Road managers
Accessibility tools
Do I need a road train permit?
A road train permit is required for travel on a road that is not authorised under notice. This includes road train combinations ineligible to operate, and/or on roads not authorised, under an existing notice. The major road train notice is the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.1).
The NHVR processes ALL Class 2 road train permit applications for travel within and between the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria through the NHVR Portal.
For travel within the Northern Territory and Western Australia you need to apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority.
When seeking consent from a road manager, the NHVR will request that the road manager consider including the route under the relevant notice.
There are several types of road train permits, as described in the table below.
| Road train type | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria | Northern Territory and Western Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Complies with mass and dimension requirements | Class 2 application | Apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority |
| Does not comply with one or more mass or dimension requirements | Class 3 (miscellaneous) permit application. | |
| PBS approved | Performance-Based Standards permit application |
Road train requirements
- Road train speed limits - Provides information on road train speed limit restrictions applied via legislation, gazettal notice, network maps, and access permits.
- Road train trailer requirements - Highlights operation of road train vehicle and trailer components, such as brakes, tow couplings and drawbars. Outlines road train trailer requirements and provides references to where more detailed information may be found.
Gazette notices - Road train access
Please note: The table below shows the most common notices used for road train combinations. For a full list of notices and schemes please see Notices and permit-based schemes.
| State | Notice | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|
| NSW, Qld, SA, Vic |
National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle 4.6m High Livestock Carrier Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) Authorises the use of livestock carriers from 4.3 to 4.6 metres in height in stated areas or stated routes, during stated hours of stated days and to state the conditions under which these livestock carriers may be used. |
Livestock carrier |
| NSW, Qld, SA, Vic |
National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.3) Provides complying road trains access in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. The national notice introduces simplified and more nationally consistent conditions for road trains, supporting more seamless cross-border access. The new version of the Notice and Operator's Guide active on July 1, 2022, provides complying road trains access to Burke Development Road in Queensland. |
Road train |
| NSW, QLD SA, VIC |
Exempts a stated category of Class 3 heavy vehicles from the height limit stated in section 8 of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. Please note the following supporting document for this notice: |
4.6m high by construction semitrailer |
| NSW, QLD |
Exempts a stated category of Class 3 heavy vehicles from the height limit stated in section 8 of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. Please note the following supporting document for this notice: |
4.6m high loaded semitrailer |
Online application
Post or fax application
Please note: If you apply through post or fax, all correspondence relating to that application will be done through the same channel. Mailed or faxed applications will be accepted, however, if you have the facilities to apply online through the NHVR Portal you will be requested by team members to use this channel with specialist guidance provided.