Transporting heavy machinery by road: vehicles, load securing and abnormal loads

Updated 6 November 2026 · By the Heavy Equipment Movers team

Short answer: Most machinery travels on a flatbed, HIAB lorry or low-loader and must be secured with chains or rated straps so it cannot shift, following DVSA load securing guidance. A load becomes abnormal when the vehicle and load exceed standard limits, broadly over 44 tonnes gross, about 2.9 metres wide or 18.65 metres long. Abnormal loads need advance notice to police, highway and bridge authorities, usually at least 2 clear working days.

Transporting heavy machinery by road: vehicles, load securing and abnormal loads

Choosing the vehicle

Vehicle	Typical use
Tail-lift van or small lorry	Light machines and equipment on pallets
Flatbed or curtainsider	Machines loaded by forklift at both ends
HIAB lorry	Machines that need lifting on and off at sites without forklifts
Beavertail or plant trailer	Wheeled or tracked plant that can be driven or winched on
Low-loader	Tall or heavy machines, keeping overall height down for bridges

Height matters as much as weight. A tall machine on a standard flatbed can exceed bridge heights, which is why low-loaders are used for many large machine tools and presses. The driver must know the vehicle's overall travelling height.

The vehicle also needs to suit both sites. A large articulated low-loader may not fit into a small industrial estate or a narrow lane, while a rigid HIAB lorry may be easier to manoeuvre but limited in payload. Check turning space, weight limits on access roads and any height barriers at the entrance to each site.

Securing the load

Drivers and operators are responsible for making sure loads are secure, and DVSA can stop and prohibit vehicles with insecure loads. Industry guidance says a load restraint system should be able to withstand forces equal to at least 80 per cent of the load's weight forwards and 50 per cent sideways and backwards.

Use chains or rated webbing straps with known lashing capacities
Attach restraints to the machine's designated lashing points or strong structural parts
Use anti-slip matting and blocking to stop the machine sliding
Protect slideways, panels and sharp edges from strap damage
Re-check tension after the first few miles and at each stop
Secure loose parts and tooling separately so nothing can move inside the load

Straps and chains should be in good condition and marked with their lashing capacity. Cut, frayed or knotted straps, stretched chains and damaged tensioners should not be used. Where a machine has no obvious lashing points, the mover should agree with you how it will be restrained without damaging covers, guards or precision surfaces.

When a load is abnormal

The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003, known as STGO, allows abnormal indivisible loads to travel provided notice is given and conditions are met. An indivisible load is one that cannot be split without undue expense or risk of damage, which covers many large machines.

Gross weight	Typical notice needed
Over 44 up to 80 tonnes	2 clear working days to police and highway authorities, with indemnity to bridge and highway authorities
Over 80 up to 150 tonnes	5 clear working days to highway and bridge authorities, plus police notice
Over 150 tonnes	Special order from the Department for Transport, with longer lead times

Width and length also trigger notification, broadly for loads over about 3 metres wide and for long rigid or articulated combinations. Very wide loads, broadly over 5 metres, need a VR1 authorisation from National Highways in England, and an attendant may be needed for wider loads. Notifications are commonly made through the ESDAL system. Thresholds and notice periods should be checked for each move.

Abnormal load movements can also be restricted to certain times of day, for example to avoid peak traffic, and the police may require changes to the route or timing. Build this into your programme, particularly where the receiving site has limited opening hours or the unloading crew is booked for a specific time.

Practical tips for business owners

Give your mover accurate weights and dimensions, including any parts that stick out
Ask whether removing parts such as a gantry or control cabinet would avoid abnormal load status
Allow extra time in the schedule where notifications or escorts are needed
Check for low bridges, weight-restricted roads and tight turns near both sites
Make sure the receiving site can unload safely as soon as the vehicle arrives

If your machine is close to the abnormal load thresholds, a short conversation with the mover about dismantling options can save both time and money, provided the manufacturer approves the work and the parts are reassembled and checked properly at the destination.

Moving machinery abroad

For moves outside Great Britain, customs paperwork, export packing and freight booking come into play. Machines are often crated or wrapped and shipped by container or flat rack, and wooden packaging normally needs to meet ISPM 15. A freight forwarder usually handles customs and shipping, while the mover handles collection, packing and loading.

For moves into Northern Ireland, the EU or further afield, allow time for the commercial paperwork. Machines usually need an accurate description, value, weight and commodity code, and some second-hand machinery, especially items with dual-use controls or older safety features, may face extra checks at the destination. Your freight forwarder can advise on this before the machine is crated.