Oversize and/or overmass (OSOM) vehicles and loads
Typical examples include:
- Agricultural machines such as harvesters and grain augers
- Vehicle combinations carrying large indivisible items such as mining and construction vehicles, bridge components or building infrastructure
- Special purpose vehicles such as mobile cranes, concrete pump trucks and drilling rigs.
OSOM Load Declaration
View or download the NSW Load Declaration (PDF, 257.43 KB) (PDF, 257.43 KB) or find out further information on how to complete an OSOM Load Declaration.
Typical examples include:
- agricultural machines such as harvesters and grain augers
- vehicle combinations carrying large indivisible items such as mining and construction vehicles, bridge components or building infrastructure.
- special purpose vehicles such as mobile cranes, concrete pump trucks and drilling rigs.
Notices and Ministerial Orders
If your vehicle or combination exceeds the general access limits you may be eligible to operate under a Class 1 Notice or Ministerial Order. These legal instruments allow categories of eligible vehicles access to the road network subject to route restrictions, maximum dimension/mass limits and operating conditions.
National Notices can be accessed on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.
Access permits
If your vehicle/combination exceeds the dimension or mass limits contained in a Class 1 Notice or Ministerial Order you will require an access permit to operate on the NSW road network.
Intrastate & Interstate permits
For all heavy vehicles seeking a permit for travel within NSW and between other states:
As of the 1 June 2020, all heavy vehicle permit applications must be submitted to the NHVR via the NHVR Portal.
TfNSW and local Councils will no longer be able to issue permits directly to operators.
If you require assistance utilising the NHVR Portal, please contact the NHVR on 1800 696 487.
Class 2 vehicles
All Class 2 vehicle permits will be issued by the NHVR. Applications will need to be made directly to NHVR.
NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map
The NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map provides details of the approved roads as well as restricted structures for eligible load carrying vehicles operating under the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Mass Exemption Notice and the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension Exemption Notice.
The NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map, if listed as the approved route on an access permit, also provides the approved routes for an eligible load carrying vehicle.
Additional access conditions
When operating under an access permit, you are required to comply with the Additional Access Conditions for oversize and overmass heavy vehicles and loads (PDF, 657.71 KB). Please note that the August 2020 version of the Additional Access Conditions for oversize and overmass vehicles and loads has been updated and replaced with the October 2020 version.
State-wide oversize holiday curfews
State-wide oversize travel curfews are imposed each year during various public holiday periods across the state for Class 1 oversize heavy vehicles:
Details of these travel requirements outlined below:
- 2024 March/April Long Weekend Travel Requirements - Load Carrying Vehicles (PDF, 180.93 KB)
- Long Weekend Travel Requirements – Load carrying vehicles (PDF, 156.38 KB)
- Special purpose vehicles (PDF, 134.21 KB)
Transport Management Plans (TMPs)
A TMP is a comprehensive document that describes how an OSOM movement will be safely undertaken in NSW. This document is structured to enable you to record your plans, procedures and other operational activities that will be required in order to safely transport an OSOM movement in NSW.
Due to the changing nature of the road environment, increasing traffic levels and increasing demand for OSOM movements there is need to closely manage the risk and journey disruptions caused by OSOM movements. To provide the necessary increased management of 'High Risk' OSOM movements, the NSW government has introduced the OSOM TMP.
The TMP provides a comprehensive planning and execution focus for 'High Risk' OSOM movements to ensure that these movements are carried out in a safe and responsible manner with reduced impact on other road users and road infrastructure.
When is a TMP required?
A TMP is required for any of the following OSOM movements:
- All OSOM movements that are classified as 'High Risk' due to their dimensions and/or weights
- All OSOM movements that travel on a 'High Risk' route
- All OSOM movements that involve the transport of a 'Critical/Sensitive' load.
The TMP must be submitted together with a completed TMP cover sheet OSOM form.
What is required in a TMP?
A TMP addressing the following five criteria may be required:
- Vehicle and load details
- Route survey details of the proposed route(s)
- Traffic management arrangements
- Stakeholder and community consultations
- RIM approval.
For more information, please refer to the TMP for OSOM movements in NSW fact sheet (PDF, 90.67 KB). (PDF, 90.67 KB)
How do I submit a TMP?
After you have completed your TMP you need to send it to Transport for NSW for assessment and review. In order to do this you will need to download and complete the TMP cover sheet OSOM.
The TMP cover sheet OSOM provides further information on how to complete and submit a TMP cover sheet OSOM movement that is classified as 'High Risk' or is travelling on a 'High Risk' route or involves the transport of a 'Critical/Sensitive' load.
