Follow the questions below to determine if your vehicle is eligible for a 50MAX permit on the routes you wish to travel on, or download a PDF version of the decision flow chart [PDF, 124 KB]
Divisible load:
A load that is either a fluid or has separate components, even though these components may be temporarily connected for handling, storage or transport. Examples are milk, gravel, logs, animals and bundles of steel or timber.
Indivisible load:
A load that cannot reasonably (without disproportionate effort, expense or risk of damage to the load) have its size reduced or be divided into two or more sections for road transport. This includes customs-sealed import/export ISO containers.
Gross mass (GM):
The weight (mass) of the vehicle or vehicle combination and its load, equipment and accessories. You can determine the gross mass by adding up the mass on the vehicle combination axles or axle sets.
Class 1 limits:
The legal general mass limits allowed to operate on New Zealand roads without a permit. The limits apply to the mass allowed on a vehicle’s individual axles, axle sets and combinations of axles. These limits are set out in Schedule 2, Part A of the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 (the VDM Rule). The maximum Class 1 mass limit is 44 tonnes.
50MAX pro-forma designs:
The Transport Agency has approved a number of pro-forma designs that meet specific requirements suitable for a 50MAX permit. The design of your vehicle combination must match one of the approved 50MAX pro-forma designs to be eligible for a 50MAX permit.
Region-wide permits:
50MAX permits allow permitted vehicles to travel on any road within a designated region except on structures, roads or local roads listed as restricted on the permit.
Make sure you check your route carefully for any restrictions on a journey where you would be operating under a 50MAX permit. Note that in some areas, you may only be allowed to travel on state highways.
To find out if your desired route has any restrictions, view the maps that display restricted structures and roads.
50MAX restrictions:
What gross mass can you apply for under a 50MAX permit?
The gross mass (GM) limit on a 50MAX permit depends on the distance between the first and the last axle in your vehicle combination. To find out the maximum gross mass that you can apply for, refer to the table below.
| Axle spacing | 50MAX final |
|---|---|
| 16.0 but less than 16.8 | 44 |
| 16.8 but less than 17.4 | 45 |
| 17.4 but less than 18.0 | 46 |
| 18.0 but less than 18.6 | 47 |
| 18.6 but less than 19.4 | 48 |
| 19.4 but less than 20.0 | 49 |
| 20.0 or more | 50 |
Permit may be less than GM applied for:
The GM on a 50MAX permit may be less than the GM applied for if your vehicle rating indicates
that it is not capable of safely carrying the maximum load specified in the table above.
What does it cost to apply for a 50MAX permit?
50MAX HPMV permits are available for the North Island and the South Island.
Current permit fees
What you need to apply:
To apply for a 50MAX permit, you need to have:
