This page describes the legal requirements in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016. It also includes information about subsequent relevant legislation. Your obligations for road user charges (RUC) are not included here.
Read this page for general information. Choose among the other vehicle types below for your specific vehicle or combination. This page also contains the definitions of terms as well as dimension limits for ‘standard’ vehicles and mass limits for axles and axle sets.
The Rule is designed to create a reasonable balance between the efficient operation of the heavy motor vehicle fleet, within the constraints imposed by the road network, while ensuring that heavy motor vehicles are operated safely. It does this by creating limits to the permitted dimensions and mass of vehicles, with particular emphasis on large combination vehicles.
The rule allows vehicles first registered in New Zealand before 1 February 2017 that had complied with previous legislation to continue to comply with dimension and mass limits imposed by that legislation. However, all heavy vehicles must now meet the static roll threshold requirements (see Static roll thresholds and all heavy-vehicle combinations must comply with the trailer: truck mass ratio (set out on this page).
If your vehicle exceeds any of the mass or dimension limits in the Rule, then you will not be allowed to operate it on New Zealand roads, unless it is eligible to be one of the following:
If the vehicle or load exceeds the maximum weights described in this factsheet, and you believe you’re eligible for an overweight permit or specialist vehicle permit, contact your nearest Waka Kotahi office.
If the vehicle or load exceeds the maximum weights described in this factsheet, and you believe you’re eligible for an overweight permit or specialist vehicle permit, contact your nearest Transport Agency office.
In 2010 a new permit system was introduced for HPMVs. These carry a divisible or indivisible load and may be over-length and/or over-weight but not over-width or over-height.
High productivity motor vehicles
The words ‘mass’ and ‘weight’ are sometimes used interchangeably though they mean the same thing. For example a vehicle’s tare (in kilograms) is its unladen mass, but you would measure it by using a weighbridge.
There are two different types of mass limit that apply to your vehicle and its load.
First, there is the limitation imposed by the vehicle’s design and construction. You must not exceed the vehicle ratings specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the chassis, axles, tyres and other components of the vehicle. For example, you are not allowed to load your vehicle above the specified maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM), gross combination mass (GCM), brake code mass ;(BCM) or tow a load greater than the drawbar is rated for.
Second, limits to axle mass are imposed to protect the road infrastructure. This is because certain sections of roads in New Zealand are not built to the same strength specifications as in other countries.
To find the operating gross mass (weight) of your vehicle add the tare mass of the unladen vehicle to the mass of the load the vehicle is carrying. You must take into account any mass transferred to the rigid vehicle by an attached trailer. You can also measure this mass by using a weighbridge. This total mass must not exceed any of the vehicle’s design limits or the road limits.
Axles can have different types of tyres fitted to them, and the allowed mass changes depending on which type you are using.
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Single standard-tyred axle (includes two axles spaced less than 1 metre apart) |
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Single large-tyred axle – tyres at least 330mm (13 inch) width by 24 inch diameter or 355mm (14 inch) width by 19.5 inch diameter (includes two axles spaced less than 1 metre apart). |
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Single mega-tyred - a single-tyred axle where the tyre width is 444mm or more. |
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Twin-tyred axle. |
Note that some roads and bridges have restrictions lower than the general mass limits. These lower limits have been imposed by the Road Controlling Authority (RCA) to protect particular bridges or roads from damage. Details of how these limits are imposed, and of limits placed on the state highway network, can be found under Bridges and Structures page.
Heavy vehicle - bridge limits sign
In order to retain sufficient grip on the road surface when turning, your vehicle must have sufficient mass (weight) on the front axles. This mass shouldn’t be less than 20% (one fifth) of the total mass on the axles of the vehicle. Drivers need to be aware of this at all times. The vehicle needs to be loaded in an appropriate way so this is achieved. Placing the full load behind the rear axles of the vehicle isn't recommended.
This guidance has been introduced to make sure that vehicles with an increased rear overhang (which the Rule allows) retain front traction and steering and remain stable.
Heavy rigid vehicles first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2002 must have at least 20% of their mass on the front axles at all times.
