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Vehicle exterior

2-2 Dimensions

Reasons for rejection
Tables and images
Summary of legislation

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory requirement

1. A rigid vehicle (Note 1) with a GVM of 3501kg or more exceeds the dimension requirements set out in Table 2-2-3 and is not a vehicle operating on a valid permit, exemption or approval.

2. A bicycle rack on a public transport vehicle of class MD3, MD4 or ME is:

a) not centrally mounted from the longitudinal centre of the vehicle, or

b) more than 1200mm from the forwardmost point of the vehicle, or

c) wider than 2100mm (see Figure 2-2-2).

Note 1

Rigid vehicle means a vehicle that does not have any pivot points to allow any part of the chassis of the vehicle to move or rotate in relation to any other part of the chassis of the vehicle, and includes an articulated bus and a pivot steer vehicle.

Note 2

Road controlling authority means the authority, body or person having control of the road (eg Waka Kotahi, regional council or an authorized delegate).

Note 3

A bicycle rack fitted to the front of a vehicle of class MD3, MD4 or ME is not included in determining the overall length or forward distance of the vehicle provided the vehicle complies with the applicable low speed turning performance measures in section 3.5(2) of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016, or is exempted under Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (Bicycle Racks on Urban Buses) Class Exemption Notice 2022

Table 2-2-3. Dimension requirements for heavy rigid vehicles

Dimension	Maximum distance	Comments
Width	2.55m , or 1.275m from each side of the longitudinal centreline of the vehicle	Measurement does not include: collapsible mirrors which extend no more than 240mm from the side and 1.49m when measured from the vehicle’s longitudinal centre line direction indicator and side-marker lamps cab exterior grab rails that extend no more than 1.325m when measured from a vehicle’s longitudinal centre-line the bulge towards the bottom of a tyre central tyre inflation system hoses that extend not more than 75mm beyond the outside of the tyre on the drive axles a hubodometer that extends not more than 50mm beyond one side of a vehicle from a non-lifting, non-steering axle whose outer casings are of a light colour, provided the hubodometer is fitted on the axle that causes the least overwidth trolley bus poles and their safety cables cameras or close-proximity monitoring systems mounted on the side exterior of a vehicle that extends not more than 70mm from the side wall of the vehicle devices for improving the aerodynamic performance of a vehicle that extend not more than 25mm from either side of a vehicle.
Overall length	11.5m (tow coupling fitted) 12.6m (no tow coupling fitted) 13.5m (rigid bus with three axles where the rearmost axle is a single-tyred steering axle that is: a) either positively and continuously linked to the front steer (except may be locked for reverse and high-speed operation); or b) automatically locked at a speed of 30 km/h in the straight-ahead position and for reverse operations) 18m (articulated bus)	Measurement does not include: collapsible mirrors up to 50mm of any ferry securing point that extends beyond the body of the trailer.
Height	4.3m
Forward distance	8.5m (tow coupling fitted) 9.5m (no tow coupling fitted) 8.5m (for both front and rear sections of an articulated bus)	Forward distance is measured from: the rear axis to the front of a rigid vehicle or front section of an articulated bus the rear axis of the rear section of an articulated bus to the centre of the point of attachment to the front section of the articulated bus. Measurement does not include collapsible mirrors. A vehicle with a retractable axle must meet the dimension requirements whether the axle is in contact with the road or in the retracted position.
Rear overhang	The lesser of 4m or 70% of wheelbase where rearmost axle is a non-steering axle The lesser of 4.25m or 70% of wheelbase where rearmost axle is a steering axle The lesser of 4.5m or 72% of wheelbase of a rigid bus with overall length exceeding 12.6m The lesser of 4m or 50% of forward distance (articulated bus) 4m (for a vehicle first registered anywhere before 1 December 1989)	Rear overhang is measured from the rear axis to the rear of the vehicle. A vehicle with a retractable axle must meet the dimension requirements whether the axle is in contact with the road or in the retracted position.
Ground clearance	The greater of 100mm or 6% of the distance from the nearest axle to the point where the ground clearance is measured	Measurement does not include flexible mudflaps, wheels, tyres or devices designed to discharge static electricity.
Front overhang	3m	Front overhang is measured from the front edge of the driver’s seat in the rearmost position to the front of the vehicle.
Articulated vehicle point of attachment	No further rearward than centre of rear axle (where rear axle set consists of only one axle) No further than 300mm rearward of rear axis (where rear axle set consists of more than one axle)	Does not apply to articulated buses.
Tow coupling position (articulated bus only)	45% of wheelbase of the leading unit	The tow coupling position is the distance rearward from the vehicle’s rear axis to the centre of the tow coupling.
Turning circle	25m outside diameter 10.6m inside diameter (articulated bus only)	The vehicle must complete a 360-degree turn in either direction. No part of the vehicle (other than collapsible mirrors) must extend beyond the outside diameter or into the inside diameter.

Figure 2-2-1. Dimensions for articulated bus

(Note: Dimensions in red updated in VDAM 2016)

Articulated bus

Figure 2-2-2. Bicycle rack bus dimensions

Bike rack envelope

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016.

Mandatory requirement

1. A rigid vehicle, or an articulated bus, with a GVM of 3501kg or more that exceeds the dimensions in Table 2-2-3 must be operating on a valid permit, exemption or approval.

Page amended 7 October 2022 (see amendment details).