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New York Oversize
Permits & Escorts

NEW YORK OVERSIZE PERMITS & ESCORTS INFORMATION

Important! We are not a permit service.  We do not arrange permits for carriers.  The following is for informational purposes only.  Always read your permits and provisions sheets carefully. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.

New York DOT Phone Number

888-783-1685

PERMITS

New York oversize permits are valid for five travel days. New York City permit is good for one several hour period, either day or night depending on dimensions and routes. New York Thruway usually one to three days.

OPERATING TIME

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, Monday through Friday, and may travel on Saturday until Noon, if not over 12′ wide or 85 long, legal height, and able to “maintain traffic flow speed.” This includes I-84 and other NY Thruways. Overweight only up to 96,000 pounds may travel 24/7. Movement not allowed on major holidays, and Friday afternoons before some holiday weekends. New York City: Night travel may be allowed or it may be required in New York City or on Long Island, depending on dimensions.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL

At 14′ wide, 14′ high, 90′ long, no travel through business districts between 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. At 16′ wide, 15′ high, 100′ long or greater, no state travel between 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.. No travel on major holidays. Travel shut down is usually 12:00 Noon the day before a holiday or holiday weekend. NYC is more restrictive. Other time restrictions may be listed on permits for local areas.

New York City

Separate permit is needed. Travel restrictions are numerous and permits/escorts are expensive. Permits for city are issued for one period either at night or during the day, not both. Over 10′ wide, except on Interstate and truck routes, has to be a night move (10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Friday night-Saturday morning (after midnight) and Sunday night-Monday morning. On Interstate and George Washington Bridge only, over 10′ and less than 12′ wide may travel Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Over 80,000 pounds gross weight has to be a night move, route survey required to get permit. (Note: NYC DOT sometimes requires night travel for smaller loads). Special permission may also be needed on bridges going into NYC.

NY Thruway

Separate permit is needed for the Thruway. Thruway includes I-87 (NYC to Albany), I-95 (NYC to Connecticut), I-287 (connecting I-87 with I-95), I-90, and I-190 (connecting Buffalo with Niagara Falls). Loads over 13’6″ height are not allowed.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length

53′ semi-trailer on Designate Highway system and NY Access Highways

48′ trailer and 65′ overall length on non-qualifying highways, in NYC and on NY Thruway

Trailer exceeding 48′ must have kingpin setting of 43′ or less from kingpin to center of rear axle

NYC

53′ semi-trailers and units longer than 65′ overall only legal on I-95, I-295 and I-495, traveling from the George Washington Bridge to Long Island

Otherwise, 55′ is legal length in NYC

Width

8′-6″ (8′ in NYC and roads with less than 10′ wide travel lanes)

Height

13′-6″

Weight

80,000 Gross

Single – 22,400

Tandem – 36,000

Tridem – 54,000

Note: Axles less than 46″ apart are considered as one axle.

Over length Permit Exemptions

Permits are not required for loads of poles, girders, beams, columns or similar objects if only legal length is exceeded. This may not apply in NYC area.

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length

No set amount: state determines on individual basis.

Overhang

Maximum rear overhang shall not exceed 1/3 the length of load, 2/3 of which must rest on the trailer bed

Front overhang may not exceed 15′

Width

No set amount: state determines on individual basis. NY Thruway – 16′ wide maximum.

Height

14′ and over (over 13′-6″ on Thruway) requires a route survey.

Weight

Gross Weights

5 axles – 120,000

6 axles – 130,000

7 axles – 140,000

Axle Weights

Single – Depends on route and tire size

Tandem – 50,000

Tridem – 60,000

Quad – depends on route/tire size

You must be registered for at least the amount of weight you are permitting for New York.

Superloads

Any vehicle or combination which is:

over 16′ wide

16′ or greater in height

Over 160′ in length

200,000 pounds or greater in gross weight

is treated as a superload. At least two weeks are required for approval.

ESCORTS

Length

80′ to 99′-11″ – one escort

100′ and over – two escorts, three on two-lane highways

160′ and over – three escorts

New York City

Over 65′ long – one escort

Going to Long Island requires 2 escorts

Overhang

Over 10′ front or rear overhang – one escort.

Width

12′ to 13′-11″ – one escort

14′ and over – two escorts

15′ and over – three escorts, police escort may be required

16′ and over – minimum three escorts, police escort may be required

New York City

Over 10′ wide – two escorts

Height

Over 14′ – one escort with height pole

Over 15′ – NYDOT requires route survey

New York City

Over 13′-6″ requires a route survey

Over 14′ – requires route survey and police escort

SIGNAGE, FLAGS & LIGHTS

“Oversize Load” signs required on front of tractor and rear of load or vehicle for any oversize/overweight permit load. Sign must be yellow with black lettering (10″ high, 1.41″ brush stroke, and lettering a minimum of 7′ apart).

Flags are to be displayed on all 4 corners of the overwidth load and at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections or overhangs. Flags are to be red or orange fluorescent and at least 18″ square.

Warning lights: Required at night for all oversize vehicles. A rotating or strobing amber light, or two flashing amber lights, or an amber light bar with two flashing lights are required to be located at the highest point of the load.

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