Weighbridges - Do we drive on by?

[Mick_Marsh]

In my truck drivers handbook, it states that when a weighbridge is open, I must drive into it.
Well. I'm not driving commercially and not carrying a commercial load. Am I committing an ofence by driving right on by?

[Scouse]

Years ago when my parents only had one car, my Dad used to take us out in his truck on weekends on the odd occasion. We used to stop at weighbridges then.
The truck was empty apart from 2-3 bicycles on the 8(?) tonne tray.

[Basil135]

I would have thought that it is the class of vehicle that dictates if you have to stop or not.

Essentially, anything that cannot be driven on a normal car licence, motor bikes excluded, probably would be expected to pull in.

If it was me, I would. At least the first time. Beats being chased down the road with those red & blues behind you... :nazilock:

[Mick_Marsh]

I would have thought that it is the class of vehicle that dictates if you have to stop or not.

Essentially, anything that cannot be driven on a normal car licence, motor bikes excluded, probably would be expected to pull in.

If it was me, I would. At least the first time. Beats being chased down the road with those red & blues behind you... :nazilock:
Being in the "4WD Trucks" section of the forum, I am implying the question is for vehicles that cannot be driven on a car or motorbike license.
I am questioning if the rule only applies to commercial trucks with commercial loads or if that also applies to non commercial private vehicles.

[rangieman]

The sign will say all trucks that will mean you :p Oh make sure you are using your log book and it is up to date as well;)

[donh54]

Usually the sign will say all trucks and buses over a certain RGVM (Registered Gross Vehicle Mass). It varies from state to state (so much for national uniform road rules) but may be as low as 4.7t up to 8t

Sent from my HTC One XL using AULRO mobile app

[303gunner]

Usually the sign will say all trucks and buses over a certain RGVM (Registered Gross Vehicle Mass). It varies from state to state (so much for national uniform road rules) but may be as low as 4.7t up to 8t

It varies from weighbridge to weighbridge. NSW has various, with 2 on the Pac Hwy inspecting vehicles over 4.5t GVM:
Heavy Vehicle Safety Stations - Inspections and checks - Safety & compliance - Heavy vehicles - Business & Industry - Roads and Maritime Services (http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/safety-compliance/inspections-checks/heavy-vehicle-safety-stations.html)


In NSW, it is only vehicles over 12t GCM that require logbooks (aka Work Diaries), with no distinction for Private or Business use.

[THE BOOGER]

All trucks over the weight posted at the station entry have to pull in even non commercial, I have a couple of please explain letters here at the moment as my son drove past Marulan with out pulling in, he has pulled in at them since but gets the green re-enter hwy sign straight away so has not actually had to stop:)

[Mick_Marsh]

The sign will say all trucks that will mean you :p Oh make sure you are using your log book and it is up to date as well;)You have pre-empted my next question.

[spudboy]

Log Book?

Am I supposed to be filling in something every time I drive the MAN (which is 100% a camper - cannot be considered commercial in any way)?

BTW - it is a 15 tonne capacity truck, but it weighs 9.5 tonnes....

[grey_ghost]

Without stealing the thread - when I insured the 101 I was asked if it weighs more than 3,500kg... Because it's was an ambulance that has been converted to a camper, it has had some interior walls removed (and all equipment like stretchers, etc) - so it might be lighter than standard. But it has a second spare tyre, nudge bar, awning, driving lights, carpet insulation, automatic gearbox, etc - so it might be heavier?

I have often wondered how much it does weigh...

So my questions are - if I am driving along a free-way and I see an open weigh-bridge, can I drive in and ask to be weighed? Will it cost me any money? And what are the implications of it the vehicle is heavier than 3,500kg? Does Vicroads nab me and say "you need a truck license" or "you're exceeding the front axle weight"... Have I just opened up myself a big can of worms... "Ignorance is bliss" or "better to let a sleeping dog keep snoozing"...

:wasntme: :angel:

[spudboy]

...
I have often wondered how much it does weigh...


Go to your local Mitre10 (or local gardening place) and ask if you can run it over their scales.

Our local Mitre10 sells gravel and soil by the trailer load, so they have drive on scales for car + trailer. They've never charged me for weighing it, and I have done it 2 or 3 times.

I do front axle, both axles, rear axle, so you end up with 3 figures.

