Truck Pilot/Escorts
This week’s Top Tip includes important information about Truck Pilots and Escorts.
There are two levels of “Pilots”. For larger loads, the pilots must be “Certified Pilots”. These are people who have completed at least 20 smaller loads and have then completed and past a VicRoads approved Certified Pilot’s Training Course and have been issued a “Certified Pilots Licence”. For smaller loads anyone can act as a “pilot” provided they and the vehicle meets requirements as outlined in the Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulations.
Below are the MDL Schedule 8 and Pilot Vehicles, also a pilot and escort graph guide.
MDL Schedule 8
Part 1 Exemptions granted by Commonwealth Gazette notice
Division 1 General conditions
1 Smallest practicable size of unloaded vehicle
A class 1 heavy vehicle that is not carrying goods must be kept at its smallest practicable
dimensions, with any booms fully retracted.
2 Warning signs and flags
(1)A class 1 heavy vehicle that, together with its load, is wider than 2.5m or longer than 25m must
have—
(a)a warning sign attached to the front of the vehicle; and
(b)a warning sign attached to the rear of the vehicle or, if a load projects from the rear of the
vehicle, to the rear of the load; and
(c)4 brightly coloured red, red and yellow, or yellow flags, each at least 450mm by 450mm, fixed as
follows—
(i)a flag must be attached at each side of the front of the vehicle or, if a load projects from the front
of the vehicle, at each side of the front of the load;
(ii)a flag must be fixed at each side of the rear of the vehicle or, if a load projects from the rear of the
vehicle, at each side of the rear of the load; and
(d)if a load projects beyond a side of the vehicle—2 brightly coloured red, red and yellow, or yellow
flags, each at least 450mm by 450mm, attached to the front and rear of each projecting side of the load at the outermost points.
(2)A class 1 heavy vehicle that, together with its load, is not wider than 2.5m, and whose length is
more than 22m but not more than 25m, must have a warning sign attached to the rear of the vehicle or, if a load projects from the rear of the vehicle, to the rear of the load.
(3)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to—
(a)a heavy vehicle used in connection with the construction of a road and travelling within 1km of
the relevant construction site, if a warning light is attached to the vehicle; or
(b)a tractor; or
(c)a rigid mobile crane less than 3.1m wide.
(4)In this section—
construction, of a road, includes repair or maintenance of the road.
3 Warning lights and delineators if load projecting from vehicle
(1)If a load projects more than 150mm beyond a side of a class 1 heavy vehicle, and the projection is
less than 500mm thick from top to bottom—
(a)a warning light must be attached to the vehicle; and
(b)2 delineators must be attached to the projection in the way stated in subsection (2) on each side
of the vehicle on which the load projects more than 150mm.
(2)For subsection (1)(b), the delineators must be attached in the following way on each side of the
vehicle on which the load projects more than 150mm—
(a)at least 1 delineator must be attached to the front of the projection and at least 1 delineator must
be attached to the rear of the projection;
(b)a delineator attached to the front of the projection must be attached so that its reflective surface
is facing forward of the vehicle;
(c)a delineator attached to the rear of the projection must be attached so that its reflective surface
is facing rearward from the vehicle.
(3)In this section—delineator means a yellow, rigid piece of material commonly known as a
‘delineator’ that—
(a)is at least 300mm long and at least 300mm wide; and
(b)complies with Class 1 or 2 of AS 1906 ‘Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic
Control Purposes’.
Note—
AS 1906 ‘Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes’ may be purchased from Standards Australia at <www.standards.org.au>.
4 Warning lights for wide vehicles used in daytime
If a class 1 heavy vehicle is, together with any load, wider than 3m, a warning light must be
attached to the vehicle while it is being used in the daytime.
5 Side and rear markers and warning lights for oversize vehicles used at night
(1)If a class 1 heavy vehicle that is an oversize vehicle is being used at night—
(a)side markers must be displayed—
(i)not more than 2m apart along the total length of each side of the vehicle and any load projecting
from the front or rear of the vehicle; and
(ii)at each corner of any load projecting from the front or rear of the vehicle; and
(b)2 rear markers must be fitted to the rear of any load projecting from the rear of the vehicle,
within 400mm of each side of the load and at least 1m but not more than 2.1m above the ground; and
(c)a warning light must be attached to the vehicle if it, together with any load, is wider than 2.5m or
longer than 22m.
(2)In this section—rear markers means red lights known as ‘rear markers’.
