 3

Use supplementary records

If a replacement can't be bought straight away, the driver records work and rest on supplementary records.
Step 4

Carry 28 days of records

Supplementary records from the past 28 days travel with the driver.
Step 5

Replace within seven business days

Supplementary records end once a new diary is bought or after seven business days, whichever comes first.
Step 6

Stop if there's no diary

A driver without a replacement after those seven business days must stop work until they have one.

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 written diary is used by drivers who prefer paper, occasional drivers and operators who haven't moved to an EWD.
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
Many fleets keep a few written diaries on hand even after switching, as a backup for drivers on supplementary records.

When the Book Becomes the Bottleneck

Logmaster's NHVR approved EWD records the same information to the minute on a phone or tablet, with no diary to buy, fill up or lose. Record keepers can also enter written diary sheets into the Logmaster portal and check drivers still on paper for breaches.
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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 Put the Diary on Your Phone?

Book a demo and see how Logmaster's NHVR approved EWD records the same day you'd write in the book, to the minute.

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