An Act relating to road transport

This Act may be cited as the Interstate Road Transport Act 1985.

(1) Sections 1 and 2 shall come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

(2) The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on such day as is, or on such respective days as are, fixed by Proclamation.

3 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

Account means the Interstate Road Transport Account continued in existence by section 21.

Australian Capital Territory includes the Jervis Bay Territory.

carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places means carriage of passengers or goods, in trade or commerce, between a place in a State and a place in another State.

casual hiring agreement means an agreement for taking a motor vehicle or trailer on hire where the agreement is of a kind ordinarily entered into by persons taking motor vehicles or trailers on hire intermittently as the occasion requires on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis.

charge means charge imposed by the Interstate Road Transport Charge Act 1985.

compliance plate means a plate authorised to be placed on a vehicle, or taken to have been placed on a vehicle, under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.

drive, in relation to a motor cycle, means ride.

federal operator’s licence means a licence granted under section 26.

federal road safety standard means a federal road safety standard declared under section 34.

federal route means a road in respect of which a determination under subsection 43A(1) is in force.

goods includes:

(a) ships, aircraft and vehicles (including vehicles used on a railway);

(b) animals (including fish);

(d) gas.

Governor, in relation to the Northern Territory, means the Administrator of the Northern Territory.

heavy motor vehicle means a motor vehicle the designed maximum laden capacity of which is not less than 12 tonnes.

insurance includes participation in a scheme under a law of a State relating to motor vehicle accident compensation.

leased means let on hire under an agreement and includes:

(a) a letting on hire that is described in the agreement as a lease; and

(b) a letting on hire under a hire‑purchase agreement.

long distance interstate fleet operator means a person who carries on a business that involves the carriage by the person of goods or passengers by heavy motor vehicles between prescribed places that are more than 100 kilometres apart otherwise than under contracts for the carriage of goods or passengers.

long distance interstate haulage contractor means a person who carries on the business of entering into contracts for the carriage by the person or by another person of goods or passengers by heavy motor vehicles between prescribed places that are more than 100 kilometres apart.

long distance interstate road transport business means the business of:

(a) a long distance interstate fleet operator;

(b) a long distance interstate haulage contractor; or

but does not include business included in a prescribed class of business.

long distance interstate transport agent means a person who, as an agent and for reward, arranges contracts for the carriage of goods or passengers by heavy motor vehicles between prescribed places that are more than 100 kilometres apart.

monitoring device means:

(a) a standard monitoring device; or

(b) a charge monitoring device.

monitoring device record means a document of the kind referred to in subparagraph 39(f)(i) or (g)(i) or first referred to in paragraph 39(h).

motor vehicle means a vehicle that uses or is designed to use volatile spirit, gas, oil, electricity or any other power (not being human or animal power) as the principal means of propulsion.

MRC (Mass Rating for Charging), in relation to a vehicle, means:

(a) the maximum mass of the vehicle, including any load, recorded on the compliance plate as the GVM, GTMR or ATM of the vehicle; or

(b) in relation to a vehicle for which there is no compliance plate—its operating mass.

owner, in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer, means:

(a) except in a case to which paragraph (b) or (c) applies—the owner for the time being of the motor vehicle or trailer;

(b) in a case where the motor vehicle or trailer is leased:

(i) if the motor vehicle or trailer is leased under a casual hiring agreement—the lessor for the time being of the motor vehicle or trailer;

(ii) in any other case—the lessee for the time being of the motor vehicle or trailer;

(c) in a case where the motor vehicle or trailer is subject to a security but is not leased—the person for the time being who has rights in the nature of an equity of redemption in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer.

railway includes tramway.

registration means registration under this Act, and includes re‑registration under this Act.

Regulatory Authority means a Licensing Authority or a Registration Authority.

road means a road, street, lane or footpath (including a road, street, lane or footpath on or forming part of a bridge) or other place (whether or not similar to a road, street, lane or footpath) that is open to or used by the public.

road safety matter means any matter that is directed at:

(a) preventing death or injury arising out of the use of a motor vehicle;

(b) protecting persons from, or from risk of, death or injury arising out of the use of a motor vehicle;

(d) protecting property from, or from risk of, loss or damage arising out of the use of a motor vehicle.

standard monitoring device means a device that meets the requirements specified in regulations made for the purposes of subsection 36(1).

State includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

State operator’s licence means a licence granted under a law of a State, being a licence of a kind that is declared by the regulations to be a State operator’s licence for the purposes of this Act.

trailer means a vehicle that is built to be towed, or is towed, by a motor vehicle, but does not include a motor vehicle that is being towed.

vehicle means any means of conveyance which runs on wheels but does not include:

(a) any vehicle used on a railway; or

(b) any vehicle that has an MRC equal to or less than 4.5 tonnes.

(2) Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in this Act to a motor vehicle shall, where a trailer is attached to the motor vehicle, be read as including a reference to the motor vehicle and trailer.

(3) Where there are 2 or more joint owners or part owners of a motor vehicle or trailer, each joint owner or part owner shall be deemed to be, for the purposes of this Act, the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(4) A reference in this Act to the re‑registration of a motor vehicle or trailer is a reference to the registration by way of renewal of an existing registration of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(5) A reference in this Act to driving a trailer is a reference to driving a motor vehicle to which the trailer is attached.

(6) For the purposes of this Act, where a motor vehicle is being towed, a person occupying the driver’s seat of the motor vehicle shall be taken to be driving the motor vehicle.

(7) For the purposes of this Act, where a place is situated beyond a radius of 100 kilometres of another place, the places shall be taken to be more than 100 kilometres apart.

(8) A reference in this Act to a person carrying on business is a reference to a person carrying on business alone, in partnership with another person or otherwise.

(9) A reference in a provision of this Act to an approved form is a reference to a form approved by the Minister by writing for the purposes of the provision.

(10) A reference in this Act to a prescribed fee is a reference:

(a) in a case where the fee relates to the performance of a function of a Regulatory Authority in respect of a State, being the Minister—the fee specified in the regulations made under this Act in respect of the performance of that function; or

(b) in a case where the fee relates to the performance of a function of a Regulatory Authority in respect of a State, not being the Minister—the fee (if any) payable under a law of the State in respect of the performance of that function, not being a fee that exceeds the maximum fee specified in the regulations made under this Act in respect of the performance of that function.

(11) Despite subsection (10) but subject to section 4A, a prescribed fee must not exceed $100.

(12) A fee payable in respect of the performance of a function of a Regulatory Authority in respect of a State, not being the Minister, shall not be taken to be payable under this Act.

(13) For the purposes of this Act, a motor vehicle or trailer shall be taken to be registered under a law of Western Australia if a vehicle licence is in force under a law of that State in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(14) For the purposes of this Act, the designed maximum laden capacity of a motor vehicle shall be ascertained in accordance with the regulations.

3A B‑doubles

(1) A reference in this Act to a B‑double is a reference to a motor vehicle that consists of:

(a) a prime‑mover registered under this Act; and

(b) a registered trailer attached to the prime‑mover by means of a turntable mounted on the prime‑mover; and

(c) a registered trailer attached to the rear of the trailer referred to in paragraph (b) by means of a turntable mounted on the last‑mentioned trailer.

(2) A reference in subsection (1) to a registered trailer is a reference to a trailer registered under this Act or under a law of a State.

4A Indexation of certain fee limits

(1) In this section:

index number, in relation to a quarter, means the All Groups Consumer Price Index number, being the weighted average of the 8 capital cities, published by the Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter.

relevant amount means:

(a) the amount specified in subsection 3(11); or

(b) the amount specified in subsection 56(4).

relevant year means the period of 12 months commencing on 1 July 1990, and each subsequent period of 12 months.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), if at any time, whether before or after the commencement of this section, the Australian Statistician has published or publishes an index number in respect of a quarter in substitution for an index number previously published by the Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter, the publication of the later index number is to be disregarded for the purposes of this section.

(3) If at any time, whether before or after the commencement of this section, the Australian Statistician has changed or changes the reference base for the Consumer Price Index, then, for the purposes of the application of this section after the change took place or takes place, regard is to be had only to the index numbers published in terms of the new reference base.

(4) Where the factor ascertained under subsection (5) in relation to a relevant year is greater than one, this Act has effect as if for each relevant amount there were substituted, on the first day of that relevant year, an amount calculated by multiplying by that factor:

(a) in a case to which paragraph (b) does not apply—the relevant amount; or

(b) if, by virtue of another application or other applications of this section, this Act has effect as if another amount or amounts were substituted for that relevant amount—the substituted amount or the last substituted amount, as the case requires.