Side markers means lights showing yellow to the front and red to the rear and known as ‘side markers’.
6 Headlights
(1)This section applies to a class 1 heavy vehicle that is an oversize vehicle, or the towing vehicle of a
class 1 heavy vehicle that is an oversize vehicle, that is required to have headlights under
the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.
(2)The class 1 heavy vehicle, or the towing vehicle, must have its low-beam headlights on while it is
being used in the daytime.
(3)In this section—low-beam, for a headlight fitted to a heavy vehicle, has the meaning it has for the purposes of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.
7 Travel restrictions at night
A class 1 heavy vehicle that, together with any load, is wider than 3.1m or longer than 22m, must not, while being used at night—
(a)travel outside an urban area; or
(b)travel in an urban area without being accompanied by a pilot vehicle.
8 No travelling if low visibility
(1)A class 1 heavy vehicle must not begin to travel if, due to circumstances such as fog, heavy rain,
smoke, dust or insect plague—
(a)visibility is less than 250m in the daytime; or
(b)the headlights of a vehicle approaching within 250m could not be seen at night.
(2)If a class 1 heavy vehicle is already travelling when visibility is reduced to the level mentioned in
subsection (1), the vehicle’s driver must drive the vehicle into the nearest safe parking area and wait until visibility improves beyond that level before continuing to travel.
(3)In this section—safe parking area, for a class 1 heavy vehicle, means an area at which vehicles of
that kind maybe parked lawfully and safely.
9 Minimum following distance
(1)The person driving a class 1 heavy vehicle that is an oversize vehicle must drive at least 200m
behind another oversize vehicle travelling in front of it, unless the person is—
(a)driving on—
(i)a multi-lane road; or
(ii)a length of road in a built-up area; or
(b)overtaking.
(2)In this section—built-up area has the meaning it has for the purposes of the Road Rules.
multi-lane road has the meaning it has for the purposes of the Road Rules.
10 Allowing overtaking
(1)This section applies if a class 1 heavy vehicle is being driven on a road, or a part of a road, that
does not have a separate lane for overtaking vehicles.
(2)The person driving the class 1 heavy vehicle must, at regular intervals and to the extent reasonably practicable, move the vehicle off the road to allow other vehicles to overtake it.
11 Assessing routes
(1)Before a class 1 heavy vehicle is driven along any route, its driver and operator must be satisfied
that the route has been assessed and that the vehicle can be driven along it without contravening subsection (2).
(2)A class 1 heavy vehicle must not be driven along a route if to do so would be likely to cause—
(a)disruption to telecommunication, electricity, rail, gas, water or sewage services (relevant
services); or
(b)damage to a road (including a bridge), structure, rail crossing or tree (relevant property).
(3)Subsection (2) does not apply if the entity responsible for the relevant services or relevant
property has given permission for the vehicle to travel along the route, and the vehicle is driven in accordance with the permission.
(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that a mass or dimension exemption is not permission for the
purpose of subsection (3).
Division 2Load-carrying vehicles
12 Application of Div 2
(1)This Division applies only to a class 1 heavy vehicle that is a load-carrying vehicle.
(2)A reference in this Division to a load-carrying vehicle is taken to be a reference to a load-carrying
vehicle that is a class 1 heavy vehicle.
13 Carrying goods in addition to a large indivisible item
(1)A load-carrying vehicle must not carry more than 1 large indivisible item unless—
(a)the vehicle together with its load complies with the general mass limits; and
(b)the vehicle carrying more than 1 large indivisible item does not cause the vehicle together with its
load to exceed a prescribed dimension requirement that would not be exceeded if the vehicle carried only 1 of the large indivisible items.
(2)A load-carrying vehicle carrying 1 or more large indivisible items must not carry any other goods
unless—
(a)the vehicle together with its load complies with the general mass limits; and
(b)the other goods are contained within the limits set by the prescribed dimension requirements.
(3)Despite subsection (2), a load-carrying vehicle carrying a special purpose vehicle or agricultural
vehicle may also carry equipment, tools, substances or detached parts to be used in conjunction with the vehicle being carried.
(4)In this section—large indivisible item has the meaning it has under section 116(4) of the Law.
14 Towing a low loader dolly with an unladen low loader
An unladen low loader must not be towed in a combination with a low loader dolly unless—
(a)the combination is 2.5m wide or less; and
(b)it would be unreasonable to require the dolly to be loaded onto the low loader because of the
short distance to be travelled, or special difficulties in loading or unloading the dolly due to the nature of the location where the loading or unloading is to take place.
