Tall load
- 4.3 m is the limit, load and ties included. Over 4.3 m, Schedule 6 Part 3 applies.
- Over 4.3 m: written permission from the owner of any overhead obstruction you cannot clear.
- Over 4.3 m: at a level crossing that is not on a State Highway, if you are higher than the electrified railway safe height sign, written approval from the access provider.
- Over 4.8 m: use a vehicle with a deck less than 1.3 m above the road.
- Over 5 m: an overdimension permit from the Director, and written permission from the owner of any overhead wires or cables you go under.
- Do not travel if your load is likely to damage wires, cables or structures over or beside the road (Rule 3.1(4)).
More detail
- Route limits (Schedule 8): Auckland Harbour Bridge 4.8 m; Wellington Motorway 4.8 m; Lyttelton Tunnel 4.27 m; Auckland motorways over 4.3 m only on the listed stretches; toll routes over 4.8 m only with NZTA’s explicit authority.
Where this comes from: Rule 3.1(4); Schedules 2, 6 and 8
Named bridge and tunnel limits
- Auckland: Harbour Bridge: maximum height 4.8 m. Over 3.1 m wide, contact the Traffic Operations Centre and travel with a Class 1 pilot.
- Wellington, Hutt and Porirua: Wellington Motorway: maximum height 4.8 m and width 3.7 m, unless NZTA conditions are met. Mt Victoria, Terrace and Arras tunnels: written consent from NZTA needed.
- Christchurch: Lyttelton Tunnel: 4.27 m high, 2.6 m wide, 23 m long (towing vehicle and semi-trailer), 2 m load overhang. Over any of these needs NZTA permission through Tunnel Control.
Where this comes from: Rule Schedule 8, and the road controlling authority named for each route. Local bylaws can change, so check before you travel.
Finding the height of a bridge on your route
Check with the road controlling authority for the road you plan to use. That is NZTA for state highways and the council for local roads. NZTA’s Journey Planner shows live state highway conditions, closures and roadworks.
- NZTA Journey Planner Live state highway conditions, closures and roadworks.
HAULR holds bridge information for councils across New Zealand, and the app puts it on your route. The map and the coverage page show where we hold data.
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.