DRIVE Winter 2023 Edition

WINTER 2023

Inside Updates for overseas drivers Demerit points waiver Modified vehicles Bus driver recruitment

GENERAL NEWS

Regulation changes for overseas drivers Two changes were recently introduced to the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2017 that impact overseas drivers.

Person A arrives in NSW on 1 July 2023.

Person A will reside continuously in NSW for six months or more from that date.

Person A would be required to obtain a NSW driver licence by 1 January 2024.

The first part of the regulation change impacts overseas drivers who arrive in NSW from 1 July onwards on a temporary visa. If these overseas licence holders intend to reside continuously in NSW for six months or longer, they will need to obtain a NSW Driver Licence to continue driving.

Overseas licence holders who are residents of NSW prior to 1 July 2023 can continue to drive on their overseas licence until they become the holder of a permanent visa under the Migration Act or their overseas licence expires or is otherwise cancelled or suspended.

Overseas drivers who are impacted by this regulation change will need to allow plenty of time to meet all requirements for a NSW licence, which may include passing a Driver Knowledge Test and The Driving Test.

The second part of the regulation change impacts all persons in NSW with an overseas driver’s licence, regardless of how long they have resided in NSW.

From 1 July 2023, Transport for NSW will permanently withdraw a person’s visiting driver privileges if they: accrue 13 demerit points, are convicted of a serious driving offence, are suspended or disqualified from driving a motor vehicle in any part of Australia or another country, or are convicted of a drug or alcohol-related driving offence.

If these overseas licence holders wish to drive again in NSW, they must get a NSW driver’s licence after they have completed their suspension or disqualification period. They will not be permitted to use their overseas licence again to drive in NSW.

“These regulation changes are going to be very impactful in helping to improve road safety as overseas drivers will learn important information regarding the NSW road transport system,” said Kate Timbs, Director of Customer Licencing.

"Where relevant, overseas drivers will also complete theory and driving tests to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to be safe on our NSW roads.

“By capturing the details of overseas drivers in our state-wide database DRIVES, we will also be able to better regulate driver behaviour."

More information on these regulation changes is available via our website.

Lower CTP Premiums for Safer Drivers

“This initiative may incentivise safer driving behaviour, contributing to overall road safety for our NSW driving community,” said Kate.

From 1 May 2023, licensed Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurers can now access a driver’s demerit point status when customer consent is given.

When determining a driver’s CTP premium, there are several factors that an insurer will consider, including:

For drivers that have given consent, insurers will be able to verify the demerit point status of the nominated drivers for each policy renewal, unless the nominated driver chooses to opt out. If a nominated driver chooses not to give their consent, insurers will not be able verify their demerit point status when issuing or renewing a CTP policy.

the driver’s age how many at-fault accidents they’ve had where the vehicle is parked/garaged the age of the vehicle.

“Insurers can now validate a driver’s demerit point status when determining their CTP/green slip premium,” said Kate Timbs, Director of Customer Licensing.

Demerit points are active on a driver’s licence for 40 months after the offence occurs. After 40 months demerit points will not be included in any new licence suspensions.

Further information on this CTP update can be accessed via www.sira.nsw.gov.au

Demerit points relief for safer drivers Unrestricted NSW licence holders – including professional drivers – are eligible for a demerit point trial that aims to reward responsible driving behaviour.

During the trial, if an eligible driver maintains an offence free record during the trial period, one demerit point will be removed from their driving record.

The trial will run from 17 January 2023 until 16 January 2024. There is no need to register for the trial, all unrestricted licence holders are automatically included.

At the completion of the trial, Transport for NSW will undertake a process to identify those eligible for the deduction of a demerit point.

The demerit point deduction is expected to take effect mid-April 2024.

Learner and provisional licence holders are not included in the trial as they are subject to strict conditions of the Graduated Licensing Scheme.

Safe driving behaviour cannot be underestimated as we work together to create a safer driving environment for all road users and ultimately push road trauma to zero.

Did you know?

All licence holders start with zero demerit points.

As a licence holder commits an offence that has a demerit point penalty, the points are then added to their driving record.

Demerit points stay active for a three-year period, starting from the date of the offence.