Division 3Special purpose vehicles
15 Application of Div 3
(1)This Division applies only to a class 1 heavy vehicle that is a special purpose vehicle.
(2)A reference in this Division to a special purpose vehicle is taken to be a reference to a special
purpose vehicle that is a class 1 heavy vehicle.
16Side lights for travel at night with long front projections
(1)When travelling at night, a special purpose vehicle with a projection extending more than 1.2m in
front of the vehicle must have a yellow light fixed on each side of the projection.
(2)The light must be—
(a)fixed as far forward as possible, and shielded from the driver’s view; and
(b)visible to any traffic approaching the vehicle from its front; and
(c)visible to any traffic approaching the vehicle from the side on which it is fixed.
17 Rear marking plates and warning patterns
(1)A rear marking plate must be fitted to the rearmost part of the body of a special purpose vehicle.
(2)A warning pattern must be displayed on the left and right sides of any rigid projection extending
more than 1.2m in front of the body of a special purpose vehicle.
(3)In this section—rear marking plate means a plate that—
(a)warns other road users that the vehicle to which the plate is attached is an oversize vehicle; and
(b)complies with the ‘VSB 12—National Code of Practice—Rear Marking Plates’ published by the
Regulator.
Note—
A copy of the ‘VSB 12—National Code of Practice—Rear Marking Plates’ is available on the Regulator’s website at www.nhvr.gov.au.
18 Prohibition on towing other vehicles
A special purpose vehicle must not tow a vehicle.
Division 4Agricultural vehicles
19 Application of Div 4
(1)This Division applies only to a class 1 heavy vehicle that is an agricultural vehicle or agricultural
combination.
(2)A reference in this Division to an agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination is taken to be a
reference to an agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination that is a class 1 heavy vehicle.
20 Warning devices for agricultural vehicles or combinations
(1)An agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination wider than 2.5m, or an agricultural
combination longer than 22m, must have a warning light attached to its highest practicable point when it is on a major road.
(2)A warning sign must be attached to the rear of an agricultural implement being towed by a
tractor.
(3)A warning pattern must be displayed at the sides of the rear of any auger, conveyor, or the
reaping implement of a combine harvester.
(4)Any part of an axle extending more than 150mm from the outside wall of a tractor’s tyre must be
painted fluorescent yellow or have yellow fluorescent or other high-visibility material wrapped around it.
(5)In this section—combine harvester means an agricultural vehicle that simultaneously performs
operations of reaping, threshing and winnowing grain crops.
21 Pilot vehicle requirements for agricultural vehicles or combinations
(1)An agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination wider than 3.7m but not wider than 4.5m must
be accompanied by at least 1 pilot vehicle if—
(a)any part of the terrain in which it is being used limits a clear view of approaching traffic to less
than 500m; or
(b)it is being used on a major road.
(2)An agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination wider than 4.5m—
(a)must be accompanied by at least 1 pilot vehicle unless paragraph (b) applies; and
(b)must be accompanied by at least 2 pilot vehicles if—
(i)any part of the terrain in which it is being used limits a clear view of approaching traffic to less than 500m; or
(ii)it is being used on a major road.
(3)Despite subsections (1) and (2), an agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination does not have
to be accompanied by a pilot vehicle if it is travelling less than 500m.
22 Agricultural vehicles or combinations not to be used on freeway
(1)An agricultural vehicle or agricultural combination must not be used on a freeway.
(2)In this section—freeway has the meaning it has for the purposes of the Road Rules.
23 Agricultural implements not to carry goods or passengers
An agricultural implement must not carry goods or passengers.
24 Speed limits for agricultural implements without brakes
An agricultural implement without brakes must not be towed by a vehicle at a speed greater than the lesser of the following—
(a)20km/hr less than the speed limit applying to the vehicle under the Road Rules;
(b)50km/hr.
Division 5Pilot and escort vehicles
25 Application of Div 5
(1)This Division—
(a)applies if, under a condition in Divisions 1 to 4, a class 1 heavy vehicle must be accompanied by a
pilot vehicle or escort vehicle; and
(b)prescribes requirements about the pilot vehicle or escort vehicle or its operation.
(2)A reference in this Division to a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle is taken to be a reference to a pilot
vehicle or escort vehicle accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle under a condition
in Divisions 1 to 4.
