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New Zealand has strict rules regarding “Mass Limits”. This limits how heavy any one axle is allowed to be on a vehicle (up to 46 tonnes). To protect delicate structures like bridges, overweight permits must be obtained by operators prior to driving on the road network.
To apply for an overweight permit please fill out the NZTA overweight vehicle permit application form [PDF 208 KB] and send to [email protected]
For more information see the Overweight Permit Manual
The Land Transport Rule lists a series of sizes for standard motor vehicles carrying loads. To protect delicate overhead structures (power lines, overhead signs, bridges) and to avoid damaging the grass berm or vegetation on the sides of narrow roads, over-dimension permits must be obtained by operators prior to driving on the road network.
Over dimension permits are issued by NZTA, visit the NZTA website for further information.
High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) are allowed under new legislation. The vehicle configuration for full HPMV allows freight operators to carry increased payloads on parts of the network where bridges have been assessed/upgraded to carry heavier weights.
The maximum weight of an HPMV depends upon the vehicle configuration and the route capacity.
To apply for a HPMV permit and read more information visit the New Zealand Transport Agency website.
50MAX vehicle combinations have nine axles (one more axle than conventional 44-tonne vehicles combinations), meaning the overall truck load is spread further and there is no additional wear on roads per tonne of freight. This means 50MAX gives operators an option to carry increased payloads on parts of the network that, while economically important to New Zealand, carry lower volumes of freight.
To apply for a 50MAX permit to exceed mass limits, click here