ROWING TRAILER SAFETY & PERMITS

Rowing trailers carrying rowing boats are classed as an oversize vehicle and as such require a special permit to operate on Western Australian roads.

ROWING BOAT TRAILER GUIDELINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

In 2014 the rules in Western Australia related to oversize vehicles were changed and through significant consultation with Main Roads, an additional transitional 'Restricted Access' permit, was developed to provide rowing trailer owners time to make the necessary modifications for their trailers to meet the 'Rowing Boat Trailer Period Permit'.

This 'Restricted Access' permit will expire on 31 December 2021 (as advised back in 2014).

As of 1 January 2022, the only permit applicable to rowing boat trailers is the 'Rowing Boat Trailer Period Permit', which has the following requirements (apologies for the canoe pictures. Click on the image for a downloadable version). Rowing trailer owners need to ensure that their trailers are compliant to this permit when constructed (or modified as necessary) and that overhang when carrying rowing boats does not exceed this Permit. This permit does not allow the transport of unsectioned eights.

Click here to apply for the Rowing Boat Trailer Period Permit - General Access Application

General information about the permit can be found on the Main Roads website (scroll down to Period Permits).

All drivers towing rowing trailers should be aware of this Permit, so they can ensure that their trailers are loaded within the parameters of this Permit. 

TOWING ROWING BOAT TRAILERS IN OTHER AUSTRALIAN STATES

There are different restrictions on towing oversize trailers in all states of Australia. So if travelling outside of WA you should research these requirements through the various State Rowing Association websites of their Department of Main Roads equivalent authority.