26 Requirements for a pilot vehicle
(1)A pilot vehicle must have at least 4 wheels and a GVM of—
(a)no more than 4.5t unless paragraph (b) applies; or
(b)if the pilot vehicle is the rear pilot vehicle of 2 pilot vehicles that are required to accompany a
class 1 heavy vehicle—no more than 6.5t.
(2)A pilot vehicle must have a warning sign attached to its roof.
(3)A pilot vehicle must only have a warning light attached—
(a)above or below the warning sign; or
(b)at each side of the warning sign.
27 Requirements for an escort vehicle
(1)An escort vehicle must have—
(a)at least 4 wheels; and
(b)a GVM of 4.5t or less; and
(c)1 or 2 warning lights on its roof.
(2)If the vehicle is a police vehicle or transport enforcement vehicle, the warning light, instead of
flashing yellow, may flash a colour that a light on the roof of an exempt vehicle is required or
permitted to be under section 79 of Schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation.
(3)This section does not apply to an escort vehicle that is a motor cycle driven by a police officer in
the course of the officer’s duty.
28 Headlights on a pilot or escort vehicle
(1)The low-beam headlights on a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must be switched on when it is
accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle during the daytime.
(2)In this section—low-beam, for a headlight fitted to a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle, has the
meaning it has—
(a)if the pilot vehicle or escort vehicle is a heavy vehicle—in section 4 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle
Standards) National Regulation; or
(b)otherwise—for the purposes of the provisions of the light vehicle standards prescribing
requirements about the headlights of the vehicle.
29 Restriction on what a pilot or escort vehicle may carry
A pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must not tow a trailer or carry goods, but it may carry equipment or substances for use in connection with the class 1 heavy vehicle it is accompanying or for restraining a load on that heavy vehicle.
30 Where a pilot vehicle must be driven
(1)If 1 pilot vehicle accompanies a class 1 heavy vehicle, the pilot vehicle must travel—
(a)behind the heavy vehicle if they are on a divided road; or
(b)in front of the heavy vehicle if they are on a road that is not divided.
(2)If 2 pilot vehicles accompany a class 1 heavy vehicle, 1 pilot vehicle must travel in front of the
heavy vehicle, and the other behind it.
(3)A pilot vehicle must travel far enough away from the class 1 heavy vehicle it is accompanying to
give adequate warning to other road users of the presence of the heavy vehicle, taking into
account traffic speed, weather, visibility and other driving conditions.
31 Communication between drivers
(1)A class 1 heavy vehicle and any accompanying pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must have a device
that allows the drivers to communicate effectively with each other.
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply—
(a)if the class 1 heavy vehicle is—
(i)an agricultural machine; or
(ii)a heavy combination that includes an agricultural machine; or
(b)in relation to a class 1 heavy vehicle accompanied by an escort vehicle that is a police vehicle.
Part 2Exemptions granted by issuing a permit
32 Application of Pt 2
(1)This Part applies only to a class 1 heavy vehicle that is a special purpose vehicle.
(2)A reference in this Part to a special purpose vehicle is taken to be a reference to a special purpose
vehicle that is a class 1 heavy vehicle.
33 Restriction on towing other vehicles
(1)A special purpose vehicle must not tow a vehicle.
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a crane towing a single trailer if—
(a)the crane has no more than 5 axles; and
(b)the load on the trailer includes only equipment required for the normal operation of the crane;
and
(c)the swept path of the combination consisting of the crane and trailer turning a corner is not greater than what the swept path of the crane alone turning a corner would be.
Part 3All mass or dimension exemptions
Division 1 Warning lights
34 Application of Div 1
(1)This Division—
(a)applies if a class 1 heavy vehicle, or a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle accompanying a class 1 heavy
vehicle, must have 1 or more warning lights on it under a condition of the mass or dimension
exemption under which the class 1 heavy vehicle is being used; and
Note—
Part 1 prescribes conditions about warning lights for class 1 heavy vehicles, or pilot vehicles or escort vehicles accompanying class 1 heavy vehicles, being used under a mass or dimension exemption granted by Commonwealth Gazette notice.
(b)prescribes requirements about the warning lights.
(2)A reference in this Division to a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle is taken to be a reference to a pilot
vehicle or escort vehicle accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle.
35 Characteristics of warning light
(1)A warning light attached to a class 1 heavy vehicle, pilot vehicle or escort vehicle, when switched
on, must—
(a)emit a yellow coloured light of rotating and flashing effect; and
(b)flash between 120 and 200 times a minute; and
(c)have a power of at least—
(i)if LED technology is used—24W; or
(ii)if another technology is used—55W; and
(d)not be a strobe light.