Multi factor authentication is coming Multi factor authentication (MFA) is being introduced across Transport for NSW (Transport) systems and applications to help protect customer information and data.

With MFA, information is more secure because no one can log into an account without that code, even if they have the user ID and password.

MFA is an extra layer of security for Transport accounts where a one-time code is sent via SMS to a registered mobile phone or Microsoft Authenticator App when attempting to login.

All users of Transport systems and applications will be sent an email with instructions on how to set up MFA.

Animals on country roads One in every 41 crashes resulting in injury or death on country roads involves a vehicle hitting an animal. When driving on country roads, it’s important to be vigilant of wildlife on or near the roadside. Slowing down, particularly around dusk when visibility can be lower, could save a collision or even save your life.

Brake safely – Apply your brakes in a careful, controlled manner. Leave space and pass with care when it is safe to do so.

Don’t swerve – Take great care if you manoeuvre to avoid an animal. You may lose control of your vehicle if you swerve too harshly.

Follow animal warning signs - Take note of warning signs alerting you to the presence of animals in the area. If you see these signs, slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop if required.

Report injured wildlife – Call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your location.

For more information, please visit our website.

Safe driving tips: Reduce your speed – Slow down and look out for wildlife on or near the roadside.

Stay alert – Animals can be more active near waterholes and creeks and harder to see at sunrise and sunset. They can be fast and unpredictable. Stay alert and expect the unexpected.

DRIVES privacy training Transport for NSW (Transport) has recently put together a training package to support external users to meet their privacy obligations regarding DRIVES24.

To achieve this, all DRIVES 24 users must complete training that covers the relevant privacy laws prior to accessing DRIVES24 or DRIVES information.

The DRIVES database holds NSW licensing and vehicle registration details including customers’ personal and health information.

As Mary Drewett, Director Customer Performance and Improvement supported, “We want our customers to feel they can trust that their information is being treated with care.”

More than 130 external agencies including law enforcement, councils and insurers have limited read only access to this information for approved official purposes. This is available via DRIVES24 a read-only version of DRIVES. Transport is required to ensure that DRIVES24 is secure and only used for appropriate and approved purposes.

“By protecting customers’ information, DRIVES24 users prevent harm to customers, to themselves and the entire community.”

This is an important measure Transport is taking to honour its commitment to its privacy obligations under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.

Electric vehicle safety response In 2022, 20,665 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in Australia, triple the amount sold in 2020. With the rise of EVs on NSW roads comes the likelihood of more crashes involving EVs, along with the added complexity that an EV crash presents.

NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service, VRA Rescue and TAFE NSW. “The simulated crashes demonstrate that first responders must deal with battery powered cars in a very specific way,” said Matthew Cafe Partnerships Manager.

Transport for NSW (Transport) was invited to assist Fire and Rescue NSW in staging a multiagency crash simulation at the Emergency Services Academy in Orchid Hills.

“Having fuel labels in place helps first responders know what type of vehicle they are working with and can mean the difference between life and death if a vehicle is on fire or doors are jammed shut."

The simulation was designed to represent multiple EV crash scenarios, and the creation of safety response videos that will be used in future training for emergency services personnel.

“Transport’s traffic management commanders participated in the scenarios to explain the role Transport plays in crashes and road incidents to keep road users safe and moving.”

The joint agency exercise was a great collaboration between Fire and Rescue NSW,

Several previously written off EVs were used for the simulated single-vehicle and multiplevehicle incidents.

The ‘jaws of life’ cut into vehicles, and multiple emergency service teams worked to safely and promptly secure the crash scenes and remove the passengers involved.

Transport is proud to partner with our NSW emergency services colleagues.

We would like to remind all drivers to slow down and make room for emergency service vehicles when their lights are flashing and to listen and follow orders from first responders when they are involved in an incident.

When passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing blue or red lights: if the speed limit is 80km/h or less, you must slow down to 40km/h if the speed limit is over 80km/h, you must slow down safely and move over. This includes changing lanes on a multi-lane road, if it’s safe to do so.

You must not increase your speed until you’ve passed all vehicles and people involved.