Drivers of vehicles that tow simple trailers (those with one axle set which aren’t semi-trailers) also need to be aware that the simple trailer can impose a large weight on the rear of the towing vehicle. This imposed weight can (by lever action through the chassis of the vehicle) reduce the effective mass bearing on the front axles of the towing vehicle. Therefore simple trailers need to be loaded carefully so their load is distributed centrally over the axles of the trailer. This will allow the towing vehicle to maintain front wheel traction.
Note: There needs to be a small downward force on the tow coupling, to make sure a simple trailer remains stable while it's being towed. The downward force should be about 10% of the weight of the trailer and its load.
Heavy trailers have been identified as more likely to show stability problems than buses or trucks. For this reason the maximum mass on the axles of a heavy trailer is limited, and can’t be more than 50 percent higher than the mass of the vehicle which tows it. Trailers within this limit are easier to control when braking and during emergency manoeuvres. This limitation on the mass of a heavy trailer applies at all times when heavy trailers are being moved in areas open to public access.
For a rigid vehicle (truck, tractor or ute) towing one heavy vehicle, the ratio of gross mass of the towed vehicle to gross mass of the towing vehicle must not exceed 1.5.
This requirement doesn’t apply if the speed of the combination vehicle is less than 40km/h, or the vehicle is operating under an overweight permit with a vehicle axle index above 1.1.
For a rigid vehicle towing two vehicles, the ratio of the gross mass of the rearmost vehicle to the total gross mass of the rigid vehicle and the first towed vehicle must not exceed 1.5.
Operators will need to ensure the vehicle that moves a loaded heavy trailer has sufficient mass for the purpose. It may be necessary to change loading practices so this can be achieved. This requirement mainly affects the movement of full and simple trailers. Semi-trailers and B-trains are less likely to be affected because part of the mass of these trailers is borne by the towing vehicle.
The stability of vehicles can be greatly affected by the way they’re loaded. The load needs to be arranged so that its mass and height are appropriate for the design of the vehicle and type of load.
The SRT of a vehicle is a measure of the potential for that vehicle to roll over sideways. Vehicles with a low SRT are more likely to roll over than those with a higher SRT, especially when going around sharp bends and in sudden emergency maneuvers. That means the lower your SRT the less stable your vehicle is.
To improve their stability, heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than certain specified limits must meet or exceed a minimum SRT value.
The heaviest class of trucks (class NC with GVM over 12 tonnes) must meet a minimum SRT of 0.35g (where ‘g’ is the acceleration due to gravity). They aren’t, however, required to be certified.
Find out more about static roll thresholds
If their load or body is more than 2.8 metres high, the heaviest class of trailers (class TD, with GVM over 10 tonnes) need to be assessed for their tendency to roll over when loaded. This assessment is mandatory for all of these vehicles.
Trailers that don’t meet the required level of stability will have their capacity to carry their existing load type reduced, could be recertified to carry a different type of load, or will need to be adjusted or modified to improve their stability.
The following mass limits indicate the maximum mass (weight) allowed on Class 1 roads.
There are three road-imposed legal mass limits that you must not exceed:
Note: As well as not exceeding an individual axle limit you must also meet the axle group limit. This means that you may not be able to load each axle to its maximum legal limit, because this could overload the axle set or group.
Single axle or axle set (kilograms)
(One axle or a dual axle of two axles less than 1 metre apart.)
Axle set mass limits are in place due to the concentration effect of having two axles close together. If each axle was loaded to the maximum allowed for it, excess road damage would result. Below are the possible combinations. Some axle sets do not have load sharing so a tolerance is allowed, which is why in some cases the axle set limit is less than the sum of the individual axle limits.
Tandem axle set
(Two axles spaced more than 1 metre but less than 2 metres apart)
Note: The 2 metres maximum does not apply to twin steer axle sets.
Tri-axle set
(Three axles spaced more than 2 metres (or 1.8m in the case of a single standard tyred axle) but less than 3 metres apart.)
