Frequently Asked Questions
Heavy Vehicle Drivers, Operators, Schedulors and Directors
If you’ve been stopped at a Heavy Vehicle Safety Station, issued an NHVR notice or given a Court Attendance Notice – here are the answers truckies and operators ask us every day.
Enforcement & Roadside Stops
Heavy vehicle safety and compliance measures are enforced by:
Stay calm, cooperate with enforcement officers. Provide your licence and any documents they request.
Do not admit fault or make explanations on the spot. Call Highway Advocates before responding to any questions.
Yes. Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, NHVR and Police officers may require you to produce for inspection any document, device or thing that you as a heavy vehicle driver are required to keep in your possession while driving the vehicle. Including:
- Drivers Licence
- Work Diary
- A copy of BFM or AFM accreditation (if applicable)
Notices, Investigations & Court
A Notice to Produce is a legal demand to provide records including a work diary, consignment documents, timetable and receipts.
See our page Notice to Produce for more information.
Contact us immediately. We can:
- Review the evidence
- Challenge assumptions made by the NHVR
- Negotiate to reduce or drop the charges
- Present your personal circumstances and mitigating factors
- Represent you in Court
- Save your licence and your livelihood
On your first Court date, we can appear for you without you attending.
However, on your final Court date, you will have to be in attendance. We will do most of the talking and it is likely you will not have to say anything.
Licence & Penalties
Yes. Penalties for heavy vehicle offences can include: demerit points, licence suspension and disqualification.
Our aim is always to reduce your penalties and protect your licence.
Our mission is simple: Keeping you on the road where you belong.
Yes. We can argue mitigating factors to reduce your penalties and potentially get you a good behaviour bond.
We will present:
- The circumstances of the offence
- Your driving history
- Positive character references
- Procedural errors
Fatigue, Logbook & Work Diary Issues
Simples mistakes are common.
We explain the offence to the Court in the context of what actually happened from your version of events.
We always aim to reduce your fines and ensure you keep your licence.
Breaches can include driving more hours than the maximum allowed in a 24 hour period or resting less hours than the minimum required in a 24 hour period.
For more, see our page Fatigue Offences.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
The Chain of Responsibility places duties on anyone involved in the transport operations, making them liable when an offence occurs.
This includes drivers, operators, schedulers, consignors, loaders and directors.
We defend people within the Chain of Responsibility as well as transport companies.
For more, see our page Chain of Responsibility.
Yes. NHVR has the power to prosecute everyone in the Chain of Responsibility, including businesses.
Costs & Representation
We offer fixed-fee pricing for all heavy vehicle matters.
You will know the costs upfront with no surprises.
Absolutely - we defend drivers and operators across Australia.
Click here for our pages on New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
We can appear at Court on your behalf on the first Court date.
On that date, we can request the Court adjourn the matter to your closest Courthouse so you are able to attend in person on your final Court date.