(5) The factor to be ascertained for the purposes of subsection (4) in relation to a relevant year is the number (calculated to 3 decimal places) ascertained by dividing the index number for the March quarter immediately preceding that relevant year by the index number for the March quarter immediately preceding that first‑mentioned March quarter.

(6) Where the factor ascertained in accordance with subsection (5) in relation to a relevant year would, if it were calculated to 4 decimal places, end with a number greater than 4, the factor ascertained in accordance with that subsection in relation to that relevant year is taken to be the factor calculated to 3 decimal places in accordance with that subsection and increased by 0.001.

5 Application of Act to the Commonwealth and the States

(1) This Act (other than Part V) binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth and of each of the States in so far as the Crown in right of the Commonwealth or of a State carries on a business, either directly or by an authority of the Commonwealth or by an authority of a State, but nothing in this Act renders the Crown in right of the Commonwealth or of a State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

(2) In subsection (1), State includes Norfolk Island.

6 Arrangements with States etc.

(1) The Governor‑General may make an arrangement with the Governor of a State for and in relation to designating an authority or officer of the State as the authority or officer who is to perform the functions of a Registration Authority under this Act and the regulations.

(2) The Governor‑General may make an arrangement with the Governor of a State for and in relation to designating an authority or officer of the State as the authority or officer who is to perform the functions of a Licensing Authority under this Act and the regulations.

(3) The Governor‑General may arrange with the Governor of a State with whom an arrangement is in force under subsection (1) or (2) for the variation or revocation of the arrangement.

(3A) Subject to subsection (3B), the Governor of a State with whom an arrangement is in force under subsection (1) or (2) may, by signed instrument, revoke the arrangement.

(3B) A revocation under subsection (3A) takes effect at the end of 6 months after the instrument of revocation is signed or, if a later time is specified in the instrument, at that time.

(4) An arrangement under subsection (1) or (2) may make provision for authorities or officers of a State to:

(a) give information, and produce documents, relevant to this Act or the regulations to the Minister or a person authorised by the Minister;

(b) keep accounts and accounting records relevant to this Act or the regulations;

(c) arrange for the audit of accounts, accounting records and financial statements relevant to this Act or the regulations; and

(d) permit persons authorised by the Minister to inspect and make copies of, or take extracts from, documents relevant to this Act or the regulations.

(4A) For the purposes of the application of the above subsections in relation to the Australian Capital Territory:

(a) references to the Governor‑General are taken to be references to the Prime Minister; and

(b) references to the Governor of a State are taken to be references to the Chief Minister of the Territory.

(5) An amount received by an officer or authority of a State under this Act by way of a charge or an advance on account of charge shall be received by the officer or authority on behalf of the Commonwealth.

(6) A copy of each instrument by which an arrangement under subsection (1) or (2) is made, varied or revoked shall be published in the Gazette.

7 Regulatory Authority

(1) For the purposes of this Act, there shall be, in respect of each State, a Registration Authority.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, there shall be, in respect of each State, a Licensing Authority.

(3) Subject to subsection (6), the Registration Authority in respect of a State is the authority or officer of the State for the time being specified in an arrangement under subsection 6(1) with the Governor of the State as the authority or officer who is to perform the functions of a Registration Authority under this Act and the regulations.

(4) Subject to subsection (7), the Licensing Authority in respect of a State is the authority or officer of the State for the time being specified in an arrangement under subsection 6(2) with the Governor of the State as the authority or officer who is to perform the functions of a Licensing Authority under this Act and the regulations.

(5) For the purposes of the application of subsections (3) and (4) in relation to the Australian Capital Territory, references to the Governor of the State are taken to be references to the Chief Minister of the Territory.

(6) If there is not in force an arrangement under subsection 6(1) specifying an authority or officer of a State who is to perform the functions of a Registration Authority under this Act, the Minister shall be the Registration Authority in respect of the State.

(7) If there is not in force an arrangement under subsection 6(2) specifying an authority or officer of a State who is to perform the functions of a Licensing Authority under this Act, the Minister shall be the Licensing Authority in respect of the State.

7A Application of the Criminal Code

Chapter 2 (other than Part 2.5) of the Criminal Code applies to all offences created by this Act.

Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.

