The NHVR Heavy Vehicle Network Map, Built for the Cab
The NHVR network map shows which roads are approved for your vehicle class. Truck Me puts it in your pocket as a live overlay with routing built in, not a desktop tool you have to consult before you leave.
What the NHVR network map is
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator maintains a dataset of every road in Australia and the access status of that road for different vehicle classes. A B-Double has a different approved network to a Road Train. A PBS vehicle has a different network again. The NHVR network map is the visual representation of that data: a map of Australia colour-coded by access status for a selected vehicle class.
This data is the legal source of truth for heavy vehicle access. If a road is restricted in the NHVR network for your vehicle class, operating on it without an oversize or overmass permit is a compliance offence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The network map is not advisory. It reflects enforceable access rules.
The NHVR provides a web-based mapping tool where operators and drivers can browse the network by vehicle type. It is updated as the network changes and covers all states and territories that participate in the HVNL. The challenge for drivers is that the tool is designed for desktop use, not in-cab navigation.
The NHVR web tool: what it does and what it lacks
The NHVR's web mapping interface is a useful reference tool for planning on a desktop. You can select a vehicle class, zoom into an area, and see the access codes for road segments. Tapping a segment shows conditions and the road manager. For office-based route planning, it works.
The limitations become clear when you consider how drivers actually use this information. The tool is not mobile-optimised. It does not include a route planner: you cannot enter an origin and destination and receive a route that stays on the approved network. It has no turn-by-turn navigation. You cannot use it as a driving overlay because it is not designed to track your position.
Drivers who find the NHVR tool typically use it for research before a trip, then fall back to a consumer GPS for actual navigation. That gap is where compliance problems occur. A driver who knows their route is approved from desktop research may still be sent onto a restricted road by a consumer navigation app that has no knowledge of the NHVR network.
The three network access codes: what the colours mean
Every road segment in the NHVR network is assigned one of three access codes for each vehicle class. Truck Me maps these directly to the overlay colours you see while driving.
Approved (green)
Your vehicle class can use this road without a permit and without any conditions. A green segment means unrestricted access for your configuration. Truck Me routes you along approved segments wherever possible.
Conditional (amber)
Access is permitted under specific conditions. The condition may be a gross mass limit, a time window (no travel during peak hours or school zones), a requirement to hold a permit, or an escort requirement. Truck Me shows the condition when you tap the segment. Whether you can use a conditional road depends on whether you meet or can satisfy the condition.
Restricted (red)
Your vehicle class cannot use this road. Restricted access means the road is not part of the approved network for your combination type. Operating on a restricted segment without an oversize or overmass permit is a compliance offence. Truck Me will not route you onto restricted segments.
NHVR network map features in Truck Me
The same NHVR data that powers the government's web tool, delivered as a mobile driving overlay with routing integrated.
Live network overlay
The NHVR network is shown as a colour-coded overlay on the map while you drive. Green roads are approved for your vehicle class. Amber roads have conditions. Red roads are restricted.
Vehicle class filtering
The overlay adjusts to your vehicle profile. The approved network for a B-Double differs from the network for a Road Train. Select your vehicle class and the overlay shows only the roads approved for that configuration.
Routing stays on the approved network
Route calculation uses the NHVR network data directly. The route planner does not suggest roads that are restricted for your vehicle class, so you are not routing off the approved network without knowing.
Segment inspector
Tap any road segment on the map to see its access code, any conditions that apply, the road manager responsible, and any time restrictions on the segment. All from the NHVR data.
Conditional access details
Amber segments have conditions: a weight limit, time restriction, permit requirement, or escort condition. Truck Me shows you the condition detail so you can decide whether you can legally use that road.
Updated from NHVR API
Network data is sourced directly from the NHVR API and cached with short TTLs. When NHVR updates the network, Truck Me reflects those changes. You are not relying on a static dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I access the NHVR network map?
The NHVR provides a web-based mapping tool at nhvr.gov.au that shows the heavy vehicle network for different vehicle classes. It is a desktop tool: you can browse the network by selecting a vehicle type, zoom into an area, and see which roads are approved, conditional, or restricted. It is not designed for use while driving and does not include routing. Truck Me brings the same underlying data into a mobile app with routing and a live driving overlay.
Is the NHVR network map updated regularly?
The NHVR updates the network data as road access changes: when new roads are approved for heavier vehicles, when temporary restrictions are applied during construction, or when permit conditions change for a corridor. Truck Me pulls from the NHVR API with short cache times so updates flow through quickly. The NHVR's own web mapping tool is updated from the same source.
How do I know if my road is approved for my vehicle?
The approved network depends on your vehicle class. A road approved for a rigid truck may not be approved for a B-Double. In Truck Me, set up your vehicle profile with your combination type and the overlay will show you exactly which roads are approved for that configuration. Tap any segment to see the access code and any conditions that apply to it.
What is the difference between approved, conditional, and restricted?
Approved means unrestricted access for your vehicle class on that road. Conditional means access is permitted but subject to conditions: a weight limit, time window, permit requirement, or escort. Restricted means your vehicle class cannot use that road at all. Operating on a restricted road without a permit is a compliance offence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
Can I use the NHVR network map while driving?
The NHVR's web mapping tool is a desktop interface and is not suitable for in-cab use while driving. Truck Me is designed as a mobile driving overlay: the network colours update as you move through the network, routing is built in, and alerts fire when your planned route approaches a conditional or restricted segment.
Related guides
NHVR Approved Roads
How road approval works under the NHVR and what the three access levels mean for your operation.
NHVR Access Codes
Deep dive into approved, conditional, and restricted access codes and what conditions look like in practice.
Truck Route Planner
Route calculation that uses NHVR network data directly, with dual-route comparison for every trip.
Related topics
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