High-Productivity Motor Vehicles

The information in this factsheet describes the legal requirements in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 that apply to High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs). HPMVs were made possible by the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2010 Amendment, in force from 1 May 2010.

What is an HPMV?

An HPMV:

• carries a divisible load and
• exceeds a mass of 44,000kg and/or the maximum length dimensions allowed for standard vehicles, but meets higher individual axle and axle group limits and is no wider or higher than a standard vehicle and
• operates under a route specific HPMV permit issued by a Road Controlling Authority (RCA) on roads and bridges that have been determined to be able to accommodate the additional mass and/or length and
• displays an 'H' sign on the front and rear.

What are the types of HPMV permit?

There are two main types of HPMV permit, overlength and higher mass.

• The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) can issue an overlength HPMV permit.
• The NZTA can issue a higher mass HPMV permit for state highways.
• A local RCA can issue a higher mass HPMV permit for local roads.

Higher mass HPMV permits may allow 'axle weight flexibility'. For details of this please refer to the NZTA website.

Can I have an HPMV permit?

This factsheet explains about how to apply for an HPMV permit, what these permits cover and what special conditions you and your vehicle must meet. You will likely require several HPMV permits for your vehicle. The NZTA can issue an HPMV permit for longer vehicles to travel at standard legal axle mass. It can also issue HPMV permits for higher axle mass on specific state highways. For higher mass limits on local roads you will need to apply to the relevant RCA, ie council.

For longer vehicles, or operation at higher mass on state highways, you will need to complete a high productivity motor vehicle permit application form and send it to an NZTA office.

What is a standard vehicle?

If you need information on the dimensional and mass limits for standard motor vehicles, see Factsheet 13, Vehicle dimensions and mass, Factsheet 13a, Heavy rigid vehicles and Factsheet 13c, Heavy trailers and combination vehicles, or call our contact centre on 0800 699 000.

What is the HPMV permit process for longer vehicles or higher mass operation on state highways?

There are two types of HPMV permit that may apply to your vehicle. The first is an overlength HPMV permit. This is to allow the vehicle to be longer than a standard vehicle. Approval is provided by the NZTA, the permit has no expiry date and may include route restrictions. The second is a route specific higher mass HPMV permit, issued by the NZTA for a set period of time which will be stipulated on the permit. Another application can be made to renew the permit prior to the expiry date.

What is the HPMV permit process for local roads?

The NZTA cannot issue permits for local roads unless requested by the local RCA to do so. You will need to approach the local RCA directly for advice. Local RCAs may have their own forms, so you may need to complete additional applications depending on where you propose to travel.

Overlength HPMV permits

It is possible to design a vehicle combination that does not meet the standard dimension requirements, but still has acceptable performance. For example, the vehicle may have longer overall length to increase deck space, or the truck and trailer may have non-standard lengths within the standard overall length.

Any or all of the following dimension requirements can be altered on an HPMV permit, provided that the vehicle meets NZTA specified performance standards:

• overall length
• forward distance
• front and/or rear overhang
• rear trailing unit distance
• articulated vehicle point of attachment
• tow coupling position
• coupling point distance
• inter-vehicle spacing
• outside turning circle in either direction for 360-degree turn.

Pro-forma vehicle types

The NZTA has pre-approved some acceptable overlength vehicle designs. If these vehicles are used, you still need to apply for a permit and they will have 'automatic' overlength approval for use on all roads at standard axle mass. More details of approved pro-forma designs can be found on the NZTA website.

Truck and full trailer

Truck and simple trailer

B-train

Non pro-forma vehicle types

If the overlength vehicle is not a pro-forma vehicle, then it will be necessary to include vehicle and route assessment reports together with your application. The reports will need to demonstrate that the vehicle meets NZTA specified performance standards. These vehicles may either be given general access approval or a route restricted approval.

