City areas are the named urban areas in Rule 6.20. They set the weekday peak-hour limits for Categories 1 and 2 and the city-area times for Category 3. Category 4 uses the zones in Schedule 10 instead. The Rule gives the edges for Auckland (between Albany and Drury) and Wellington (south of McKay’s Crossing on SH1 and Te Marua on SH2). For any other city area, your permit conditions or OPIA on 0800 683 774 can confirm where it starts and ends.
Category 1
- Not when traffic is unusually heavy.
Where this comes from: Rule 6.20 and 6.21. Category 1 has no Christmas or public holiday closure. Some Category 1 vehicles are exempt under 6.28.
Category 2
- 23 December to 3 January inclusive.
- National public holidays, and after 1600 the day before.
- Provincial anniversary days, and after 1600 the day before.
- A Saturday that is 25 April.
- Other times of unusually heavy traffic or likely significant delay.
Where this comes from: Rule 6.20 to 6.22
Category 3
- 22 December to 5 January inclusive.
- National public holidays and provincial anniversary days.
- The day before one of those, from the first morning restriction time of that day.
- A Saturday that is 25 April.
- Other times of unusually heavy traffic or likely significant delay.
Where this comes from: Rule 6.23 to 6.24, Schedule 9. If the Rule text and the table differ, the text prevails.
Category 4
- 22 December to 5 January inclusive.
- National public holidays and provincial anniversary days.
- The day before one of those, from the first morning restriction time of that day.
- A Saturday that is 25 April.
- Other times of unusually heavy traffic or likely significant delay.
Where this comes from: Rule 6.25 to 6.27, Schedule 10 (zone boundaries are in Schedule 10 Part 1).
For the weekday peak-hour windows and the town by town view, use the Hub, which shows times for the day you pick.
Can’t see 350 m? Don’t go
- If fog, heavy rain, hail or anything else cuts visibility to under 350 m: no travel.
- If it drops below 350 m mid-trip, stop clear of moving traffic at the first chance and wait until you can see at least 350 m.
Where this comes from: Rule 6.8(4) and (5)
If something goes wrong
- Damaged a traffic sign or signal, bridge, tunnel, other structure, tree or hedge? Tell the road controlling authority or the owner. If you take a sign down to get past, put it back straight away, and if you cannot, tell the road controlling authority (6.10).
- An unforeseen delay means a travel restriction would stop you finishing? You may continue only if there is no place to park safely and Police are told and agree. Normally up to 30 minutes (Rule 6.29).
More detail
- If your load is likely to hold up the emergency services in the area for a significant time, the on-road supervisor (or the driver, if none is named) must tell them (6.11).
- An enforcement officer, NZTA’s Director or a road controlling authority can stop your vehicle using a road, or put special conditions on it, if they believe on reasonable grounds it is needed for safety or traffic management, or that you are breaking a condition (6.12).
Where this comes from: Rule 6.10 to 6.12, 6.29
General information only. Not legal advice and not a permit. The Rule, your permit conditions, NZTA and road signs come first. Rules change, so check the current Rule before every move. Checked 9 Oct 2026 against the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016, as at 6 Aug 2026. If you are unsure, ring NZTA’s permitting team on 0800 683 774.