Land Transport Rule
Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2007
Rule 41001/2
Note: This Rule should be read in conjunction with the consolidated version of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002, which includes previous Rule amendments.
Contents
Section 2 Amendments relating to vehicle dimensions and mass
- 2.1 General requirements for all vehicles
- 2.2 Motor vehicles designed primarily to transport overdimension and overweight loads
- 2.3 Overdimension requirements dependent on width, length, forward distance, front overhang and rear overhang
- 2.4 Swept path requirements for width/forward distance thresholds
- 2.5 Overdimension requirements for excess height
- 2.6 General operating requirements for overdimension motor vehicles
- 2.7 Lighting requirements for overdimension motor vehicles
- 2.8 Permits
- 2.9 Hazard warning flags
- 2.10 Hazard warning panels
- 2.11 Travel times ('Level 1')
- 2.12 Responsibilities of operators of pilot vehicles
- 2.13 Responsibilities of operators
Section 3 Amendments to definitions
Section 4 Amendment to Schedules
- Table 6.1 Overdimension requirements dependent on width, length, forward distance, front overhang and rear overhang
- Figure 6.1 Swept path requirements for width/forward distance thresholds
- Table 6.2 Overdimension requirements for excess height
Objective of the Rule
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2007 amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 (the Rule), which specifies requirements for dimension and mass limits for vehicles operating on New Zealand roads.
The principal objective of this amendment Rule is to make changes to:
- • clarify the requirements relating to special approvals available to some loaded overdimension vehicles, which enable them to operate with fewer travel time restrictions;
- • clarify the requirements for displaying warning devices on overdimension vehicles;
- • incorporate an existing exemption from the requirements for displaying specific warning devices on mobile crane booms;
- • clarify diagrams in schedules;
- • amend a definition;
- • correct some items in tables and figures.
The amendment Rule clarifies a number of provisions in the Rule, in some cases following representations from industry, specifically:
- • the limitations on the use of special overdimension vehicles (designed for the carriage of overdimension loads) in carrying a divisible load (part of which is an overdimension object) have been clarified by amending clause 6.4(5);
- • Tables 6.1 and 6.2 and Figure 6.1, which set out required hazard warning equipment, travel time restrictions, and piloting and other requirements for the various sizes of overdimension vehicles have been clarified;
- • subclauses 6.6(11), 6.6(12) and 6.12(4), relating to the issuing of approvals to allow some overdimension vehicles to operate with fewer travel time restrictions, have been clarified to indicate that a load or equipment may be carried if it is within the dimensions specified in the approval;
- • clause 6.7(4), relating to the use of amber beacons, has been clarified so that it applies to vehicles without driver’s cabs and vehicles that are not carrying a load;
- • the requirements for displaying hazard warning flags (clause 6.9) and hazard warning panels (clause 6.10) have been clarified, as have those specifying the required orientation of warning panels (as shown in Figures 1 and 2 in Schedule 4) if used on overwidth vehicles or loads;
- • an existing exemption from the requirement to display hazard warning flags or panels on the boom heads of mobile cranes (provided that the boom heads are painted white, yellow or red or a combination of these colours) has been included in the Rule;
- • an additional subclause has been added setting out the responsibility of an operator of a pilot vehicle to warn other drivers and pedestrians of the hazards posed by an approaching overdimension vehicle. This obligation is already provided for in the Load Pilot Driver Code.
Extent of consultation
For the purposes of consultation, a number of relatively minor amendments proposed to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 and 10 other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single draft Rule, Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2006 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule). The main purpose of the changes proposed by the Omnibus Amendment Rule was to clarify some provisions and correct some errors in Rules.
On 28 June 2006, Land Transport New Zealand (Land Transport NZ) sent a letter containing the Rule amendment proposals to about 2200 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended, and sought submissions on the proposed changes. The draft Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the Land Transport NZ Help Desk and was available together with Questions and Answers on the Land Transport NZ website. The availability of the draft was publicised in metropolitan and selected regional daily newspapers, Te Karere National News and the New Zealand Gazette. Land Transport NZ received 50 submissions on the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which 15 commented on the proposed requirements relating to vehicle dimensions and mass.