Higher mass HPMV permits

Higher mass axle and axle group limits are available for overall combination mass greater than 44,000kg. When operating at higher mass limits you must remain on the approved route specified on the HPMV permit.

Higher mass limits

Below are the higher mass limits that apply to HPMV permits for combination mass over 44,000kg:

Single axle or axle set (one axle or a dual axle of two axles less than 1 metre apart)

Tandem axle set (two axles spaced more than 1 metre but less than 2 metres apart; note that the 2 metres maximum does not apply to twin-steer axle sets)

Tri-axle set (three axles spaced more than 2 metres but less than 3 metres apart

Quad-axle set (four axles spaced not less than 3.75 metres and not more than 4 metres apart)

The chart on the following page gives the maximum allowed sum of the mass on any two or more axles that together do not constitute a single tandem axle set, a single tri-axle set or single quad-axle set, where the distance from centre of first axle to centre of last axle is 1.8 metres or more (including maximum gross mass).

Where the distance from the centre of the first axle to the centre of the last axle is:	Mass (kg)
1.8m but less than 2.0m	15,500
2.0m but less than 2.5m	16,000
2.5m but less than 3.0m	17,500
3.0m but less than 3.3m	19,000
3.3m but less than 3.6m	20,000
3.6m but less than 4.0m	21,000
4.0m but less than 4.4m	22,000
4.4m but less than 4.5m	23,000
4.5m but less than 4.7m	23,500
4.7m but less than 5.0m	24,000
5.0m but less than 5.4m	25,000
5.4m but less than 5.5m	26,000
5.5m but less than 5.8m	26,500
5.8m but less than 6.0m	27,000
6.0m but less than 6.5m	28,000
6.5m but less than 7.0m	29,500
7.0m but less than 7.5m	31,000
7.5m but less than 8.0m	32,500
8.0m but less than 8.5m	34,000
8.5m but less than 9.0m	35,000
9.0m but less than 9.5m	36,000
9.5m but less than 10.0m	37,000
10.0m but less than 10.5m	38,000
10.5m but less than 11.0m	39,000
11.0m but less than 11.5m	40,000
11.5m but less than 12.0m	41,000
12.0m but less than 12.5m	42,000
12.5m but less than 13.0m	43,000
13.0m but less than 13.5m	44,000
13.5m but less than 14.0m	45,000
14.0m but less than 14.5m	46,000
14.5m but less than 15.0m	47,000
15.0m but less than 15.5m	48,000
15.5m but less than 16.0m	49,000
16.0m but less than 16.5m	50,000
16.5m but less than 17.0m	51,000
17.0m but less than 17.5m	52,000
17.5m but less than 18.0m	53,000
18.0m but less than 18.5m	54,000
18.5m but less than 19.0m	55,000
19.0m but less than 19.5m	56,000
19.5m but less than 20.0m	57,000
20.0m but less than 20.5m	58,000
20.5m but less than 21.0m	59,000
21.0m but less than 21.5m	60,000
21.5m but less than 22.0m	61,000
22.0m or more	62,000 or more

Before an HPMV permit is issued, an overweight route assessment will be carried out by the RCA(s) covering your proposed route(s).

What do I need to know about HPMV permits?

Do I need to carry an HPMV permit with me?

A vehicle operating on an HPMV permit must carry the permit in the truck, and be shown to police officers on request. If any of the conditions of the permit are breached then the permit will be considered void; this could lead to significant fines. It is therefore important to comply with all conditions, particularly mass and route.

What is the cost of an HPMV permit?

• For an overlength HPMV permit with no expiry date, the fee is $54.55 plus GST.
• For a 12 month overweight HPMV permit the fee is $54.55 plus GST per route.

What are the operating requirements for all HPMVs?

In addition to the usual legal vehicle requirements from rules and regulations, such as lighting and glazing, there are some particular requirements for a vehicle to be eligible to operate on an HPMV permit. These are:

SRT Requirements

An HPMV must comply with minimum stability requirements; that is a static roll threshold of 0.35 or greater.