The completion of a TMP does not guarantee that a permit for your OSOM movement will be issued. A sample TMP is available.
High Risk criteria for OSOM movements
The following table shows the criteria that determine if an OSOM movement is classified as 'High Risk'* in NSW. Where an OSOM movement exceeds any of the criteria described below, the movement will be classified as 'High Risk'.
Criteria | TMP required if: | Additional information |
Length | > 40 metres on single carriageway sections; and >50 metres on dual carriageway sections | Nil |
Height | > 5.2 metres and within 200 millimetres of an overhead structure(s) including trees, overpasses and bridges) | Nil |
Rear overhang | > 7.5 metres | Note: The rear overhang criteria for 'High Risk' agricultural combinations travelling in the NSW Western Zone is > 10 metres. |
Forward projection | > 5.5 metres | Note: High risk mobile cranes are exempt from the forward projection 'High Risk' criteria as they must be enrolled in the Intelligent Access Program (IAP). |
Width | > 6.0 metres | Note: The width criteria for 'High Risk' agricultural combinations travelling in the NSW Western Zone is > 6.5 metres. |
Total combination weight | > 150 tonnes | Nil |
*In assessing whether a particular OSOM movement is classified as 'High Risk', Transport for NSW will also consider the following but is not limited to; time and date of movement, traffic volumes along the proposed route, speed zones along the proposed route, location, grade, terrain and road geometry, frequency of movements and type of load.
High Risk routes
The following table shows which routes are classified as 'High Risk' in NSW to which special conditions apply. High risk routes are identified by Transport for NSW and NSW Police Force.
Route | TMP requirements apply | Special conditions |
Pacific Highway - Hexham to Tweed Heads (both directions) | For all movements over 5.5 metres in width when travelling on single lane carriageway sections; or For all movements that meet the 'High Risk' criteria. | Communication with the public regarding the movement may be required. Time of day and day restrictions may apply. |
Newell Highway - Gilgandra to Coonabarabran (both directions) | For all movements that meet the 'High Risk' criteria. | Communication with the public regarding the movement may be required. Loads over 6.5 metres in width may be required to place Variable Message Boards in both directions between Coonabarabran and Tooraweenah. Time of day and day restrictions may apply. |
Gunnedah Township | For all movements that meet the 'High Risk' criteria. | Communication with the public regarding the movement may be required. Loads over 6.5 metres in width may be required to place Variable Message Boards in both directions on either side of the Gunnedah Township. Time of day and day restrictions may apply. |
Additional routes may be listed as 'High Risk' in response to changing road environments, traffic patterns, road infrastructure and road safety risks. Operators should ensure they check this page regularly for changes.
Critical/Sensitive loads
The following table shows the criteria that determine if a load is classified as 'Critical/Sensitive' in NSW.
Risk | Description |
Health Risk | Movements that have the potential to affect the immediate health and welfare of the operator, driver and public, ie loads with radiation, chemicals, magnets, asbestos etc. |
Hazardous / Environmental | Movements that pose a substantial or potential threat to public health or the environment, whether that be in either gas, liquid or solid form and what type of material it is - corrosive, toxic, radiation. |
Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM) approval
What is a RIM approval?
A RIM approval is a written approval from the relevant RIMs for travel over a railway crossing.
Please note a railway crossing is defined as where a road and railway cross at the same grade i.e. a level crossing.
Why do I need a RIM approval?
The Rail Safety National Law (NSW) (the Law) requires the managers of railways and the managers of roads to manage safety at all places where a road and a railway intersect (cross). These places are termed interfaces and the RIM and the road manager have an agreement, required by the Law, on how they will manage the many risks to safety.
OSOM vehicles may pose a significant increase in risk when using a railway crossing. Operators must be aware that trains take a significantly greater time and distance to stop compared to a heavy vehicle, cannot take evasive action like a heavy vehicle and in NSW may travel at speeds up to 160km/h. Each railway crossing is assessed for safety based on the type of vehicle gazetted for use of the road ie general access, B double, road train etc.
OSOM vehicles may be significantly larger than the gazetted vehicle type and therefore the need for a railway crossing safety assessment. For this reason approval must be sought from the RIM to ensure they, Transport for NSW and the OSOM operator have adequate safety management in place before the OSOM vehicle enters the railway crossing.
It must be noted that the Law not only places responsibility for safety on the RIM and Transport for NSW but also on the users of an interface.
When do I need a RIM approval?