Following consultation, the provisions in the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into 11 separate amendment Rules, including this Rule. The submissions that were received were taken into account in drafting this amendment Rule before it was submitted to the Minister for Transport Safety for signing.
Part 1 Rule requirements
Section 1 Application
1.1 Title
1.1(1) This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2007.
1.1(2) This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.
1.2 Date when Rule comes into force
This Rule comes into force on the 29 June 2007.
Section 2 Amendments relating to vehicle dimensions and mass
2.1 General requirements for all vehicles
Subclause 2.1(3) is amended by inserting “also” after “must” in the second place where it appears.
2.2 Motor vehicles designed primarily to transport overdimension and overweight loads
Paragraph 6.4(5)(a) is amended by omitting “load” and substituting “overdimension object”.
2.3 Overdimension requirements dependent on width, length, forward distance, front overhang and rear overhang
Table 6.1 is revoked and the table set out in Schedule 1 of this Rule is substituted.
2.4 Swept path requirements for width/forward distance thresholds
Figure 6.1 is revoked and the figure set out in Schedule 1 of this Rule is substituted.
2.5 Overdimension requirements for excess height
Table 6.2 is revoked and the table set out in Schedule 1 of this Rule is substituted.
2.6 General operating requirements for overdimension motor vehicles
2.6(1) Clause 6.6 is amended by revoking subclause (11) and substituting the following subclause:
- “(11) A Category 1 or Category 2 motor vehicle whose performance dimensions have been verified by a person or organisation approved by the Director as meeting those of a maximum-sized standard motor vehicle, as specified in Schedule 8, does not have to comply with the travel time requirements specified in 6.12(3), 6.12(5) or 6.12(6) provided that:
- “(a) the vehicle or any the load or equipment it carries does not project outside the lane in which the vehicle is travelling; and
- “(b) the vehicle or any load or equipment carried by or attached to the vehicle does not exceed the maximum dimensions specified by the approved person or organisation.”
2.6(2) Subclause 6.6(12) is amended by adding “, provided any load or equipment carried by or attached to the vehicle does not exceed the maximum dimensions specified by the approved person or organisation”.
2.7 Lighting requirements for overdimension motor vehicles
Clause 6.7 is amended by revoking subclause (4) and substituting the following subclause:
- “(4) An amber beacon must be fitted to an overdimension motor vehicle so that it is visible to approaching traffic and must operate:
- “(a) during the hours of darkness, if the vehicle (including any load) is 3.7 m in width or less;
- “(b) at all times, if the vehicle (including any load) exceeds 3.7 m in width;
- “(c) at all times, if the vehicle is being escorted by a pilot vehicle.”
2.8 Permits
Subclause 6.8(6) is amended by inserting “, the Commissioner or the road controlling authority” after “Director”.
2.9 Hazard warning flags
2.9(1) Subclause 6.9(1) is amended by inserting “Unless 6.9(4) applies,” before “A hazard warning flag”.
2.9(2) Paragraph 6.9(1)(a) is amended by inserting “or vehicle” after “load” where it appears in subparagraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv).
2.9(3) Clause 6.9 is amended by revoking subclause (3) and substituting the following subclause:
- “(3) For the avoidance of doubt, a motor vehicle or its load may not display a hazard warning flag unless:
- “(a) the vehicle or its load is overdimension and is required to display the flag under Table 6.1; or
- “(b) the vehicle has a load that extends beyond the body of the vehicle.”
2.9(4) Clause 6.9 is amended by adding the following subclause:
- “6.9(4) Instead of displaying a hazard warning flag in compliance with 6.9(1)(a)(ii), the boom head of a mobile crane may be painted to delineate its excess front overhang, provided that the colour of the paint on the front face of the boom head and each side of the boom head is either white, yellow, or red or a combination of these colours so that the area on each side of the boom head that is painted covers an area of not less than 0.12 square metres.”
