The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual (PDF, 5.6MB) (NHVIM) provides authorised officers and industry with consistent criteria for heavy vehicle inspections. The use of the NHVIM will ensure a nationally consistent approach to improve vehicle standards compliance and help reduce vehicle downtime.
The NHVIM is part of the National Heavy Vehicle Roadworthiness Program and is the foundation for a consistent national approach to heavy vehicle inspections and the improvement of safety across industry. The program seeks to implement nationally-consistent standards for the conduct of inspections, the skills of inspectors, the criteria against which components or sub-systems are inspected, and the management and clearance of defects.
Publication of the NHVIM provides inspectors and operators access to the same standards and criteria for which vehicles will be inspected nationally. Developed with extensive industry consultation, all participating states and territories will adopt the NHVIM into their inspection regimes by 1 July 2016.
The complete NHVIM can be downloaded below or as individual sections, including separate inspection checklists for both heavy vehicles and trailers. As the NHVIM is revised and updated, the NHVR will publish a change log of any amendments to identify which sections have been changed.
In South Australia and Tasmania, there are additional inspection criteria for certain vehicles due to legislation outside of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
South Australia – Every bus registered in South Australia must also comply with the Code of Practice for Buses which can be downloaded from www.sa.gov.au/topics/transport-travel-and-motoring/motoring/vehicles-and-registration/vehicle-types-and-specifications/code-of-practice-for-buses
Tasmania – There are additional vehicle requirements for buses, motorhomes, caravans and campervans used on Tasmanian roads as detailed in the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual – Tasmanian Supplement which can be downloaded from www.transport.tas.gov.au/vehicles/vehicle_inspections/ais/ais_inspection_manuals
Fact sheets
NHVIM Information Sheet (PDF, 329KB) – Provides information about the implementation of Version 2.2
NHVIM Fact Sheet – Brake testing (PDF, 344KB) – Provides information about the changes to machine brake testing, namely roller brake testing, that have been made in Version 2.2
Daily Safety Check guide (PDF, 373KB) – A daily check is a quick visual inspection that can be undertaken on a heavy vehicle prior to leaving the yard, depot or rest area. This guide lists some of the items and areas that may be covered in a daily check of a heavy vehicle and can be expanded on and tailored to suit an operator’s business.