Special Purpose Vehicle permit

Do I need a Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) permit?

Apply for this permit if your SPV does not comply with mass, dimension or operating requirements set out in a gazette notice.

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How do I apply for an SPV permit?

  1. Check the gazette notice for your journey and state jurisdictional maps. This will show you all the latest schedules and conditions for your intended route. Your permit will reference these same conditions. If your journey is covered by a gazette notice, you won’t need to apply for an SPV permit. Take me to the gazette notices.
  2. Check you are applying to the correct authority. At the NHVR, we process all SPV permit applications for travel in 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.
  3. Prepare your application. Find the relevant application, complete all requested details and submit it through the appropriate channel. I’m ready to begin my application.

Learn more about our application process.

SPV vehicle operators


New South Wales

NSW operators looking to submit an application in the NHVR Portal for the first time should read the NSW Class 1 SPV - How to apply (PDF, 681KB)

15.5 metre Crane and Crane & Dolly Night Travel Concession

NSW have issued a permit amendment allowing night-time travel for certain cranes.

This permit amendment applies to permit holders that have:

  • an existing Class 1 access permit for a mobile crane up to 15.5 metres in length
  • a mobile crane and dolly combination for travel on Transport for NSW (TfNSW) managed roads.

See Notice of Permit Amendment - NSW 15.5 metre Crane and Crane & Dolly Night Travel Concession (PDF, 141KB)


Queensland

Authority to Operate (ATO)

QLD operators may be required to obtain an ATO. For more information, contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

NHVR Portal SPV Lockdown Functionality

We developed this tool with Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

The SPV Lockdown functionality allows you to input your registration details in the NHVR Portal which will then automatically populate your vehicle axle mass and spacing fields.

This functionality helps you complete the application process in the NHVR Portal more efficiently and accurately.

For more information on the NHVR Portal SPV Lockdown functionality and to view a demonstration, please watch the following short video:

QLD Class 1 Crane Permit Scheme

We worked with the Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) and the Crane Industry Council Australia (CICA) to develop the new QLD Class 1 Crane Permit Scheme.

This crane permit scheme offers eligible vehicles permitted access to a pre-approved network in a local council. For more information on the permit scheme and to view eligible vehicles, please refer to the following industry information sheet:

The QLD Class 1 Crane Permit Scheme still requires you to submit an application via the NHVR Portal to access the applicable approved network/s.

For additional information and training on the QLD Class 1 Crane Permit Scheme, please refer to the following video:


South Australia

SA operators looking to submit an application in the NHVR Portal for the first time should read South Australia Class 1 SPV - How to apply (PDF, 378KB).


Gazette notices - Special Purpose Vehicle access

Please note: The table below shows the most common notices used for SPV vehicles and combinations. For a full list of notices and schemes please see Notices and permit-based schemes.

State Notice
ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, VIC National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle (up to 40t total mass) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2021

Provides mass and dimension access for Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) up to a gross mass of 40t. Eligible SPVs include:

  • articulated steering cranes
  • concrete pumps
  • Prescribed SPVs
  • truck-based SPVs
  • truck cranes.
NSW

New South Wales Class 1 4-Axle & 5-Axle All Terrain Mobile Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

Exempts stated Class 1 heavy vehicles from the prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the notice, subject to the conditions in the notice and the accompanying Operator’s Guide.

Please note the following supporting document for this notice:

NSW

New South Wales Class 1 All Terrain Mobile Crane and Dolly Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

Exempts stated Class 1 heavy vehicles from the prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the notice, subject to the conditions in the notice and the accompanying Operator’s Guide.

Please note the following supporting document for this notice:

NSW

New South Wales Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle and Combination Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

Exempts special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and SPV combinations from specified mass and dimension requirements, subject to certain conditions.

Please note the following supporting document for this notice:

QLD

Queensland Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

Exempt categories of Class 1 special purpose combinations from mass and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

VIC

Victoria Class 1 4-Axle & 5-Axle All Terrain Mobile Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 (No.2)

Exempts the stated Class 1 heavy vehicles from the prescribed mass and dimension requirements specified in the notice, subject to conditions.

Please note the following supporting document for this notice:

Submit my application

We process all SPV applications through the NHVR Portal. Click the Launch Now button below.

Need help? Learn more about using the NHVR Portal.

Online application

NHVR Portal

Post or fax application

Yes, you can. However, please note that if you apply through post or fax, all correspondence relating to that application will be done through the same channel. If you can apply online through the NHVR Portal but need help, our team members are here to provide specialist guidance. Contact us for assistance.

Select application form: