New York

New York Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of New York? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on New York highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when New York requires pilot cars. The following data is for informational purposes only. We are not a permit service, do not arrange permits for carriers, and do not answer permit and escort requirement questions.

Oversize Load Limits

Maximum load sizes before a permit is required:

• Length: 65′
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13’6″
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross

Permits

New York state oversize permits are valid for seven days. Must have permit prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the New York State Department of Transportation.

Legal Operating Times

• One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, Monday through Friday. Saturday travel allowed until 12:00 p.m. if load is legal height and does not exceed 85′ long, 12′ wide, and “maintain traffic flow speed.”
• Continuous 24/7 travel for overweight only loads less than 96,000 lbs.
• Travel not allowed through business districts from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. from 6:00 p.m. for loads exceeding 90′ long, 14′ wide, or 14′ high on state highways from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for loads exceeding 100′ long, 16′ wide, or 15′ high.
• Separate permit required for New York City travel and numerous restrictions apply. Loads over 10′ wide, except on Interstate and truck routes, must move at night, from 10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (Monday through Thursday) and from 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. (Friday night to Saturday morning and Sunday night-Monday morning). On Interstate highways and the George Washington Bridge , loads over 10′ and less than 12′ wide may travel from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Loads over 80,000 lbs gross weight may only move at night move, and a special permit with a route survey is required. Special permission may also be required on bridges entering New York City.
• Separate permit required for the New York Thruway, which includes I-87 (NYC to Albany), I-95 (NYC to Connecticut), I-287 (connecting I-87 to I-95), I-90, and I-190 (connecting Buffalo to Niagara Falls). Loads exceeding 13’6″ in height are not allowed.
• No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day) and on Friday afternoons before some holiday weekends.

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:

• Length: Between 80′ and 99′-11″ requires one. Between 100′ and 159’11” requires two (three on two-lane highways). Over 160′ requires three.
• Width: Between 12′ and 16′ requires one. Over 16′ requires at least two, possibly three.
• Height: Over 14′ requires one with height pole and a route survey. Over 15′ may also require a bucket truck. Over 16′ requires a police escort.
• Weight: Over 200,000, or if load cannot maintain normal highway speeds, requires a police escort.
• Overhang: Undefined.

Note: New York City may have separate requirements.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot cars and escort vehicles shall be in safe operating condition and have a minimum wheelbase of at least 100 inches unless otherwise authorized by the New York State DOT. Warning signs at least 5′ long and 12″ high with letters at least 8″ tall must be mounted on the front and rear or on the roof of the escort vehicle. A warning light bar between 43″ and 52″ long, 10″ and 13″ wide, and 4″ and 8″ high, consisting of at least four flashing or strobe lights, must be mounted on the roof, perpendicular to the length of the vehicle, and have 360-degree visibility from at least 1,000 feet. All exterior vehicle lights must be turned on during escort operations. A proper insignia (magnetized, peel-and-stick sign, painted), as mandated by the NYSDOT, must be placed on the driver’s side door and on the front passenger’s side door. All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with a two-way radio that meets Federal Communication Commission standards is required in each escort vehicle, a cellular telephone in either the escort vehicle or the permitted load vehicle, three emergency triangles, three emergency flares, a fluorescent orange vest with certified escort insignia on left chest, a STOP paddle, two 18″ by 18″ red or fluorescent orange flags on staffs, and a class 5BC (or larger) rated fire extinguisher.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD signs are required on the front and rear on all oversize loads. Red or orange fluorescent flags (18″ square), mounted on staffs, are required at all corners at any extremities of over-width or over-length loads. For night travel, amber warning lights should be used in the front or side in place of flags and red warning lights in the rear. Overhangs exceeding 4′ require flags on a staff (or lights during night) at the end of the load. All headlights and external lights must be turned on for wide, high, or over length loads. For loads over 8’6″ wide or 13’6″ high, power unit must display a at least one amber light (6″ to 9″ in size) on top of the vehicle and have 360-degree visibility. In New York City, loads over 10′ wide must display two flashing yellow lights at each end of the load, and loads over 14′ wide require two steady yellow lights mounted at the rear of the load.

The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.