Quad axle set:
Note: For weights on oscillating axles and other axle combinations not shown here, see the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule.
Maximum vehicle and axle mass (kilograms)
The total mass of a heavy vehicle or vehicle combination must be within the limits set out below, when the distance from any axle in any set is measured to any other axle in another set.
The table below gives the maximum allowed sum of the mass on any two or more axles that together do not constitute a single tandem axle set, a single tri-axle set or single quad-axle set, where the distance from the centre of the first axle to the centre of the last axle is 1.8 metres or more (including maximum gross weight).
| Axle set | Mass |
| 1.8m but less than 2.5m | 15,500kg |
| 2.5m but less than 3.0m | 17,500kg |
| 3.0m but less than 3.3m | 19,000kg |
| 3.3m but less than 3.6m | 20,000kg |
| 3.6m but less than 4.0m | 21,000kg |
| 4.0m but less than 4.4m | 22,000kg |
| 4.4m but less than 4.7m | 23,000kg |
| 4.7m but less than 5.1m | 24,000kg |
| 5.1m but less than 5.4m | 25,000kg |
| 5.4m but less than 5.8m | 26,000kg |
| 5.8m but less than 6.4m | 27,000kg |
| 6.4m but less than 7.0m | 28,000kg |
| 7.0m but less than 7.6m | 29,000kg |
| 7.6m but less than 8.2m | 30,000kg |
| 8.2m but less than 8.8m | 31,000kg |
| 8.8m but less than 9.4m | 32,000kg |
| 9.4m but less than 10.0m | 33,000kg |
| 10.0m but less than 10.8m | 34,000kg |
| 10.8m but less than 11.6m | 35,000kg |
| 11.6m but less than 12.0m | 36,000kg |
| 12.0m but less than 12.5m | 37,000kg |
| 12.5m but less than 13.2m | 38,000kg |
| 13.2m but less than 14.0m | 39,000kg |
| 14.0m but less than 14.8m | 40,000kg |
| 14.8m but less than 15.2m | 41,000kg |
| 15.2m but less than 15.6m | 42,000kg |
| 15.6m but less than 16.0m | 43,000kg |
| 16.0m or more | 44,000kg |
| 16.8m or more with minimum of 7 axles | 45,000kg |
| 17.4m or more with minimum of 8 axles | 46,000kg |
Note: Vehicles can operate at higher mass on certain routes if on an HPMV permit.
The law states the maximum allowed width, height and other dimensions for vehicles to be allowed on New Zealand roads, which have been designed and built to accommodate these dimensions. If your vehicle fits within these dimensions it is called a standard-size vehicle.
All dimension limits are maximums, in metres (m) or millimetres (mm), unless otherwise stated.
A rigid vehicle has two axle sets, a driver’s position, a steering system, motive power and a single rigid chassis.
| Rigid vehicles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light vehicles | Heavy vehicles | ||||
| Not towing | Towing | Not towing | Towing | ||
| Maximum width | Two-wheeled vehicles (classes AA, AB, LA, LC): 1.1m All others: 2.55m |
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Maximum height | 4.3m | |||
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Maximum forward distance | 9.5m | 8.5m | 9.5m | 8.5m |
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Maximum rear overhang | 4m from rear axis | With non-steering rearmost axle, the lesser of 4m from rear axis or 70% of foremost axle to rear axis. With steering rearmost axle, the lesser of 4.25m from rear axis or 70% of foremost axle to rear axis. A rigid bus that exceeds 12.6m in length, the lesser of 4.5m or 72% of wheelbase. | ||
| Maximum front overhang | 3m ahead of front of driver’s seat when in its rearmost position (4m for an agricultural vehicle). | ||||
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Maximum overall length of vehicle | 12.6m | 11.5m | 12.6m* | 11.5m |
| Ground clearance | Heavy: Minimum is the greater of 100mm OR 6% of the distance from the nearest axle to the point where the ground clearance is measured. | ||||
| Maximum turning circle | 25m diameter from wall to wall, excluding collapsible mirrors. | ||||
| Maximum intervehicle spacing | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Minimum SRT | N/A | 0.35g (class NC only - over 12 tonnes GVM) | |||
| * Note: some buses can be longer. | |||||
A combination vehicle is made up of a rigid vehicle towing another vehicle or vehicles.