Read more about responding to road safety hazards on our website.

Does your electric, hybrid, hydrogen or LPG powered vehicle have the correct fuel label?

Fuel labels are a legal requirement and help emergency services recognise risks when attending a vehicle incident. It could help save your life and theirs. Find out more about warning and fuel labels.

Road Rules Awareness Week

21 - 27 August

Read about the top 10 misunderstood road rules.

AIS

Mobile Safety Check Inspections app A new mobile app, R-Safety is currently undergoing user testing, as part of the next phase of making mobile safety (pink slip) inspections possible, easier and more convenient for AIS examiners and vehicle owners.

The app was developed following the successful completion of the mobile pink slips trial. We hope to be able to launch the app to AIS providers later in the year.

Mobile inspections will be an opportunity for AIS examiners to offer more services to their customers. With the app, examiners will no longer have to print and sign each report.

Instead, they will be able to email or SMS it to the customer immediately after the inspection.

Some of the other benefits and capabilities of the app will include: Multi-factor log-in and biometrics (increased security) Mobile inspections for cars, motorcycles and trailers (only if trailer has a VIN/chassis number) Defect clearance Offline capability Modern user interface Validations and automation In built site risk assessment Data in near real-time OCR More compliance data for Transport such as GPS coordinates, pictures Inspection reports digitally sent to customers The app will also make it easier for examiners to meet their obligations regarding compliance to AIS business rules and save time whenever they inspect a vehicle.

Protecting vehicle owners against odometer tampering Odometer tampering involves the disconnection, resetting or changing of a motor vehicle’s display of kilometres it has travelled. It is an offence in NSW to interfere with an odometer reading as it can influence the perceived value and condition of a vehicle.

It’s now possible to check the last three odometer readings for free through the Service NSW website.

“These readings are available to everyone and will help protect customers from odometer tampering,” said Ruth Clulow, Senior Manager Vehicle Operations.

“The readings may show discrepancies between the kilometres travelled – what is displayed on a vehicle’s odometer – versus what has been recorded in previous odometer readings.”

Vehicle owners that suspect odometer tampering can find out more on the Buying a used car - NSW Fair Trading website.

Lost and stolen plates In 2022, more than 15,000 plates were recorded lost in NSW. This is a 43 per cent increase in lost plates since 2012.

Every vehicle registered in NSW is required to be fitted with number plates that meet the requirements of the Road Transport (Registration) Regulation (2017).

Lost and stolen plates have significant and negative impacts on the NSW community. This includes customers being issued with fines for not complying with the registration regulations and associated costs for replacement plates. The circulation of lost and stolen plates in the community can lead to misuse of vehicles and facilitate illegal activities.

When inspecting a number plate, it must meet all the requirements of the regulation, or AIS Rule 105.11 which include;

Being in an upright position that is substantially parallel to the vehicle’s axles Not more than 1.3 metres above ground level Not obscured, defaced or otherwise illegible All covers must be clear, clean, non-tinted and flat over its entire surface All covers have no reflective characteristics preventing successful operation of a law enforcement device Clearly visible up to 20 metres away and within an arc of 45-degrees from the plate’s surface, above or to either side of the vehicle In the case of a motor vehicle for which numberplates of different sizes are issued—the larger of the numberplates is affixed to the rear of the vehicle If you find a vehicle with a missing or damaged plate, you should advise the owner of the vehicle to report it via Service NSW and they must apply for a replacement plate as soon as possible.

Suspicious plates: If you suspect the plates on the vehicle may be tampered with, or the plates are non-genuine please report this to Transport for NSW immediately.

Email: Vehicle.safety@transport.nsw.gov.au

Stay connected Connect with us on social media to keep up-to-date on announcements, safety initiatives, community projects and news that impacts your industry.

MODIFIED VEHICLES

Tweed Head compliance blitz NSW Police joined Transport for NSW (Transport) at Tweed Heads last month for a week-long program of regulatory assurance activities. This included a review of Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) certifiers, Authorised Inspection Schemes (AIS) stations, Heavy Vehicle Competency Based (HVCBA) assessment assessors/trainers, and bus operators (BOAS).

