Heavy tow trucks

The Operation of Heavy Tow Trucks in South Australia Policy MR1567 (797.0 KB PDF) outlines the various means of towing heavy vehicles in South Australia. The policy details the types of towing operations allowed, mass and dimension limits, and operating requirements and responsibilities.

The policy aligns tow truck operations in South Australia with other states and territories and provides productivity benefits to the industry by:

• assisting in the safe and efficient transfer of vehicles between premises;
• incorporating productivity initiatives, such as towing a replacement prime mover to regional or remote areas and accommodating the steer axle mass limits on the current heavy vehicle fleet; and
• closer reflecting the current activities undertaken by the heavy tow truck industry in South Australia.

Vehicle Standards Bulletin

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6): National Code of Heavy Vehicle Modification is the National Standard for the most common modifications made to heavy vehicles. Under the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has set VSB6 as the primary standard used by Approved Vehicle Examiners (AVEs) to approve modifications to heavy vehicles.

Section T of VSB6 relates to Heavy Tow Trucks, and among other conditions requires that when towing, the tow truck's steer axle mass must not be less than 60% of the unladen steer mass.

Permits

Operators can apply for a Class 3 Permit to operate Heavy Tow Trucks in South Australia under the new policy through the NHVR Portal.

NHVR Portal

Related information

Documents

On the  NHVR South Australia notices webpage:

• South Australia Class 1 Transport of Indivisible Items and Agricultural Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)
• Information Sheet - South Australia Class 1 Transport of Indivisible Items and Agricultural Vehicles Dimension Exemption