Oversize and overmass vehicles

Oversize and mass vehicles may require escorts and permits.

Pilot and escort requirements

Escorting guidelines for oversize and over mass vehicles (1.8 MB PDF) specifies the requirements for pilot vehicles and escorts.

Request a police escort for an over dimensional vehicle

Areas of the state where additional escorts are required

Additional police escorts may be required in areas to ensure the safe movement of oversize loads. These areas and routes include, but are not limited to the following:

• between Lonsdale and the north of the Adelaide Metropolitan Area
• Marion Road / Sir Donald Bradman Drive
• East of Truro through to Accommodation Hill
• Gorge Road, between Ryan Avenue at Athelstone and Chain of Ponds
• Victor Harbor Road, between Mount Compass and Welch Road, Hindmarsh Valley
• Port River Expressway / Magazine Road at Dry Creek (to enable oversize vehicles to make a u-turn)
• Goolwa Road, between Mount Compass and Alexandrina Road, Currency Creek.

Oversize and or over mass notices and permits

Operators of oversize and or over mass (OSOM) heavy vehicles must comply with the specified Notices available on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's (NHVR) website.

If your operating requirements cannot be met through a Notice, you will need to apply to the NHVR for an oversize and over mass heavy vehicle permit.

Operators requiring further information on OSOM access to state-controlled roads under permit can contact the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), Road Access Unit by phone 1300 310 505 or email dit.roadmanager@sa.gov.au.

Route Survey Form

Permit based scheme - export container excess mass

Operators can apply to the NHVR for a permit to transport shipping containers holding goods for export on articulated vehicles where the gross combination mass exceeds 42.5 tonnes.

The permit scheme to be selected is SA - Excess Mass Export.

Mass and dimension limits - export container permit scheme

• The maximum allowable mass is 49.5 tonnes.
• The maximum container length is 12.2 metres.

Note: vehicle height and width must align with the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.

Routes- export container permit scheme

Travel is only allowed within South Australia, and is limited to between the point of loading the container onto the articulated vehicle and the container terminal at Outer Harbour.

Conditions applied by the DIT

Documentary evidence that the goods are destined for export must be carried in the vehicle at all times and be produced when requested by an Authorised Officer appointed under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, or a police officer.

Related information

On this site

• Approved areas or routes
• Oversize light vehicle

Other websites

• Transporting high loads - apply for a high load permit - SA Power Networks (including details on skid rail requirements for operators travelling with a load that exceeds 4.6 metres high)