The first area of focus was a comprehensive program of audits targeting VSCCS and AIS stations, HVCBA assessors/trainers and bus operators. The second focus area was an onroad vehicle operation, examining suspect highrisk vehicles.

Some results of this assurance work include: Approximately 65 stations audited over the three days.

Four stations in breach for not complying with the business rules.

Five AIS stations immediately suspended.

One examiner charged with issuing false and misleading documents.

15 HVCBA assessors being audited.

Several VSCCS certifiers now currently under investigation.

One BOAS operator issued a formal warning letter for non-compliance.

Transport staff and Highway Patrol officers participating in a joint, on-road operation, targeting unsafe vehicles.

NSW Police issued 27 Section 66 - Notice to Produce Vehicle letters for a Transport inspection at the Tweed Heads National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station.

This on-road operation resulted in: 27 vehicles being inspected by Transport investigators and regulatory compliance officers.

26 vehicles issued with defect notices.

Eight vehicles issued with a Yellow Defective Vehicle Label, with a large majority of these vehicles only given enough time to be driven home.

Nine vehicles issued with a Red Defective Vehicle Label, these vehicles were Major Grounded and not permitted to be driven and were required to be towed from the scene.

Tuff Trucks Our vehicle safety team attended the Tuff Truck Challenge to talk with 4WD owners about the most common safety risks of modified vehicles.

Owners were reminded that modifications to increase ride height and accommodate oversize tyres can affect braking performance, change handling behaviour, affect steering response, create directional instability, and increase chances of rollover.

Read more about our team taking the opportunity to engage with owners about the safety of modified vehicles here.

Outcomes of the event: 76 vehicles were inspected - 73 were four-wheel drive passenger or light commercial utility type vehicles, one was a passenger sedan and two were trailers 22 vehicles were compliant 54 vehicles found to be defective and issued defect notices - 37 minor, 17 major (yellow label) and four major grounded (red label) 50 vehicles were non-compliant with safety check standards 47 vehicles were significantly modified without appropriate VSCCS certificates and only five vehicles with significant modifications had appropriate VSCCS certifications.

“The high proportion of defective vehicles and vehicles without appropriate VSCCS certificates indicates the need to better inform this cohort of the risks of operating unsafe and non-compliant vehicles,” explained Paul Duignan, Director Vehicle Safety.

“Many of the operators knew their vehicles were not compliant but were not fully aware of the safety risks their vehicles posed to themselves and others.

“Transport’s attendance at events like this provides a valuable opportunity to explain to the owners of their vehicles what they need to do to ensure their vehicles meet safety standards.”

Training NSW Police to crackdown on dangerous vehicles

“Modifications to vehicles need to be done to the applicable standards, to ensure that the required level of safety is provided to the vehicle’s occupants and other road users.”

Equipping NSW Police highway patrol officers with the skills and knowledge to identify dangerous, modified vehicles on NSW roads is a key step to improve road safety.

After the training days, the Far North Coast Highway Patrol and Crash Investigation Unit joined Transport for a compliance operation in Ballina where vehicles were directed to the rear of the police station for testing. Transport inspectors oversaw the operation and provided further training and advice when required.

Transport for NSW (Transport) has established an effective working partnership with the NSW Police Far North Coast Highway Patrol (FNC HWP) and has delivered training to address their needs. The training, held at the Wollongbar TAFE, involved classroom learning and practical assessments to provide the specific knowledge and expertise to conduct vehicle assessments.

Due to the feedback provided from the FNC HWP, Transport will present a broader program of similar training to the rest of the NSW Police Force.

The training teaches officers how to take appropriate action when identifying noncompliant vehicles.

Thanks to the partnership, Transport will be able to collect data on unserviceable and modified vehicles and crashes in the Far North region of NSW. This will assist with the review of vehicle schemes and identify areas for improvement.

“A modification to one aspect of a vehicle can have unintended safety consequences to other aspects of the vehicle,” explained Greg Tarbit, Regulatory Compliance Officer who leads the training program.

As part of the compliance, 22 vehicles were inspected and some of the key findings are outlined below: 18 vehicles were given major defects with 11 red labelled (major grounded) and seven yellow labelled (major).