Part II—Registration of interstate motor vehicles

8 Motor vehicles and trailers to be registered

(1) A person shall not:

(a) drive on a road;

(b) cause or permit to be driven on a road; or

a motor vehicle or trailer in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind unless the motor vehicle or trailer is:

(d) registered under this Act in the name of the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer; or

(e) registered under a law of a State.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

Note 1: If a body corporate is convicted of the offence, subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 allows a court to impose a fine of an amount that is not greater than 5 times the maximum fine that could be imposed by the court on an individual convicted of the same offence.

Note 2: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in paragraphs (1)(d) and (e) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

(1A) An offence under subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(2) A motor vehicle or trailer shall not be taken, for the purposes of subsection (1), to be registered under a law of a State if the registration is an interstate registration that was granted or renewed after the commencement of this section.

(2A) For the purposes of the application of subsection (2) in relation to the Australian Capital Territory, the reference in that subsection to the commencement of this section is taken to be a reference to the commencement of this subsection.

(3) The registration of a motor vehicle or trailer under a law of a State shall be taken to be an interstate registration for the purposes of subsection (2) if:

(a) the registration is subject to the condition, or to the giving of an undertaking, that the motor vehicle or trailer will not be used in the State except for the purposes of trade, commerce or intercourse among the States; or

(b) the motor vehicle or trailer is wholly or partly exempt from a fee, charge or tax payable under a law of the State in respect of the use or registration of a motor vehicle or trailer on the grounds that the motor vehicle or trailer is not or will not be used in the State except for the purposes of trade, commerce or intercourse among the States.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), a motor vehicle or trailer shall be taken to be partly exempt from a fee, charge or tax if the fee, charge or tax is rebatable or is levied at a nominal rate.

(5) Where:

(a) a motor vehicle or trailer is registered under this Act;

(b) the registration is not in the name of the owner; and

a person shall not be taken to have contravened subsection (1) in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer.

9 Registration of motor vehicles etc.

(1) Subject to this section, upon application made in accordance with the approved form by the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer, a Registration Authority shall register the motor vehicle or trailer in the name of the owner if:

(a) the application is accompanied by the prescribed fee;

(b) the owner tenders the following amounts in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer:

(i) the whole of the charge in respect of the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer;

(iia) the amount of any fee charged by the regulations in respect of a function performed by a Regulatory Authority in or in connection with the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer;

(iii) the amount of any charge due and payable by the owner in respect of any previous registration of the motor vehicle or trailer;

(c) the motor vehicle or trailer is not, under the regulations, exempt from inspection and the owner produces the motor vehicle or trailer for inspection by the Registration Authority or a person authorised in writing by the Registration Authority to act under this paragraph;

(d) the motor vehicle or trailer complies with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(a) or section 37;

(e) otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (d), the motor vehicle or trailer is not, and is not likely to be, dangerous or unsafe; and

(f) the requirements of regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 13(c) relating to insurance have been met in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(2) A Registration Authority may refuse to register a motor vehicle or trailer if the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer has not complied with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(b).

(3) Subject to subsection (4), registration comes into force on the day on which it is granted and remains in force:

(a) in a case to which paragraph (b) does not apply—for one year; or

(b) in a case where:

(i) the owner, in the application for registration, requests registration for a period of less than one year, being a period specified in the regulations; and

(ii) the application is accompanied by the prescribed fee, being a fee additional to the fee referred to in paragraph (1)(a);

for the period requested by the owner.

(4) Where application is made for the re‑registration of a motor vehicle or trailer that is already registered, the re‑registration may be expressed to come into force immediately after the existing registration ceases to be in force.

(5) A Registration Authority, in exercising the power conferred by subsection (2), shall have regard only to:

(a) the safety of the public; and

(b) the need to ensure compliance with this Act and the regulations.

(6) Where there are 2 or more owners of a motor vehicle or trailer, those owners may, by notice in writing in accordance with the approved form signed by each of them and given to a Registration Authority, nominate one of the owners as being the representative owner of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(7) Subject to subsections (9) and (10), where:

(a) there are 2 or more owners of a motor vehicle or trailer; and

(b) the motor vehicle or trailer is registered in the name of a person in respect of whom a nomination is in force under subsection (6) in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer;

the motor vehicle or trailer shall be taken, for the purposes of this Act, to be registered in the names of each of the owners.

(8) Subject to subsections (9) and (10), where:

(a) a document relating to a motor vehicle or trailer is required or permitted by this Act (other than subsection (6)) or the regulations to be served on, or given to a Registration Authority by, the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer;

(b) there are 2 or more owners of the motor vehicle or trailer; and

(c) a document relating to the motor vehicle or trailer is served on, or given to a Registration Authority by, a person in respect of whom a nomination under subsection (6) is in force in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer;

the document shall be taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been served on, or given by, as the case may be, each of the owners.

