LAWD FAQs

Local Area Work Diary

LAWD Mobile Phone Device

Can I use any device with an approved paper record for my local area work diary?

Yes you can once NHVR has approved your application to use LAWD as your written record for your local area work dairy. You will need to keep using your National Driver Work Diary (NDWD):

  • Until the approval from the NHVR
  • When your day includes driving outside the local area radius (100km or 1560km)
Do I need more than my mobile phone / tablet?

No. LAWD is browser based.  Just open a tab on your browser at lawd.au and start recording your work and rest.

There is no need to access your device while driving, so it should be in a cradle or stowed while driving.

Use “REST” when you have stopped driving/working.  Use “WORK” before you start driving,

What happens if I lose access to the mobile network?

You need to ensure that you have a mobile plan, so that data can be sent to and from the cloud.  Records are available on your phone and stored in the cloud.

Do I still have to use the NDWD?

The driver is always responsible to keep accurate records and to have the NDWD present at all times.  LAWD.AU is always recording you state – WORK/REST.  If it is not correct you can request your admin (or yourself if owner/driver) to record a different entry for a period of REST/WORK.

What is the average mobile data use for the LAWD each month?

Based on an average number of work/rest events over a 14 hour work day, and five (5) days per week, the average data use is between 0.5GB and 1GB.

What do if I cannot access/use LAWD.AU?

Use your login credentials to login with a different phone/tablet.

Do I need to have the web browser and the webpage open and visible all of the time?

The service runs in the background. You should remain logged in so that you can easily update your WORK/REST status. Otherwise you can keep using your phone with the service in the background.

Does the service track my position?

No.  The service has two ways that your location is used.

  1. When you check if your journey will be more than the allowed radius (100/160km) from base. If it will you will need to use the NDWD for that day. You can use LAWD.AU to help complete you NDWD.
  2. When you start a WORK period – as you would normally do for your NDWD.

Legal Requirements

What are the Work and Rest requirements?

The same rules apply as for the NDWD

How do I know when to start Work?

LAWD has an on screen counter to let you know when you can start work.

How do I know when to stop Work and have a Rest?

LAWD has a counter to let you know when you need to stop work.

What do I do during an intercept if using an LAWD?

If an authorised Officer requires to see your work diary then you can show them the current webpage for them to review.

If the Officer would like to review the last 14 days:

  • You will need to show them your paper NDWD, so they can check any days where you were outside the radius (100km – 160km rural radius)
  • You can use LAWD, for within radius work/rest:
    • Use the Menu 3 [top right]
    • Diary Export 3 [top]
    • Export Work Diary
      • Download PDF > download > open file > open
    • Share by txt/SMS:
      • Insert phone number > send
Can an intercepting officer request your mobile device with LAWD?

Once you are intercepted by an officer and asked for your Written Work Diary or LAWD you must provide one or both if the NDWD or LAWD contain any portion of the last 28 days of your work diary.

Can an officer view any non-LAWD part of your mobile device?

No they cannot. Your phone security applies.  When you show the officer, should close other open tabs on your browser.

Can an officer during an intercept view your LAWD prior to 28 days that is held in the LAWD mobile device?

No. If an officer requires your records for another period prior to 28 days from intercept, refer the officer to your supervisor or record keeper and the recordkeeper can extract these additional reports for you and send them to the officer.

Do I have to use LAWD in WA or NT, if I use a NDWD?

When a driver enters WA or NT from any other State and stays in WA/NT for less than 7 days, the driver can use the LAWD and follow the fatigue rules as part of the LAWD.

 If my work in WA or NT is greater than 7 days, you can use the LAWD

  • Although not required, it is best to continue to use LAWD.  Especially if you have business rules to follow – as they re still relevant.
  • You will also need to understand the local laws for Heavy Vehicles and record keeping.

Record Keeping

If a driver is transitioning from a Written Driver Work Diary (WDWD) to a LAWD do I have to keep the NDWD pages previously completed?

Yes, as all NDWD records must be kept for 3 years.

If a drivers Recordkeeper can enter NDWD records into the LAWD system as historical records, do I need to carry the NDWD for the events now included in the LAWD?

No, only the LAWD is required as all records in the balance of 28 days are now uploaded to the driver's LAWD.

If an officer requests a 28 day LAWD Report other than the last 28 days in my device, how would I do this?

Request your Record Keeper to provide the report to the officer email you were provided, or provided your Record Keeper’s details to the officer.

What if they want to see my NDWD yellow page copy, can LAWD provide this?

Treat this as any request and either supply the screen with the report, email the report or refer them to your Record Keeper and use the email they provide to send through the Compliance report.

What breaches does the LAWD record?

The LAWD records all fatigue breaches according to the National Heavy Vehicle Law (NHVL).  Breaches in the last 28 days will show on the LAWD, using the report.  Breaches before that and up to the required 3 years will be accessible by your Record Keeper.

What happens to the records in the NDWD when a driver starts using LAWD?

The Recordkeeper can enter the NDWD records (for the current 28 days into their historical records panel for the driver which is part of the LAWD web portal.

Can the Recordkeeper access a driver's LAWD records remotely?

Yes,a Recordkeeper can access any driver’s LAWD records that they are responsible for using the LAWD portal online. As all records are updated the Recordkeeper can better manage drivers for fatigue and improve allocations for jobs to ensure compliance of the driver and fleet operations.