Four vehicles were given minor defects with one yellow label and three with no label issued.

19 infringement notices were issued for the defects as well as one charge and one positive random drug test.

Two vehicles that were inspected by Transport and Police had previously been issued pink slips without an inspection being performed in accordance with the Authorised Inspection Scheme rules; these vehicles were amongst those found to be defective. Those matters are subject to further investigation.

More information about modified vehicles can be found on our website.

Update on IM240 emissions testing The IM240 emissions test is used to measure the levels of pollutants emitted by a vehicle.

Due to the closure of IM240 emissions testing facilities in Botany, alternate emissions tests have been developed for certain modified light motor vehicles, imported vehicles and individually constructed vehicles.

The interim emissions test procedure has been developed in consultation with automotive industry representatives and subject matter experts.

It describes the types of emissions tests that are acceptable for registration purposes in NSW as alternatives to the IM240 test until Vehicle Standards Bulletin No.14 is revised to include alternative engine exhaust emission test procedures.

Transport has extended the emissions test exemption until September 2023 to support the transition to the new testing procedure.

Apply online for a driving instructor licence Driving instructors are now able to update or apply for their licence online rather than attending a Service NSW centre.

Online applications significantly reduce the time taken to process licencing matters in Service NSW service centres, and ultimately saves NSW taxpayers.

The online applications are now available for the following driving instructor categories; New driving instructor applications Renewal applications Upgrade applications Replacement applications Restricted applications Mutual recognition applications.

BUS INDUSTRY

Meet Lini - one of the Bus Drivers of the Year Congratulations to Linaire (Lini) Barrett, from ComfortDelGro Corporation (CDC) NSW, who was named the 2022 Coach and Charter Driver of the Year.

Lini was one of six recipients of the Bus Driver of the Year Award, with two winners announced in each category due to the postponement of the 2021 Awards. The Bus Driver of the Year Awards were established by BusNSW in 2006 to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals within the bus and coach industry.

“The awards are divided into three categories to recognise drivers in greater Sydney, regional NSW and in the coach and charter sector,” stated Matt Threlkeld, the Executive Director of BusNSW. To be eligible for the awards, nominees must have a safe driving record, and consistently display respect to all other road users. They also need to exhibit a positive and cooperative attitude towards their job, be able to assist passengers and other staff members in a friendly manner and have high standards of personal presentation.

Watch Lini speak about her experience here.

“One of the three main issues bus drivers face is traffic, contending with diversions in place.”

Lini has found since the second wave of Covid19 other road users have been less patient with her and other bus drivers.

“The delays in traffic seem to increasingly be caused by accidents on the roads. Road safety is very critical in terms of me being able to do my job as a bus driver.”

The winners for the 2022 Bus Driver of the Year Awards were:

Lini began driving buses in 2020 due to the security of being an ‘essential worker’ during the pandemic. Lini is one of three women who have won an award at the Bus NSW Awards in the past ten years.

Metropolitan/Outer Metropolitan Bus Drivers of the Year Belinda Guillard from Busways Leo Pham from Premier Illawarra

“It’s a huge honour” said Lini, "it still overwhelms me to be chosen out of the hundreds that were nominated.”

Rural and Regional Bus Drivers of the Year Les Curtis from Cowans Bus Service Alan Selman from Ogden's

“The best part of my day is getting out on the road and being with the public. Safety has always been the key, especially the safety of your passengers getting on and off the bus,” confirmed Lini.

Coaches Coach and Charter Drivers of the Year Linaire Barrett from CDC NSW Hans Keetels from On Course Tours

Getting more bus drivers on board Transport for NSW (Transport) has contributed to an 87 per cent increase in the number of new bus driver authorities issued for the January – May periods for 2022 and 2023.

Recruitment campaigns are targeting areas that are experiencing the worst shortages like the Sydney’s northwest, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and the Inner West to get more people into the role.

Using paid social media, digital display and search, owned channels across other modes, radio, emails to public transport customers and the Transport website, the campaigns raised awareness of bus careers and encouraged people to apply for local jobs. The campaigns also targeted culturally and linguistically diverse audience by using in language messaging (Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese).

