Correct as at 24th April 2024. It may be superseded at any time.
Extract taken: from Vehicle Inspection Portal > VIRMs > In-service certification (WoF and CoF) > Forklifts > Vehicle exterior > Dimensions
2-2 Dimensions
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment
1. A forklift exceeds the dimension requirements set out in Table 2-2-1 and is not fitted with the appropriate hazard warning equipment set out in Table 2-2-2.
2. A required revolving amber beacon cannot be activated and deactivated.
Note 1 Definitions
The rear axis
a) in relation to a vehicle with only one non-steering axle, means that axle,
b) in relation to a vehicle with a non-steering axle set of two axles, means:
i. midway between those axles, if each axle has an equal number of tyres on it, or
ii. two-thirds of the distance from the lesser-tyred axle towards the greater-tyred axle, if one axle has twice as many tyres on it as the other axle
c) in relation to a vehicle with a non-steering tri-axle set or a non-steering quad-axle set, or an overdimension vehicle with more than three axles, means midway between the extreme axles of the set
d) in relation to a vehicle whose rear axle set includes one or more steerable axles in conjunction with one or more non-
steering axles, means midway between the extreme non-steering axles of the set.
Front axis means the centre of the foremost axle of a rigid vehicle with motive power.
Wheelbase means the distance from a vehicle’s rear axis to its front axis.
Table 2-2-1. Dimension requirements (see Figure 2-2-4)
Dimension | Maximum distance | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Width | 2.55m 1.275m from each side of the longitudinal centreline | Measurement does not include:
|
Overall length | 12.6m (no tow coupling fitted) 11.5m (tow coupling fitted) | Measurement does not include collapsible mirrors. |
Height | 4.3m | |
Forward distance | 8.5m (tow coupling fitted) 9.5m (no tow coupling fitted) |
|
Rear overhang | Forklift GVM 3500kg or less:
Forklift GVM greater than 3500kg:
|
|
Front overhang | 3m |
|
Table 2-2-2. Hazard warning equipment requirements for vehicles that exceed the dimensions in Table 2-2-1
Vehicle category | Dimension | Limits | Required hazard warning equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
Category 1 | Width/forward distance | 2.55m /11.4m, or 3.1m/10.5m, or 3.7m/8.5m, or | Flags1 or panels2 fitted on each side at the front and rear as close as practical to the outside edge |
| Length | 25m, or | ||
| Front overhang | 7m, or | ||
| Rear overhang | 7m | ||
Category 2 (not including category 1) | Width/forward distance | 2.55m /13.3m, or 4.5m/8.5m, or | 1. Panels2 fitted on each side at the front and rear as close as practical to the outside edge 2. OVERSIZE sign3 fitted at the front and rear if more than 3.1m wide 3. Revolving amber beacon fitted so that it is visible to approaching traffic if the vehicle is more than 3.7m wide |
| Length | 35m, or | ||
| Front overhang | 10m, or | ||
| Rear overhang | 10m | ||
Category 3 (not including category 2) | Width/forward distance | 2.55m /20m 5m/20m 5m/8.5m | 1. Panels2 fitted on each side at the front and rear as close as practical to the outside edge 2. OVERSIZE sign3 fitted at the front and rear 3. Revolving amber beacon fitted so that it is visible to approaching traffic if the vehicle is more than 3.7m wide |
Category 4A (not including category 3) | Width/forward distance | 11m/20m 11m/8.5m | 1. Panels2 fitted on each side at the front and rear as close as practical to the outside edge 2. OVERSIZE sign3 fitted at the front and rear 3. Revolving amber beacon fitted so that it is visible to approaching traffic if the vehicle is more than 3.7m wide |
| Category 4B | Exceeding any limit in Category 4A | 1. Panels2 fitted on each side at the front and rear as close as practical to the outside edge 2. OVERSIZE sign3 fitted at the front and rear 3. Revolving amber beacon fitted so that it is visible to approaching traffic if the vehicle is more than 3.7m wide | |
1 Flags:
- must be fluorescent yellow
- must be at least 400mm long × 300mm wide.
2 Hazard warning panels
- must be reflective yellow-green with a reflective orange diagonal stripe
- comply with AS/NZS 1906.1:2007
- be frangible for those portions which extend beyond the vehicle’s limits (frangible means breakable or readily deformable)
- must be of at least of the minimum dimensions and of the colours specified in Figure 2-2-1.
3 OVERSIZE sign
- must be black lettering on a yellow-green background
- must be at least 300mm × 1100mm in size
- be frangible if any part of the sign extends beyond the body or load of the vehicle, whichever it is attached to (frangible means breakable or readily deformable)
- may be in two parts: OVER and SIZE.
Figure 2-2-1. Hazard panel details
Figure 2-2-2. Hazard panel location and orientation
Figure 2-2-3. Overdimension vehicle categories for width/forward distance thresholds
Use this figure to determine vehicle category in Table 2-2-2.
For the purposes of Figure 2-2-3 vehicles with a width less than 2.55m are deemed to have a width of 2.55m and vehicles with a forward distance of less than 8.5m are deemed to have a forward distance of 8.5m.
Figure 2-2-4. Dimension requirements
(Note: Dimensions in red updated in VDAM 2016)
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. A forklift that exceeds the dimensions in Table 2-2-1 must be fitted with additional equipment set out in Table 2-2-2.
Page amended 1 June 2019 (see amendment details).