New York oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in New York.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (102 in) on qualifying and access highways · 96 in elsewhere |
|---|---|
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Length | 53′ semitrailer on designated highways · 48′ elsewhere |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
At a glance
| Escorts | 5 escort rules, starting at 12′ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 4 review triggers (height, length, weight, width) |
| Travel | 5 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 1 published fee line |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 5 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Police escort triggers
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 5 restrictions: curfews, night travel, weekends and holidays
- Which ones apply to a given load size
Superloads
- Exact thresholds and what the state requires past them
- Lead times, route surveys and police escort conditions
Permit fees
- 1 published fee lines with links to the fee schedule
- Validity periods and add-on charges
Common questions
When does a load need an escort in New York?
Over 12′ wide, 80′ or longer, 14′ or higher, or with an overhang of 10′ or more. Escorts must be New York certified.
Can oversize loads move on weekends in New York?
Not normally. Loads within 12′ wide and 85′ long that keep up with traffic may move until noon on Saturday; everything else is weekdays only.
What is a superload in New York?
Over 16′ wide, 16′ high or 160′ long, or 200,000 lb and over, handled under NYSDOT's separate superload process.
Sources
- 17 NYCRR 154-1.2 (permit scope, travel days and hours)
- 17 NYCRR 154-1.12 (escort requirements)
- 17 NYCRR 154-1.11 (units over 14′ wide)
- NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 385 (size and weight)
- NYS DMV, overweight and oversized vehicles (escort thresholds)
- U.S. GAO state permitting practices, New York (superload thresholds)
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the NYSDOT Central Permit Bureau before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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