Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Land Transport Act 1998

Offences relating to chain of responsibility

79U: Offence to cause or require driver to breach maximum gross weight limits

You could also call this:

“It's against the law to make a driver use a vehicle that's too heavy”

You commit an offence if you cause or require a driver to operate a vehicle or group of vehicles that weighs more than the allowed limit. This applies even if you’re not the only reason it happens. You can be fined up to $25,000 if you’re found guilty. This rule applies if you knew, or should have known, that the vehicle would likely be too heavy. The offence can happen through something you do or something you fail to do.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM434882.

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"You can get in trouble for making a driver break road rules"

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79V: Search warrants in relation to offences against section 79T or 79U, or

"Police can get special permission to search for evidence of breaking certain rules"

Part 6C Offences relating to chain of responsibility

79UOffence to cause or require driver to breach maximum gross weight limits

  1. Every person commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $25,000, who, by act or omission, directly or indirectly causes or requires (whether or not the sole cause) a driver to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles in breach of the applicable maximum gross weight limits for that vehicle or combination of vehicles if that person knew, or should have known, that the breach would, or would be likely to, occur.

Notes
  • Section 79U: inserted, on , by section 41 of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).