Roll stability control

Roll stability control will be required on any trailer fitted with ABS brakes, or on any new build trailers. Older trailers without ABS brakes may be approved with other conditions. This will be explained as part of the permit application process.

Route restrictions

An HPMV must only operate on roads specified on the HPMV permit:

• if a standard dimension vehicle while loaded above 44,000kg
• if an overlength vehicle at all times.

The permit will explain the roads you can travel on in more detail.

Vehicle mass

A vehicle operating on an HPMV permit must not exceed the gross vehicle mass (GVM) or gross combination mass (GCM) as recorded on its certificate of loading (CoL).

Vehicle brakes

A vehicle operating on an HPMV permit must not exceed the lesser of the:

• brake code mass (BCM) or
• GVM.

Evidence of this may be asked for as part of the permit application.

Additional requirements for overlength

Depending on the vehicle design, there may be route restrictions which will be identified on the HPMV permit. The operator of a vehicle over 25 metres long will need to get written permission from the rail service operator if the vehicle is going to travel over a level crossing. It is unlikely, however, that a route with a rail crossing would be approved for vehicles over 25 metres long.

Vehicle signage

While operating under the terms of the permit, the vehicle must display a retro-reflective 'H' sign to the front and rear that complies with AS/NZS 1906.1.2007 – Retro-reflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes, Part 1: Retro-reflective materials.

On a standard motor vehicle, if the vehicle load is reduced below 44,000kg then the sign does not need to be removed, but may be. On an over-length vehicle the sign must remain in place at all times. A vehicle that does not have an HPMV permit is not allowed to display this sign.

What are the specific operating conditions that apply to some HPMVs?

The RCA that issues an HPMV permit may place additional conditions on the operator if it believes they are necessary to protect the safety of other road users or for the protection of infrastructure. These may include, but are not limited to those listed below:

• Stability control systems on truck and/or trailer
• Higher SRT limits.
• ABS or EBS brake systems.
• Signage indicating the vehicle length.
• Tracking systems (which may be based on GPS technology).
• Route restrictions and conditions if approved route is unavailable.
• Company mass compliance systems (eg weighing each load on departure).
• Driver training accreditation.
• Approval of drivers following history check.
• Fatigue management system.

These additional conditions will be detailed on the permit.

What are the travel time restrictions and load pilot requirements on an HPMV permit?

A vehicle operating on an HPMV permit does not need to meet any travel time restriction, bridge supervision or piloting requirements. For HPMVs, a permit will only be issued if their on-road performance has been accepted to be suitable for the route.

How can I apply?

For overlength vehicles, and/or higher mass limits on state highways, the NZTA is the RCA and you can apply for an HPMV permit via an application form available on the NZTA website, or phone 0800 699 000 to get one sent to you. It is important to complete all required fields and send it to your local NZTA office. For higher mass on local roads you need to apply for an HPMV permit through the applicable RCA, usually the council. Your local NZTA office can assist in identifying where to apply for non state highway roads.

Can my HPMV permit be cancelled?

Yes, there are several ways that a permit can be revoked:

• An RCA may immediately revoke a permit issued if, in its opinion, due to adverse weather conditions the continued operation of the heavy motor vehicle may cause extraordinary damage to the road.
• An RCA may immediately revoke a permit issued if, in its opinion, the continued operation of the HMPV may cause extraordinary damage to the road infrastructure.
• The NZTA or police may revoke a permit if the NZTA considers there is a significant risk to public safety.
• The NZTA or RCA may revoke a permit if it considers that any of the conditions of the permit have not been complied with.

Where can I find out more?

• Factsheets 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e and 13f.
• Factsheet 53, Overdimension vehicles and loads.
• Land Transport Rule 41001: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 and its amendments.
• High productivity motor vehicles

Contact details:

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Phone our contact centre: 0800 699 000.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141.