To protect the road network, the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule 2016 specifies the legal weights and axle loads. If your vehicle exceeds these load limits, you need to apply for an overweight permit before you travel.

overweight truck towing a digger

You need to apply for an overweight load permit before you travel if:

  • The maximum legal weight of your vehicle exceeds:
    • 44 tonnes
    • or 45 tonnes for 7 axle combinations with a minimum wheel base of 16.8m
    • or 46 tonnes for 8 axle combinations with a minimum wheel base of 17.4m
  • The weight on any individual axle of your vehicle exceeds the legal weight.
  • The vehicle weight exceeds the weight restriction posted on the road or bridge (refer to Table 1 and Table 2 below for current weight restrictions) of your route.

Travelling on local roads

Download and complete the NZTA Overweight Permit application form.

Apply

Complete the NZTA Overweight Permit application form(external link) and send to permits@ccc.govt.nz. We will respond to your application within 10 working days.

Useful resources

Travelling on State Highways and local roads

Contact NZTA(external link). They will liaise with Christchurch City Council to approve the Christchurch City Council road portion.

We require a minimum of five working days to process the application as it depends on the complexity of your route and the amount of assessment we need to do. 

If we need more time to process an application, you will be notified.

For more information

Contact Alister Nelson or James Ting
Christchurch City Council
Phone 03 941 8999

Table 1: Weight and speed limits on under strength bridges

Table 1: Heavy vehicle weight and speed limits on under-strength road bridges (2022/2023)

Bridge name Location Gross weight Max weight on any one axle Max speed limit
Pages Road Pages Road -  -  30 
Swanns Road Swanns Road  - -  30 
Armagh Street (Cambridge - Oxford) Armagh Street  85% Class 1 5350kg  30 
Kahu Road East  Kahu Road  -  -  30 
Poynder Ave  Poynder Ave  3500kg - 10 
Bowenvale Ave  Bowenvale Ave  16,000kg  8200kg  10 
Bossu Road  Bossu Road  -  -  10
Takamatua - Frasers 1  Old le Bons Track  -  -  10 
Takamatua - Frasers 2 Old le Bons Track - - 10
School Rd, Okains Bay  School House Road  50% Class 1  5160kg  10 
Holmes Bay Valley Rd 3 Holmes Bay Valley Road  90% Class 1 -  10 
French Farm Valley 1  French Farm Valley Road  -  -  10 
Childrens Bay  Childrens Bay Road  90% Class 1 -  10 
Wharf Road 2 Wharf Road - - 10
Okuti Valley 8  Okuti Valley Road  -  -  10 
Withells Road Withells Road - - 10
Garden Road Garden Road  3500kg  -  10 
Tizzards Road 2 Tizzards Road     10
French Farm Winery French Farm Valley Road 90% Class 1   10
Scruttons Road Scrutton Road 70% Class 1   10
Donovans Road Donovans Road     10
Little Akaloa Main Road Little Akaloa Road     10
Middle Road Middle Road     10
Pigeon Bay Road 4 Pigeon Bay Road     10
Innes Road Innes Road     10
Western Valley 5 Western Valley Road     10
Puaha Valey 3 Puaha Road     10

See the map at the bottom of the page for locations/details of all these bridges and their restrictions.

Table 2: Port Hills Area weight restrictions
Road name Weight restriction
Whitewash Head Road 10T gross weight restriction
Maffeys Road 10T gross weight restriction
Bridle Path 10T gross weight restriction (contact Mobil on 03 328 9669 with any enquiries or for more information)

No heavy vehicles except deliveries to these streets

Newbrand pointer 85x130

Bridges with weight/speed restrictions