Queensland excess mass and dimension conditions

Heavy vehicles (vehicles or trailers with a GVM or ATM over 4.5 tonnes) operating on Queensland roads must not exceed the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation mass limits.

If your vehicle does not exceed Regulation mass limits it is classified as a General Access Vehicle. General Access Vehicles can travel on the road network without a notice or permit unless otherwise signposted.

If your vehicle does exceed Regulation mass limits, you will need to either:

• Operate under a Heavy Vehicle National Law mass exemption notice and comply with ALL conditions outlined in the notice,

Or

• Apply for an access permit specific to your vehicle type through the NHVR Portal.

Note: If your vehicle is also excess dimensions, you must comply with all conditions of the relevant Heavy Vehicle National Law excess dimension exemption notice or access permit you are operating under.

In Queensland, all Special Purpose Vehicles exceeding regulation mass are required to have a supervised weigh and measure. prior to obtaining access to the Queensland state-controlled road network. 

When operating an excess mass vehicle in Queensland you are required to comply with:

• All conditions outlined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law excess mass exemption notice or access permit you are operating under

And

• the Conditions of Operations Database.

Failure to comply with these conditions may result in enforcement action.

Conditions of Operation Database

Our conditions of operation database lists the latest changes and updates to road conditions, including:

• conditions for an excess mass/excess dimension permit;
• Queensland-wide conditions of operation applicable between 2 selected dates; and
• Queensland-wide conditions have changed since a selected date.

Authority to Operate – Heavy Haulage

To operate an excess mass Special Purpose Vehicle in Queensland you must obtain an Authority to Operate for each individual vehicle.
To apply:

• Contact the Heavy Vehicle Access Team on (07) 3066 5511

You will also need to provide:

• vehicle description and approved operating masses
• evidence of supervised weigh of the vehicle that will be conducted by NHVR authorised officers.