In New York, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | New York legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 65 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 36,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 4 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | New York requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 16 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 80 ft long | 1 escort · 100 ft → 2 escorts |
| 14 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- Night travel generally prohibited for OS; may be authorized case-by-case on limited-access highways. OW-only may travel 24/7 at NYSDOT discretion..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in New York
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 15 ft |
| Length | 160 ft |
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 14 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~2 business days to issue.
- Superload: ~14 days (route survey + review).
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?New York permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in New York?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in New York?
New York requires one escort at 12 ft wide (two at 16 ft), a height pole at 14 ft high, and a police escort at 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in New York?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in New York?
Over 16 ft wide, 15 ft high, 160 ft long, or 200,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 14 days of lead time.
How much does a New York oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your New York load with FreightDeck →.