The Ohakea commercial vehicle safety centre (CVSC) is now operational, as of Wednesday 7 May 2025.

Heavy vehicles will be screened by static cameras and in-road weigh-in-motion (WIM) scales on State Highway 1/3 between Bulls and Sanson. The Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) will be onsite and enforcing as required.

The centre is located on Pukenui Road outside the RNZAF Base Ohakea, in Manawatū, between Bulls and Sanson.

The Ohakea CVSC replaces the New Zealand Police weigh station on SH1 and SH3 near Bulls.

Drivers can use the new roundabout to enter Pukenui Road from either direction, then make a right turn to enter the CVSC.

About 2km before the centre on SH1/3, in both directions, there are in-road weigh-in-motion scales and number plate recognition cameras. These screen heavy vehicles for compliance and risk.

If a truck is flagged, the Variable Message Signage (VMS) further down the road will display the licence plate, signalling the driver to pull into the centre.

The VMS may also say All Heavy Vehicle Stop. If this message is displayed all heavy vehicles are required to pull into the centre.

While on site, CVST might also carry out more compliance checks, such as checking for RUC, Certificate of Fitness, logbooks and worktime, drug and alcohol impairment, or completing a vehicle inspection.

If a driver is signalled to pull into the centre, they must do so. If they don’t pull into the centre, they could get a $1000 fine.