Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers
Expert Transport Lawyers to Coffs Harbour and Surrounds
Coffs Harbour Transport & Traffic Lawyer Services
Our Coffs Harbour Transport Lawyers provide expert defence in:
Experienced Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers
Highway Advocates are Australia’s most experienced and respected Heavy Vehicle Lawyers.
Our Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers assist truck drivers, transport operators and schedulers across the Mid North Coast — including Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads, Kempsey, Macksville, Urunga and along the Pacific Highway.
We regularly represent clients at Coffs Harbour Local Court, Grafton Local Court, Macksville Local Court and Kempsey Local Court, defending against Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Road Transport Act prosecutions.
If you’ve been stopped at the Pine Creek Weighbridge, issued an NHVR Penalty Notice or served with a Court Attendance Notice, our Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers act quickly to protect your licence, your job and your future.
Representation at Coffs Harbour Local Court for Heavy Vehicle Offences
The Pacific Highway is one of Australia’s busiest freight routes.
The Pine Creek HVSS and Mobile Transport Compliance Units monitor thousands of trucks each week — resulting in regular NHVR prosecutions.
Our Truckie Lawyers know the local enforcement environment including Safe-T-Cam locations around Pine Creek Heavy Vehicle Safety Station.
This local knowledge gives our clients a critical advantage — because we know how these investigations are run, where errors are often made, and how to challenge unfair assumptions.
We know how to fight back.
Why Choose Coffs Harbour’s Leading Transport Lawyers
- Exclusive focus on Heavy Vehicle, Transport and Traffic Law
- Fixed-fees for all matters
- Proven results at Coffs Harbour Local Court and across NSW
- Lawyers familiar with Pine Creek Weighstation and Pacific Highway enforcement
- A firm built by truckies, for truckies
Whether you’re facing Heavy Vehicle Offences, Traffic Offences or Chain of Responsibility issues, we understand what’s at stake for your licence, your career and your family.
Legal Services From Our Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers
Our Coffs Harbour Transport and Traffic Lawyers provide expert representation in:
- Heavy Vehicle National Law prosecutions by the NHVR
- Traffic offences including speeding and drink/drug driving
- Fatigue, logbook and work diary breaches
- Mass, load & dimension infringements
- Licence suspension and disqualification appeals
- Chain of Responsibility (CoR) investigations
- Notices to Produce and company liability matters
We act for truckies and transport operators investigated after stops at:
- Pine Creek Weighstation
- Nambucca Heads
- Macksville
- Kempsey
- Urunga
- Along the Pacific Highway
Wherever you were stopped, our Heavy Vehicle Lawyers are ready to help.
Heavy Vehicle & Traffic Lawyers Across NSW
Highway Advocates represent clients across Sydney, Parramatta, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Goulburn and regional NSW.
Whether you’re on the Pacific Highway, New England Highway or another freight route, our Truckie Lawyers will defend you.
Our Defence Approach – Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers
At Highway Advocates, we know most truck drivers and transport operators aren’t criminals — they’re hardworking blokes and ladies doing their best under challenging conditions.
The HVNL is complex and often applied harshly.
Between fatigue rules, work diary requirements, chain of responsibility obligations and constant roadside inspections, even small mistakes can trigger serious charges.
Our job is to protect your licence, your reputation and your livelihood.
We know how to stand up to the NHVR, NSW Police and Transport for NSW.
Case Studies – Coffs Harbour & Pacific Highway
Our Transport Lawyers have represented countless drivers along the Pacific Highway corridor, from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour to Grafton. Here are some examples of an outcome we’ve achieved recently.
Case Study 1 – Fatigue Breach at Pine Creek Weighbridge (No Conviction)
A long-haul driver heading to Brisbane was stopped at the Pine Creek Weighbridge and issued multiple fatigue-related charges due to alleged insufficient rest breaks.
We found that the inconsistencies in the rest break times were in the matter of minutes and occurred because the driver was recording his rest and work hours during the evening off of memory.