That way, you can find out from a 'neutral' source what your axle weights are, and get a truck license if you need one without getting fined or whatever.

[Don 130]

A friend has a horse truck. 51% accommodation and 49% horse space. I'm told it's classed as a camper and not required to pull in.
Don.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The sign will say all trucks that will mean you :p Oh make sure you are using your log book and it is up to date as well;)You have pre-empted my next question.You will find that the drivers work diary only applies to trucks travelling 100 km or more from home base with a GVM over 12Tonne or a bus over 4.5 tonne with 12 or more passengers, your Mk3 is only 8 Tonne GVM so you don't need a work diary even if you are towing a trailer over 6 tonne as the signage specifies GVM and not GCM.

Most weighbridges have a truck only lane and the inspectors will flag you to enter the weighbridge or to return to the highway. Remember if you don't enter the truck lane you can be fined, even if you try to back up and then enter the lane.

Sometimes it's easier to enter the lane and/or complete the work diary even if you are not required to. It saves the hassels of the "please explains" or infringements later.

[Mick_Marsh]

Without stealing the thread - when I insured the 101 I was asked if it weighs more than 3,500kg... Because it's was an ambulance that has been converted to a camper, it has had some interior walls removed (and all equipment like stretchers, etc) - so it might be lighter than standard. But it has a second spare tyre, nudge bar, awning, driving lights, carpet insulation, automatic gearbox, etc - so it might be heavier?

I have often wondered how much it does weigh...

So my questions are - if I am driving along a free-way and I see an open weigh-bridge, can I drive in and ask to be weighed? Will it cost me any money? And what are the implications of it the vehicle is heavier than 3,500kg? Does Vicroads nab me and say "you need a truck license" or "you're exceeding the front axle weight"... Have I just opened up myself a big can of worms... "Ignorance is bliss" or "better to let a sleeping dog keep snoozing"...

:wasntme: :angel:
There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.Grey Ghost

Or next time you take a load to the tip, ask the weighbridge attendant for the tare of the vehicle on the way out.

[goingbush]

One of the reasons I got our Iveco registered at 4495Kg instead of 5200kg GVM was because of cheaper Tolls , no pulling into Truck weigh bridges, and most importantly I don't have to stick to .00 blood Alcohol content !!

I suppose I should carry the rego papers incase I get clobbered outside of Victoria and the cop can't pull it up on his database to confirm if its a truck or car ??? With the fridge box on the back it looks more like a beer truck than a camper.

Al least I have no problem parking in Loading Zones :twisted:

[alien]

There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.
There is also one a little closer at Cooper Street BP.
Can't remember if the "twins" near your village have them.
I would think there would be public bridge in Kilmore too.


The sign will say all trucks that will mean you :p Oh make sure you are using your log book and it is up to date as well;)
A side track for the other can of worms...
I drive a heavy vehicle for a living as a few of the forum members do.
I've been pondering this...
I jump into a members truck/heavy vehicle to display at a show on my day off.
Does this mean I'm now breaching the 7 day rule?
Do I need to carry my log book or just play the dumb driver game;)

[oldyella 76]

There are maximum load limits on axles, not just the G.C.M. so you may be under the G.C.M. but over on one axle or group of axles,you will still get booked. By the way I have a weighbridge here if anyone wants to use it, we way plenty of vans and stuff. We have people play around with their vans with weights and loadings. You would be surprised the overloading see.
Lindsay.

[303gunner]

A side track for the other can of worms...
I drive a heavy vehicle for a living as a few of the forum members do.
I've been pondering this...
I jump into a members truck/heavy vehicle to display at a show on my day off.
Does this mean I'm now breaching the 7 day rule?
Do I need to carry my log book or just play the dumb driver game;)
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:

[Mick_Marsh]

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:
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.

[SSmith]

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:

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.

[Mick_Marsh]

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

Interesting how 0.02 is considered zero blood alcohol level.

[goingbush]

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 !!