“We have been working very hard to assess over 1,900 applications received since January this year,” explained Meagan Felton, Senior Manager Licence Programs.

Be advised that their application could be refused subject to the applicant providing any other relevant facts or information supporting their application.

Busways driver, John Davis wants to encourage more people to consider bus driving as a serious profession. “If you need a healthy change in lifestyle, I definitely suggest becoming a bus driver. If you like being of service to the community, then this is the career for you!”

For more information about becoming a bus driver or the bus driver authorisation process please contact busapplications@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Bus Driver Authority improvements Transport will make it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority in response to the Bus Industry Taskforce’s early recommendations.

On 1 August 2023 we are waiving the $70 fee for the next 12 months for new applications.

Transport is making system changes to enable this. If these changes are still being carried out “Easing the bus industry driver shortage is vital, so after this date, those that apply will be reimbursed we’re really proud to be supporting industry the $70 application fee. onboard new drivers by assessing applications as quicky as possible despite an increased By the end of October 2023 Transport will also be: workload.”

1. Allowing drivers over the age of 25 to apply if they hold a current unrestricted Australian All applications are currently being assessed driver licence, and have held any kind of within five days. Within this time an applicant will: Australian driver licence, or a nationally Be issued a BDA if their application is recognised overseas driver licence, for at least complete and they are assessed as suitable to three years hold a BDA. Currently around 91 per cent of 2. Enabling electronic issue of documents completed applications are finalised within 3. Scrapping duplicated paperwork requirements five working days, or and streamlining the application process.

Will be asked for missing or additional information needed to assess their For any questions, please read our FAQs here. application, or

Reminder to wear a seatbelt on buses Following the recent tragedy involving passengers in the Hunter Valley, Transport for NSW (Transport) wants to remind bus operators and their passengers about their responsibilities in relation to seatbelts.

Clause 89 of the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 (NSW) states bus operators must take reasonable steps to ensure passengers are aware of the need to wear seatbelts when travelling on a bus, and by law, all passengers must use seat belts in any bus that is fitted with them.

Under the law, bus drivers are not accountable if passengers, including school students, fail to use the seatbelts provided. Under no circumstances should a driver physically intervene when a student refuses to wear a seatbelt.

Wearing a seatbelt on the bus helps bus operators keep everyone safe by allowing them to pay attention to the road while driving, rather than focusing on what each of their passengers is doing.

Read more about bus safety on our website.

Driving a bus or coach in the snow?

Driving in the NSW snowfields can be dangerous, with poor visibility and slippery road surfaces. To prevent serious injuries and incidents in these challenging conditions, only specially trained drivers may carry passengers on bus or coach services in the NSW snowfields.

Any driver operating in the snow must have completed a Transport for NSW (Transport)approved Snow Driver Training course and must carry evidence that they have completed this training when transporting passengers into the Kosciuszko National Park from 1 June 2023 to 11 October 2023.

Transport is conducting regulatory assurance activities in the snowfield during 2023 and may enforce the snow driver training requirement. If drivers are found to be operating a public passenger service without having completed the required training, the driver’s authority and the operator’s accreditation may both be suspended.

For more information on Snow Driver Training, contact: Into Training Australia on - 1300 739 881 or sales@intotraining.com.au Raise Training - all enquiries to Port Stephens Coaches on (02) 4982 2940 or info@pscoaches.com.au.

Sharing safety lessons

Updated 72 Hour Bus Incident Investigation Report Form

The Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) has issued two safety advisories to prevent bus rollaways and electrical circuitry issues.

OTSI has updated the 72 Hour Bus Investigation Report Form to include the PEEPO investigative model and encourage operators to collect more and better incident data.

OTSI has issued the following Safety Advisory to help prevent bus rollaways: Safety Advisory SA02/23 – Bus rollaways and incident data collection.

After a bus safety occurrence is reported to OTSI, an operator may be asked to:

Bus rollaways pose a significant risk of serious injury and death. Bus and coach operators need to fully understand the circumstances and likely cause/s of any rollaways that occur to ensure appropriate and timely safety actions are taken to prevent them.

