A NHVAS review is underway as part of Heavy Vehicle Roadworthiness Program, following a week of confusion and contradiction.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is undertaking the review of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) as part of the Heavy Vehicle Roadworthiness Program, a joint initiative with the National Transport Commission (NTC).
The Roadworthiness Program is the first major initiative undertaken by the Regulator and the NTC, under the recently agreed memorandum of understanding between the two organisations. The program aims to develop policy and implementable measures for an improved national heavy vehicle roadworthiness system.
In November 2013, Australia's transport ministers directed the regulator to review the NHVAS, with a particular focus on its maintenance management module. Now, the NTC has been directed to bring forward its review of the heavy vehicle roadworthiness inspection regimes in each jurisdiction and nationally.
Initial recommendations are expected to be delivered from late 2014, with final proposals (including a Regulatory Impact Statement as required) for the improvement of the roadworthiness systems by mid-2015.
As the program reaches consultation stage, the NHVR and the NTC will seek industry feedback on key issues, including:
A review of current roadworthiness practices, including compliance by industry members and management of compliance by regulators. Assessing how current practice supports key transport objectives of road safety, productivity and efficiency. Options and recommendations for an improved national heavy vehicle roadworthiness system.
