New Zealand’s road tunnels each have their own rules for dangerous goods vehicles, ranging from a complete ban to an escorted run at a set time. These are the questions drivers and managers ask most often. Our dangerous goods pre-trip check includes a route check for tunnels and restricted roads.
Frequently asked questions
No. The duty to comply with tunnel prohibition and restriction signs applies only to drivers or operators of dangerous goods vehicles that must display placards under section 7 of the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005. Small quantities carried under Schedule 1 without placards are generally fine. Once you’re placarded, the rules apply.
No. All dangerous goods vehicles that require a placard are banned from the Waterview Tunnel and must take the signposted detour, marked with a red 16 or 20 shield or an orange triangle. Even emergency service vehicles showing a dangerous goods placard are excluded, including under lights and siren, unless the incident is inside the tunnel itself.
The Victoria Park and Johnstones Hill tunnels are less restrictive. Dangerous goods can generally travel through both with the same placarding as on the open road. However, carrying a placarded load into a tunnel signed with a placard load prohibited sign is an offence, so watch for the signs.
No. NZTA prohibits the transit of dangerous goods through all Wellington tunnels. Plan your route around them before you leave the depot, not when you see the sign.
Both the Lyttelton and Homer tunnels control hazardous goods through permits, and only at certain times. Lyttelton has its own bylaw, and how it treats your load depends on the class:
Class 1 explosives are banned, except for the articles listed in Table 2.1 of the Rule.
Some restricted goods need special authorisation from the Tunnel Manager for every trip.
Other classes, including 6.2 and 9, need permission from a Tunnel Control Officer, and you must contact one before you approach the tunnel.
The Tunnel Control Officer can require an escort through the tunnel, set any other conditions they consider necessary, or decline permission.
Yes. Lithium batteries are Class 9, so a placarded load of them needs permission from a Tunnel Control Officer, the same as any other Class 9 goods.
You face higher penalties than for many other dangerous goods offences. A 2016 amendment to the Rule raised the penalties for breaching dangerous goods prohibitions and restrictions on high-risk routes, mainly because of the risk an incident in Waterview would pose.
Both, but it starts with the manager. Tunnel restrictions belong in route planning and job allocation rather than being left to the driver on the day. A placarded load booked onto a Christchurch to Lyttelton port run, or a delivery across the western side of Auckland, needs its route agreed before it’s dispatched.
Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above