We presented evidence that the driver was not fatigued and was unaware he should be making edits to his logbook throughout the day. We provided further evidence of the driver’s clean driving record.
Result: His Honour agreed that the driver was not intentionally breaching his fatigue requirements and found him to be otherwise a man of good character. The charges were dismissed under section 10(1)(a) with no conviction.
Case Study 2 – Overdimension – Chain of Responsibility (No Fine)
A heavy vehicle operator was charged with permitting another person to drive a heavy vehicle that did not comply with dimension requirements.
The breach involved a combination measured at 26.8 metres, while the legal limit was 26 metres, exposing the operator to a maximum penalty of $66,500.
We carefully reviewed the circumstances and presented evidence showing that the driver had mistakenly hooked up the wrong trailer, an honest error rather than a deliberate breach.
Result: The Magistrate accepted the evidence and determined that no further penalty was required. The operator did not receive a fine.
How We Defend You
Understanding the Situation
We take time to understand the realities of working the Pacific Highway — long shifts, unrealistic schedules, loading delays and fatigue pressures.
Analysing the Evidence
We examine logbooks, fatigue records, weighbridge data, Safe-T-Cam footage, inspection reports and NHVR documents for errors or inconsistencies.
Challenging Enforcement Procedures
Our Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers understand how investigations are run at Pine Creek Weighbridge. We identify procedural flaws, missing evidence and incorrect assumptions.
Negotiation First — Defence Always
Where possible, we negotiate to have charges withdrawn, downgraded or dealt with without conviction.
Court Representation
If your matter requires a hearing, our experienced Transport Lawyers appear in Courts across the North Mid Coast. We fight to protect your licence and your family’s income.
Our Fixed Fees Explained
Truckies deserve certainty — not surprise legal bills. That’s why Highway Advocates use a transparent fixed-fee system for all Heavy Vehicle and Traffic matters in Coffs Harbour and across NSW.
Clear Pricing, No Surprises
You’ll know the full cost before we start work. Our fixed fees typically cover reviewing NHVR evidence, advising you on options, preparing submissions, negotiating with Police or the NHVR, and appearing at Coffs Harbour Local Court.
Why Fixed Fees?
- Predictable, upfront pricing
- No hourly billing
- Affordable access to specialist Heavy Vehicle Lawyers
- A fair system for hardworking truck drivers and operators
A firm built by truckies, for truckies — we make top-tier representation affordable and stress-free.
We Know the Reality of Trucking
We’ve represented countless drivers stopped on the Pacific Highway — often for honest mistakes made under pressure.
We present the real-world context of:
- Fatigue management requirements
- Logbook and work diary errors
- Scheduling pressures
- Delays, loading issues and operator expectations
- Strong work history and character references
At Highway Advocates, your side of the story is heard.
You keep this country moving. You deserve better than to be punished for doing your job.
Have you been charged under the Heavy Vehicle National Law in or around Coffs Harbour?
Our Coffs Harbour Heavy Vehicle Lawyers offer a free initial consultation to review your charge, explain your options and develop a tailored legal strategy to protect your right to drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We regularly defend drivers who were inspected and charged at the Pine Creek Weighbridge.
We understand how this station operates and the common issues that arise during fatigue, logbook and mass checks.
Yes. Many of our clients are interstate or long-haul drivers who were only passing through the region. We handle matters for NSW, QLD and interstate operators — you don’t need to be local.
Penalties can range from infringement notices to tens of thousands of dollars in fines as well as a conviction.
Some charges also carry demerit points and can lead to licence suspension.
It is important to speak to Highway Advocates as soon as or even before you are charged so we can tailor a strategy for your particular case.
Yes. Many of these charges arise from genuine and honest mistakes.
We frequently show the NHVR that the mistake wasn’t intentional, which can result in reduced penalties or charges being dismissed.
Yes. We advise both drivers and transport operators.
If you have been charged under the Chain of Responsibility or received a Notice to Produce, call Highway Advocates for expert advice.