There are two categories of vehicle:
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- General access vehicles
- Restricted access vehicles
General access vehicles
General access vehicles are all vehicles that do not exceed the following dimensions:
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- The maximum vehicle width is 2.5 metres
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- The maximum vehicle height is 4.3 metres
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- The maximum vehicle length is 12.5 metres if it is a single (rigid) motor vehicle
- The maximum vehicle length is 19 metres if it is a combination motor vehicle
These vehicles can operate on any road except where there’s a restriction that is notified by a sign, e.g. a low bridge. They include most cars, vans, motorhomes and light trucks.
The maximum width is based on the bodyshell and doesn’t include:
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- rear vision mirrors, signalling devices and side-mounted lamps and reflectors
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- anti-skid devices mounted on wheels, central tyre inflation systems, tyre pressure gauges
- permanently fixed webbing-assembly-type devices, such as curtain-side devices, provided that the maximum distance measured across the body including any part of the devices does not exceed 2.55 metres.
The maximum height doesn’t include:
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- vehicles built to carry cattle, horses, pigs or sheep on two decks – 4.6 metres
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- vehicles built with at least 2 decks for carrying vehicles – 4.6 metres
- double-decker bus – 4.4 metres
Restricted access vehicles
Restricted access vehicles must be operated in accordance with a relevant notice or permit.
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- vehicles designed to carry livestock can be up to 4.6m high
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- vehicles designed to carry motor vehicles on more than one deck may be up to 4.6m high
- double-deck buses can be up to 4.4m high.
Heavy vehicle lengths are:
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- combination other than a B-double, road train or a car carrier: 19 metres
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- B-double: 25 metres
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- road train: 53.5 metres
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- car carrier: 25 metres
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- articulated bus: 18 metres
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- bus other than an articulated bus: 14.5 metres
- another vehicle: 12.5 metres
Darren is an expert on driving and transport, and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists
