15 December 2003
PR259/03
Wide Vehicle Ban Reminder
Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) reminds farmers to seek certification if operating wide vehicles on roads over
the Christmas and New Year period.
The Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) bans the movement of over-dimension vehicles -- generally those over 3.7
metres wide -- between December 23 and January 3.
The ban applies to a wide range of agricultural equipment, including combine harvesters, pea harvesters, potato
planters, balers, drills, and spray rigs.
The good news is that members of Federated Farmers and VegFed may apply to have their vehicles certified so that none of
the Christmas, other statutory holiday, and weekend travel restrictions apply. This service is available free to members
of both organisations.
After significant work testing a wide range of agricultural vehicles, Federated Farmers expects to be able to certify
the majority of agricultural vehicles by a desk-top process.
Not all vehicles may be certified, but the number that cannot is expected to be small. Federated Farmers will carry out
the certification on behalf of VegFed members.
Farmers, growers and agricultural contractors with wide tractors, agricultural machinery, and/or wide trailed
agricultural equipment over 3.7 metres wide wanting to use public roads over the Christmas/New Year break should contact
Federated Farmers or VegFed immediately. Certification takes a few days.
TO ARRANGE THE CERTIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLES
Federated Farmers Members Contact: 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
VegFed Members Contact: 0800 283 433
ENDS