Land Transport Rule

Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011

Rule 41001/6

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

Section 1     Application

Section 2     Amendments to Rule requirements


Objective of the Rule

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011 amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 (the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule). The Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule specifies requirements for dimension and mass limits for vehicles operating on New Zealand roads. The Rule sets in place a regulatory regime so that vehicles, in particular, heavy truck and trailer combinations, are operated safely.

The objective of the amendment Rule is to amend the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule to:


Extent of consultation

For the purposes of consultation, amendments proposed to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 and five other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single draft Rule, Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2010 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule).

On 23 November 2010, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) sent details of the amendment proposals by letter or email to approximately 1800 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended. The draft Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the NZTA Contact Centre and, together with Questions and Answers, was also made available on the NZTA's website. The availability of the draft for comment was publicised in the metropolitan daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and in the New Zealand Gazette. The NZTA received 26 submissions on the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which 21 commented on the proposed amendments to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule.

Following consultation, the provisions in the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into six 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 of Transport for signing.

Section 1     Application

1.1     Title

This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011.

1.2     Date when Rule comes into force

This Rule comes into force on 1 April 2011.

1.3     Scope of Rule

This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.


Section 2     Amendments to Rule requirements

2.1     Determining the appropriate loading of a vehicle

Clause 3.5 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

2.2     Dimension requirements for vehicles

Table 4.1 is amended by substituting the following for the row relating to “Rear overhang”:

“Rear overhang
Heavy rigid vehicle whose rearmost axle is a non-steering axle 4.0 or 70% of wheelbase (whichever is less)
Heavy rigid vehicle whose rearmost axle is a steering axle 4.25 or 70% of wheelbase (whichever is less)
Rigid bus that exceeds 12.6 in overall length 4.5 or 72% of wheelbase (whichever is less)
Articulated bus, heavy simple trailer, heavy pole trailer with one axle set 4.0 or 50% of forward distance (whichever is less)
Heavy semi-trailer other than a Class TC caravan trailer 4.3 or 50% of forward distance (whichever is less)
Heavy full trailer, heavy pole trailer with two axle sets 4.0 or 50% of wheelbase (whichever is less)
Class TC caravan trailer that is a semi-trailer 4.0 or 65% of forward distance (whichever is less)
All other vehicles 4.0”

2.3     High-productivity motor vehicle sign

Clause 5.7 is amended by substituting the following for paragraph 5.7(1)(e):

2.4     Lighting requirements for overdimension motor vehicles

2.4(1)     Table 6.1 is amended by:

2.4(2)     Subclause 6.7(2) is amended by inserting “unless 6.7(7) applies” after “overdimension motor vehicle”.

2.4(3)     Subclause 6.7(4) is amended by:

2.4(4)     Clause 6.7 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

2.5     Travel times

2.5(1)     Clause 6.12 is amended by substituting “6.12(9), 6.12(10) and 6.12(11)” for “6.12(9) and 6.12(10)” where it occurs in subclauses 6.12(2), 6.12(4) and 6.12(7).

2.5(2)     Clause 6.12 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

2.6     Specific route restrictions

2.6(1)     Schedule 7 is amended by deleting the items relating to:

2.6(2)     Schedule 7 is amended by adding the following items:


Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011 - Rule 41001/6
NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi