Guides

Straight answers to the questions depots and drivers ask most, with each figure worked out by the same code as the calculators.

• Mass limitsHow much can a semi or B-double carry?Legal gross mass for a 6-axle semi and a 9-axle B-double under GML, HML and WA rules from August 2026, and how to turn that into payload for your own truck.
• FatigueNHVR work and rest hours, explainedThe four standard-hours rules for solo truck drivers, how the NHVR counts time from the end of a rest break, and how a written work diary rounds to 15 minutes.
• FuelFuel tax credit rates for trucksThe current ATO fuel tax credit rate for diesel in heavy vehicles on public roads and for off-road business use, with every rate period since July 2023.
• RestraintLoad restraint, explainedThe performance standards every load must meet, how tie-down and direct restraint work, friction, pre-tension, and a worked example of how many straps a pallet load needs.
• DriversTruck pre-start checklistEvery item on the NHVR heavy vehicle daily check, what counts as a fault, and how to keep a signed record of each check.
• BusinessTruck operating cost per km, and how to quoteEvery cost line in a truck trip, how fuel tax credits change the fuel cost, and the margin formula that turns cost into a quote per km, tonne or pallet.