From 6 January 2014, where your journey involves travel over a railway crossing and your OSOM vehicle is considered High Risk, you are now required to provide a RIM approval from the relevant RIM and submit it as part of the TMP process. Permits will not be approved or processed until a RIM approval from the relevant RIMs has been provided for each railway crossing on the proposed OSOM route.
Note: Transport for NSW and RIM are currently reviewing the risks around the Road/Rail interface. While at this stage a RIM approval is required for all 'High Risk' movements that involve travel over a railway crossing, this requirement may be extended to other OSOM movements. Transport for NSW may contact you to obtain a RIM approval for other OSOM moves that are not considered 'High Risk' and where the proposed route includes travel over a railway crossing. Specific requests are assessed on a case by case basis.
Where are the railway crossings?
All public railway crossings in NSW can be viewed via the NSW Public Level Crossing Finder, along with basic information on each railway crossing.
There are a few instances in NSW where two RIMs share the one rail corridor, in which case approval must be gained from each. Also, along a proposed OSOM route there may be a number of railway crossings with different RIMs; approval is required for each railway crossing on the proposed route.
How do I obtain a RIM approval?
To obtain a RIM approval you will need to contact the relevant RIMs, contact details provided below.
John Holland Rail
John Holland Rail Pty Ltd
117-121 Maitland Rd, Mayfield NSW 2304
Phone: (02) 4028 9473
Email: crn.heavyvehicle@jhg.com.au
Website: www.johnholland.com.au
Sydney Trains
Email: SafetyInterfaceAgreement@transport.nsw.gov.au
Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd
PO Box 10343
Gouger Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8217 4435
Email: artc_rms_permits@artc.com.au
V/Line
David Dunston
Senior Access Engineer
V/Line Pty Ltd
PO Box 5343, Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone:(03) 9619 5256
Email: david.dunston@vline.com.au
Website: www.vline.com.au
Private RIMs
There are a number of private RIMs throughout NSW, with the majority of interfaces on Council managed roads. Further details of the applicable RIM should be sought from the local council.
Contacting motorway and tunnel operators
If your permit includes a condition to contact a motorway operator, you must contact the operator at least 5 working days before travel to notify them of your planned travel date and times and your vehicle/combination details.
Contacting the motorway operator in advance of your travel will assist you in avoiding disruptions and delays to your journey, such as lane closures and road works.
Contact details for motorway and tunnel operators
Eastern Distributor
Evan Smith
Email: ESmith@transurban.com
Phone: (02) 9254 5210
Cross City Tunnel
Evan Smith
Email: ESmith@transurban.com
Phone: (02) 9254 5210
Lane Cove Tunnel
Adam Di Pasqua
Email: adipasqua@transurban.com
Phone: 0428 404 253
M2 Motorway
Adam Di Pasqua
Email: adipasqua@transurban.com
Phone: 0428 404 253
M5 West Motorway
Adam Di Pasqua
Email: adipasqua@transurban.com
Phone:0428 404 253
Sydney Harbour Tunnel
Bob Allen
Phone: (02) 9959 8100
Email: boba@shtunnel.com.au
Gary Payseno
Phone: (02) 9959 8100
Email: gpayseno@shtunnel.com.au
M7 Motorway
HEAVY VEHICLE ACCESS REQUEST (Minimum 5 business days notice required)
(For the following Loads: Height > 5.2m AND/OR Width >= 4.3m AND/OR Total Mass > 150t)
Step 1: Transport companies are to register with Westlink M7 (one time only) by emailing the following information to access@m7.com.au to obtain a username and password for use in the Permitted website:
- Company / entity name
- Company ABN.
Step 2: Once Transport company details (above) are received, M7 will issue an email back confirming the update into the Permitted Access system; with company username and password for accessing the system.
Step 3: Transport company to log onto Permitted (www.permitted.com.au/main.php) and use the ‘Heavy Vehicle’ TAB to apply for an Access Request.
Step 4: Details to include into Permitted Access Request
- Start and End Date for travel on M7 (including estimated times on M7)
- Route on M7 (on and off)
- Dimensions of Load (Height/Width/Mass)
- Contact Details
Westlink M7 will then contact you to coordinate your movement on the Motorway.
On road enforcement
Vehicles travelling under an OSOM permit are subject to on road enforcement. Non compliance with permit conditions may result in the grounding of vehicles.
Mailing list
Transport for NSW provides customers with email notifications of changes or issues that may affect the movement of oversize or overmass loads on NSW roads. If you would like to receive email notifications please join our mailing list.