(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply to a warning light that—
(a)is attached to an escort vehicle that is a police vehicle or transport enforcement vehicle; and
(b)complies with the requirements of the light vehicle standards for lights attached to a vehicle of
that kind.
36 Visibility of warning lights
(1)A warning light attached to a class 1 heavy vehicle, pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must be—
(a)clearly visible at a distance of 500m in all directions; or
(b)supplemented by 1 or more additional warning lights so that the light emanating from at least 1
of them is clearly visible at a distance of 500m in any direction.
(2)However, for a pilot vehicle travelling in front of a class 1 heavy vehicle, a filter may be placed
behind the warning light attached to the pilot vehicle to reduce the intensity of the light directed to the driver of the heavy vehicle.
37 Switch for warning lights to be within easy reach
The switch for a warning light attached to a class 1 heavy vehicle, pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must be within easy reach of the driver in the normal driving position in the vehicle.
38 Warning lights to be on if required, and off if not
(1)A warning light attached to a class 1 heavy vehicle must only be switched on when the heavy
vehicle is travelling, or is stationary in a position that is likely to cause danger to other road users.
(2)A warning light attached to a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle must be switched on when the vehicle
is travelling and accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle.
Division 2Warning signs
Subdivision 1 Preliminary
39 Application of Div 2
(1)This Division—
(a)applies if a class 1 heavy vehicle, or a pilot vehicle accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle, must
have 1 or more warning signs on it under a condition of the mass or dimension exemption under which the class 1 heavy vehicle is being used; and
Note—
Part 1 prescribes conditions about warning signs for class 1 heavy vehicles, or pilot vehicles accompanying class 1 heavy vehicles, being used under a mass or dimension exemption granted by Commonwealth Gazette notice.
(b)prescribes requirements about the warning signs.
(2)A reference in this Division to a pilot vehicle is taken to be a reference to a pilot vehicle
accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle.
Subdivision 2 Class 1 heavy vehicles and pilot vehicles
40 Application of Sdiv 2
This Subdivision applies to both warning signs required to be on a class 1 heavy vehicle and
warning signs required to be on a pilot vehicle accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle.
41 Face of warning sign
The face of a warning sign on a class 1 heavy vehicle or pilot vehicle must have—
(a)a yellow surface complying with class 1 or 2 of AS 1906 ‘Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for
Road Traffic Control Purposes’; and
Note—
AS 1906 ‘Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes’ may be purchased from Standards Australia at <www.standards.org.au>.
(b)a black border that is at least 20mm wide and, unless the sign has been made with a box edge,
whose outermost edge is at least 10mm in from the edge of the sign; and
(c)its manufacturer’s name or trademark, and the brand and class of material used for the warning
sign’s surface, permanently marked in letters at least 3mm but no more than 10mm high—
(i)for a class 1 heavy vehicle—on any visible part of the sign; or
(ii)for a pilot vehicle—on any visible part of the sign other than a bottom corner.
42 Other specifications for warning signs
A warning sign on a class 1 heavy vehicle or pilot vehicle must—
(a)be manufactured from a material appropriate to its intended use on the vehicle; and
(b)be fitted so that the sign is unlikely to become dislocated or furl; and
(c)be displayed so that the entire sign is clearly visible; and
(d)be maintained so that it can be easily read by other road users.
Subdivision 3Class 1 heavy vehicles only
44 Application of Sdiv 3
This Subdivision applies only to warning signs required to be on a class 1 heavy vehicle.
45 Size of warning sign
(1)A warning sign on a class 1 heavy vehicle must be at least 1200mm long and at least 450mm high.
(2)The length of a warning sign on a class 1 heavy vehicle may be split into 2 parts, in which case the
combined length of its parts must be at least 1200mm.
46 Face of warning sign
(1)A warning sign on a class 1 heavy vehicle must show the word ‘OVERSIZE’, in black capital letters,
and in typeface Series C(N) complying with AS 1744 ‘Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road
Signs’.
Note—
AS 1744 ‘Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road Signs’ may be purchased from Standards Australia at <www.standards.org.au>.
(2)The letters must be—
(a)at least 200mm high; and
(b)at least 125mm from the top and bottom of the warning sign.
(3)If the length of the warning sign is split into 2 parts—
(a)the part fitted on the left must show the word ‘OVER’ and the part fitted on the right must show
the word ‘SIZE’; and
(b)there must be no border between the 2 parts, despite section 41(b).
