Heavy vehicle access and routes

Getting third-party support to travel

Operators of oversize or overmass vehicles require support from certain asset owners in order to travel. 


Road access for oversize and overmass vehicles requires support from third-party asset owners, and a permit from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

The third parties own or operate assets that heavy vehicles travel on, over or under. They include:

  • toll-road operators
  • rail-asset managers
  • telecommunications providers
  • utility companies.

This page lists key third-party assets, and the process that applies to get third-party support. Information on this page is a guide only. Check details with the third party.

You are responsible for contacting the relevant third party to find out if you need their support.  

Track Force Protection (applicable to V/Line and ARTC)

Where Track Force Protection is required, hand signallers will:

  • provide an advance warning to a train crew of a potentially unsafe situation ahead
  • stop the train before the level crossing if it is blocked by an over dimensional vehicle.

The outer hand signallers provided for the advance warning can be located anywhere between 1.2 and 4 kilometres from the level crossing, depending on the track speed and the length of trains operating on the track.

On a standard bi-directional single line of railway, two hand signallers are provided in each direction, or four hand signallers per worksite. All hand signallers on site take their direction and instruction from a track force protection co-ordinator, who must also be positioned on site.