Easter is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and in 2025, restrictions on heavy vehicles will again be enforced across multiple states and territories to reduce congestion and improve road safety. Here's what heavy vehicle operators need to know before hitting the road this April.
Dylan Anderson
Queensland: Restrictions in Place
From 12:01am Thursday 17 April to 11:59pm Tuesday 22 April 2025, oversize vehicles and combinations are restricted from operating on Queensland roads unless exempted.
Exemptions include:
- Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) under Schedule 1
- Class 1 Special Purpose Combinations under Schedule 2
- Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles under Schedule 3
- Conditionally registered oversize vehicles under Schedule 5
Additional exemptions are granted for:
- Vehicles supporting LNG or mining in the Cooper Basin
- Agricultural vehicles used in cotton harvesting (daylight only)
- Vehicles operating on specified Port of Brisbane roads
- Load-carrying vehicles transporting between ports and bond stores
Agricultural Vehicles:
Extra pilot vehicle support is required during the Easter holiday period, and all travel must comply with the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle Guide and local network conditions.
Dylan Anderson
New South Wales: Curfews and Zonal Restrictions
NSW has significant restrictions in place for both load-carrying and agricultural vehicles.
Load-Carrying Vehicles:
Restrictions apply statewide and are outlined in the Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Guide and Additional Access Conditions documents.
Agricultural Vehicles:
No travel is permitted in Zones 1, 3, and 5 for vehicles wider than 2.5m or longer than 22m from 8:30am on the first day of the public holiday to 11:59pm on the final day.
Western Australia: Easter Curfews
Operators of Oversize Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) must adhere to permit-based curfew conditions over the Easter holiday. No travel is permitted during the restricted times unless specified in operating permits.
South Australia: Escorts Required
Oversize loads requiring a police escort are restricted from travel during the Easter period. Operators should refer to the SA Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide for details.
Tasmania: No Escort Services
From Friday 18 April to Tuesday 22 April and again on Anzac Day (25 April), Tasmania’s Transport Safety & Investigation Officers will not be available to escort permitted movements. Any escorted movement not classified as an emergency is prohibited.
Dylan Anderson
Victoria: Limited Restrictions
Victoria does not have general Easter restrictions. However, access permits and special notices may prohibit travel on specific highways (e.g., Melba and Warburton) during holiday periods.
ACT and Northern Territory: No Easter Restrictions
Both the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory currently have no Easter-specific travel restrictions for heavy vehicles.
Plan Ahead
Operators are urged to review their access permits and check relevant notices or road manager guidelines for updates. Additional local conditions may apply, and early trip planning is essential.
Visit the NHVR and relevant state authority websites for the most up-to-date information.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
