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Agricultural vehicles guide

A guide for the safe and legal use of tractors, agricultural trailers and agricultural machines on New Zealand’s roads

Print version: Agricultural vehicles guide (PDF, 731 KB, 58 pages)

Introduction

  1. Before you start your journey checklist
  2. Is your tractor, trailer or agricultural machine road legal?
  3. For more information
  4. Useful links

Before you start your journey checklist

Print version: Before you start your journey checklist (PDF, 38 KB)

Tick the boxes to check that you have prepared properly for the journey.

Check that the vehicle:

ϒ   has been correctly registered and licensed
ϒ   has had any necessary inspections and is roadworthy
ϒ   if it has protruding parts, set up to minimise risk to others
ϒ   if it is not a standard size, has overdimension (OD) signage, permits or pilots as required
ϒ   is visible especially if you will be travelling on the road at night or when the visibility is poor.

So that you can best understand the vehicle’s dynamics and handling:

ϒ   make sure you thoroughly understand any special operating features or instructions that the manufacturer may stipulate.

If you are towing:

ϒ   make sure the combination can stop safely, within the required distance from a given speed
ϒ   check the hitch pin is large enough, not worn, and is secured in position
ϒ   check that a safety chain fitted between the vehicles is of adequate strength.

Check the route:

ϒ   find out about any local road restrictions such as narrow bridges, sections of motorway, weight or height restrictions
ϒ   remember, if you’ll take up more than half the road width you should have a pilot vehicle ahead of you.

Make sure you are a competent and safe driver who will:

ϒ   have the correct driver licence
ϒ   be alert and physically capable of driving the vehicle
ϒ   be courteous and considerate to other road users
ϒ   wear a safety belt if there is one.


Is your tractor, trailer or agricultural machine road legal?

This guide is produced by Land Transport New Zealand1 in collaboration with the Agricultural Transport Forum (ATF) that comprises your industry representatives: Rural Contractors New Zealand, Horticulture New Zealand, Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA), Federated Farmers New Zealand and New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) as well as the New Zealand Police.

The aim is to ensure that you and your vehicles comply with New Zealand transport law when driving your tractor, trailer or other agricultural machine on the road.

The guide is based on legal requirements. For more complete information, refer to the legal references provided. It states what must be done and what may be done. It also gives best practice information from the experience of members of the ATF.

1 On 1 August 2008, the New Zealand Transport Agency is to be established, bringing together the functions of Land Transport NZ and Transit.


For more information


Useful links

For feedback on this guide, contact:

Land Transport New Zealand
Private Bag 6995
Wellington
Email info@nzta.govt.nz

 

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Last updated: 30 July 2008