If you need help with any of the steps in this process, please contact us for support. Use the tool below to decide if you need a heavy vehicle road access permit, or a notice, to operate on Australian roads. Select one of the buttons to answer the question. If you're not sure, click links within the question for more information.
1. Is my heavy vehicle a General Access Vehicle (GAV) or a Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV)?
Not sure of your vehicle type? First, check if you drive a General Access Vehicle (GAV) like the examples below, as these generally don't need a permit when within mass and dimension limits.
Examples of General Access Vehicles
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Rigid trucks |
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3, 4, 5 or 6 axle semitrailers |
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2, 3 or 4 axle trucks with 2, 3 or 4 axle dog or pig trailers |
Press the buttons below to select your vehicle type...
You selected General Access Vehicles (GAV).
General Access Vehicles (GAV) can comply with mass and dimension requirements outlined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and therefore do not require a heavy vehicle road access permit or notice to operate on the road network. These vehicles have general access (travel on all roads) to the road network unless the road is sign-posted otherwise.General Access Vehicle dimensions
- Rigid truck - L: 12.5m, W: 2.5m, H:4.3m, M: 31t
- Prime mover and trailer – L: 19m, W: 2.5m, H:4.3m, M: 42.5t
- Rigid truck and trailer - L: 19m, W: 2.5m, H:4.3m, M: 42.5t
- B-double (prime mover, trailer and trailer) - L: 19m, W: 2.5m, H:4.3m, M: 42.5t
> Learn more about heavy vehicle classes, mass and dimension limits and restricted access vehicles
You selected Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV)
You may be covered under a notice / s, or need a permit. A notice is a document that allows your vehicle to travel on a road network if you meet the documented mass dimensions and condition requirements. Review the notice / s page for more information, then go to the next question.
2. Can my heavy vehicle use a notice?
You selected 'yes', your vehicle and route are covered by a notice.
You may be required to carry a copy of the notice with you when you travel. Please ensure you review this notice and the conditions for eligibility before travel.
You selected no, your vehicle does not comply with a notice.
You may be eligible for a permit. The type of permit will depend on the road network you wish to travel on.
Review information about Routing - Single route and area difference.
You can apply for a permit via the NHVR Portal.
Still not sure if you need a permit or how to apply?
Contact us for assistance to define your vehicle type, understand your route and apply for the right permit type if required.3. Am I travelling on the approved network or other roads which are NOT on the approved network?
You selected 'other roads' - additional roads which are off the approved network.
You may be eligible for a permit. You can apply for a permit via the NHVR Portal. Apply for a "Single or Area Route Type" heavy vehicle road access permit.
Still not sure if you need a permit or how to apply?
Contact us for assistance to define your vehicle type, understand your route and apply for the right permit type if required.You selected approved network.
If your route is on the approved network, no heavy vehicle road access permit is required if you can comply with the heavy vehicle configurations, mass, dimensions and operating conditions of a notice. You may be required to carry a copy of the notice with you when you travel.
Still not sure if you need a permit or how to apply?
Contact us for assistance to define your vehicle type, understand your route and apply for the right permit type if required.Plan your route
- NHVR Route Planner - Use this online mapping tool to plan and save your heavy vehicle journey routes. Find out which road networks have approved routes and which ones may require you to submit an access application. Our Route Planner’s GIS mapping information uses government GIS data.
- State road transport authority mapping sites – For more help planning your journey, these sites display authorised heavy vehicle routes within each state and some additional route information. They provide the most up-to-date network access information regarding route descriptions and restrictions.
Check the gazette notices
- To check the notices, search for your permit types below, or on the Access permit application process page. Select your permit type and scroll down to the gazette notices table to see the recent notice announcements.
- Check the full list of relevant gazette notices and scheme for your journey area to identify all conditions and route requirements on our Notices and permit-based schemes page.
Which permit do I need?
The permit you are issued depends on the heavy vehicle class in which you are operating, and the jurisdiction in which you are travelling.
Class 1 permit
- Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) - for SPVs that don’t comply with mass, dimension or operating requirements set out in a gazette notice or are coming off the networks covered under the relevant notice
- Agricultural (AG) - for agricultural vehicles or agricultural combinations that don’t comply with mass, dimension or operating requirements set out in a gazette notice or are coming off the networks covered under the relevant notice
- Oversize Overmas (OSOM) - for OSOM combinations that don’t comply with mass, dimension or operating requirements set out in a gazette notice or are coming off the networks covered under the relevant notice
Class 2 permit
- B-double - for travel on a road outside of the approved B-double network where a permit is required
- Road Train - for travel on a road outside of the approved Road Train Network where a permit is required
- Performance-Based Standards - for travel on or off the PBS network if the vehicle doesn’t comply with mass, dimension or operating requirements set out in a gazette notice
- Controlled Access Bus - for travel on a road outside of the approved controlled access bus network
Class 3 permit
- Class 3 (miscellaneous)
- Tow truck - for tow trucks that don’t comply with mass or dimension requirements set out in a gazette notice
- Commodity Scheme permits (MIMS & MEMS)
- Mining Trailers
Higher Mass Limits (HML) permit
- HML permit - is required for travel on a road outside of the approved HML network.