Bridge engineering self supervision (BESS)

What is bridge engineering self supervision (BESS)

The NZ Transport Agency allows increased loads across bridges under specified conditions that reduce the load effects on the bridge.  In summary these conditions include:

• Reductions in speed that reduce the dynamic load effects on a bridge.
• Removal of other live loads on the bridge at the same time by restricting other traffic.
• Locating the overload in the optimum lateral position to maximise the distribution of the load across all bridge members.

Vehicles with overweight permits that include conditions for crossing a bridge are only issued to companies that are BESS registered and the bridge conditions must be supervised by a suitably qualified person with the relevant BESS training.  This is usually, but not necessarily, the driver of the vehicle.

BESS qualifications last for a period of 5 years after which they need to be renewed.  The renewal process involves a renewal application and a refresher course.

Applying for BESS registration

Drivers and companies wanting to become BESS-registered must complete the appropriate required Transport Agency application form. A company must be BESS-registered if it wishes to employ BESS-registered drivers.

Download the BESS driver application form (updated 1 December 2016)

Download the BESS company application form

The application form then needs to be sent to the BESS Administrator, preferably by email at the following address

Pam Cootes
Email:  BESSadmin@nzta.govt.nz 
Phone (DDI): +64 7 834 8530
Address: PO Box 9041 | Level 5,5 18 London Street | Hamilton 3240 | New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 838 0144
Fax: +64 7 839 0431

The BESS Administrator is responsible for the processing of all aspects of BESS registration and licensing.  On receiving the application, the BESS Administrator carry out background checks on traffic and driving histories and advise the relevant company of the check outcome before progressing to the assessment phase.

Assessment requirements

Drivers are required to be assessed for unit standard 23436.

Contact details for the Transport Agency-approved assessors are listed below:

Assessors’ portal to e-BESS

I’m a manager/director of a heavy transport company. Is there any way I can monitor my employees?

BESS-registered drivers can be monitored through TORO (Transport Organisation Register Online).

Find out more about TORO

Renewing your bridge engineering self-supervision (BESS) registration

If you are are drivers whose full BESS registrations will expire soon, you can contact a NZ Transport Agency-approved BESS assessor to book a renewal course. Companies can also do this on their employees’ behalf. You can find the list of approved assessors above.

What to take to the renewal course

When you come to do the renewal course you will need to bring:

• your driver licence, and
• your BESS ID card.

If you don’t bring these you cannot sit the renewal course.

You must also be a holder of full (not provisional) BESS registration. The renewal application form can be completed at the time of the assessment.

When should I book into a renewal course?

We recommend that you book at least eight weeks before your card expires.

What happens after I do the renewal course?

Straight after you’ve done the course, the assessor will give you temporary renewal of BESS certification. Please ensure that you carry this certification with you at all times when driving on an overweight permit that requires BESS, until you receive your new BESS ID card.

Check your card’s expiry date

You must sit the renewal course before your card expires, as once it has expired, you no longer have BESS registration. You will then have to have a provisional driver trial period of six months.

If you have any questions, please call the BESS Administrator .