| Trailers and vehicle combinations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailer with one axle set | Trailer with two axle set | |||||
| Semi | Simple | Pole | Full | Pole | ||
| Maximum width | 2-wheeled vehicles (classes AA, AB, LA, LC); 1.1m All others: 2.55m |
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Maximum height | 4.3m | ||||
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Maximum forward distance (see Heavy trailers and combinations for specific forward distance definitions, ie how they are measured) | 9.2m | 8.5m | 8.5m with fully extended drawbar | 8.5m | 8.5m with fully extended drawbar |
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Maximum rear overhang | Light: 4m from rear axis | ||||
| Heavy: Lesser of 4.3m from rear axis or 50% of forward distance except for class TC caravan trailer, they are the lesser of 4m or 65% of forward distance. | Lesser of 4m or 50% of tow coupling to rear axis | Lesser of 4m or 50% of front axis to rear axis | ||||
| Maximum front overhang | 2.04m radius arc ahead of centre of kingpin | 2.04m radius arc ahead of centre of tow coupling | 2.04m radius arc ahead of centre of turntable on tow vehicle | 2.04m radius arc ahead of centre of turntable | 2.04m radius arc ahead of centre of turntable on tow vehicle | |
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Maximum length of vehicle | N/A | 12.5m | 11.5m excluding load | 11.5m | 11.5m excluding load |
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Maximum overall vehicle combination length | 19m (or 18m if a quad with two steering axles and first registered before 01/12/16. | 22m | 20m (includes A-trains and B-trains and heavy rigid vehicles towing two trailers) | ||
| Ground clearance | Heavy: minimum is the greater of 100mm or 6% of the distance from the nearest axle to the point where the ground clearance is measured. | |||||
| Maximum turning circle | 25m diameter from wall to wall, excluding collapsible mirrors | |||||
| Intervehicle spacing | N/A | 4m | N/A | 4m max, 1m min (Heavy trailers and combinations) | N/A | |
| SRT | Light: N/A | |||||
| Heavy: A Class TD trailer (over 10 tonnes GVM) with a load or body height over 2.8m above ground must be certified as having an SRT of 0.35g or higher. | ||||||
There are certain items that, for practicality, are allowed in addition to the maximum width and height limits for a vehicle:
The load height of a towing vehicle and of a trailer that has an open load platform or that has a load platform or body that does not fully enclose the load (in a vertical orientation) may be restricted if necessary to ensure that the vehicle complies with the SRT requirements.
Vehicles may carry loads which are higher, longer or wider than the dimensions of the vehicle itself, provided that the load doesn’t exceed the maximum permitted dimensions for that class and type of vehicle, and the vehicle can be moved safely when loaded. It’s the operator’s responsibility to ensure the load is properly secured to the vehicle so that the vehicle remains stable at all times, and the load or parts of it cannot fall off.
Trucks towing full trailers can have an overhanging load up to 2.3 ;metres wide (1.15 metres each side of the centre line), extending over the 20 metres maximum vehicle length to a maximum of 22 metres.
There is a requirement for a certified rear underrun system (contact a specialist heavy vehicle certifier for details) to be fitted if this overhang exceeds 1 metre, and the warning devices described below are still required. (Find out more on our page on heavy vehicle full trailers.) Loads that overhang the outside of the body or deck of the vehicle by more than 1 metre to the front or rear, or more than 200mm to the left or right side, need to carry special warning devices attached to the overhanging ends of the load.
During the hours of daylight, there must be either:
Note: Hazard warning panels that extend beyond the edge of the vehicle must be frangible (breakable or readily deformable).
During the hours of darkness, the flags or hazard panels may be displayed and lights must be attached to the load as follows:
These lights need to be clearly visible in clear weather at a distance of at least 200 metres during the hours of darkness. This applies to all vehicles, regardless of when they were first registered.
For overdimension vehicles: Vehicles must comply with separate requirements for lighting and hazard panels.
Please note: Goods service vehicles parked on a roadway must have a red light on the rear of the vehicle, or on the rear of projecting loads that extend more than 1.5 metres behind the vehicle.
A light rigid vehicle (for example, a car or ute with a gross vehicle mass up to 3.5 tonnes) may only tow one vehicle. A light tractor, however, is allowed to tow two light vehicles at a speed not greater than 50km/h.
A heavy rigid vehicle can only tow both a trailer and an unpowered rigid vehicle if either:
A heavy rigid vehicle can only tow one unpowered heavy rigid vehicle.
A heavy rigid vehicle can tow two rigid vehicles without power only if:
Single axle set means either one axle or two axles have their centres spaced less than one metre apart.
Tandem axle set means two axles have their centres spaced no less than one metre and no more than two metres apart.
Tri-axle set means there are three axles and:
Twin-steer axle set means an axle set of two axles with single tyres, where both axles are connected to the same mechanism in order to steer similarly.
Quad-axle set means a set of four axles where:
Forward distance, for a rigid vehicle, means the distance from the rear axis to the front of the vehicle or its load, whichever is foremost.
The maximum forward distance, for heavy rigid vehicles without a tow coupling, is 9.5 metres. Heavy rigid vehicles with a tow coupling are restricted to a maximum forward distance of 8.5 metres.
The forward distance for trailers is defined (measured) differently depending on the specific design (see Heavy trailers and combinations).
Ground clearance is the distance from the ground to any part of the vehicle except for flexible mudflaps, wheels, tyres and devices designed to discharge static electricity.
The space between any two consecutive vehicles in a combination not including the drawbeam.
A pair of short axles in the same line across the vehicle, each axle being:
A vehicle, including a combination truck and towed vehicle or vehicles, must be able to complete a 360 degree turn, both to the left and to the right, within a 25 metre diameter circle (kerb to kerb). The only projections which can be outside this circle are collapsible mirrors. No part of a vehicle in a combination, other than its tow coupling, may come into contact with another vehicle in the combination when performing this turn.
The overall length of any combination of vehicles must not exceed 20 metres or 22 metres for a rigid vehicle and simple trailer combination or any combination with a rear full trailer carrying a reduced width load overhang utilizing a certified underrun system, see Heavy trailers and combinations for details.
Rear axis (RA) is the point at which the vehicle rotates about during a turn. If the vehicle has only one non-steering axle, the RA is at the centre of that axle.
If the vehicle has a tandem axle set with only non-steering axles in its rear axle set and each axle has an equal number of tyres on it, the RA is midway between the centres of the axles.
If the vehicle has a tandem axle set with only non-steering axles in its rear axle set and one axle has twice as many tyres on it as the other axle, the RA is positioned two-thirds of the distance from the lesser tyred axle towards the greater tyred axle.
If the vehicle has a non-steering triaxle set in its rear axle set, the RA is midway between the extreme axles of the set.
If the vehicle has one steering axle in its rear set together with one non-steering axle, the RA is at the non-steering axle.
If the vehicle has one or two steering axles in its rear set together with two non-steering axles, the RA is midway between the extreme non-steering axles of the set.
If the vehicle has one or more retracting axles in its rear set together with one or more non-retracted axles, the RA is midway between the extreme non-retracted axles of the set.
If the vehicle has a quad-axle set with steering axles, the rear axis is as below:
Rear overhang means the distance from the rear axis to the rear of the vehicle or its load, whichever is greater.
The maximum speed of heavy vehicles without springs or other effective cushioning suspension is limited to the lesser of 45km/h or the manufacturer's rating (typically the tyres will have a maximum allowable speed).
Vehicles towing trailers (full, semi or simple) or other motor vehicles are limited to a maximum open road speed of 90km/h. Vehicles towing another vehicle without a rigid towing system are limited to 50km/h.
Drivers of these vehicles still need to obey lower speed limits set for particular roads.
Wheelbase is measured from the rear axis to the centre of the foremost axle.
