Big Rigs Magazine · Enforcement Action · 2 November 2026
NHVR grounds two DG trucks after recurring defects across operator's fleet
The NHVR issued a prohibition notice that bars two of an unnamed operator's heavy vehicles from use until full inspections are done and all defects are cleared. It also issued an improvement notice requiring policies, procedures or systems to manage vehicle safety risks. In late August 2026, Safety and Compliance Officers inspected the operator's registered heavy vehicles, and every one received a defect notice. The defects included steering movement, a fuel leak, damaged seat belts and lighting, defective air bag suspension and a steer tyre worn to exposed steel cords. A premises entry found safety management system failings in maintenance and in mass and dimension compliance. A further 24 defect notices followed, with the same or similar components repeatedly defective. The operator carried flammable fuels and other dangerous goods.
Why it mattersThe regulator treated recurring defects as proof of a failed system, not bad luck. A defect history that shows the same components failing again shows the risk is not being managed. Prohibition notices are rare: Paul Alsbury put them at fewer than 0.01 per cent of operators. He said they follow ignored intervention.
What to do
The compliance function, with fleet maintenance, should pull every defect notice and internal defect report on file. Map each one by component (brakes, steering, suspension, tyres) against the maintenance system in the SMS under the HVNL primary duty. Any component that has failed twice needs a documented root cause and a changed inspection interval.
A dated component-recurrence review, signed by the compliance manager, listing each repeat defect, its root cause and the inspection change made.
21 mass matters recorded on the register this year; median fine $14,250. See the register →