Do I need a permit to transport oversized or heavy loads on New Zealand roads?
- 09.08.2026
I drive heavy trucks for a living and my employer sometimes pressures me to keep driving beyond what feels safe, especially on long routes. Are there legal limits on how long I can drive or work without rest?
Yes, work time and rest requirements for commercial drivers are set out in the Land Transport Rule: Work Time and Logbooks, made under the Land Transport Act 1998, and they set maximum daily and weekly work time limits and required minimum rest breaks for drivers of heavy vehicles and certain passenger service vehicles. Drivers are generally required to keep a logbook or use an approved electronic system recording their work and rest time, and both the driver and the operator can be held responsible for breaches, including through infringement notices and prosecution for serious or repeated non-compliance. If your employer is pressuring you to breach these rules, this raises both transport safety issues and employment law concerns, including health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Keep your own accurate records, raise concerns in writing with your employer, and consider contacting Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency or a union if pressure continues.
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