NHVR Infringement Notice Lawyer
Advice for truck drivers and transport businesses who have received an NHVR infringement notice, before you pay, ask for a review or go to court.
Get Advice Before You Pay an NHVR Fine
An infringement notice for a heavy vehicle offence can look like a simple fine. Paying it ends the matter, but the offence stays on the record of the driver or the business, and the NHVR can take it into account if it looks at you again.
Eric Navea worked at the NHVR as its Senior Prosecutor. He reads the notice and the evidence behind it, then tells you whether to pay, ask for a review or take the matter to court. Several notices can also point to a wider Chain of Responsibility issue for the business.
If you have received an infringement notice, send Eric a photo of it before the due date.
Request a Confidential Consultation
What an NHVR Infringement Notice Is
An infringement notice (also called a penalty notice or a fine) is issued for an offence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). It can come from an NHVR safety and compliance officer, a Transport for NSW officer or the police, at the roadside or by post after an investigation.
In NSW, Revenue NSW manages payment of the notice. The notice shows the offence, the amount, the due date and your options.
Common infringement notices include:
- Fatigue offences, such as exceeding work time or not taking a required rest break
- Work diary (logbook) offences, such as a missing, incomplete or incorrect entry
- Mass, dimension and loading offences
- Vehicle standards and defect offences
- Failing to comply with a direction or a notice from an authorised officer
Before you pay, Eric can check whether the notice is correct and whether a review or a court election makes sense.
Your Three Options
Every notice gives you three choices. The right one depends on the evidence, your record and what the offence could lead to.
1. Pay the notice
The matter ends with no court date. The offence is still recorded and can count against the driver or business later.
2. Ask for a review
You write to the NHVR explaining why the notice should be withdrawn or a warning given instead. While the NHVR reviews it, the fine is placed on hold.
3. Take it to court
You elect to have the matter heard by a court. The court can dismiss the matter, find the offence proved or impose a penalty, which can be higher than the notice amount.
When a Review Is Worth Asking For
The NHVR accepts written requests (called representations) from you or your lawyer. A review is worth considering when:
- You have a defence, or a good reason for what happened
- The evidence for the offence is weak or unclear
- You want to explain the circumstances and provide supporting documents
- You have a good compliance record and the offence was minor
- Issuing the notice does not fit the NHVR's own prosecution policy
The NHVR looks at how serious the offence was, the safety risk, your documents and your history. If it agrees, the notice can be withdrawn. If it doesn't, you can still pay or go to court. Allow about 42 days for a reply.
While the NHVR reviews your request, the fine is placed on hold.
When Going to Court Makes Sense
Court is not always the best choice, and it carries the risk of a higher penalty and legal costs. It can make sense when:
- You did not commit the offence and the evidence can be challenged
- The notice would cause a bigger problem, such as demerit points that put a driver's licence at risk
- The offence is part of a pattern the NHVR may later rely on against the business
- There is a real chance the court will dismiss the matter without recording a conviction
Once you elect court, the matter runs like any other heavy vehicle charge. Read our guide to your heavy vehicle court date.
Don't ignore the notice. If the due date passes without payment, a review or a court election, extra fees are added and Revenue NSW can take enforcement action, including licence or registration restrictions.
How Eric Can Help
Eric handles your matter personally, from the first call to the final outcome.
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Reads the notice and the evidence
Eric checks the offence, the facts and whether the notice was issued correctly.
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Tells you which option makes sense
Pay, ask for a review or go to court, with the risks of each explained.
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Writes the review request
Eric prepares the review request with the right supporting documents.
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Represents you in court
If you elect to go to court, Eric appears for you and presents your case.
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Advises the business
If the notice points to a wider compliance issue, Eric advises the business on what to fix.
What Happens When You Contact Eric?
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Send Through What You Have Received
Send Eric a photo of the infringement notice and any other paperwork, such as work diary pages or weighbridge dockets.
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Eric Reviews Your Matter
Eric checks the offence, the evidence and the due date.
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You Get Clear Advice on What’s Next
You will know whether to pay, ask for a review or take the matter to court, and what each option involves.
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Eric Can Take the Matter From There
Eric can write the review request or represent you in court.
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NHVR Infringement Notice FAQs
Should I just pay an NHVR infringement notice?
Not before you have read it carefully. Paying ends the matter, but the offence is recorded and some offences also carry demerit points. If you have a defence or a good reason for what happened, a review or a court election may be better. Eric can tell you which option makes sense.
How do I ask the NHVR to review an infringement notice?
Follow the review steps printed on the notice, or write to the NHVR Prosecutions Support unit. Explain why the notice should be withdrawn and attach supporting documents. You or your lawyer can make the request.
Does asking for a review stop the due date?
The NHVR says the fine is placed on hold with the revenue agency while it considers your review. Keep a copy of your request and the NHVR's acknowledgement.
What happens if I elect to go to court?
The infringement notice is withdrawn and the matter is listed in court. The court can dismiss the matter, find it proved without recording a conviction, or impose a penalty, which can be higher than the amount on the notice.
Can a business get a notice for a driver's offence?
Yes. Some HVNL offences apply to the registered operator, the employer or other parties in the chain of responsibility. A business that receives several notices should get advice on what they mean for its compliance systems.
Related Heavy Vehicle Matters
Received an NHVR Infringement Notice?
Send Eric a photo of the notice before the due date. He will tell you whether to pay, ask for a review or go to court.
Call Eric 0401 937 269Request a Confidential Consultation
This page is general information only and does not replace legal advice about your specific matter. It was last reviewed in November 2026. The NHVR may update the law, penalties and policies from time to time, so check the NHVR's official publications at nhvr.gov.au.