Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) reminds all heavy vehicle operators that road access permits must be obtained before operating on local roads and regional within the Council’s Local Government Area (LGA) when vehicles exceed general mass or dimension limits. These permits ensure compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law and aid in protecting public infrastructure and community safety.
Under national heavy vehicle access requirements, vehicles that do not comply with general mass and dimension limits — including those that are over 19 metres in length — are classified as Restricted Access Vehicles and must hold an appropriate permit to travel on local roads unless they are covered by an approved gazette notice or network. An up-to-date map of what vehicles are permitted on each road without applying for a permit can be found here: https://maps.nhvr.gov.au/
There are four main classes of heavy vehicles that require a road access permit:
Class 1 Heavy Vehicles – Permits for:
• Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV)
• Agricultural Vehicles (AG)
• Oversize Overmass (OSOM) vehicles — where the load exceeds standard limits and is not covered by a gazette notice.
Class 2 Heavy Vehicles – Permits for:
• B-doubles
• Road Trains
• Performance-Based Standards (PBS) vehicles
• Controlled Access Buses — where operations occur outside the approved access network.
Class 3 Heavy Vehicles – Permits for:
• Tow Trucks that do not meet prescribed mass or dimension criteria
• Miscellaneous Class 3 vehicles not covered under other notice conditions.
- Higher Mass Limits (HML) – Permits for vehicles seeking access beyond the approved HML network under notice.
Operators should note that General Access Vehicles — those complying with prescribed mass and dimension requirements (for example, up to 19m in length and within standard width and mass limits) — typically do not require a permit unless other restrictions apply.
Permits and applications are managed through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) online portal, NHVR Go. Operators must complete the application and secure any required approvals prior to travel on local roads that are not covered by an authorised gazette notice.
For more information or assistance with permit requirements, routes and application processes, operators are encouraged to visit the NHVR website or contact the Council for guidance on compliance obligations.
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