(9) Where:

(a) a person has been nominated under subsection (6) in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer; and

(b) one of the owners of the motor vehicle or trailer, by notice in writing in accordance with the approved form given to the Registration Authority, revokes that nomination;

that nomination ceases to be in force.

(10) Where:

(a) a person has been nominated under subsection (6) in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer; and

(b) a person ceases to be, or becomes, one of the owners of the motor vehicle or trailer;

that nomination ceases to be in force.

(11) Where:

(a) there are 2 or more owners of a motor vehicle or trailer; and

(b) an application for registration of the motor vehicle or trailer is not accompanied by a nomination under subsection (6) in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer;

a Registration Authority may refuse to register the motor vehicle or trailer.

10 Sub‑standard motor vehicles and trailers not to be driven etc.

(1) A person shall not:

(a) drive on a road;

(b) cause or permit to be driven on a road; or

a motor vehicle or trailer in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind if the motor vehicle or trailer is in an unsafe or dangerous condition.

Penalty: Imprisonment for one year.

Note: Subsection 4B(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 allows a court to impose an appropriate fine instead of, or in addition to, a term of imprisonment. If a body corporate is convicted of the offence, subsection 4B(3) of that Act allows a court to impose a fine of an amount that is not greater than 5 times the maximum fine that could be imposed by the court on an individual convicted of the same offence.

(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1A) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

(2) It is a reasonable excuse for the purposes of subsection (1) if the person:

(a) did not know; and

(b) could not reasonably be expected to have known;

that the motor vehicle or trailer was in an unsafe or dangerous condition.

(3) A person shall not:

(a) drive on a road;

(b) cause or permit to be driven on a road; or

a registered motor vehicle or trailer in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind if the requirements of the regulations relating to insurance are not met in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

(3A) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3A) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

(4) It is a reasonable excuse for the purposes of subsection (3) if the person:

(a) did not know; and

(b) could not reasonably be expected to have known;

that the requirements of the regulations relating to insurance were not met in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer.

11 Cancellation or suspension of registration

(1) A Registration Authority may, in accordance with the regulations, cancel the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer if:

(a) the motor vehicle or trailer does not comply with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(a) or (c) or section 37;

(b) otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a), the motor vehicle or trailer is, or is likely to be, dangerous or unsafe;

(c) the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer has not complied with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(b) or section 39;

(d) the motor vehicle or trailer has been so altered or modified as not to correspond to the specifications set out in the certificate of registration;

(e) the motor vehicle or trailer is destroyed;

(f) an amount payable under paragraph 9(1)(a) or (b) or 9(3)(b) and accompanying an application for registration under section 9 has been paid by cheque—the cheque is dishonoured when duly presented for payment.

(2) If:

(a) the motor vehicle or trailer does not comply with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(a) or (c) or section 37;

(b) otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a), the motor vehicle or trailer is, or is likely to be, dangerous or unsafe;

(c) the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer has not complied with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(b) or section 39;

(ca) an amount payable under paragraph 9(1)(a) or (b) or 9(3)(b) and accompanying an application for registration under section 9 has been paid by cheque—the cheque is dishonoured when duly presented for payment;

a Registration Authority may, in accordance with the regulations:

(d) suspend the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer; and

(e) give directions to the owner requiring acts or things to be done to or in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer:

(i) in a case to which paragraph (a) applies—for the purpose of ensuring that the motor vehicle or trailer complies with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(a) or (c) or section 37;

(ii) in a case to which paragraph (b) applies—for the purpose of ensuring that the motor vehicle or trailer is not, and is not likely to be, dangerous or unsafe; or

(iii) in a case to which paragraph (c) applies—for the purposes of rectifying or remedying the consequences of the failure by the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer to comply with requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(b) or section 39.

(3) Where:

(a) a Registration Authority has suspended the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer and has given directions to the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer; and

(b) the owner has complied with those directions;

the Registration Authority shall, by notice in writing served on the owner, terminate the suspension.

(4) Where the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer is suspended, the motor vehicle or trailer shall, for the purposes of section 8, be deemed not to be registered while the registration is suspended.

