A permit is needed to transport abnormal loads and vehicles. The requirements for a permit depend on the size and nature of the load or vehicle.The conditions applying to a permit are stipulated on the permit itself and may include traffic assistance.
The National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996) and the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000, prescribe certain limitations on vehicle dimensions and axle and vehicle masses with which a vehicle using a public road must comply. However, certain vehicles and loads cannot be moved on public roads without exceeding the limitations in terms of the dimensions and/or mass as prescribed in the NRTR. Where such a vehicle or load cannot be dismantled without disproportionate effort, expense or risk of damage into units that can travel or be transported legally, it is classified as an abnormal load. Provision for such abnormal vehicles and loads is made in Section 811 of the NRTA.
A vehicle or a vehicle with its load that is considered to be indivisible, can be abnormal either in terms of dimension or mass or both.
A vehicle/combination is dimensionally abnormal when any of the following dimensions exceeds the legal limitations
When the allowable mass of the vehicle/combination or one or more axle groups exceeds the legal limitations, a mass abnormality exists.