[Graeme]

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

[SSmith]

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

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

[303gunner]

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 (http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/alcoholdrugs/drinkdriving/bac/) 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:

[spudboy]

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:

[THE BOOGER]

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;)

[THE BOOGER]

Here is what nsw says

Blood alcohol limits - Alcohol and driving - Alcohol and other drugs - Staying safe - NSW Centre for Road Safety (http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/alcoholdrugs/drinkdriving/bac/)


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

[Graeme]

Bear in mind that the referenced NSW site is an interpretation of the law and may not be sufficiently pedantic to fully reflect the legislation. I heard a magistrate issue a warning to the RTA that if they followed their usual practice regarding the start time of a licence suspension then the RTA would be in contempt of court as he had ruled on his interpretation of the law in this instance.

[Graeme]

As for not knowing weigh station rules, I know a person who drives a truck loaded with fireworks that's fitted with the necessary front and rear explosives hazard signs. Such vehicles are not allowed by law to enter weigh stations so he drives straight past then looks for a place to stop because RMS like clockwork chase him. He then has to get out his copy of the regulations to convince the inspectors because its news to them.

[SSmith]

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 (http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/alcoholdrugs/drinkdriving/bac/) 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:

I don't know what happened in the case of your workmates, seems quite hard done by.
This is from the most recent NSW laws available here: Road Transport Act 2013 (http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/) , the past may have been a different story.

NSW Act takes a little more interpreting than the VIC one I posted earlier but the outcome is the same.

"Special category driver" is where truck drivers fall into it with respect to 0.02 BAC

(2) Meaning of 'special category driver?
For the purposes of this Part, a person is a special category driver in respect of a motor vehicle if:

(a) the person holds an applicable learner licence or applicable provisional licence for motor vehicles of a class that includes the motor vehicle, or

b - c deleted, irrelevant

(d) the motor vehicle is a coach, or

(e) the motor vehicle is a motor vehicle that has a GVM exceeding 13.9 tonnes, or

Again all references to the motor vehicle being driven not the licence class held

110 Presence of prescribed concentration of alcohol in person's breath or blood

(1) Offence?novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol Learner or P licence holder
A novice driver must not, while there is present in the driver's breath or blood the novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol:

(a) drive the motor vehicle, or

(b) occupy the driving seat of the motor vehicle and attempt to put the motor vehicle in motion.

(2) Offence'special range prescribed concentration of alcohol instructors or truck drivers
A person must not, while there is present in the person's breath or blood the special range prescribed concentration of alcohol:

(a) if the person is a special category driver in respect of a motor vehicle'drive the motor vehicle, or

(b) if the person is a special category driver in respect of a motor vehicle?occupy the driving seat of a motor vehicle and attempt to put the motor vehicle in motion, or

(c) if the person is a special category supervisor in respect of a motor vehicle and the holder of an applicable driver licence (other than an applicable provisional licence or applicable learner licence)?occupy the seat in a motor vehicle next to a learner driver who is driving the vehicle.

[digger]

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:

No, this isnt right.
I am 99% certain that the alcohol limit applies top the class of licence you are using at the time..

eg:
truck, heavy, bus =0.00%
car, station wagon etc =0.05%

That is the way it is here and Im very confident nation wide...
(as I type this I realise i havent finished reading this thread so this may have already been covered, if so..sorry :) )

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transport-travel-and-motoring/heavy-vehicles/driving-heavy-vehicles-safely/driver-fatigue

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transport-travel-and-motoring/heavy-vehicles/frequently-asked-questions

[spudboy]

I emailed the SAPOL Traffic Division (SA Police) regarding the limits on alcohol and your license type, and this is their reply:


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/169.jpg

Good morning David

When driving a car on a full licence, your blood alcohol reading must be under 0.05. If you record a reading of 0.05 you are committing an offence.

When driving a truck or a bus your reading must be zero. There is no tolerance in this reading.

The following statement is incorrect - I have been told by someone that having an HR license means that I must be zero BAC even when driving a car, because the alcohol limit goes with the license type, not the vehicle you are driving.

Have a nice day

[p38arover]

There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.

I recently went to a public weighbridge with the P38A. The operator asked if I needed a certificate for rego, if so, $25. Otherwise just have a look at the computer screen - free. :)

[Mick_Marsh]

I recently went to a public weighbridge with the P38A. The operator asked if I needed a certificate for rego, if so, $25. Otherwise just have a look at the computer screen - free. :)
I needed weighbridge tickets to register the Perentie and the 1 Ton Cargo trailer.
They cost me $20 each. The weighbridge at servo near The Thunderdome is self service.