Abnormal load in South Africa: the legal limits, the permit, escorts and route checks
In short
An abnormal load is an indivisible load beyond South Africa's road limits, such as 2.6 m wide, 4.3 m high or the axle mass limits. Such a load moves only under a provincial exemption permit. The carrier applies, but the shipper's exact dimensions and mass decide the conditions.
Headcore8 min read6 sources
What counts as an abnormal load in South Africa?
A load is abnormal when it cannot be divided and breaks the dimension or mass limits of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000. TRH 11 is the Department of Transport's technical guideline for such loads. It defines an abnormal load as an indivisible object that breaks those limits by dimensions, mass, or both.[4]
An indivisible load is one that cannot be divided into two or more loads without disproportionate effort, expense or risk of damage. Permit conditions grow stricter as the load's width, length and mass classes rise. The mobile crane hire guide covers lifting such a load on and off.[4][5]
A permit is considered only where there is no possibility of carrying the load legally. TRH 11 also bars using an abnormally long vehicle for a load that does not need that length.[4]
A load can be abnormal in length, width, height, overhang, load projection or wheelbase. It can also be abnormal in mass, when the vehicle, the combination or one axle group exceeds its legal limit. No permit is granted if any of the manufacturer's ratings for the vehicle is exceeded (TRH 11, section 3.3.2).[4][5]
What are the legal dimension limits for a truck and its load?
In South Africa, the longest legal combination of vehicles is 22 m (regulation 221). The smallest limit is the load's front projection, at most 300 mm past the vehicle (regulation 227). Anything beyond a limit below needs an exemption permit.[3][4]
| Limit | Figure | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length, other combinations of vehicles | 22 m | 221(g) |
| Overall length, truck-tractor and semi-trailer | 18.5 m | 221(d) |
| Overall length, single vehicle | 12.5 m | 221(f) |
| Overall height, vehicle with its load | 4.3 m | 224(b) |
| Overall width, goods vehicle with a GVM of 12,000 kg or more | 2.6 m | 223(b) |
| Overall width, other vehicles | 2.5 m | 223(c) |
| Load projection past the rear | 1.8 m | 227(1)(a)(iii) |
| Load projection either side of the centre-line, goods vehicle of 12,000 kg GVM or more | 1.3 m | 227(1)(a)(i) |
| Load projection past the front | 0.3 m | 227(1)(a)(ii) |
When is a load abnormal by its mass?
In South Africa, a load is abnormal by mass when an axle or axle unit exceeds regulation 240 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000. The limits run from 24,000 kg on a unit of three or more axles down to 7,700 kg on a single steering axle.[4][3]
| Axle or axle unit, on pneumatic tyres | Legal limit | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Three or more axles, non-steering or with four wheels per axle | 24,000 kg | 240(f)(ii) and (g) |
| Three or more axles, steering unit | 23,100 kg | 240(f)(i) |
| Two axles with four wheels each | 18,000 kg | 240(e)(iii) |
| Two non-steering axles with two or three wheels each | 16,000 kg | 240(d)(ii) |
| Two steering axles with two or three wheels each | 15,400 kg | 240(d)(i) |
| Single axle with four wheels | 9,000 kg | 240(c)(v) |
| Single non-steering axle with two or three wheels | 8,000 kg | 240(b)(ii) |
| Single steering axle with two or three wheels | 7,700 kg | 240(b)(i) |
Who issues abnormal load permits?
The provincial permit offices. Section 81 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 was amended in 2008. It now lets the provincial MEC authorise conveying a load otherwise than in accordance with the Act. The MEC sets the conditions and the fees. The amending Act came into force on 20 November 2010.[4][5][1][2]
Each province issues its own permit, so a route through three provinces needs the approval of each. The Administrative Guidelines say period permit fees are levied per province and multiplied by the number of provinces involved.[5]
In the Western Cape, applications go through the province's online abnormal load system, made in person or through a consultant. The system compiles the permit fee, and the permit's conditions may include traffic assistance. The City of Cape Town or SANRAL may also review the application.[6]
The fee schedule is revised yearly by the Abnormal Loads Technical Committee and confirmed by each province. The new fees take effect on 1 April, the start of the financial year.[5]
When does an abnormal load need an escort?
TRH 11 sets escorts by the load's width and length class and by the road. The widest class, over 4.75 m, needs two traffic officer escort vehicles on every route category. Class D1, up to 2.75 m wide, needs none on any road.[4]
| Dimension class | Width up to | Length up to | Escort on a road of 18 m paved width or more | Escort on a road under 10 m paved width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D6 | over 4.75 m | over 54 m | Two traffic officer vehicles | Two traffic officer vehicles |
| D5 | 4.75 m | 54 m | One own escort vehicle | Two traffic officer vehicles |
| D4 | 3.75 m | 40 m | None | Two traffic officer vehicles |
| D3 | 3.25 m | 34 m | None | Two own escort vehicles |
| D2 | 3.00 m | 30 m | None | One own escort vehicle |
| D1 | 2.75 m | 27 m | None | None |
Sources:[4]
Who provides the escort vehicles?
