NHVR targets truck drivers in work diary blitz

NHVR Targets Truck Drivers in Work Diary Blitz

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) recently kicked off a compliance campaign urging truckies to carry their work diaries. This latest safety push forms part of a broader effort to strengthen standards across the transport industry.

The regulator urged drivers passing through the Marulan Heavy Vehicle Safety Station (HVSS) in New South Wales to ensure they have their National Written Work Diary (WWD) after 120 drivers were penalised for not carrying their work diary.

Why the Crackdown Matters for the Transport Industry

NHVR Director of Operations Central Region Brett Patterson said officers will take additional measures to ensure drivers comply with the law. Maintaining accurate work diaries remains central to safety across the heavy vehicle sector, and non-compliance carries real consequences.

"The current penalty notice for not keeping a work diary is $711. If a driver is not able to produce a work diary without a reasonable excuse, under the Heavy Vehicle National Law our officers may require the driver to immediately stop work and not commence again for a stated period of up to 24 hours," Mr Patterson said.

What This Means for Operators and Safety Professionals

For businesses across the transport industry, this news underscores the importance of embedding robust documentation practices into daily operations. Drivers and operators alike should treat work diaries as a non-negotiable safety tool, not merely a compliance checkbox.

• Ensure drivers carry their work diaries at all times when operating heavy vehicles
• Understand national penalty structures under the Heavy Vehicle National Law
• Review internal safety documentation, including drivers manuals and related procedures
• Stay informed on regulator campaigns affecting the wider transport industry

Similar enforcement trends are appearing elsewhere too — SafeWork SA recently targeted distillers in a separate WHS blitz, reflecting a nationwide push toward stronger workplace accountability.

Supporting Documentation Across the Transport Industry

Beyond work diaries, operators in the transport industry should maintain comprehensive safety documentation for vehicles and plant. Resources such as a Concrete Truck Safe Work Method Statement or a Mobile Plant Articulated Dump Truck SWMS help demonstrate due diligence and support safety outcomes on-site.

Businesses looking to strengthen their broader safety systems can also explore Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) as part of a national approach to safety compliance, alongside initiatives promoted during National Safe Work Month.

Read more news on the NHVR's work diary blitz here.