Question NW2127 to the Minister of Transport
01 November 2016 - NW2127
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether (a) she and/or (b) any provincial Member of the Executive Council has issued any authorisations in terms of section 81(1) of the National Road Traffic Act, Act 93 of 1996, since the commencement of the Act; if not, how is authorisation given for vehicles that do not comply with the Act to travel on roads legally; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) Since the commencement of the National Road Traffic Act, Act 93 of 1996; the powers to authorise abnormal vehicles were within the Provincial Member of the Executive Council. In 2010 the National Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2008 (Act No.64 of 2008) was proclaimed. This Amendment Act transferred the functions to issue authorisations for abnormal vehicles to be operated on the public roads from the Provincial Member of the Executive Council to the Minister of Transport.
In terms of Section 81(1), every vehicle that is not compliant with the provisions of the National Road Traffic Act in terms of vehicular dimensions and axle masses must be issued with a principle approval by the Minister of Transport before it is manufactured, purchased or imported. Approvals are granted on a letter from the Department of Transport detailing the vehicle identification number, dimensions and masses of the vehicle concerned.