Fatigue Management – Understanding Rules and Requirements

Driver fatigue, defined as driving while feeling sleepy, physically or mentally tired, or lacking energy, is a major heavy vehicle safety hazard.

Not getting enough sleep, driving at night, and being awake for a long time are the main causes of fatigue.

Drivers must not operate a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle if they are impaired by fatigue. Even if they comply with work and rest requirements, they may still feel too tired to drive, so it’s important to be aware of the signs of fatigue.

Fatigue-Regulated Heavy Vehicles
National heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws apply to fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles, which include:

• A vehicle with a GVM* of over 12t
• A combination when the total of the GVM/GCM** is over 12t
• Buses with a GVM over 4.5t fitted to carry more than 12 adults (including the driver)
• A truck, or a combination including a truck, with a GVM of over 12t with a machine or implement attached.

* Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
** Gross Combination Mass (GCM)

Drivers who feel pressured to drive while fatigued can call the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Hotline. Phone 1800 931 785 between 7:00am-4:30pm Monday
to Friday.

More Information
Further information on fatigue in the heavy vehicle transport industry, as well as obligations under the HVNL for parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR), can be found on the NHVR website