Oversize Overmass OSOM.
Going big? Make sure you know the rules.
Overview
This an overview of all aspects of Oversize Overmass OSOM vehicles.
Whilst the information is vast, we at Mass Management can attend your site, regardless of location, and conduct individual or group training on Class 1 Vehicles. We can cover your actual needs and requirements based on the equipment you have or the loads you move.
What’s the basic terminology for these vehicles?
Class 1 - is a heavy vehicle carrying, or designed to carry, a large indivisible item that is not a freight container.
Large Indivisible item – an item that cannot be divided without extreme effort, expense and risk and that can’t be carried without contravening a mass or dimension requirements, (example large machinery).
Low loader – When you are wanting a mass exemption, an eligible trailer, other than QLD, requires to be a low loader (designed to carry additional Mass). A low loader is a trailer with a loading deck of no more than 1 metre above the ground. When you are wanting just dimension and not mass, any trailer is generally an eligible trailer such as semi-trailer, extendable trailer, any deck height above 1m, etc.
What Gazettes allow me to operate as an oversized vehicle?
There are 2 National Gazettes while each State has a smaller general access gazette for oversized vehicles carrying a large indivisible items.
The National gazettes that cover multiple States, have different operating limits and individual conditions that you also have to follow, which can become very complex and could require individual training.
A simple example is, NSW allows 5 axle trailers for Mass and Vic only allow up to 4 axle trailers for Mass. This means you may leave NSW with the 5 axles to the ground and as soon as you cross into Victoria you are breaking the law as they only allow 4 axles under the same gazette.
But let’s stick to the basics as a guide and overview to assist you.
Gazette 1
National Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2024
Extra information you should know about this Gazette and Information Sheet.
This Gazette and Information sheet are used when you are: up to 5m wide/up to 5m high/up to 30m long (see info sheet for additions to some areas and restrictions in others, such as reduced height to SA and increased width to QLD.)
When operating under this notice you must be on an approved OSOM route at all times – VIC OSOM / NSW OSOM / QLD all Roads subject to restrictions / SA depending on combination / ACT as stated in document
NOTE NHVR Maps - When opening these maps, you are approved to operate on green gazetted roads, orange roads you need to zoom in and click on the travel restrictions such as tunnels and bridge restrictions, detours and special conditions like pilots and Red Roads you are not permitted to travel on.
Gazette 2
Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023
Extra information you should know about this Gazette and Information Sheet.
This Gazette and Information sheet are used when you are: up to 82 tonnes without a dolly and up to 100 tonnes with a dolly (see information sheet)
Under this notice you must be on an approved OSOM route at all times – VIC OSOM / NSW OSOM / QLD Sate controlled Roads subject to restrictions / SA depending on combination
NOTE NHVR Maps - When opening these maps, you are approved to operate on green gazetted roads, orange roads you need to zoom in and click on the travel restrictions such as tunnels and bridge restrictions, detours and special conditions like pilots and Red Roads you are not permitted to travel on.
What Masses are allowed under this Gazette?
Without getting too technical the States do have complex tables BUT as a guide please see the table for Victoria’s masses for low loaders. This table is found on page 16 of the Gazette notice.
A low loader with 4 tyres per axle and two axles is split (1.2 2.4 1.2) can obtain 35 tonnes.
If the deck has 8 tyres per axle and (generally an extendable axle spread) then as it extends the axles (not the deck) the trailer exceeds additional masses such as 40 tonnes to the axle group at 2.9m wide (Ground contact width) outside tyre tread to outside trye tread on the ground.
FAQ’s
What do I need if I have to travel off the permitted routes or do not meet the requirements to operate under the gazettes?
You require an individual access permit for any of these scenarios.
Contact us and we can organise individual permits and supply you with a quote.
Note: permits can take anywhere from weeks to months to obtain and are not simple documents to get in a week/quickly.
We will advise you of time requirements prior to applying.
What other documents should I refer to for each state?
Head to the NHVR National Notices page on the NHVR website.
Click on each of the relevant links on their page to view, download and print.
What are the state Gazettes if I have smaller types of loads?
Under each state Gazette, these apply to the state only, and generally are the same in all states that have them.
The limits for these Gazettes are smaller than the National Gazette limits, however they give you better access than being on OSOM routes only. Under these Gazettes you get more roads and in some states, all roads except where sign posted like curfews, load limits, no truck signs etc.)
The general limits for the smaller notices are up to 25m long/up to 3.5m wide/up to 4.6m high and up to 49.5 tonnes. Not all States have this notice as some states have sperate notices depending on your combination and load. The notices are mainly: NSW, VIC and SA. As a rule, stick to OSOM requirements as stated in the National Gazettes for QLD and ACT and always refer to any information sheets as shown above for gazettes when downloading.
NSW - New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1)
Can I travel at night and or public holidays and holiday periods?
Like additional pilots’ requirements you must refer to the gazette to determine travel allowances and requirements. – People think nighttime travel for oversized vehicles is not allowed in NSW, however you can travel between Albury and to QLD border on specific routes between 9.30pm and 5.30am with a pilot. See night time travel of the NSW Class 1 operators guide under this same guide you will see holiday travel restrictions are in place in certain areas, once you open guide you can do a control F search and type in the words holiday travel. Generally, the rule is a holiday period for restrictions applies from Dec 23 to early January and any consecutive public holiday period of 3 days, like easter. See each individual gazette for holiday and public holiday restrictions.
Why is it important to ensure I comply with the Gazettes and conditions and what are the penalties?
The issue with non compliance of a Gazette in most cases is that the Gazette allowances are removed and you are put back to statutory requirements by the NHVR.
If you were exceeding any mass or dimension or condition of the Gazette, as an example: allowing 27 tonnes on an axle group, and being checked at 28 tonnes, I am then found to be 7 tonnes over the limit and not 1 tonne as the exemption is removed. In all cases this often results in attending court, this is why it is extremely important you adhere to all of the conditions and understand what is needed and required.
Can I carry additional items on my Class 1 Vehicle?
Yes, but only under strict conditions, such as not exceeding 42.5 tonnes general mass limits and does not exceed a dimension requirement that would not be exceeding carrying 1 item (such as plastic pipes on an extendable trailer) . See the NHVR carrying additional items information sheet
When do I need a pilot?
Generally a pilot is only required in most states when you exceed 3.5m in width or over 26m in length for oversize vehicles, HOWEVER there are strict requirements in all states depending on where you are travelling (such as mountainous areas in Victoria) QLD Safe movement of Oversize Pilot and requirements in NSW Class 1 operators guide to name a few. Individual gazettes may also call for pilots during peak hour times or city travel in some areas, you need to ensure you read the gazette under pilot requirements in the conditions of the participating jurisdiction.
What signage am I required to display?
Do I need to carry my Gazette?
The NHVR has advised that the carriage of these notices is not required, however we strongly recommend you to print them or digitally carry them, but most importantly you must understand them and have the driver understand them. This will be the difference between a smooth intercept and a possible 2 hour intercept where everyone is trying to understand how Gazettes, permits, schedules and conditions work.
When a driver is intercepted they are generally asked what Gazette or permit they are operating under. If they answer anything like “stuffed if I know” and pass out a folder full of Gazettes that they don’t understand, or out of date, or both, then this gives enforcement a red flag of potentially charging the driver and the Owner as they don’t understand their operating conditions. This could possibly end up as a court summons. So don’t risk it.
Have more questions?
Call us today and speak to one of our experts about how we can help you