Example of a warning sign for an oversize vehicle or combination—
47 Fitting warning sign
(1)A warning sign on a class 1 heavy vehicle must be fitted horizontally.
(2)The lower edge of the warning sign must be—
(a)above the bottom of the bumper bar; or
(b)if there is no bumper bar—at least 500mm above ground level.
(3)If the length of the warning sign is split into 2 parts, each part must be fitted at the same height as
the other.
Subdivision 4Pilot vehicles only
48 Application of Sdiv 4
This Subdivision applies only to warning signs required to be on a pilot vehicle accompanying a class 1 heavy vehicle.
49 Size and shape of warning sign
(1)A warning sign on a pilot vehicle must be at least 1200mm long and at least 600mm high.
(2)The warning sign may have bottom corner cut-outs not more than 150mm wide and not more
than 100mm high if they are needed for fitting the warning sign to the pilot vehicle.
50 Faces of warning sign
(1)Both faces of a warning sign on a pilot vehicle must show—
(a)the word ‘OVERSIZE’, in black capital letters at least 200mm high, and complying with AS 1744
‘Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road Signs’, in typeface Series C(N); and
(b)the words ‘LOAD AHEAD’, in black capital letters at least 100mm high, and complying with AS
1744 ‘Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road Signs’, in typeface Series D(N).
Note—
AS 1744 ‘Forms of Letters and Numerals for Road Signs’ may be purchased from Standards Australia at <www.standards.org.au>.
(2)The bottom of the letters of the word ‘OVERSIZE’ must be at least 300mm from the bottom of the
warning sign.
(3)The bottom of the letters of the words ‘LOAD AHEAD’ must be at least 100mm from the bottom
of the warning sign.
Example of a warning sign for a pilot vehicle—
51 Fitting warning sign
A warning sign on a pilot vehicle must not lean back so that there is more than 200mm measured horizontally from the top of the sign to a vertical line running through the bottom of the sign.
Example—
Pilot vehicles
Pilot vehicle requirements
Pilot vehicles must comply with Schedule 8 Part 1 Division 5 requirements of the MDL Regulation, to the extent that they are a pilot vehicle.
Refer to Appendix 3 for relevant information from the MDL Regulation relating to pilot vehicle requirements.
Where a pilot vehicle must be driven
The following pilot vehicle positions apply, unless stated otherwise.
If one pilot, the pilot vehicle must travel:
• behind the heavy vehicle if they are on a divided road; or
• in front of the heavy vehicle if they are on a road that is not divided.
If two pilot vehicles, one pilot vehicle must travel in front of the heavy vehicle and the other behind it.
A pilot vehicle must travel far enough away to give adequate warning to other road users of the presence of the oversize agricultural vehicle or combination, taking into account traffic speed, weather, visibility and other driving conditions.
Communication between drivers
As per Section 31 of Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation, a Class 1 heavy vehicle (including agricultural vehicles and combinations), that is being accompanied by a pilot vehicle or escort vehicle, and any accompanying pilot vehicle or escort vehicle, must have a device that allows the drivers to communicate effectively with each other.
Width greater than 3.7m
One pilot vehicle is required if an agricultural vehicle or combination is wider than 3.7m, and if:
• a clear view of approaching traffic is reduced to less than 500m (e.g. because of the terrain); or
• travel is on a major road.
A pilot vehicle is not required if:
• the trip is less than 500m on a public road; or
• crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Width greater than 4.5m
One pilot vehicle is required if an agricultural vehicle or combination is wider than 4.5m.
Two pilot vehicles are required if an agricultural vehicle or combination is wider than 4.5m and if:
• a clear view of approaching traffic is reduced to less than 500m (e.g. because of the terrain); or
• travel is on a major road.
A pilot vehicle is not required if:
• the trip is less than 500m on a public road; or
• crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Tasmania – Pilot vehicle requirements related to width
When travelling in Tasmania eligible agricultural vehicles and combinations must travel with the following pilot vehicle arrangements (instead of the earlier mentioned pilot vehicle arrangements related to width).
One pilot vehicle is required if an agricultural vehicle or combination is wider than 3.5m.
Two pilot vehicles are required if an agricultural vehicle or combination is wider than 4.5m, and if:
• travel is on a major road; or
• the trip is greater than 500m on a public road, other than a major road; or
• a clear view of approaching traffic from either direction is reduced to less than 500m (e.g. because of the terrain).
