THE National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is half way through a two-month process to assess the condition of Australia’s heavy vehicles.

The NHVR began conducting the National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey (NRBS) in August as the most compressive assessment of the condition of the heavy vehicle fleet ever undertaken in Australia.

It is part of the National Heavy Vehicle Roadworthiness Program aimed at reducing the safety, economic and environmental impacts caused by unroadworthy heavy vehicles.

The findings will be used to compare existing state inspection regimes and provide a benchmark against which future reforms can be measured.

Authorised officers are undertaking the assessments at roadside check points and in depots throughout Australia.

“This snapshot of the fleet’s condition will identify factors that increase the risk of incidents, assist to develop a national risk-based inspection approach and identify high-risk components, systems, vehicles or operators,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said.

The NHVR has advised heavy vehicle operators to be prepared for the potential delay. If a vehicle is selected, it will have a comprehensive visual inspection which, depending on the condition of the vehicle, may take on average 30 minutes and in certain cases around 45 minutes.

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