Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 - August 2017

In February 2017, a new VDAM Rule governing heavy vehicle size, weight and operation limit came into effect.

In August 2017, changes to the Land Transport Act were agreed by Parliament.

While most of the changes are small, they may have an impact on how you operate, inspect, manufacture or permit heavy vehicles.

On this page you’ll find a link to revised rules, as well as links to other key pieces of information. Supporting documents such as factsheets are now updated throughout our website.

VDAM Rule 2016

Read the revised Rule - in force from 1 February 2017. 

The revised rule includes the changes listed below:

• Small increases to height and width limits for standard vehicles (allowing access to a greater choice of vehicles).
• Changes to gross mass limits for some 7 axle (45 tonnes) and 8 axle (46 tonnes) combination vehicles (initially limited access based on state highway network; from 1 December 2017 available for general access).
• Small changes to axle mass limits (eg introducing ‘mega’ tyres).
• Allowing specialist vehicles (passenger service vehicles, rubbish trucks with compactors, concrete trucks and ground spreader trucks) to exceed general access axle limits under permit.
• Specific axle mass limit change for public transport service buses.
• Clarification of requirements for overdimension vehicles and loads.

Approved VDAM methodologies

Questions and answers regarding the 2016 Rule [PDF, 186 KB]

Summary of submissions on the yellow draft of the Rule [PDF, 649 KB]

Sample VDAM permit forms [PDF, 1 MB]

In addition, there is a reduction in weighing tolerances – now consolidated in the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Amendment Regulations:

Note: These regulations are also in force from 1 February 2017. 

• Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Amendment Regulations(external link) - provides for the new weighing thresholds and updates reference to VDAM Rule
• Land Transport (Certification and Other Fees) Amendment Regulations 2016(external link) - consolidates fees for overweight and overdimension permits into one place - no change to fees levels
• Heavy Motor Vehicle Amendment Regulations 2016(external link) - removes fees for overweight permits from these regulations
• Traffic Amendment Regulations 2016(external link) - removes fees for overdimension permits from these regulations.

Summary guides

Below are four summary guides that detail key changes for different parts of the heavy vehicle industry:

• Overview of changes for the freight industry [PDF, 580 KB]
• What’s changed for overdimension vehicles and loads [PDF, 847 KB]
• Introducing specialist vehicles, including passenger service vehicles, concrete mixers, rubbish trucks and ground-spreader trucks [PDF, 591 KB]
• Changes for passenger service vehicles [PDF, 1 MB]

Specialist vehicles – defined as passenger service vehicles, concrete mixers, rubbish truck with compactor and ground spreader trucks 

You can find out more about specialist vehicles in Factsheet 13h.

You can also find information on specialist vehicle permits including permit eligibility criteria and how to apply for a permit.