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
South Australia – Pilot vehicle requirements for travel in Zone 2
When travelling in Zone 2 in South Australia, eligible agricultural vehicles and combinations must travel with the following pilot vehicle arrangements (instead of the earlier mentioned pilot vehicle arrangements related to width).
Width greater than 3.0m
• One pilot vehicle required (positioned at the front), if a clear view of approaching traffic is reduced to less than 500m ahead.
• One pilot vehicle required (positioned at the rear), if a clear view of approaching traffic is reduced to less than 500m behind.
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
South Australia – Pilot vehicle requirements for travel in Zone 5
When travelling in South Australia in Zone 5, eligible agricultural vehicles and combinations must travel with the following pilot vehicle arrangements (instead of the earlier mentioned pilot vehicle arrangements related to width).
Width greater than 3.7m but not more than 6.0m
• One pilot vehicle required (positioned at the front), if a clear view of approaching traffic is reduced to less than 500m ahead.
• One pilot vehicle required (positioned at the rear), if a clear view of approaching traffic is reduced to less than 500m behind.
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Width greater than 6.0m but not more than 7.5m
• Two pilot vehicles required (one positioned at the front and one positioned at the rear).
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
New South Wales – Augers and Conveyors in Zone 1
The following condition applies regardless of the distance travelled.
For travel in Zone 1 in New South Wales, agricultural combinations with augers or conveyors with a rear overhang that exceeds 5.5m, but is not more than 7.0m, may travel, but must be accompanied by one pilot vehicle positioned at the rear.
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Queensland – Additional pilot vehicle requirements
Table 8 outlines pilot vehicle requirements for travel in Queensland, regardless of the distance travelled.
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Table 8: Additional pilot requirements in Queensland
When a pilot is required
Pilot requirement
Length greater than 25.0m; and up to 30.0m; and Travel is in any zone.
At least one pilot vehicle. This does not apply if the agricultural combination is already being accompanied by a pilot vehicle due to its width.
Victoria – Additional pilot vehicle requirements
Table 9 outlines pilot vehicle requirements for travel in Victoria.
A pilot vehicle is not required if:
• the trip is less than 500m on a public road; or
• crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Table 9: Additional pilot requirements in Victoria
When a pilot is required Pilot requirement
Length greater than 30.0m; and Travel is in any zone. Two pilot vehicles (one positioned at the front and one positioned at the rear)
Width greater than 5.0m; and Travel is in any zone. Two pilot vehicles (one positioned at the front and one positioned at the rear)
Travel in an 80km/h or higher speed zone
The following condition applies regardless of the distance travelled.
Where the towed mass ratio of a combination is greater than 1:1.2 and travel is in an 80km/h or higher speed zone, agricultural combinations must have at least one pilot vehicle positioned at the rear of the combination.
• This rear pilot condition applies in addition to any condition that requires a pilot vehicle to be positioned at the front.
• If a rear pilot vehicle is already required due to another condition (e.g. due to the width being over 4.5m), then an additional rear pilot is not required.
This condition is to manage safety aspects of speed differences that may exist between the agricultural combination and other traffic using a high-speed road.
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
21 Rear overhang greater than 6.5m
An agricultural vehicle or combination with a rear overhang greater than 6.5m must be accompanied by at least one pilot vehicle positioned at the rear.
• This rear pilot condition applies in addition to any condition that requires a pilot vehicle to be positioned at the front.
• If a rear pilot vehicle is already required due to another condition (e.g. due to the width being over 4.5m), then an additional rear pilot is not required.
This condition is to manage safety aspects of tail swing and interaction of the combination with other traffic, particularly when turning (e.g. at intersections or when entering and exiting a property).
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
This condition may not apply to sugarcane harvesters with a rear overhang of up to 7.8m that are travelling in Queensland. Please see the next section and Appendix 2 of this Guide for pilot vehicle requirements for sugarcane harvesters with rear overhang up to 7.8m when travelling in Queensland (where applicable).
Queensland – Pilot vehicle requirements for sugarcane harvesters with rear overhang up to 7.8m
The following exemption applies only to sugarcane harvesters and only for travel during daylight in Queensland.
A sugarcane harvester with a rear overhang up to 7.8m is allowed to travel on any road in Queensland, without being accompanied by a pilot vehicle, except for in the following three situations:
• No travel is allowed on a road in an excluded area, listed in Appendix 2 of this Guide.
