DRIVE Lite – HVCBA

Dear RTOs and assessors,

Welcome to the July edition of DRIVE Lite – Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA). In this edition, we share details on how you can order your free Fresnel lenses and protect yourself against odometer tampering. We also provide information on the new demerit point trial to reward safe drivers.

Fresnel Lenses – a small device can make a big safety difference

Fresnel lenses are a thin plastic lens that attach to the passenger side window on a heavy vehicle. They provide the driver with a wide-angle view. The driver can see in their blind spot and notice other road users who may otherwise have been hidden. Transport for NSW trialled the effectiveness of the lenses in minimising passenger side blind spots on heavy vehicles, with most participants reporting that the device made driving safer. A limited number of Fresnel lenses are currently available to NSW heavy vehicle operators to try for free. To be eligible for a free lens operators must be based in NSW and the lenses are most suitable for heavy vehicles which are over 12 tonnes GVM and a 2015 model or older. Please visit the online catalogue to order your lens.




Watch the Fresnel lens video below (click on the red play button) to learn more or visit the Road Safety website.

Protecting vehicle owners against odometer tampering

Odometer tampering involves the disconnection, resetting or changing of a motor vehicle’s display of kilometres it has travelled. It is an offence in NSW to interfere with an odometer reading as it can influence the perceived value and condition of a vehicle. It’s now possible to check the last three odometer readings for free via Check a vehicle registration online. “These readings are available to everyone and will help protect customers from odometer tampering,” said Ruth Clulow, Senior Manager Vehicle Operations. “The readings may show discrepancies between the kilometers travelled – what is displayed on a vehicle’s odometer – versus what has been recorded in previous odometer readings.” Vehicle owners that suspect odometer tampering can find out more on the NSW Fair Trading – buying a used car webpage.



Demerit points relief for safe drivers

All unrestricted NSW licence holders – including professional drivers – are eligible for a demerit point trial that aims to reward responsible driving behaviour. During the trial, if an eligible driver maintains an offence free record during the trial period, one demerit point will be removed from their driving record. The trial will run from 17 January 2023 until 16 January 2024. There is no need to register for the trial, all unrestricted licence holders are automatically included. At the completion of the trial, Transport will undertake a process to identify those eligible for the deduction of a demerit point. The demerit point deduction is expected to take effect mid-April 2024. Learner and provisional licence holders are not included in the trial as they are subject to strict conditions of the Graduated Licensing Scheme. Safe driving behaviour cannot be underestimated as we work together to create a safer driving environment for all road users and ultimately push road trauma to zero.

Did you know?

All licence holders start with zero demerit points. As a licence holder commits an offence that has a demerit point penalty, the points are then added to their driving record.
Demerit points stay active for a three-year period, starting from the date of the offence.