Contents

Objective of the Rule

Extent of consultation

Part 1 Rule requirements

Section 1 Preliminary provisions

• 1.1 Title
• 1.2 Commencement
• 1.3 Principal Rule amended

Section 2 Amendments to principal Rule

• 2.1 Clause 3.9 amended (Axle requirements for heavy motor vehicles)
• 2.2 Clause 6.5 amended (Standard motor vehicle transporting overdimension loads)
• 2.3 Clause 6.8 amended (General operating requirements for overdimension motor vehicles)
• 2.4 Clause 6.18 amended (“OVERSIZE” signs)
• 2.5 Part 2 amended (Definitions and vehicle classes)
• 2.6 Schedule 4 amended (Permit form)
• 2.7 Schedule 6 amended (Overdimension requirements)
• 2.8 Schedule 8 amended (Specific route restrictions for overdimension vehicles and loads)

 

Objective of the Rule

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2019 (the amendment Rule) amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (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. It also includes some provisions that relate to the performance and operation of motor vehicles.

The objectives of the amendment Rule are to—

• provide that tandem axle sets in heavy passenger service vehicles do not have to display a compliance plate showing the load-sharing ratio:
• allow standard motor vehicles to transport mobile machinery loaded in such a way that it is not overheight as long as the vehicle and load is no more than 2.7 m in width and the open tailgate is securely chained, locked, or latched to the side of the vehicle:
• clarify that an overdimension motor vehicle that exceeds 30 m in length including its load must use a rear steering facility:
• replace a reference to ‘hazard warning panels’ with ‘“OVERSIZE” sign’ to correct an error:
• replace ‘1.4m’ with ‘1.4’ in the definition of B-train, to correct an error:
• align the wording in Part 1 of Schedule 4 (relating to permits) with the terminology used in clause 5.6 of the Rule:
• correct a cross-reference in Part 3 of Schedule 4:
• align the wording in Part 3 of Schedule 4 (relating to permit types) with the wording used in the Land Transport (Certification and Other Fees) Regulations 2014:
• amend Part 1 of Schedule 6 to allow vehicle combinations up to 50 m in length to come within the Category 3 dimension limits:
• clarify where a vehicle of exactly 4.8 m in height may travel on the Auckland motorway network:
• align the requirements for overdimension vehicles across the Auckland motorway network, the Auckland harbour bridge, and toll routes.

Extent of consultation

For the purposes of consultation, amendments proposed to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule and 14 other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single Rule, Land Transport Rule: Regulatory Stewardship (Omnibus) Amendment 2018 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule). Following consultation, the provisions in the Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into separate amendment Rules.

The NZ Transport Agency sent details of the amendment proposals by letter or email to approximately 2544 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended. The Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the NZ Transport Agency’s Contact Centre and, together with Questions and Answers, was also available on the NZ Transport Agency’s website. The availability of the amendment proposals for comment was publicised in the daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It was also notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 23 July 2018.

The NZ Transport Agency received 41 submissions on the Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which 13 commented on the proposed amendments to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule.

The submissions received were taken into account in finalising the draft Rule following which it was submitted to the Associate Minister of Transport for signing.

Part 1 Rule requirements

Section 1 Preliminary provisions

1.1 Title

This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2019.

1.2 Commencement

This Rule comes into force on 1 June 2019.

1.3 Principal Rule amended

This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016.

Section 2 Amendments to principal Rule

2.1 Clause 3.9 amended (Axle requirements for heavy motor vehicles)

In clause 3.9(6), after “If a tandem axle set”, insert “, except for a tandem axle set in a heavy passenger service vehicle,”.

2.2 Clause 6.5 amended (Standard motor vehicle transporting overdimension loads)

After clause 6.5(4), insert:

6.5(4A) Despite 6.5(1)(b), a standard motor vehicle may transport mobile machinery loaded in such a way as to ensure that it does not exceed 4.3 m in height, provided that—

               (1)      the vehicle and load does not exceed 2.7 m in width if the vehicle tailgate is open to allow for the carriage of the mobile machinery; and

               (2)    the open tailgate is held against the side of the vehicle by secure chains, a lock, or a latch. 