2.10 Hazard warning panels
2.10(1) Subclause 6.10(1) is amended by inserting “Unless 6.10(3) applies,” before “A hazard warning panel”.
2.10(2) Paragraph 6.10(1)(a) is amended by inserting “or vehicle” after “load” where it appears in subparagraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv).
2.10(3) Paragraph 6.10(1)(c) is amended by omitting “chevron” and substituting “diagonal stripe”.
2.10(4) Clause 6.10 is amended by revoking subclause (2) and substituting the following subclause:
- “(2) For the avoidance of doubt, a motor vehicle may not display a hazard warning panel unless:
- “(a) the vehicle or its load is overdimension and is required to display the panel under Table 6.1; or
- “(b) the vehicle has a load that extends beyond the body of the vehicle.”
2.10(5) Clause 6.10 is amended by adding the following subclause:
- “6.10(3) Instead of displaying a hazard warning panel in compliance with 6.10(1)(a)(ii), the boom head of a mobile crane may be painted to delineate its excess front overhang, provided that:
- “(a) the colour of the paint on the front face of the boom head and each side of the boom head is either white, yellow, or red or a combination of these colours; and
- “(b) the area on each side of the boom head that is painted covers an area of not less than 0.12 square metres.”
2.11 Travel times ('Level 1')
Subclause 6.12(4) is amended by inserting “6.6(11) or” before “6.6(12)”.
2.12 Responsibilities of operators of pilot vehicles
Clause 7.2 is amended by adding the following subclause:
- “7.2(6) If an approaching vehicle or pedestrian is likely to encroach into the path of an overdimension motor vehicle, the operator of a pilot vehicle must take all practicable steps to ensure that the driver of the approaching vehicle or the pedestrian is warned of the likely hazard so that the person has sufficient time to comply with the operator’s instruction.”
2.13 Responsibilities of operators
2.13(1) Subclause 8.1(2) is amended by adding “and section 7”.
2.13(2) Subclause 8.1(4) is amended by inserting “or 8.5(h)” after “6.8”.
Section 3 Amendments to definitions
3.1 Insertion of new definition
Part 2 is amended by inserting the following definitions in its appropriate alphabetical order: “Beacon means a warning lamp comprising one or more light sources designed to emit a flashing light or a revolving beacon of light.”
3.2 Amendment to exisitng definition
Part 2 is amended by omitting “Safety” from the definition of Director.
Section 4 Amendment to Schedules
4.1 Amendments to Schedule 4, Specifications for signs
Figure 1 and Figure 2 in Schedule 4 are revoked and the figures set out in Schedule 2 of this Rule are substituted.
Part 2 Schedules
Schedule 1
[Ref. Cl. 2.3, 2.4, 2.5)
New tables inserted in Section 6 of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002
Table 6.1 Overdimension requirements dependent on width, length, forward distance, front overhang and rear overhang (Ref. 6.6(2))
| Category1 | Size limits1 | Operating requirements | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazard warning equipment5 |
Travel times |
Minimum piloting requirements |
||
Category 11 |
Width/forward |
Operations during daylight hours: ‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m and vehicle is piloted (see 6.11) Headlights on low beam |
Restriction
|
Operations during daylight hours: |
Operations during hours of darkness: Hazard panels (see 6.10) |
Operations during hours of darkness: (Additional pilots if required under section 7) |
|||
Category 2(a)1 |
[Width/forward distance2: exceeding |
Excess projections delineated with panels (see 6.10) ‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m (see 6.11)
|
Restriction
|
Operations during daylight hours One Class 2 pilot Additional pilots if required under section 7) |
Operations during hours of darkness |
||||
Category 2(b)1 |
[Width/forward distance2: exceeding |
Excess projections delineated with panels ‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m (see 6.11) Headlights on low beam during daylight hours (see also 6.7)
|
Restriction
|
Operations during daylight hours Two Class 2 pilots(Additional pilots if required under section 7) |
Operations during hours of darkness |
||||
Category 3(a)1 |
Width/forward distance2: exceeding |
Excess projections delineated with panels (see 6.10) ‘OVERSIZE’ sign (see 6.11) Revolving amber light
|
Restriction
|
One Class 2 pilot (Additional pilots if required under section 7)
|
Category 3(b)1 |
[Width/forward distance2: exceeding
2.5 m/13.3 m and exceeding |
Excess projections delineated with panels (see 6.10) ‘OVERSIZE’ sign (see 6.11) Revolving amber light
|
Restriction
|
Two Class 2 pilots (Additional pilots if required under section 7) |
Category 41 |
Width/forward distance2: exceeding |
Excess projections delineated with flags or panels (see 6.10) ‘OVERSIZE’ sign (see 6.11) Revolving amber light
|
Restriction
|
Two Class 2 pilots
|
Notes:
