Safety before dispatch
Commercial pressure must not override the treatment of safety-critical defects. Establish who may stop a vehicle, who assesses defects and who authorises its return to service.
Practical controls and example evidence
| Hazard | Example control | Example evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Undetected defects | Use suitable pre-start checks for brakes, tyres, steering, couplings, lights and restraint equipment. Digital photos can help but are not universally required. | Inspection records and defect reports. |
| Suppressed reporting | Give drivers and maintainers a clear safety escalation and vehicle hold process. | Out-of-service tags, escalation and close-out records. |
| Deferred maintenance | Plan maintenance for manufacturer recommendations, duty cycle, distance/hours and operating conditions. | Service histories, work orders and competent-person sign-offs. |
| Unsafe modifications | Check applicable ADR, VSB6, approval and certification requirements for the modification and jurisdiction. | Modification approvals and asset records. |
Evaluate actual circumstances
NHVAS or relevant management standards can inform a system but are not mandatory for every operation. Whether conduct breaches the Primary Duty depends on the law and the facts; this portal does not make legal breach determinations.
Source and scope
Read the official 2026 Master Code and registered Code PDF. This independent CoR Australia guidance illustrates controls and evidence to consider; it is not the regulator’s publication, an exhaustive checklist, legal advice or a compliance certificate. Select controls for your circumstances so far as is reasonably practicable. The HVNL operates in participating jurisdictions, not Western Australia or the Northern Territory.