Proforma designs for high productivity motor vehicles

Proforma designs are non-standard vehicle designs that meet the Performance Based Standards.

If you use these Waka Kotahi-approved 'proforma’ (approved non-standard) vehicle combination designs when applying for a high productivity motor vehicle (HPMV) permit , it will make the approval process simpler.

Proforma designs and your permit application

If you want to build or operate a proforma vehicle combination that is identified below, you'll need to apply:

for approval of the vehicle (necessary because it does not meet standard dimensions). If the vehicle meets proforma limits, the process is usually straightforward and the approval does not have an expiry date (it is linked to the vehicle)
for an HPMV permit to operate. Permits consider the suitability of routes, and normally expire two years after issue.

Each individual vehicle in the overlength HPMV combination must in itself meet the dimensional requirements of the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 unless specified otherwise.

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016(external link)

Other general conditions

Some other general conditions will also be required. The vehicle must:

meet the dimension thresholds provided on the Waka Kotahi proforma design
have an 'H' sign at front and rear of the vehicle combination that meets the specifications in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 – the “H” sign is required whenever there is a route prescribed, this is the case for 50MAX and Higher Mass HPMV permits.
not operate on any road with a prescribed length restriction if the vehicle exceeds that restriction
have lights at the rear of the combination – these must be of the light emitting diode (LED) type to address voltage drop
have repeater side indicator lights placed approx midway along the side of the trailer
only have original truck manufacturer approved modifications made to the truck frontal protection area
have conspicuity tape in red/ white meeting DOT C-3 that outlines the shape of the vehicle from both sides and rear, or LED side marker lamps or reflectors fitted at a maximum of 3-metre intervals along the side of the vehicle as close as practical to the load bed
have roll stability control (RSC) – all trailers must have RSC fitted and active

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016(external link)

Using a proforma design in your application

Print off the applicable vehicle design below, complete your actual vehicle dimensions and include this with your HPMV application.

Visit the Waka Kotahi Heavy Vehicle Permit Portal for the HPMV permit application form(external link)(external link)

Using other designs

If you want to use a longer vehicle that is not a proforma design, then Waka Kotahi can approve the dimensional variation. However, this will be route restricted and you will need to get permission to operate from each local road controlling authority affected.

Approval of new proforma designs

Requests for new proformas need to demonstrate that the design is likely to have widespread uptake – so discussion with other operators or industry groups is recommended prior to approaching Waka Kotahi.
The process for Waka Kotahi-approval of a proforma design is for an industry group to agree a productive design that suits them and then have a PBS report prepared by an engineering consultancy with respect to both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvring. Waka Kotahi will then review the design and report, and if acceptable will approve the new proforma and update this web page.

Current HPMV proforma designs

Below are the current HPMV pro forma designs. Download the PDFs to fill in and submit as part of your HPMV application (Note: you can save the PDFs to your computer to upload with your application).

Note the new PDF HPMV proforma forms provide an option for a heavy vehicle specialist certifier to certify the dimension limits – this certification is only required for new non-registered vehicles to enable entry certification and registration as an option instead of submitting a HPMV length permit to the testing station. The permit can then be applied for after registration.