Mass, Load & Dimension Offences Explained
If you’ve been charged with a mass, load or dimension offence, you’re not alone.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Police Officers are running more roadside checks, weighbridge stops and compliance blitzes than ever before.
Even small loading or dimension mistakes can lead to fines, demerit points and court proceedings.
That’s where Highway Advocates steps in, we are the only law firm in Australia that specialises solely on Heavy Vehicle Law.
NHVR charges put your licence, your income and your livelihood at risk – we know how to fight back.
Common NHVR Charges
The NHVR enforces strict rules regarding mass, load and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
Breaches are treated seriously and even a single mistake can lead to thousands of dollars in fines.
We regularly defend truck drivers and operators facing:
- Mass Offences
- Load Restraint Offences
- Dimension Offences
- Weighbridge Offences
Penalties
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, mass offences, load offences and dimension offences are placed into three categories based on risk level:
- Minor risk breach – Maximum penalty: $5,470.
- Substantial risk breach – Maximum penalty: $8,250.
- Severe risk breach – Maximum penalty: $13,730.
Why You Need a Heavy Vehicle Lawyer
Don’t trust your case to a general traffic lawyer.
Heavy Vehicle Law is a world of its own, with complex technical differences, compliance standards and NHVR procedures.
Our heavy vehicle lawyers know the system inside and out.
We’ve defended thousands of truck drivers and operators across Australia and achieved outcomes such as:
- Fines reduced
- Charges withdrawn
- No conviction
- Licences saved
We know how to challenge the NHVR, navigate the system and protect your licence.
The Highway Advocates Difference
At Highway Advocates, we are the only Australian law firm that specialises exclusively in Heavy Vehicle Law – and we’re the only Australian law firm founded by a former truck driver.
That means when you call us, you can have confidence that we genuinely understand the difficulties that red tape and regulation put on truck drivers every day.
Logbooks, mass limits, load restraints, fatigue management, we get it.
We don’t judge drivers – we defend them.
Our motto is simple: Keeping you on the road where you belong.
Yes. Under Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws, drivers, operators, schedulers, consignors and loaders can all be held accountable.
No. However, if the Court orders you to pay a penalty and you fail to do so, Revenue NSW can suspend your licence.
Yes. It is a serious offence to not comply with a Notice to Produce. For more information see here Notice to Produce.
Yes. Although you have not yet received a Court Attendance Notice, the NHVR can review weighbridge data, Safe-T-Cam records and logbook entries before charging you.
Absolutely. We defend not only drivers but also operators and other parties in the chain of responsibility who are facing prosecution.
No. Anything you say can be used against you. Contact Highway Advocates first we can give you sound legal advice and guide your response.