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Fatigue management exemptions (permits and notices) allow operators and drivers to use alternative methods to manage their work and rest hours, work diaries and record-keeping obligations.
If you cannot reasonably work under legislated fatigue management requirements, an exemption provides a helpful way to comply with the objectives of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and maintain your road safety standards in a way that meets your needs.
To be eligible for a fatigue management exemption, you must meet our strict approval criteria and provide all requested supporting information in your application.
On this page
- Fatigue management exemption by a permit
- Fatigue management exemption by a notice
- Personal use of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle exemption
Fatigue management exemption by a permit
Managing driver fatigue is crucial for compliance with the HVNL and ensuring road safety. Managing fatigue work and rest hours, work diaries and record-keeping can be challenging for some heavy vehicle operators, who may apply for exemptions under specific conditions.
To apply for these exemptions, applicants must follow designated procedures, complete the necessary forms, and submit all required information to the NHVR via email or post. Exemption permits can be amended or cancelled as needed, and lost permits require a statutory declaration for replacement.
Fatigue record-keeping exemption
Fatigue record keeping is essential for managing driver fatigue, meeting Chain of Responsibility (CoR) requirements, and monitoring drivers’ activities. For some fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle operators, the HVNL record-keeping requirements can be very difficult to comply with and maintain. In such cases, operators can apply for a fatigue record-keeping exemption permit.
Read the 'How to apply for a fatigue record-keeping exemption permit' and follow the steps to apply for an exemption.
Work and rest hours exemption
The HVNL sets out maximum work time limits and minimum rest time limits to prevent drivers from becoming impaired by fatigue or breaching road transport fatigue laws. Some fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle operators may have operational demands that reach beyond HVNL limits. In such cases, a work and rest hours exemption (permit) can be granted to allow greater flexibility.
To meet the detailed eligibility requirements of this permit, applicants must demonstrate that Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM), Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) and Alternative Compliance Accreditation – Fatigue (ACA - Fatigue) limits don’t suit their operational needs and complete a robust application process.
Read the 'How to apply for a work and rest hours exemption permit' and follow the steps to apply for an exemption.
Work diary exemption
The National Driver Work Diary (also known as a log book) is used by drivers as evidence that their work and rest hours are compliant with the HVNL and that their fatigue is being managed. However, some drivers may have a reading, writing or numeracy impairment that makes using a work diary very difficult. In these cases, the drivers (or an operator acting on their behalf) may apply for a work diary exemption permit.
This exemption allows the driver or operator to suggest an alternative way to record work and rest details which can be transcribed into a work diary by a nominated person (scribe).
Read the 'How to apply for a work diary exemption permit' and follow the steps to apply for an exemption.
Submitting an application
Completed forms can be submitted via:
Email: Fatigue.Management@nhvr.gov.au
Post:
Fatigue management
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
PO Box 492
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Amend an exemption
Fatigue record-keeping exemption
If you want to change your fatigue record-keeping exemption (Permit), you can change your:
- personal details,
- your alternative record-keeping arrangements; and
- your drivers’ list.
Complete the Application to amend Work Diary or Fatigue Record Keeping Exemption (Permit) (PDF, 180KB)
Work and rest hours exemption
If you want to amend your alternative fatigue management practices in your work and rest hours exemption (Permit), the process is essentially the same as for a new application.
Complete the Application to amend Work and Rest Hours Exemption (Permit) (PDF, 156KB)
Work diary exemption
If you want to change your work diary exemption (Permit), you can change your:
- personal details,
- alternative record-keeping practices
- or your nominated person for your exemption
Complete the Application to amend Work Diary or Fatigue Record Keeping Exemption (Permit) (PDF, 180KB)
Please ensure that all of the requested information and attachments are supplied. You do not have to get a new report from a qualified person to make these changes.
Cancelling or replacing an exemption
If you have lost your fatigue exemption permit or it has been destroyed by accident, you must include a statutory declaration confirming that the fatigue exemption permit has been lost, stolen or defaced and a new exemption is required.
Penalties apply if you fail to notify the NHVR as soon as possible that your exemption has been defaced, lost or stolen. If defaced, lost or stolen, you can no longer use your alternative arrangements and must comply with the obligations set out in the HVNL.
Complete the Replace fatigue management exemption permit (PDF, 174KB)
If your circumstances change and you no longer need or would like to cancel a fatigue exemption permit, ensure your current exemption is attached before you submit your cancellation request and complete the below form.
Complete the Application to cancel a Fatigue Management Exemption (Permit) (PDF, 124KB)
Expiring exemption
Fatigue exemption permits expire after three (3) years or earlier if nominated.
To continue using your alternative arrangements, you must apply for a new one (exemption permit) before the expiry date.
Reviewing a decision
Where a fatigue management exemption or work diary exemption permit application is refused, a company or person affected by the decision (a dissatisfied person) may seek an internal review of the NHVR decision.
For more information see Reviews and Appeals.
Fatigue management exemption by a notice
A notice exempts a class of drivers, drivers carrying out a class of work, or record keepers of these drivers from having to comply with particular HVNL requirements for fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles.