(5) A Registration Authority, in exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1) or (2), shall have regard only to:

(a) the safety of the public; and

(b) the need to ensure compliance with this Act and the regulations.

12 Surrender of registration

(1) The owner of a registered motor vehicle or trailer may, by notice in accordance with the approved form given to a Registration Authority, surrender the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(2) A notice surrendering the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(3) A notice surrendering the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer shall, except in such circumstances as are prescribed, be accompanied by any registration plates issued under the regulations in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer.

12A Mass limits of registered motor vehicles

Notwithstanding any law of a State relating to mass limits, it is lawful, subject to this Act, for a registered motor vehicle or trailer that complies with the requirements prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 13(aa) to be driven on a road in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind.

12B Regulation of the operation of B‑doubles

(1) The regulations may make provision regulating the operation of B‑doubles in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind.

(2) The provision that may be made by the regulations includes, but is not limited to:

(a) provision fixing the maximum loaded mass of a B‑double or any of its component parts; and

(b) prohibition of the operation of a B‑double on a road that is not a federal route; and

(c) prohibition of the operation of a B‑double on a federal route in breach of conditions determined under subsection 43A(2) in relation to that route; and

(d) prohibition of the embarkation or disembarkation of passengers on or from a B‑double except at a place approved under the regulations for the purpose; and

(e) prohibition of the loading or unloading of goods on or from a B‑double except at a place approved by or under the regulations for the purpose; and

(f) provision as to the maximum exterior dimensions of a B‑double or any of its component parts; and

(g) requirements as to the specifications or condition of any part of a B‑double or any equipment on, or forming part of, a B‑double; and

(h) provision requiring B‑doubles:

(i) to be weighed; and

(ii) if necessary, to be unloaded;

for the purpose of ensuring that they comply with this Act and the regulations.

12C Operating requirements for B‑doubles

In spite of any law of a State relating to the operation of articulated vehicles, it is lawful, subject to this Act, for a B‑double that is operated in accordance with this Act and the regulations to be operated on a road in a State in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind.

12D Offences involving the operation of B‑doubles

(1) A person must not operate a B‑double in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places or for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind if:

(a) the loaded mass of the B‑double exceeds the maximum loaded mass applicable to the B‑double under the regulations; or

(b) the loaded mass of any component part of the B‑double exceeds the maximum loaded mass applicable to that component under the regulations.

Penalty: 40 penalty units.

(1A) An offence under subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(2) A person who, in relation to a B‑double, contravenes regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 12B(2)(h) is guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 40 penalty units.

Note: If a body corporate is convicted of the offence, subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 allows a court to impose a fine of an amount that is not greater than 5 times the maximum fine that could be imposed by the court on an individual convicted of the same offence.

(3) An offence under subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

13 Regulations may make further provision with respect to registered motor vehicles etc.

(1) The regulations may make provision for and in relation to:

(a) requiring a registered motor vehicle or trailer to comply with such requirements as are specified in the regulations;

(aa) requiring a registered motor vehicle or trailer, other than a vehicle or trailer being operated as part of a B‑double, to comply with such mass limits as are specified in the regulations;

(b) requiring the owner of a registered motor vehicle or trailer to cause the motor vehicle or trailer to be fuelled, lubricated, cleaned, maintained or repaired, or to cause other acts or things to be done in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer, in accordance with the regulations;

(c) requiring arrangements relating to insurance to be in force in connection with a registered motor vehicle or trailer;

(d) prohibiting the defacement, or the alteration, without the authority of a Registration Authority, of certificates of registration, registration plates and registration labels;

(e) requiring registered motor vehicles or trailers to be produced for inspection by a Registration Authority or by a person authorised by a Registration Authority;

(f) the issue, replacement and return of certificates of registration, registration plates and registration labels;

(g) requiring notification to be given to a Registration Authority of such matters as are prescribed;

(h) regulating the use of registration plates and labels; and

(j) prohibiting the display of words, letters or digits that are, or other matter that is, capable of being mistaken for a registration plate or label.

(2) Without limiting the generality of paragraph (1)(aa), regulations for the purposes of that paragraph may make provision for and in relation to requiring registered motor vehicles or trailers:

(a) to be weighed; and

(b) if necessary, to be unloaded;

for the purpose of ensuring that they comply with mass limits.

Part III—Collection of interstate road transport charge

14 By whom charge payable

An amount of charge in respect of the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer is payable by the person who is, at the time when the amount is due and payable, the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer.

