According to the Heavy Vehicle National Law, OSOM vehicles are classified as Class 1 vehicles. If a vehicle or vehicle combination exceeds any general access mass or dimension constraints, it is deemed to be oversize transport.
Moving big loads involve more than just loading the truck. In truth, transporting excessive loads is governed by a complicated web of laws in Australia.
All heavy hauling and interstate transportation of big cargo must adhere to the relevant legal requirements. Massive fines and delays may follow non-compliance.
With years of expertise and a trained set of staff, UDFA is well-versed in all aspects of transportation law, rules, and permits. It’s advisable to delegate the process to experts for hassle-free work.
The employees at UDFA are well-versed with state-by-state laws and can assist you with anything from permits to traffic escorts, and you can name it.
Move on below for an overview of oversized transport and all that is related to it.
- What are included in oversize load and vehicle?
- What are the permits and regulations required?
- Things to remember about oversized load transport
- Final Thoughts
What are included in oversize load and vehicle?
- It includes mobile cranes, concrete pump trucks, and drilling rigs. These are classified as special-purpose vehicles.
- It consists of various agricultural machines, including grain augers and harvesters.
- The vehicles carry huge and heavy things like bridge components, mining and construction vehicles, and components for building bridges and buildings.
What are the permits and regulations required?
Oversized loads are vehicles that are bigger, heavier, and longer than the standard vehicles you see driving on the roadways.
Certain rules that guarantee the security of everyone on the road and equitable access to national highways apply to oversized loads.
Oversized vehicles and loads are subject to the below additional rules and limitations.
- Should adhere to load restraint laws
- Requires police escort depending on the region
- Must adhere to required speed limits
- Must follow minimum following distance.
- Restricted to travel at night
- Warning lights are mandatory for all oversized trucks on the front, back, and sides.
- Prior to traveling, a completely surveyed route should be created and approved.
Permits: When moving enormous cargo, it’s crucial to follow all rules and regulations and to obtain any required permissions.
Throughout Australia, various types of vehicles and loads could need special licenses to access certain sections of the road system, guarantee compliance with specific laws and regulations, and more.
The process of applying for a permit is complicated and calls for identification paperwork in abundance and a particular legal procedure.
Only after all pertinent laws and regulations are proven to be in conformity are permits issued.
From special-purpose vehicles to oversized over-mass trucks and vehicles with lengthy trailers, permits are needed.
You need permission to operate a Restricted Access Vehicle on a public road. Without a permit, no vehicle or coalition of vehicles that exceed the following is allowed to operate:
- 2.5m wide and 4.3m high
- 12.5 long for rigid vehicles and 19m long for combination vehicles
- The gross mass of 42.5 tonnes.
- 6 tonnes on a single steer axle
- 10 tonnes on twin steer axle groups with non-load-sharing suspension and 11 tonnes for load-sharing suspension
- 20 tonnes on the tri and quad axle groups
Regulations to Follow for Oversize Truckloads/ Heavy Load Transport in Australia
Below are the mass and dimensions limits for an oversized vehicle
- Dimensions for an I-prime mover carrying a semi-trailer are 40 m x 5.5 m x 5.5 m. (LxWxH)
- On a motorway, vehicles shouldn’t be wider than 2.5 meters.
- In a central zone, motor vehicles can be up to 5.5 meters wide and 30 meters long.
- Controlled access buses can only be up to 12.5 meters long and 14.5 meters long, and articulated buses can be up to 18 meters long.
- 9.5 meters shall not separate a semi-articulation trailer’s point from its rear overhang line.
- Dimensions for rigid vehicles are 12.5m x 5.5m x 12.5m (LxWxH)
Things to remember about oversized load transport
- Understanding the load classifications as there are different types of heavy load transport according to Australian law.
- Keeping in mind the regulations and permits, remember to choose the right truck.
- The weight limitations apply to both the vehicles and cargo as these ensure safety on the road.
- Pilot vehicles require police escort while transporting oversized loads depending on the location, time of the day, and shipment.
- Australian law restricts night trips when it comes to oversize transport services.
Do the permits differ?
Different types of permits are needed depending on the vehicle being operated.
Permits for vehicles that are too big or too heavy (OSOM) can be obtained for longer periods.
Let’s say you frequently move heavy objects, such as a boat that is over 2.5 metres wide.
In such an instance, a three-year pass for $50 will grant you access to all of Washington (apart from motorways).
A permit for 12 to 36 months can be obtained for a low loader over mass with a gross mass of 92.5 tonnes.
Depending on the kind of low-loader vehicle you own, fees range from $432 to $2,880.
Accredited Mass Management Scheme (AMMS) – You must first be a registered operator to obtain this permission.
The new AMMS, which offers conditions for greater clarity and flexibility on operator obligations, was released on March 22, 2021.
One of the modifications focuses on removing the requirement to list the vehicle’s exact category on the permit.
As a result, the process is made simpler because the operator will only be responsible for paying for the maximum modified mass required or the excess mass above legal limits.
This means that as long as the vehicles used are within the adjusted mass limit specified in the AMMS operating requirements.
You may utilize any authorized combination of vehicles.
Special Purpose Vehicles: Special purpose vehicles are those employed for any purpose other than carrying a load that is not tow trucks or agricultural vehicles.
Fire trucks and concrete pumps are two examples. Despite having water, they serve a purpose.
Agricultural vehicles: The Agricultural Combinations/Machines Order 2022 applies to all agricultural vehicles that exceed the defined dimensions and parameters mentioned above.
These two categories of Agricultural Orders exempt freeways from their application, allowing qualifying machines and vehicles to travel throughout WA without a permit.
According to the Agricultural Machine Order 2022, the equipment can be operated on a road outside Perth’s metropolitan region even without a permit.
However, under the Order, no over-mass agricultural machine will be permitted to traverse all of the bridges named in this document.
Final Thoughts
In short, an oversized vehicle has been classified as per Australian law.
It comes with rules, types, and restrictions such as the vehicle’s dimensions and the size of the load, the combined weight of your load and vehicle, the time of day you want to leave, and whether you can travel with your big loads during the day, observing safety guidelines, and obtaining all required licenses before the trip.
Call us for a free quote if you need skilled oversize transport services for your oversized truckloads.