• Travel in a critical area or on a critical road is allowed only if accompanied by one pilot vehicle, positioned at the rear; and Travel on a major road is allowed only if accompanied by one pilot vehicle, positioned at the rear.
• If a rear pilot vehicle is already required due to another condition (e.g. due to the width being over 4.5m), then an additional rear pilot is not required.
Note: Critical areas, critical roads and major roads are identified on the Map. Despite the above requirements, if a road is listed as an Approved Sugarcane Harvester Road in Appendix 2 of this Guide, no pilot is required for travel during daylight hours.
A pilot vehicle is not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
A sugarcane harvester with a rear overhang up to 7.8m is allowed to travel at night in Queensland, only if:
• accompanied by one pilot vehicle, positioned at the rear (this condition applies to all roads); and no travel is allowed on a road in an excluded area, listed in Appendix 2 of this Guide.
• If a rear pilot vehicle is already required due to another condition (e.g. due to the width being over 4.5m), then an additional rear pilot is not required.
Despite the above exemptions from pilot vehicle requirements for rear overhang up to 7.8m, sugarcane harvesters must still travel in accordance with any other dimension and pilot conditions that may apply for travel during daytime or night-time (e.g. due to vehicle width).
At all times, the elevator of the sugarcane harvester must be moved in the same direction as the vehicle is turning to minimise the distance the overhang projects into the adjacent lane. The elevator should not project out beyond the side of the vehicle in an unsafe manner while performing this procedure.
Pilot vehicle requirements if a clear view of approaching traffic is less than 500m in any direction
A pilot vehicle is required to accompany an agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice when crossing the road in the following situations.
• If the driver has clear vision of at least 500m along the road in one direction only, and in the other direction there is at least 100m clear vision along the road, one pilot is required while crossing the road. The pilot must be positioned on the side with the least vision when crossing the road.
• If the driver does not have vision of at least 500m along the road in both directions, but there is at least 100m clear vision along the road in both directions, two pilots are required while crossing the road. A pilot vehicle must be positioned on each side when crossing the road. If clear vision along the road is less than 100m in any direction, an alternate location to cross the road with the required clear vision distances to approaching traffic must be used.
Escort vehicle requirements
Escort vehicles must comply with Schedule 8 Part 1 Division 5 requirements of the MDL Regulation, to the extent that they are an escort vehicle.
Refer to Appendix 3 of this Guide for relevant information from the MDL Regulation relating to escort vehicle requirements.
Queensland level 2 escort vehicle requirements
In Queensland, certain roads have been granted access under the Notice that would have otherwise been granted access only by permit.
To manage the risks associated with the movement of oversize agricultural combinations on these roads, level 2 escort vehicles are required as per Table 10.
These requirements apply, despite the distance travelled.
Pilot vehicles and level 2 escort vehicles are not required if crossing a road with a clear view of approaching traffic of at least 500m in both directions.
Information on level 2 escort vehicles in Queensland is available on the TMR website at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Accreditations/Pilot-and-escort-vehicle-driver#escort
Table 10: Queensland level 2 escort vehicle requirements
Dimension Road Escort requirement
Warrego Highway
(between Mitchell and Charleville)
Width greater than 5.0m Burke Development Road Three level 2 escort vehicles that are positioned:
(between Dimbulah and Chillagoe) • 1.0–1.5km ahead of the combination;
• 500m ahead of the combination; and • 300m behind the combination.
Kennedy Highway
(between Mt Garnett and intersection of Tumoulin Rd)
Tumoulin Road (between Ravenshoe and Evelyn)
Width greater than 5.0m
(excluding cotton harvesters) Major Roads in
Zone 4 Major Roads are
identified on the Map
Combination length grater
than 30m and up to 35m Any road • One level 2 escort vehicle located at the front of the combination: and
one pilot vehicle. If the combination already requires two pilot vehicles due
to its width, the pilot ahead of the combination is to be substituted with a
level 2 escort vehicle. This level 2 escort vehicle is required to direct traffic
as necessary, due to potentially significant swept path.
New South Wales escort vehicle requirements
The operator or driver of an agricultural vehicle or combination exceeding 6.5m in width that is operating in Zone 5 in New South Wales must contact NSW Police prior to travel, to organise any additional pilot vehicles or escort services that may be required.
A minimum of five working days is required for police notification letters and/or the organisation of police resources.
For further information, contact the NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command office on
(02) 8882 1436 or at trafficosom@police.nsw.gov.au.