16 When charge due and payable

Charge in respect of the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer is due and payable on the day on which the registration comes into force.

18 Refund of charge on cancellation or surrender

If the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer is cancelled or surrendered the Commonwealth must refund to the owner an amount worked out using the formula:

where:

A is the amount of charge payable in respect of the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer;

B is the number of whole days in the period commencing on the cancellation or surrender and ending at the time when the registration would, apart from the cancellation or surrender, have expired; and

C is the number of whole days in the period that is applicable to the registration under subsection 9(3).

19 Refund of charge in relation to intra‑state operations

(1) Subject to subsection (2), where:

(a) a registered motor vehicle or trailer is used in intra‑state operations; and

(b) that use was not in contravention of a law of a State;

the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer is entitled to a refund of the charge in respect of the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer of an amount calculated in accordance with the formula

where:

A is the number of whole kilometres travelled by the motor vehicle or trailer in intra‑state operations during the period the registration was in force;

B is the amount of charge payable in respect of the registration of the motor vehicle or trailer; and

C is the number of whole kilometres travelled by the motor vehicle or trailer during the period the registration was in force.

(2) The owner of a motor vehicle or trailer is not entitled to a refund under subsection (1) in relation to the motor vehicle or trailer unless:

(a) the owner makes a claim for the refund in accordance with the approved form to a Registration Authority;

(b) the owner caused to be prepared a written record in accordance with the approved form of each journey undertaken by the motor vehicle or trailer during the period the registration was in force; and

(i) the records referred to in paragraph (b); and

(ii) such declarations (if any) as are prescribed (including declarations made by a person other than the owner).

(3) Where:

(a) a person (in this subsection referred to as the convicted person) is convicted before a court of an offence against section 137.1 of the Criminal Code in relation to an act or omission; and

(b) the court is satisfied that the purpose of, or one of the purposes of, the act or omission was to enable the convicted person or another person to receive an amount under subsection (1) to which the convicted person or the other person, as the case requires, was not entitled;

the court may, in addition to imposing a penalty on the convicted person, order the convicted person to pay to the Commonwealth an amount not exceeding double the amount referred to in paragraph (b).

(4) A reference in this section to the use of a motor vehicle or trailer in intra‑state operations is a reference to the use of the motor vehicle or trailer otherwise than:

(a) in the carriage of passengers or goods between prescribed places; or

(b) for any purpose that is incidental to carriage of that kind.

20 Recovery of charge

Charge payable to the Commonwealth may be recovered as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

Part IV—Interstate Road Transport Account

21 Interstate Road Transport Account

(1) There is continued in existence the Interstate Road Transport Account.

Note: The Account was established by subsection 5(3) of the Financial Management Legislation Amendment Act 1999.

(2) The Account is a Special Account for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

(3) If interest is received by the Commonwealth from the investment of an amount standing to the credit of the Account, an amount equal to the amount of the interest must be credited to the Account.

22 Amounts to be credited to Account

(1) There must be credited to the Account amounts equal to the amounts received by the Commonwealth as charge and advances on account of charge.

(2) There must be credited to the Account amounts equal to amounts received by the Commonwealth by way of the repayment of amounts paid in accordance with a determination under subsection 23(1).

23 Amounts to be debited from the Account

(1) There is to be debited from the Account and paid by the Commonwealth to a State by way of the grant of financial assistance for expenditure by the State on the maintenance and upkeep of roads in the State that are used by registered motor vehicles or trailers, such amounts as are ascertained in accordance with a determination made by the Minister in writing for the purposes of this subsection.

(3) The Minister, in exercising the power to make determinations under subsection (1), must, as far as practicable, ensure that the allocation of payments under this section among the States reflects the distribution of damage done to roads by registered motor vehicles and trailers operating as mentioned in subsection 8(1).

(4) Payments under this Act must be made at such times, and in such amounts, as the Minister approves.

(5) Payment of an amount to a State under subsection (1) is subject to the following conditions:

(a) that the State shall not impose a fee, charge or tax in respect of, or relating to the use of, a registered motor vehicle or trailer, being a fee, charge or tax of a kind specified in the regulations;

(b) that the State will give to the Minister:

(i) as soon as practicable after 30 June in each year a statement, in accordance with a form approved by the Minister, as to:

(A) the expenditure by the State during that year out of that amount;