Restricted Access Vehicles

Any single motor vehicle or combination which alone or together with its load exceeds the overall dimensions of vehicles as defined in the Road Transport (Registration) Regulation 2007 is considered to be a restricted access vehicle. The Regulation defines the width, height, length and some internal dimensions of vehicles.

Combinations (and their loads) which are overheight, oversize or overmass are subject to special operating conditions, in some instances this may include the requirement to assess a route for suitability, prior to the vehicle or combination being granted access to that part of the road network. This section contains information for operators of these vehicles, including:

Permit Notices
Specific Permits
B Double, Road Train & 4.6m High vehicle route maps
NSW Route assessment guide for restricted access vehicles
Permit Conditions booklet
Road occupancies and development information
Frequently asked questions

Oversize and overmass vehicles and loads

Vehicles outside of the General Access Limits are Restricted Access Vehicles. One class of Restricted Access Vehicles are Oversize/Overmass Vehicles.

A vehicle or vehicle combination is considered to be Oversize and/or Overmass if the height, width, length, rear overhang or forward projection or mass exceed the General Dimension Limits.

If your vehicle exceeds the General Dimension Limits you may be eligible to operate under a Class 1 Oversize Notice. These Notices provide greater dimension/mass limits with additional conditions and route restrictions for Agricultural, Load Carrying and Special Purpose Vehicles.

Specific Permits

If your vehicle exceeds the dimensions outlined in both the General Dimension Limits and the Class 1 Oversize Notices then you will require a specific permit to operate on NSW roads. These permits are granted by the Roads and Maritime Services Special Permits Unit.

Your permit will include conditions specific to the operation of your Oversize Overmass vehicle which may include route/time restrictions and/or pilot and escort vehicle requirements.

Mailing list

Roads and Maritime Services provide customers with email notifications of changes or issues that may affect the movement of oversize or overmass loads on NSW roads. If you would like to receive email notifications please join our mailing list.

Overheight vehicles - specific information for operators

A vehicle is overheight if alone, or together with its load, it is more than 4.3 metres high. Special conditions apply to overheight vehicles in NSW. Know the height of your vehicle along with its load before you leave the depot. More information is available on the Overheight vehicles page.

Restricted Access Vehicles (RAV)

Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) also include 4.6 metre high vehicles, B-triples and AB-triples, B-doubles, road trains, Modular B-triples and controlled access buses. Access to the road network for these combinations is subject to specific route assessment using the NSW Route Assessment Guide.

Once a route is assessed as suitable and approved for access by a heavy vehicle combination, the route information is published in the NSW Government Gazette and included in the appendix of routes to the Permit Notice applicable to the combination.

Road access for Performance Based Standard Vehicles (PBS)

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) manages a national route assessment to be used for Performance Based Standard Vehicles. See the NHVR website for information.