Abnormal loads in South Africa

In special circumstances, where vehicle or load exceeds the regulated maximum weights and dimensions, the relevant Provincial Administration may issue a permit authorising it to operate for a specified period on a public road.

Extensive stipulations governing these vehicles are contained in TRH11, a document which has now been split into the following parts:

Dimensional and Mass Limitations

Administrative Guidelines

Except in special circumstances, permits will only be granted for indivisible loads (ie loads which cannot, without disproportionate effort, cost or risk of damage, be divided into two or more loads). Also a permit is not usually granted if a load can be legally transported on another vehicle which complies with the regulations. For example, a permit will not be granted for a ten tonne load on a two-axled truck because this load could be transported legally on a three-axled truck or an articulated vehicle.

Warning signs
A permit exempting a vehicle from compliance with normal load and dimension regulations may call for one or more of the following warnings to be displayed, depending on the degree of abnormality.