Heavy vehicle drivers who carry out primary production journeys in Queensland will no longer have to carry and record information in a National Driver Work Diary if travelling or working under 160km from their base.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) newly appointed CEO, Sal Petroccitto, announced that from 1 June 2014, the work diary exemption area would increase from a 100km to 160km radius for Queensland primary producers and their transport providers.

“This means less paperwork for fatigue management without compromising driver or public safety,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“The NHVR has listened to the primary industry sector and moved quickly to safely reduce red tape for these operators and their transporters.”

Industry groups AgForce and the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland (LRTAQ) have welcomed the NHVR’s decision.

“This is a common sense outcome for primary producers and will go towards reducing burdensome paperwork requirements for the rural sector,” said AgForce transport spokesman, Grant Maudsley.

LRTAQ President, David Scott, also expressed his support.

“I commend the NHVR for listening to industry and for working with us in the development of this exemption. I look forward to seeing the benefits delivered to our members,” Mr Scott said.

Although exempt drivers won’t need to carry and record information in a work diary, record keepers for primary producers and their transport providers are reminded to still keep records of work and rest time.

Record keepers must also keep a copy of payment records relating to the driver, including time sheet records if the driver is paid according to time at work. These records must be kept at the record location for a period of three years.

All other heavy vehicle drivers in Queensland are still required to complete a work diary for work outside the standard 100km radius, as set out in the Heavy Vehicle National Law effective from 10 February 2014.

For more information, download the Work diary exemption for Queensland primary producers fact sheet from the ‘Publications’ section of the NHVR website here.

The Queensland Work Diary Exemption Notice (No. 1) 2014 will soon be available from the ‘Notices and permit-based schemes’ section of the NHVR website.

Source: National Heavy Vehicle Regulation. For more information on recording work and rest times, the National Driver Work Diary and other possible exemptions, visit www.nhvr.gov.au or call 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487).