Bridge engineering self supervision (BESS)

Information for companies and drivers

Bridge engineering self supervision (BESS) is a training and registration system for companies and drivers of heavy vehicles that operate under an overweight permit. BESS registration is a requirement for obtaining overweight permits that include restrictions on crossing bridges.

• When is BESS registration needed?
• Applying for BESS registration
• BESS registration requirements for companies
• BESS registration requirements for drivers
• BESS driver registration process
• Renewing BESS driver registration
• What happens if I breach BESS or permit conditions?
• Appealing against a BESS decision
• List of approved assessors
• Frequently asked questions about BESS

When is BESS registration needed?

Heavy indivisible loads often need to be transported for the greater economic good of the country. When issuing overweight permits for such loads, the key consideration for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is the safe load capacity of bridges on the route.

Increased axle group and gross masses are generally allowed over unrestricted bridges under an overweight permit based on greater certainty of load mass accuracy compared with general access vehicles.

Allowable vehicle masses may be further increased under a permit but with the following restrictions:

• limiting speed to reduce the dynamic load effects on a bridge
• removing other traffic to reduce total load effects, and/or
• locating the vehicle in the best position (usually in the centre) to optimise load distribution over the bridge.

If an overweight permit specifies such restrictions, then the company and the driver operating the vehicle must be BESS-registered.

Alternatively, a BESS-registered supervisor may accompany the driver to control the crossings over any restricted bridges and to ensure the restrictions on the permit are complied with.

Applying for BESS registration

Companies and drivers wanting to become BESS-registered must apply to NZTA by completing the relevant form.

BESS driver application form [PDF, 79 KB]
BESS company application form [PDF, 71 KB]

Send the completed application form to:

BESS administrator
Email: BESSadmin@nzta.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 683 774
Address: NZ Transport Agency,
Private Bag 11777,
Palmerston North 4442

BESS registration requirements for companies

To be eligible for BESS registration, companies must:

1. be valid legal entities
2. hold a transport service licence (TSL), if applicable, and
3. have a good record of compliance with driving rules and transport legislation.

If we have concerns about a company’s traffic offence history or compliance record, we may approve BESS registration on a 6-month trial basis or decline the application.

BESS registration requirements for drivers

To be eligible for BESS registration as a driver, you must have a current driver licence class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 when you apply.

You must also meet the NZTA criteria for a good driving record, that is:

If you are eligible for training, you must sit and pass the NZQA unit standard 23436.

NZQA unit standard 23436(external link)

BESS driver registration process

When you apply for BESS registration, we review your driving history over the last 2 years. If you are eligible for BESS training, we will refer you to the nearest assessor. You then have 6 months to complete the training. If you do not pass the BESS training within 6 months, you need to submit a new application.

When you have successfully completed your BESS training, NZTA will either issue your full BESS ID card or grant you provisional registration for 6 months, depending on how many demerit points you have.

If your application is declined, you can apply again in 6 months.

Renewing BESS driver registration

BESS driver registration is valid for 5 years. Before your registration expires, you must complete a renewal course with a NZTA approved assessor to renew your BESS registration. Companies can book a renewal course on behalf of their drivers.

We recommend that you book at least 8 weeks before the expiry date on the BESS ID card.

When you come to the renewal course, you need to bring:

• your driver licence, and
• your current full BESS ID card.

BESS renewal process

For assessor contact details to book your renewal course, see the list of approved assessors.

List of approved assessors

What happens if I breach BESS or permit conditions?

If you are found to have breached permit or BESS conditions, we may disqualify you and the company you work for and remove your names from the BESS register.

If it was a minor breach and a first offence, we may put you and the company on probation for a period and reinstate your BESS licences if there are no repeat offences.

Appealing against a BESS decision

If you disagree with a decision about your BESS registration, you can submit an appeal to NZTA and request a review of the decision. We will review your submission as well as all the information considered for the initial decision and advise you by letter of our final decision. 

Send your appeal submission or review request to the BESS administrator.

BESS administrator

List of approved BESS assessors

NZTA-approved BESS assessors and their contact details are listed below:

How to become a BESS assessor

NZTA and NZHHA BESS assessor endorsement

NZTA and the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association (NZHHA) jointly endorse applicants for assessors for Bridge Engineering Self Supervision Licences, so that MITO can accept their industry experience as being acceptable and extend the assessor’s status to include Unit Standard 23436.

The training material and assessment document was developed by NZTA and NZHHA and assessors must use this material to test candidates for their BESS licence.

Assessors gain the endorsement of NZTA and NZHHA so validate that they have had suitable on-road experience of BESS to be able to address any questions from candidates that arise during the training and assessment process.

Outcomes

1. That new assessors have the required industry experience to assess candidates for BESS
2. That new assessors have the appropriate standing within the industry, and the appropriate compliance history to gain the respect of industry operators and NZTA.

Assessor criteria and evidence requirements

Endorsement process

1. Assessor applicant provides evidence to NZHHA
2. NZHHA carried out assessment of the applicant’s evidence to ensure that evidence is sufficient and meets the criteria.
3. NZHHA provides report to NZTA documenting the Applicant’s attainment (or otherwise) against the criteria.
4. If evidence and applicant is deemed as suitable then NZHHA and NZTA sign an endorsement letter that can be provided by the Applicant to MITO.
5. It is expected that the application will be considered within 2 weeks of all the information being provided.

BESS driver application form [PDF, 229 KB]

If you have any questions, please contact the BESS administrator(external link)

Frequently asked questions about BESS

I’m a manager/director of a heavy transport company. Is there a way I can monitor my drivers?

BESS-registered drivers can be monitored through Transport Organisation Register Online (TORO).

TORO information

What should I do if a bridge is damaged?

If you notice any damage when you cross a bridge or culvert, you should notify the Network Manager at the regional NZTA office as soon as possible but in any event no later than 24 hours after the crossing.

If it is an emergency, then you must immediately notify the police.

If you have any questions, please contact the BESS administrator(external link).