(1) An operator of a relevant service that uses a heavy bus to provide the service may obtain a 5-year service life extension for the bus if sections 2 to 9 and part 3 are complied with for the bus.
(2) Sections 2 to 8 , 14 (1) and 16 are taken to have been complied with for the bus if the operator shows the chief executive—(a) a certificate from a prescribed inspection entity, in relation to the 5-year service life extension being sought by the operator, stating that on a particular day the prescribed inspection entity inspected the frame of the bus and found it to be in a satisfactory structural condition; and(b) a certificate from a prescribed inspection entity, in relation to the 5-year service life extension being sought by the operator, stating that on a particular day the prescribed inspection entity inspected the bus and it had no defect that would affect its safe use on the road.
(3) If the operator satisfies the chief executive that sections 2 to 9 and part 3 have been complied with for the bus, the chief executive must, by written notice given to the operator—(a) grant the 5-year service life extension; and(b) state the date the 5-year service life extension is granted.
(4) However, the chief executive may grant a 5-year service life extension for the bus only if—(a) the bus is an open classification vehicle, regional classification vehicle or local classification vehicle that is at least 18 but not more than 25 years old; and(b) a 5-year service life extension has not previously been granted for the bus under the Act .
(5) If a 5-year service life extension is granted for a bus, the maximum age of the bus under schedule 1 , section 4 (2) is extended by 5 years.Examples—1 If an open classification vehicle has a 5-year service life extension, it may continue to be used as an open classification vehicle until it is 30 years old or may be used as a regional classification vehicle or local classification vehicle until it is 30 years old.2 If a regional classification vehicle has a 5-year service life extension, it may continue to be used as a regional classification vehicle until it is 30 years old.3 If a local classification vehicle has a 5-year service life extension, it may continue to be used as a local classification vehicle until it is 30 years old.
The bus must comply with the ADRs that applied to the bus when it was 5 years old, other than ADRs for the control of exhaust emissions.
(1) The body of the bus must be in good structural condition.
(2) A full panel removal and body framework inspection must be performed if—(a) the body of the bus shows signs of structural damage, or signs of corrosion of the frame, for example, rust stains, loose rivets or loose or rusted panels; or(b) the bus has not been inspected under schedule 1 , section 30 , and found to be satisfactory, within the last 5 years.
(3) Interior trim material of the bus must be in good serviceable condition and not be damaged.
(4) If the bus is a regional classification vehicle, any side facing seats must be replaced with forward or rearward facing seats.
(5) Seats, partitions and exposed handrails of the bus must be padded if required under schedule 1 , part 3 .
(6) Floor coverings of the bus that are damaged or not non-slip must be replaced with suitable non-slip floor coverings.
(7) Windows and window sealing must be in good condition.
(8) Paintwork must be in good condition.
All components of the chassis or suspension of the bus must be cleaned, inspected, and crack tested if necessary to ensure they are rust-free, structurally sound and within safe service wear limits.
(1) Power steering components of the bus must be free of leaks.
(2) Cracked or oil-affected hydraulic hoses of power steering components must be replaced.
(3) Stub axles and steering arms, including pitman arms and drag links—(a) must be crack tested; and(b) must be replaced if they are defective; and(c) must not be repaired using a heating or welding process.
(1) The braking system of the bus must be fully refurbished, including replacement of flexible air or hydraulic lines, valve seals and diaphragms.
(2) All replacement braking system components must comply with the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation , schedule 2 , section 84 (2) .
(3) The parking brakes of the bus must be tested to ensure they comply with the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation , schedule 2 , section 87 (5) .
(1) Electrical fittings, lights, reflectors, lenses and wiring of the bus must be in a serviceable condition.
(2) Light or reflector lenses must be free of cracks, and have serviceable reflective surfaces.Example—Discoloured or cracked lenses must be replaced.
(3) Electrical wiring and wiring conduit must be secure, shielded from the effects of excessive heat, and in a serviceable condition.
(4) The voltage under load, with the engine running, at each lamp must not be more than 10% below the nominal voltage of the electrical system of the bus.Example—For a system with a nominal voltage of 12V, the voltage at each lamp must be at least 10.8V.
(1) Each component of the engine or driveline of the bus must be inspected, and may require dismantling if necessary to ensure the component is reliable and mechanically sound, including the following—(a) adequate engine power output;(b) the engine and driveline are free of oil, water, air, vacuum and exhaust leaks;(c) the engine and driveline are not excessively noisy;(d) when operated under load the engine does not emit visible smoke continuously for more than 10 seconds;(e) each component of the transmission or driveline is free of oil leaks and excessive wear;(f) the driveline is free of excessive backlash;(g) rubber mounts and dampers are free of oil impregnation, cracking and deterioration.
