NHVR Launches Major Review of Electronic Work Diary Compliance Standards

As of July 2025, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has launched a 12-month review of Electronic Work Diary (EWD) Standards. This marks only the second major reassessment since the technology was first approved under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in 2020.

Twelve of the 13 currently approved providers, including OneRoad (approved May 2025), are voluntarily undergoing independent assurance reviews. These audits are designed to test compliance across key areas such as fatigue monitoring, privacy, data accuracy, usability, and reporting reliability.

Key compliance criteria being assessed

The NHVR review aims to determine where previously approved EWD systems meet the needs of Australia’s heavy transport industry. It looks into the following:

• Work/rest rule accuracy: Verifying that EWDs correctly apply HVNL fatigue laws across standard and BFM schedules.
• User interface and ease of use: Assessing device consistency and driver experience to reduce operational errors.
• Safety alert functionality: Ensuring fatigue-related alerts (e.g., break reminders) are accurate, timely, and reliable.
• Data privacy and reporting: Confirming logs are secure, compliant with privacy law, and retrievable for audit purposes.

While the NHVR has identified areas for improvement, it has confirmed there is currently no evidence of fines or legal action resulting from EWD functionality issues.

Why the review is important

This review aims to build confidence in digital fatigue tools and to identify ways to streamline compliance technology for future use. Since the initial approval of EWDs in 2020, adoption has increased across all sectors of road freight transport.

Fatigue-related non-compliance remains one of the top safety risks in the industry. Here are some details revealed by the NHVR:

• 131 drivers were found to have breached fatigue laws during a one-week Operation Omega II blitz in April 2025
• 172 fatigue-related infringement notices were issued, with 46 classed as critical or involving false EWD entries
• There have been 60 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles in the first half of 2025

These figures underscore the need for accurate, reliable, and user-friendly EWD systems to help truck drivers meet legal rest requirements and reduce fatigue risks.

What is the industry saying?

While most EWDs meet technical standards, the review has uncovered significant inconsistencies in usability and interface design, which can cause confusion, especially for truck drivers switching between platforms.

Industry leaders have also raised concerns about whether EWDs are being thoroughly tested across all fatigue management scenarios, including BFM, AFM, and two-up driving. While the NHVR has confirmed that current assessments cover a wide range of scenarios, the regulator may strengthen its testing protocols based on this feedback.

How does this impact truck drivers and freight operators?

The NHVR’s review is likely to lead to a range of updated requirements for EWD providers, with changes potentially coming into effect by mid-2026:

• Mandatory system software updates to meet new technical and usability benchmarks.
• Increased pressure on providers to deliver interoperable and uniform interfaces.
• New expectations for data security, audit traceability, and driver support features.
• Potential de-registration of non-compliant providers.

These changes may require freight operators to retrain drivers, review contracts with existing EWD drivers, or migrate to new systems.

What support can be expected?

The NHVR is committed to supporting the industry through any future transition so operators can expect:

• Clear transitional guidelines, shared via official NHVR media releases, direct notifications to registered EWD users, and in-app updates from approved providers
• Live updates to the NHVR EWD Provider Register, helping operators confirm their systems remain compliant
• Updated training resources for drivers, including revised NHVR fact sheets, training modules, and translated manuals to support Australia’s diverse transport workforce
• A transitional period with dual diary requirements, where drivers may need to carry both paper and electronic diaries to ensure uninterrupted compliance

These measures are designed to make the transition as smooth and practical as possible, regardless of fleet size or EWD system in use.

A safer future with smarter tools and smarter protection

The EWD standards review represents more than a regulatory update, it’s a signal that Australia’s heavy transport sector is moving toward greater digitisation, accountability, and safety compliance. As the NHVR raises the bar on electronic work diary standards, operators will need to ensure their systems and their operations keep pace with change.

But even the smartest tools can’t shield your transport and logistics business from every risk on the road. That’s where transport insurance becomes essential.

At Ryno Insurance, we do more than insure trucks, we help protect your entire operation from the real-world consequences of regulatory changes. Whether you’re managing unexpected downtime, navigating a compliance audit, or dealing with the financial impact of a fatigue-related incident, we will support you in finding insurance solutions tailored to your unique demands.

Request a free quote today! Stay ahead of changes and stay protected with Ryno.