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

Objective of the Rule

Extent of consultation

Part 1     Rule requirements

Section 1     Application

Section 2     Amendments relating to vehicle dimensions and mass

Section 3     Amendments to definitions

Section 4     Amendment to Schedules

Part 2     Schedules

Schedule 1

Schedule 2

 

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:

The amendment Rule clarifies a number of provisions in the Rule, in some cases following representations from industry, specifically:

  

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:

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:

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:

  1. “(3) For the avoidance of doubt, a motor vehicle or its load may not display a hazard warning flag unless:
  2. “(a) the vehicle or its load is overdimension and is required to display the flag under Table 6.1; or
  3. “(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:

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:

2.10(5)   Clause 6.10 is amended by adding the following subclause:

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:

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
distance2:
exceeding limits in section 4 up to and including
2.5 m/11.4 m, up to and including
3.1 m/10.5 m and up to and including
3.7 m /8.5 m
AND/OR
Length: up to and including 25 m
AND/OR
Front overhang: up to and including 7 m
AND/OR
Rear overhang: up to and including 7 m

Operations during daylight hours:
Excess projections delineated with flags or panels (see 6.9 and 6.10)

‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m and vehicle is piloted (see 6.11)

Headlights on low beam

Restriction
Level 1
(see 6.12)

 

Operations during daylight hours:
One Class 2 pilot required, if:
(a) exceeds 3.1 m in width and exceeds 40 km/h; or
(b) required under section 7

Operations during hours of darkness:
Revolving amber light (see also 6.7)

Hazard panels (see 6.10)
‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m

Operations during hours of darkness:
One Class 2 pilot, if width exceeds 3.1 m

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

Category 2(a)1

[Width/forward distance2: exceeding
2.5m/11.4 m, exceeding
3.1 m/10.5m, and exceeding
3.7 m/8.5m up to and including
2.5 m/13.3 m and up to and including
4.5/8.5 m
AND/OR
Length3: exceeding
25 m, up to and including 35 m
AND/OR
Front overhang: exceeding 7 m, up to and including 10 m
AND
Rear overhang4:
up to and including 7 m]
OR
[Width, forward distance, length and front overhang are as for category 1
AND
Rear overhang4: Exceeding 7 m, up to and including 10 m]

Excess projections delineated with panels (see 6.10)

‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m (see 6.11)
Revolving amber light, if width exceeds 3.7 m or travelling during hours of darkness

Headlights on low beam during daylight hours (see also 6.7)

 

Restriction
Level 2
(see 6.12)

 

Operations during daylight hours

One Class 2 pilot

Additional pilots if required under section 7)

Operations during hours of darkness
One Class 2 pilot plus one Class 1 pilot
(see 7.1(6))

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

Category 2(b)1

[Width/forward distance2: exceeding
2.5 m/11.4 m, exceeding
3.1 m/10.5 m, and exceeding
3.7 m/8.5 m up to and including
2.5 m/13.3 m and up to and including
4.5 m/8.5 m
AND/OR
Length3: exceeding
25 m, up to and including 35 m
AND/OR
Front overhang: exceeding 7 m, up to and including 10 m]
AND
[Rear overhang4: exceeding 7 m, up to and including  10 m]

Excess projections delineated with panels
(see 6.10)

‘OVERSIZE’ sign, if width exceeds 3.1 m (see 6.11)

Revolving amber light, if width exceeds 3.7 m or travelling during hours of darkness

Headlights on low beam during daylight hours (see also 6.7)

 

Restriction
Level 2
(see 6.12)

 

Operations during daylight hours

Two Class 2 pilots

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

Operations during hours of darkness

One Class 2 pilot plus 1 Class 1 pilot
(see 7.1(6))

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

Category 3(a)1

Width/forward distance2: exceeding
2.5 m/13.3 m and exceeding
4.5 m/8.5 m up to and including
5 m/20 m, up to and including
5 m/20 m and up to and including
5 m/8.5 m
MAY ALSO INCLUDE:
Length3: up to and including 35 m
AND/OR
Front overhang4: up to and including 10 m
AND/OR
Rear overhang4: up to and including 7 m

Excess projections delineated with panels (see 6.10)

‘OVERSIZE’ sign (see 6.11)

Revolving amber light
Headlights on low beam during daylight hours (see also 6.7)

 

Restriction
Level 3
(see 6.12)

 

One Class 2 pilot
plus
One Class 1 pilot

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

 

Category 3(b)1

[Width/forward distance2: exceeding 2.5 m/13.3 m and exceeding
4.5 m/8.5 m to and including
2.5 m/20 m, up to and including
5 m /20 m and up to and including
5 m/8.5 m
MAY ALSO INCLUDE
Length3: up to and including 35 m
AND/OR
Front overhang: up to and including 10 m]
AND
[Rear overhang4: exceeding 7 m, up to and including 10m]

Excess projections delineated with panels (see 6.10)

‘OVERSIZE’ sign (see 6.11)

Revolving amber light

Headlights on low beam during daylight hours (see 6.7)

 

Restriction
Level 3
(see 6.12)

 

Two Class 2 pilots
plus
One Class 1 pilot

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

Category 41

Width/forward distance2: exceeding
5 m/20 m and exceeding
5 m/8.5 m up to and including
11 m/20 m and up to and including
11 m /8.5 m
MAY ALSO INCLUDE
Length3: up to and including 35 m
AND/OR
Front overhang: up to and including to 10 m
AND/OR
Rear overhang4: up to and including 10 m

Excess projections delineated with flags or panels (see 6.10)

‘OVERSIZE’ sign (see 6.11)

Revolving amber light

Headlights on low beam during daylight hours (see also 6.7)

 

Restriction
Level 3
(see 6.12)

 

Two Class 2 pilots
plus
One Class 1 pilot

(Additional pilots if required under section 7)

 

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

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:

 

Table 6.2     Overdimension requirements for excess height
Height (m) Operating conditions

Greater than 4.25 – up to and
including 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.

For loads exceeding 4.8 m, a vehicle with a deck height less than 1.3 m above the road must be used.

Greater than 5 – up
to and including 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.

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)]

Minimum diimensions of hazard warning panels

Figure 2     Orientation of hazard warning panels

[Ref. 6.10(1)(a)(i)]

Orientation of hazard warning panels

 

Land Transport Rule - Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2007 - Rule 41001/2
Land Transport New Zealand, Ikiiki Whenua Aotearoa