(2) Each axle hub assembly must be removed, dismantled, cleaned and inspected to ensure it is reliable and mechanically sound.
(3) Each hub oil seal or gasket must be replaced.
(4) Wheel bearings that are excessively worn must be replaced.
The operator must obtain a certificate from a prescribed inspection entity stating that—
(a) the body, chassis, suspension, steering and brake components of the bus are structurally sound and serviceable; and
(b) the bus complies with the ADRs that applied to the bus when it was 5 years old, other than ADRs for the control of exhaust emissions.
(1) An operator of a relevant service that uses a heavy bus to provide the service may obtain a service life extension for the bus (an
"age zero refurbishment service life extension" ) if sections 11 to 13 and part 3 are complied with for the bus.
(2) Sections 11 , 12 (1) , (3) , (4) and (5) , 14 (1) and 16 are taken to have been complied with for the bus if the operator shows the chief executive—(a) a certificate from a prescribed inspection entity, in relation to the age zero refurbishment service life extension being sought by the operator, stating that on a particular day the prescribed inspection entity inspected the frame of the bus and found it to be in a satisfactory structural condition; and(b) a certificate from a prescribed inspection entity, in relation to the age zero refurbishment service life extension being sought by the operator, stating that on a particular day the prescribed inspection entity inspected the bus and it had no defect that would affect its safe use on the road.
(3) If the operator satisfies the chief executive that sections 11 to 13 and part 3 have been complied with for the bus, the chief executive must, by written notice given to the operator—(a) grant the age zero refurbishment service life extension; and(b) state the date the age zero refurbishment service life extension is granted.
(4) If an age zero refurbishment service life extension is granted for a bus, the age of the bus is to be worked out starting on the day of the grant.
The bus must—
(a) if the operator intends the bus to be used as an open classification vehicle or regional classification vehicle—comply with the ADRs applying to a non-route service bus that are in force when the refurbishment of the bus for the extension is finished; or
(b) if the operator intends the bus to be used as a local classification vehicle—comply with the ADRs applying to a service bus that are in force when the refurbishment of the bus for the extension is finished.
(1) A new body, including all interior and exterior fittings and equipment must be fitted to the bus.
(2) The operator must give a prescribed inspection entity written evidence verifying that all mechanical components, including the engine, gearbox, steering, suspension and axles, have been rebuilt, including the replacement of all gaskets, seals, bearings and wearing components.
(3) Each structural component of the bus, for example, the chassis or spring hangers—(a) must be dismantled, inspected and crack tested if necessary to ensure the component is structurally sound; and(b) must then be replaced or refurbished if necessary to ensure the component is structurally sound.
(4) The braking system of the bus must be fully rebuilt, including—(a) replacement or refurbishment of all wearing components; and(b) replacement of all flexible air or hydraulic lines, valve seals, diaphragms and springs.
(5) Each component of the braking system must comply with the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation , schedule 2 , section 84 (2) .
The operator must obtain a certificate from a prescribed inspection entity stating that—
(a) the body, chassis, suspension, steering and brake components of the bus are structurally sound, and serviceable; and
(b) the bus complies with the ADRs required to be complied with under this standard for an age zero refurbishment service life extension for the bus.
(1) Each mechanical component and each structural component that is critical to the safety of the bus must be—(a) inspected; and(b) crack tested if necessary to ensure the component is mechanically or structurally sound.
(2) An operator of a bus mentioned in part 1 or 2 must obtain a certificate by a prescribed inspection entity stating that each mechanical component and each structural component that is critical to the safety of the bus has been—(a) inspected by the prescribed inspection entity; and(b) crack tested if necessary to ensure the component is mechanically or structurally sound.
(1) If a vehicle system or component of a bus is required to be refurbished or replaced under this schedule for a 5-year service life extension or an age zero service life extension, the system or component need not be refurbished or replaced if it has been refurbished or replaced within—(a) 1 year immediately before the extension is obtained; and(b) the last 50,000km travelled by the bus.
(2) However, written evidence of the replacement or refurbishment must be given to a prescribed inspection entity.
(1) An operator of a bus mentioned in part 1 or 2 must—(a) have an approved person perform a rating of particular components of the bus, and approve the rating, under section S4 or S 5 of the code; and(b) have an approved person perform an evaluation of the bus, and approve the evaluation, under section S6 of the code.
(2) In this section—
"code" means the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications.Note—1 The code is available on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s website. At the commencement of this definition the website was www.nhvr.gov.au.2 At the commencement of this definition, the code was prescribed under the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation , section 12 .