Weighbridges - Do we drive on by?

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Originally Posted by 303gunner

As Diana has pointed out above (and I'm sure these are National Regulations), you only need a log book, aka work diary, for vehicles of 12t GVM or higher, and only when over 100km from home. Perhaps stupidly, you can clock up as many hours you like in a light vehicle or close to home, and it won't apparently affect your fatigue levels when you get into a long distance heavy vehicle.


Not more widely considered, but touched on above, is alcohol limits. It doesn't matter WHAT vehicle you are driving (ie Smart Car, Unimog, Kenworth), your alcohol limit remains the same. Your mate with only a car licence can be driving his Commodore at 0.045 and be legal, but you as a "Professional" driver (presumably with slightly higher skills/experience?) get busted driving his Commodore over 0.02. It is a licence condition (MR, HR, HC, MC), and does not get waived for lighter vehicles.


I think Mick will tell you any time you drive a Commodore, you're likely to get busted. :angel:

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Oh, crap!. Thanks for pointing that out. I knew it was a condition when driving the trucks but did not think it applied when driving the Commodore.
I'll have to be extra careful at dinner parties.

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Originally Posted by 303gunner

As Diana has pointed out above (and I'm sure these are National Regulations), you only need a log book, aka work diary, for vehicles of 12t GVM or higher, and only when over 100km from home. do be careful with the 100km rule if you are splitting hairs, it is 200km in QLD and 0km in NSW, TAS have signed on to the "national" fatigue management system but keep putting the implementation date back (currently March this year but we expect further procrastination) WA is still not participating Perhaps stupidly, you can clock up as many hours you like in a light vehicle or close to home, and it won't apparently affect your fatigue levels when you get into a long distance heavy vehicle.
not true, work rest hours still apply, you just do not have to record it in the work diary - making detection and prosecution very difficult

Not more widely considered, but touched on above, is alcohol limits. It doesn't matter WHAT vehicle you are driving (ie Smart Car, Unimog, Kenworth), your alcohol limit remains the same. Your mate with only a car licence can be driving his Commodore at 0.045 and be legal, but you as a "Professional" driver (presumably with slightly higher skills/experience?) get busted driving his Commodore over 0.02. It is a licence condition (MR, HR, HC, MC), and does not get waived for lighter vehicles.
I find that one hard to believe, please enlighten me where that comes from

I think Mick will tell you any time you drive a Commodore, you're likely to get busted. :angel:

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I found this re heavy vehicle drivers
From Road Safety Act (Victoria)
Section 52 Zero blood or breath alcohol AKA 0.02

(1) This section applies to any person who is driving or in charge of a motor vehicle without holding a full driver licence which authorises the holder to drive such a motor vehicle, but does not apply to a person who?
(a) is not the holder of a full driver licence merely because he or she has failed to renew his or her licence; or
(b) is?
(i) the holder of a licence to drive such a motor vehicle, which is issued under?

(A) an Act of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth that corresponds with this Act; or
(B ) a law of another country?and which is not a provisional licence or a licence which is on probation; and
(ii) exempted under the regulations from the requirement to hold a driver licence or permit.

(1A) This section also applies to a person who is the holder of a full driver licence which authorises him or her to drive a large vehicle, while that person is driving or in charge of a large vehicle.

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Originally Posted by SSmith

I found this re heavy vehicle drivers
From Road Safety Act (Victoria)
Section 52 Zero blood or breath alcohol AKA 0.02

(1) This section applies to any person who is driving or in charge of a motor vehicle without holding a full driver licence which authorises the holder to drive such a motor vehicle, but does not apply to a person who?
(a) is not the holder of a full driver licence merely because he or she has failed to renew his or her licence; or
(b) is?
(i) the holder of a licence to drive such a motor vehicle, which is issued under?

(A) an Act of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth that corresponds with this Act; or
(B ) a law of another country?and which is not a provisional licence or a licence which is on probation; and
(ii) exempted under the regulations from the requirement to hold a driver licence or permit.

(1A) This section also applies to a person who is the holder of a full driver licence which authorises him or her to drive a large vehicle, while that person is driving or in charge of a large vehicle.

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Phew! <says Mick whilst wiping his forehead with the back of his hand>

Interesting how 0.02 is considered zero blood alcohol level.

FAIR DINKUM !!! Ive been stopped at RBT plenty of times, twice in my Iveco under .05 but certainly above .02 and Ive got a HC Licence, never been questioned , will put this to the serving member siblings & see what they think !!

no good my wife driving, she also has HC licence !!

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Originally Posted by SSmith

do be careful with the 100km rule if you are splitting hairs, it is .......and 0km in NSW,

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Typo I assume because it is 100km radius in NSW.

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Originally Posted by Graeme

Typo I assume because it is 100km radius in NSW.

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Yes, thanks. :angel:
and hopefully QLD will be bought into line with the NHVR up and running

Brought to my attention by 2 workmates who got busted (separately, different times, different places). 1 lost his job over it at the time because his then employer had a zero tolerance policy for drivers with DUI convictions. Neither were in heavy vehicles at the time and surprised that 0.02 applied while in a car (In fact, one who lost his job was done when HV limit was 0.00% BAC). Appealed it in court, convictions upheld.


It's not very clearly spelt out, but Blood alcohol limits - Alcohol and driving - Alcohol and other drugs - Staying safe - NSW Centre for Road Safety says "drivers of vehicles over 13.9t GVM" (ie MR, HR, HC, MC licences) 0.02


"All other LICENCES" 0.05


You do not need to be IN a heavy Vehicle at the time, just be a Heavy Vehicle licence holder. The limit is applicable to the Licence Class, not the type of vehicle.


PS, It looks like interstate Heavy Vehicle drivers are allowed 0.05, presumably because they have come a long way and could murder a cold one or two by now. :eek:

That makes no sense at all. I know you have very good evidence from your 2 mates examples, but seriously, if you are driving a car you should be treated as a car driver. The fact that you are allowed to drive a truck shouldn't get you treated any different when you are driving a car. Sometimes (often?) the law sucks :mad:

That's one I will chase up if the .02 rule applies to the lic then it could be applied when driving a car but I think it would against the spirit of the law. You don't know if your mates may have upset the constable did they some times that gets obscure rules applied that would not normally be enforced;)

Here is what nsw says

Blood alcohol limits - Alcohol and driving - Alcohol and other drugs - Staying safe - NSW Centre for Road Safety


1st paragraph seems to say it applies to the license and the type of vehicle you are driving at the time:)