# Heavy transport

*Last updated: 2026-06-24*

> Heavy haulage requires an individual special permit as soon as a vehicle or load combination exceeds the standard legal thresholds for gross weight, axle load, or dimensions on public roads.

Heavy haulage requires an individual special permit as soon as a vehicle or load combination exceeds the standard legal thresholds for gross weight, axle load, or dimensions on public roads. In EU road transport, the general benchmarks are 40 tonnes gross vehicle weight and 10 tonnes per axle, though member states apply varying rules depending on route and road category. Operators use purpose-built equipment – lowbed trailers, multi-axle combinations, or self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) – and typically arrange escort vehicles and dedicated traffic management. Typical cargo includes wind turbine components, power transformers, large industrial machinery, and bridge sections. Heavy haulage is legally distinct from standard HGV transport: each movement requires prior individual authorisation, not just a general road transport licence.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwertransport](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwertransport)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Heavy transport |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 120 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-24 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwertransport |

## Related Pages

* [Hao Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/hao-airport-hoi)
* [RAAF Base Richmond](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/raaf-base-richmond-airport-xrh)

---

*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/heavy-transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/heavy-transport)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/heavy-transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/heavy-transport)*

*JSON summary: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/heavy-transport/llm-summary?lang=en](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/heavy-transport/llm-summary?lang=en)*