An own escort is a car or light vehicle of up to 3,500 kg GVM, provided by the carrier. It carries an amber flashing light and an abnormal vehicle warning board on its roof (TRH 11, section 4.4.2.1).[4]
Traffic officer escorts come from the road traffic authority, normally as two vehicles. A municipality may require an extra escort vehicle in urban areas.[4]
Traffic officer escorts are charged per vehicle by distance, with a minimum fee per escorting duty. A permit office may charge by time instead on routes through urban or industrial areas.[5]
A private escort has no legal authority to control other traffic unless specifically authorised, TRH 11 notes.[4]
What must be arranged for a load over 4.3 m high?
Above 4.3 m, the carrier must establish the clearance under every overhead obstruction before the vehicle passes it. Under a power line, TRH 11 says the clearance must allow a safety margin that depends on the voltage.[4]
Above 4.7 m, a vehicle drives ahead with a non-conducting height gauge set 100 mm above the load's highest point. The carrier must also confirm in writing that it knows the route and has driven it before the trip.[4]
Above 5.5 m, the telecommunications network owner must give permission before the permit application. Above 5.8 m, the electricity utility must, unless either sets a lower limit for an area or route (TRH 11, table 2.4).[4]
Where lines must be lifted, municipal electricity staff travel with the load, the Administrative Guidelines say. A traffic officer escort may be required where the load has to stop in the road for that.[5][4]
Who arranges the route clearance, and what does the shipper do?
The carrier does. The Administrative Guidelines make the carrier show that the route and procedures suit the load, at its own cost if bridges must be proved. The carrier holds full responsibility for the permit and its conditions, even when an agent applies.[5]
A route clearance is a registered professional engineer's report that the route was inspected and is safe for the load. The structural route clearance may be waived where the laden mass is 125,000 kg or less and the carrier specifies the route.[4][5]
Before a permit is granted, the carrier may have to prove insurance against damage to public services, structures or private property. Provinces also publish embargo days, such as school holidays and long weekends, when abnormal loads may not travel.[5]
In practice, the shipper supplies the data the application rests on: exact dimensions, mass and drawings. The permit office may measure and weigh the vehicle and load to check them.[5][4]
What to put in your request for abnormal load transport
- The load's length, width, height and mass, from a drawing or a weighed figure, and whether it can be dismantled.[4]
- The collection and delivery addresses, and any height or width limits at the gates or on site roads.[4]
- Drawings with the load's shape and centre of gravity, which stability calculations for high and wide loads need.[5]
- The required delivery window, checked against the provinces' embargo days.[5]
- Who applies for the permit in each province on the route, and whether the quote includes permit and escort fees.[5][6]
- For a load over 4.3 m high, who arranges clearance checks and permission to lift overhead lines.[4]
- For a laden mass over 125,000 kg, the engineer who will provide the route clearance.[5]
- The carrier's insurance cover for damage to roads, structures and private property.[5]
Questions buyers ask
What is the maximum width without an abnormal load permit?
2.6 m for a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of 12,000 kg or more (National Road Traffic Regulations, regulation 223). Other vehicles may be at most 2.5 m wide. A wider vehicle or load needs an exemption permit.[3]
How much does an abnormal load permit cost?
It depends on the load and the route. The fee schedule has a basic permit fee, a mass fee, a road usage fee and escort fees. Permits that need engineering input carry their own basic fee. In the Western Cape, the electronic permit system compiles the fee, and the licensing helpdesk gives quotes.[5][6]
Can a permit be changed once it is issued?
Up to three amendments are allowed. A fee is charged only for amendments the carrier requests. No amendment is considered if the trailer in the combination is replaced (Administrative Guidelines, section 3.5).[5]
Do mobile cranes need an abnormal load permit?
Regulation 230 of the National Road Traffic Regulations exempts mobile cranes from most dimension limits, up to 3.5 m wide. The 4.3 m height limit still applies. A crane beyond those limits or over the mass limits needs a permit; TRH 11 allows an all-terrain mobile crane up to 22 m long.[3][4]
Sources
- President's Office (Notice 1892 of 1996), National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, 22 November 1996.
- The Presidency (Government Gazette 33742), Proclamation No. 60 of 2010: commencement of the National Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 64 of 2008), 10 November 2010.
- Acts Online (consolidated text), National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000 (GN R. 225 of 2000, as amended): regulations 221 to 241, 17 March 2000, with amendments to 2014.
- Department of Transport, Committee of Transport Officials, TRH 11: Dimensional and Mass Limitations and Other Requirements for Abnormal Load Vehicles, 8th edition, revision 2, March 2010, revision 2 of September 2017.
- Department of Transport, Committee of Transport Officials, Administrative Guidelines for Granting of Exemption Permits for the Conveyance of Abnormal Loads, version 1.0, revision 4, March 2010, revision 4 of May 2021.
- Western Cape Government, Permits for abnormal loads and vehicles, Read 12 November 2026.