2.3 Clause 6.8 amended (General operating requirements for overdimension motor vehicles)

Replace clause 6.8(7) with:

6.8(7) An overdimension motor vehicle that exceeds 30 m in length and is transporting a load must use a rear steering facility.

2.4 Clause 6.18 amended (“OVERSIZE” signs)

In clause 6.18(2)(d), replace “hazard warning panel” with ““OVERSIZE” sign”.

2.5 Part 2 amended (Definitions and vehicle classes)

In Part 2, definition of B-train, replace “1.4 m” with “1.4”.

2.6 Schedule 4 amended (Permit form)

2.6(1) In Schedule 4, Part 1, under the heading Routes, insert:

This permit applies only to the route or routes set out below (if any).

2.6(2) In Schedule 4, Part 1, under the heading Permit is invalid if—, revoke paragraph (a).

2.6(3) In Schedule 4, Part 1, under the heading Revocation, replace “revoked under clause 5.6 of the Rule” with “revoked under clause 5.7 of the Rule”.

2.6(4) In Schedule 4, Part 3, item relating to Permit type, replace “area permit, single trip or multiple trip.” with “linked, single trip, multiple trip, high-productivity motor vehicle or specialist vehicle. The terms ‘linked’ and ‘continuous’ have the meanings given to them in the Land Transport (Certification and Other Fees) Regulations 2014.”.

2.7 Schedule 6 amended (Overdimension requirements)

2.7(1) In Schedule 6, Part 1, under the heading Category 3 dimensions, item relating to Length³, replace “up to and including 35 m AND/OR” with “up to and including 35 m (50 m if combination includes a manned steering jinker) AND/OR”.

2.7(2) In Schedule 6, Part 1, under the heading Category 4 dimensions, item relating to Length³, replace “up to and including 35 m AND/OR” with “up to and including 35 m (50 m if combination includes a manned steering jinker) AND/OR”.

2.8 Schedule 8 amended (Specific route restrictions for overdimension vehicles and loads)

2.8(1) In Schedule 8, item relating to Auckland Harbour Bridge, replace “a Class 1 Pilot Vehicle” with “at least one Class 1 Pilot Vehicle”.

2.8(2) In Schedule 8, replace the item relating to Auckland Motorways with:

Auckland Motorways:

(1) Vehicles that exceed 3.1 m in width or 4.3 m in height may not travel on any part of the Auckland Motorways except the following lengths of road (the listed roads):

               (a)      State Highway 1 between Ramarama Interchange (Ararimu Road Underpass) and the southern end of the Auckland Southern Motorway:

               (b)    State Highway 18 between the intersection with State Highway 16 and the intersection with Albany Highway:

               (c)    State Highway 1 between the Silverdale interchange and the northern end of the Auckland Northern Motorway.

(2) The listed roads—

               (a)      may be used by vehicles that are 4.8 m or less in height, whether the vehicle exceeds 3.1 m in width or not; and

               (b)    may be used by vehicles that exceed 4.8 m in height if permission is first obtained from the Agency.

(3) On any portion of any of the listed roads that is a toll route, piloting, travel time restrictions, and authorisation to travel are subject to any applicable toll route restrictions set by or in accordance with this Schedule.

2.8(3) In Schedule 8, replace the item relating to Toll Routes with:

Toll Routes:

(1) Loads that exceed 3.1 m in width or 4.8 m in height are not permitted to travel on any toll route unless the Agency has provided explicit authority to do so, including an authority to travel that the Agency may issue to an operator for a vehicle or a class of vehicle under this Schedule.

(2) The operator of the overdimension vehicle must comply with any piloting requirements or travel time restrictions issued by the Agency, including any requirements or restrictions that the Agency may issue to an operator for a vehicle or a class of vehicle under this Schedule.