Heavy vehicle access and routes

PBS Level 2A tankers

Find out about access arrangements for 26m A-double tankers.

This information sheet sets out the access arrangements for 26m A-double tankers transporting liquids such as milk, fuel and water seeking to operate on Victoria’s published PBS Level 2A network.

This information sheet was published August 2023.

Reference vehicles

26m A-double tankers operating at no more than 68.5t gross combination mass (GCM) with dimensions that accord with the reference vehicles listed in Table 1 may operate on the PBS Level 2A Network.

Axle spacings for each reference vehicle can be found in the diagrams under 'Axle spacings for PBS 2A tanker reference vehicles'.

Conditions of operation

Tanker combinations operating on the PBS Level 2A network must be:

assessed against Level 2 PBS;
accredited under the mass management module of the national heavy vehicle accreditation scheme;
fitted with an anti-lock braking system on all axles;
fitted with certified road friendly suspension; and
fitted with a ‘long vehicle’ warning sign at the front and rear.

For more information on PBS, see the industry guide on the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) website or visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website.

Do I need a permit?

No. Victoria’s PBS Level 2A Network is gazetted.

Can I keep using my current permit?

Yes. Existing permits allowing access at higher GCM remain valid. On renewal, mass limits may be reduced to protect infrastructure.

Dimension limits

Maximum dimension limits are listed at Table 1. All other dimensions are listed in the diagrams under 'Axle spacings for PBS 2A tanker reference vehicles'.

Table 1: maximum dimensions

Reference vehicle	Height	Width	Length	Central trailer spacing¹
1	4.3m	2.5m	26.0m	3.5m - 6.0m
2	4.3m	2.5m	26.0m	3.5m - 4.5m
3	4.3m	2.5m	26.0m	2.8m - 3.5m
4	4.3m	2.5m	26.0m	5.0m - 6.0m

1. Central trailer spacing is defined as the distance measured between the centre point of the rear axle of the lead semi-trailer and the centre point of the front axle of the dolly trailer.

Mass limits

Maximum mass limits are in Table 2. Axle group definitions can be found in the diagrams under 'Axle spacings for PBS 2A tanker reference vehicles'.

Table 2: maximum mass limits

Axle group	Reference vehicle
	1	2	3	4
A (steer)	6.5t	6.5t	6.5t	6.5t
B (drive)	16.5t	16.5t	16.5t	16.5t
C (front tanker)	16.5t	15.2t	15.2t	15.2t
D (dolly)	12.5t	15.1t	15.1t	15.1t
E (rear tanker)	16.5t	15.2t	15.2t	15.2t
Total	68.5t	68.5t	68.5t	68.5t

Mass limited structures

There are 10 mass limited structures on the PBS Level 2A network that cannot be crossed by reference vehicles operating at their maximum GCM.

These structures are represented by an orange dot on the published network and are listed in Table 3. Axle mass limits for these structure are listed in Table 4.

Table 3: mass limited structures on the network

Structure	Road name	Feature crossed
SN2754	Princes Hwy	Surry River
SN1470	Murray Valley Hwy	Broken Creek
SN1507	Murray Valley Hwy	Barr Creek
SN2165	Sunraysia Hwy	Mt Greenock Creek
SN2252	Pyrenees Hwy	Unnamed watercourse
SN1258	Pyrenees Hwy	Phillips Gardens drain
SN9488	Maroona - Glenthompson Rd	Unnamed watercourse
SN2143	Borung Hwy	SRWSC - East Karkarooc Channel
SN3131	South Gippsland Hwy	Yallock Creek deviation
SN4879	Murchison - Violet Town Rd	Goulburn River

Table 4: mass limits for mass limited structures

Axle group	Reference vehicle
	1	2	3	4
A (steer)	6.5t	6.5t	6.5t	6.5t
B (drive)	16.5t	16.5t	16.5t	16.5t
C (front tanker)	15.06t	14.34t	13.5t	14.5t
D (dolly)	11.38t	14.34t	13.5t	14.5t
E (rear tanker)	15.06t	14.34t	13.5t	14.5t
Total	64.5t	66.0t	63.5t	66.5t