Owner Driver

Owner/Driver is the biggest circulation truck publication in Australia due to the complete information mix (covering news, people and technical issues), with a broad spread of new and used trucks, parts and service and trucking jobs and TBM's own distribution system using our own long standing distributors across Australia. Owner/Driver is popular because it makes the effort to move around Australia. Monthly, it continues to follow its initial creed 'Dedicated to the success of the person behind the wheel'.

Owner Driver

Bring on the new year

NHVR releases PBS discussion paper • The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is calling for industry input into shaping the future of the PBS scheme

Federal Government tops up rest area funding

Welcome protection for WA subbies • Owner-Drivers Amendment Bill 2022 is expected to contribute to more sustainable operations across the WA road freight transport industry

Transport women to drive the difference • Six women to receive scholarships under the Daimler Trucks-sponsored Transport Women Australia Driving the Difference program

Call for LBRCA young drivers nominees

New station a welcome resource • Long term truck driver, safety advocate and current president of the National Road Freighters Association Rod Hannifey has plenty of good things to say about a radio station created just for truck drivers

VALE STEVE STURGESS • As a correspondent for several road transport magazines in Australia and New Zealand over many decades, high profile US trucking writer Steve Sturgess was a constant source of detailed and often ground-breaking reports on the North American trucking industry. Steve Brooks recalls the passing of a friend and valued colleague

LICENCE LUNACY • At a time of a profound and increasingly dangerous shortage of experienced truck drivers, why do faceless bureaucrats contend that reaching a certain age automatically compromises competence? It’s a question nagging at our ‘mature’ technical editor Steve Brooks

Tyres fit for PBS • The NHVR has responded to industry feedback, enabling a wider range of tyres for PBS vehicles

REMEMBERING MATTY • Tragedy inspired a Gympie couple to add another truck event to the Australian calendar. Now with the fourth running of Matty Hillcoat’s Truckies Day Out, it has brought the trucking community from nearby and further afield for an annual family fun day, but more importantly raising funds for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research. Warren Aitken writes

Change on the way • Although 12 months away, new unfair contracts law will be a welcome boost for operators

INDUSTRY BORN AND BRED • Hugh Paton recently had the honour of becoming a ‘Young Achiever’ co-winner at the Queensland Trucking Association’s Freight Industry awards. Hugh works as the operations manager for Sizer and Cogill in Townsville, Queensland. He sat down with OwnerDriver’s Julian Daw to talk about the award, his life around trucks and his passion for the transport industry

Seats at the table • Through consultation, the Federal Government is steadily lifting road transport out of the dark days

PATLIN’S EAGLE ROCKS • It was a break-up that had to happen as Joe Papaluca of Patlin Heavy Haulage reluctantly passed the keys of his much-loved International Eagle 9900i to young driver Jayden Perry. Warren Aitkens investigates

Driver’s seat view • Attending heavy-vehicle related forums is sure way of getting the truckies’ point of view across

Naming the offender • Speeding fines acquired by a driver in the company name can reach into five figure amounts

More summer sounds • Bright new music for the festive party season

Country Corner

Long way ’round for UD • UD Quon embarks on demanding ‘Lap of the...