The NHVR grants notices for:
- Fatigue record-keeping exemption
- Work and rest hours exemption
- Work diary exemption
To discuss your industry needs, please email the Fatigue management team at Fatigue.Management@nhvr.gov.au.
National notices
| Title and description | Gazette reference | Application |
|---|---|---|
National Heavy Vehicle Emergency Services Work Diary and Record Keeping Exemption Notice 2026 (No.3) Grants exemptions from work diary and record keeper requirements for drivers of vehicles operating for, or under the direction of, an emergency service. Please note the following supporting document has been developed as an example of a driver’s log that can be used whilst operating under this Notice: | C2026G00531 | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
National Heavy Vehicle Concrete Agitator Work and Rest Hours Exemption Notice 2026 (No.2) Provides alternative short rest break requirements for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying pre-mixed concrete. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: | C2026G00429 | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
National Heavy Vehicle Work and Rest Hours Exemption (Personal Use) Notice 2026 (No.1) Exempts specified categories of permitted personal activity from the definition of work, with the intention that those activities are not counted as work time for a driver. This Notice combines and replaces the following exemption notices:
Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: | C2026G00436 | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
National Livestock Welfare Work and Rest Exemption Notice 2026 (No.2) Exempts drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying livestock from specified work time requirements if additional time is needed to respond to situations where the welfare of the livestock is or was at risk. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice: | C2026G00437 | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
National Primary Production Work Diary and Fatigue Record Keeping Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) Exempts drivers who carry out primary production work within a 160km radius of their base from having to carry and complete a National Driver Work Diary. Please note the following supporting information for this Notice: | C2026G00438 | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
State notices
New South Wales
| Title and description | Gazette reference | Carriage required |
|---|---|---|
New South Wales Fatigue Record-Keeping Exemption Notice 2026 (No.2) Exempts record keepers for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out specified classes of work in New South Wales from the requirement to keep records of driver work and rest time imposed under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. | C2026G00439 | No |
Exempt drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles from the requirements of Part 6.3 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) regarding work and rest hours during a period of time when impacted by the Great Western Highway road closure at Victoria Pass. | C2026G00431 | Yes |
New South Wales Work Diary Exemption Notice 2026 (No.2) Exempts drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out specified classes of work in New South Wales from the requirement to keep and record information in a work diary under specific conditions. | C2026G00440 | No |
Queensland
| Title and description | Gazette reference | Carriage required |
|---|---|---|
Queensland Electricity Entity Fatigue Record Keeping Exemption Notice 2026 (No 1) Exempts record keepers for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity, from certain record-keeping requirements. | C2026G00322 | No |
Queensland Electricity Entity Work and Rest Hours Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) Exempts drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity in unplanned urgent circumstances from certain work and rest requirements. | C2026G00323 | Yes |
Queensland Electricity Entity Work Diary Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) Exempts drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity, from the requirement to carry and complete a National Driver Work Diary. | C2026G00324 | Yes |
South Australia
| Title and description | Gazette reference | Carriage required |
|---|---|---|
National Heavy Vehicle South Australia Electricity Entity Record Keeper Exemption Notice 2026 (No.3) Exempts record keepers for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity from the requirement to comply with stated provisions of Division 3 of Part 6.4 of Chapter 6 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law. | C2026G00445 | No |
Exempts drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity in unplanned urgent circumstances from the requirement of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Part 6.3 Division 2 Standard Work and Rest Arrangements. | C2026G00433 | Yes |
National Heavy Vehicle South Australia Electricity Entity Work Diary Exemption Notice 2026 (No.1) Exempts drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity from the requirement to carry and complete a National Driver Work Diary. | C2026G00434 | Yes |
Victoria
| Title and description | Gazette reference | Carriage required |
|---|---|---|
Heavy Victoria Police (Special Operations Group) Work Diary and Record Keeping Exemption 2026 (No.2) Grants exemptions from work diary and record keeping requirements for the driver of a vehicle who is a member of Victoria Police attached to the Special Operations Group (SOG) and who is performing a function in the course of their police duties. | C2026G00428 | No |
Personal use of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle
Any activity involving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle is counted as work time and limited by the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). However, we understand that drivers may need to use their fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle for personal reasons from time to time if they cannot reasonably access another means of transport.
In such cases, the National Heavy Vehicle Work and Rest Hours Exemption (Personal Use) Notice 2026 (No.1)
provides drivers up to one hour additional work time to carry out a permitted personal activity.
What is a permitted personal activity?
A permitted personal activity is any work done by a driver for personal, non-commercial purposes and includes:
- stowing or retrieving personal effects from a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle
- driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle for personal reasons (e.g. purchasing groceries or visiting a bank or a post office).
The exemption allows drivers to use their fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle:
- during the driver's 24 continuous-hour stationary rest break (standard hours, BFM, AFM, and ACA - Fatigue)
- any time where all conditions of the exemption are met (standard hours).
To protect drivers from commercial pressures leading to longer work times, exemptions are for non-commercial purposes only. For example, the exemption can't be used to drive a heavy vehicle to a mechanic for repairs or to get home at the end of a journey.
The Guideline for the National Personal Use Work and Rest Hours Exemption (PDF, 624KB) outlines the requirements and conditions for using this exemption.