Mobile phone use while driving is one of the most common traffic offences faced by truck drivers in Australia. Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), strict regulations govern mobile phone use to ensure the safety of all road users, particularly for truck drivers who operate large, heavy vehicles. Heavy Vehicle Lawyers specialises in assisting truck drivers, truck operators, and transport companies in dealing with mobile phone offences, helping protect livelihoods, licences, and careers.

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What Are the Mobile Phone Rules?

For truck drivers and transport operators, the rules are straightforward but strict. It is illegal to hold your mobile phone in your hand while driving or even while stationary in traffic. The law applies to truck drivers whether they are making a call, texting, checking a map, or using apps. Even touching your phone can result in penalties. The only exception is if the phone is secured in a cradle or if the driver is using hands-free voice-activated features.

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Typical Mobile Phone Offences for Truck Drivers

Some common offences include:

• Holding a mobile phone while driving, even for a brief moment.

• Texting or emailing while driving.

• Using a phone app while operating the truck.

• Making calls without a hands-free system or cradle. These actions can lead to heavy fines, demerit points, and even licence suspensions—especially for truck operators whose livelihood depends on staying on the road.

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Consequences of Mobile Phone Offences

The consequences of a mobile phone offence can be severe, especially for truck drivers:

• Fines: Mobile phone offences can carry significant fines, which vary by state, but are often around $500 to $1,000.

• Demerit Points: Offences typically result in 4 or more demerit points. For truck drivers, accumulating too many demerit points can lead to licence suspension, which can be devastating for anyone whose job depends on driving.

• Licence Suspension: In some cases, repeated mobile phone offences or a high number of demerit points can result in a suspended licence. This has serious implications for truck companies and transport operators.

 

How We Can Help

At Heavy Vehicle Lawyers, we understand the challenges faced by truck drivers and transport operators when it comes to mobile phone offences. We know that staying connected is sometimes crucial for logistics and communication, but we also know that penalties can seriously impact your career.

Our experienced team of Lawyers for the Transport Industry specialises in advocating for drivers and operators. We can assist you in several ways:

• Challenging the offence: In some cases, we can argue that the offence was a misunderstanding or that the phone use was lawful under specific circumstances.

• Reducing penalties: We can work to reduce fines or demerit points, helping you avoid or minimise licence suspensions.

• Providing legal defence: If you are facing court for multiple offences or more severe penalties, we offer a strong legal defence to protect your livelihood.

Our team of Lawyers dedicated to the Transport Industry understands how essential your licence is to your career. We work with truck drivers, truck operators, and transport companies to provide expert legal advice and representation in mobile phone offence cases.

 

Protecting Your Livelihood

Ignoring a mobile phone offence can lead to escalating penalties, and for truck drivers, the consequences could mean losing your job. But we are here to help. At Heavy Vehicle Lawyers, we are committed to advocating for drivers and operators, ensuring you receive the best possible legal defence. We can help you manage the process, challenge the charges where appropriate, and reduce the impact on your career.

Don’t let a mobile phone offence threaten your livelihood. Contact Heavy Vehicle Lawyers—the Lawyers for the Transport Industry—to discuss how we can assist you in dealing with mobile phone offences and staying on the road.