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 |
New York sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | 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 |
| 16 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.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours.
- 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 | 16 ft |
| Length | 160 ft |
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
5Permit timing
- 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.
Price your New York load free →The most complete heavy-haul cost estimator · 48 states + Canada · no card to start · See plans & pricing
?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 over 12 ft wide (two over 16 ft), a height pole over 14 ft high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in New York?
Daylight only, 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. 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. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in New York?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 160 ft long, or 200,000 lbs gross.
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 →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in New York?
Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (No movement on holiday or after 12 noon the preceding working day (Memorial, July 4, Labor, Thanksgiving, Christmas)); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in New York?
New York sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does New York require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high or 16 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in New York?
New York publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and manufactured homes (for example up to 12 ft: any time, except highways where nysdot order prohibits. 12-17 ft: 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset; 18 in red/orange flags and reflectors on corners; two flashing amber lights (or hazards) at rear; escort vehicle if crossing center line or visibility under 1,000 ft. dealer units up to 13 ft (incl. hauled as a load) under the 12 ft-tier conditions. no non-interstate condition in statute). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a New York permit cover Vermont?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Vermont, Massachusetts, or Connecticut needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.