1 See Figure 6.1.
2 Forward distance is defined in Part 2. However, for forward-distance requirements for vehicle combinations including a load-sharing trailer or a manned steering jinker, see 6.5(4) and 6.5(5).
3 For requirements for loads exceeding 25 m and 30 m in length, see 6.5(1) and 6.5(2).
4 Centre of gravity of the load must be forward of the rear axis. For rear overhang requirements for vehicle combinations including a manned steering jinker or pole trailer, see 6.5(3).
5 For alternative requirements for mobile crane booms with excess front overhang, see 6.9(4) and 6.10(3).
Figure 6.1 Swept path requirements for width/forward distance thresholds
Notes:
1 Refer to Table 6.1 for limits and operating requirements.
2 The piloting requirements are minimum requirements. Sufficient pilots must be used to comply with section 7.
3 For the purposes of this figure, vehicles with a width less than 2.5 m are deemed to have a width of 2.5 m.
4 For the purposes of this figure, vehicles with a forward distance of less than 8.5 m are deemed to have a forward distance of 8.5 m.
5 Piloting requirements for Category 2:
- (i) during daylight hours, one Class 2 pilot (one additional Class 2 pilot is required if rear overhang exceeds 7m AND width/forward distance are in Category 2) OR
(ii) during the hours of darkness, one Class 2 pilot plus one Class 1 pilot.
Table 6.2 Overdimension requirements for excess height
| Height (m) | Operating conditions |
|---|---|
Greater than 4.25 – up to and |
Written permission from the owner of an overhead obstruction that the vehicle cannot clear safely. |
Greater than 5 – up |
Written permission from the owner of an overhead obstruction that the vehicle cannot clear safely. Written approval from the relevant rail service operator, if the vehicle travels over a level crossing that does not cross a State Highway, and the vehicle exceeds the height shown on an electrified railway safe height sign. Written permission from the owner of overhead wires or cables that the vehicle travels under. A vehicle with a deck height less than 1.3 m above the road must be used. |
Greater than 6.5 |
Written permission from the owner of an overhead obstruction that the vehicle cannot clear safely. Written approval from the relevant rail service operator, if the vehicle travels over a level crossing that does not cross a State Highway, and the vehicle exceeds the height shown on an electrified railway safe height sign Written permission from the owner of overhead wires or cables that the vehicle travels under. A vehicle with a deck height less than 1.3 m above the road must be used. Written approval from the Director. |
Schedule 2
New figures inserted in Schedule 4, Specification for signs of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002
Figure 1 Minimum dimension of hazard warning panel
[Refs. 2.1(4)(b), 6.10(i)(c) and (d)]
Figure 2 Orientation of hazard warning panels
[Ref. 6.10(1)(a)(i)]
Land Transport Rule - Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2007 - Rule 41001/2
Land Transport New Zealand, Ikiiki Whenua Aotearoa