In addition to preventing bus rollaways, OTSI has also issued the following Safety Advisory to help protect electrical circuits on buses: Safety Advisory SA01/23 - Protection of electrical circuits on buses Operators/builders must ensure that fuses are matched correctly to the ampacity of the cables installed. The inclusion of cables with a lower ampacity than the fuse will significantly increase the risk of a fire in the event of a short circuit.

Fuses and circuit breakers should be correctly rated according to relevant electrical standards to protect cabling and the equipment creating the load within a circuit.

provide more details on the incident including copies of any technical or operational investigation reports which may have been conducted. complete a 72 Hour Bus Incident Investigation Report form.

OTSI uses this information to identify trends or safety factors across the sector, to inform any investigation decision it may make, and to work with individual operators or the regulator to identify lessons or improve safety specific to the incident. The form was developed in consultation with Transport for NSW and BusNSW.

UPCOMING EVENTS - COME SEE US Shannon's Sydney Classic - 14/08/23 AgQuip Field Days - 22-24/08/23 Henty Machinery Field Days - 19-21/09/23 BusNSW 2023 Conference - 4-5/10/23 Repco Bathurst 1000 - 6-9/10/23

HEAVY VEHICLES

Exemption for New Zealand heavy vehicle operators

Do you know the height of your load?

From 1 August 2023, New Zealand heavy vehicle licence holders will need to obtain a NSW driver licence, if they have resided in NSW for three months or more.

Over height vehicles The NSW Government, together with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, launched an industrywide education and awareness campaign to ensure truck drivers and freight companies know and follow the road rules to avoid major incidents from over height trucks.

This replaces the temporary measure to allow New Zealand heavy vehicle licence holders to use their licence in NSW for 12 months (or until the licence expires, if sooner) before being required to convert to an equivalent NSW heavy vehicle licence.

The temporary measure was put in place by National Cabinet and the NSW Government to assist with driver shortages due to Covid. It will expire in NSW on 31 July and normal requirements will be back in place.

The campaign videos remind truck drivers about online tools to help avoid over height truck incidents. These include: Sydney Tunnel Height Clearance guide Higher Mass Limits and Restricted Access Vehicle maps Watch the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Launches Education Campaign.

Fresnel Lenses – a small device making a big difference Heavy vehicle operators can now try a Fresnel lens for free to improve their vision while driving and help eradicate blind spots.

Fresnel lenses are made of a thin plastic and are attached to the passenger side windows of heavy vehicles to provide drivers with a wideangle view. This can allow the driver to notice other road users who may have otherwise been hidden in their blind spots.

Transport for NSW trialled the effectiveness of the lenses in minimising passenger side blind spots on heavy vehicles, with most participants reporting that the device made driving safer.

A limited number of Fresnel lenses are currently available to NSW heavy vehicle operators to try for free. To be eligible for a free lens operators must be based in NSW and the lenses are most suitable for heavy vehicles which are over 12 tonnes GVM and a 2015 model or older.

Order your Fresnel lens here.

For more information on Fresnel lenses and to watch the video, please visit our website.

TRAILERS

Trailer registration process changes The Commonwealth Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 has replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and this impacts how trailers are registered in NSW. As of 1 July 2023: Trailer manufacturers producing more than four low-ATM trailers in a 12-month period are required to obtain a Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) from the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

All new trailers provided to the Australian market must have an entry on the Commonwealth’s Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) to obtain NSW registration.

Transport for NSW no longer provides VIN allocations. You can obtain VINs through AUSTROADS (NEVDIS).

Trailer manufacturers producing four or less low-ATM trailers in a 12-month period

may obtain Concessional RAV entries and VINs from the Commonwealth through ROVER for the trailer/s they produce.

For type approved trailers, Trailer Data Sheets replace New Trailer Specification Sheets for trailers manufactured from 1 July 2023.

We have developed a new Manufacturers Guide – Trailer Data Sheets and Trailer Data Sheet application form to help manufacturers wishing to obtain data sheets covering variants of trailers they produce.

You can find more information about what has changed by visiting Low ATM trailers | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

More information about registering trailers is also available on our website .

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