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New York Oversize/Overweight Permits
PERMITS
New York oversize permits are valid for five travel days. A New York City permit is good for a several-hour period, either day or night, depending on dimensions and routes. New York Thruway permits usually last one to three days.
OPERATING TIME
Oversize and overweight loads may travel in New York from Monday through Friday, from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, and on Saturday until Noon if not more than 12′ wide or 72′ long (85′ on approved routes), legal height, and able to “maintain traffic flow speed.” This includes I-84 and other NY Thruways. Overweight-only loads up to 96,000 pounds may travel 24/7. The state does not allow movement on major holidays and on 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.
NEW YORK CITY
Separate permits are needed to haul oversize or overweight loads in New York City. Travel restrictions are numerous, and permits and escorts are expensive. The city issues permits for one period either at night or during the day, not both. Except on Interstate and truck routes, moves over 10′ wide must occur at night (10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., Friday through Sunday). On Interstate and George Washington Bridge only, vehicles between 10′ and 12′ wide may travel Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Over 80,000 lbs. gross has to move at night. A route survey is required to get a permit. (Note: The NYC DOT occasionally requires night travel for smaller loads.) Special permission may also be needed on bridges going into NYC.
NY THRUWAY
The Thruway requires special permits. The 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″ tall cannot obtain these permits. Overweight permits are very expensive on the NY Thruway, so we normally try to avoid it if possible.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
| Width: | 8’6″ (8’ in NYC and roads with less than 10’ wide travel lanes) |
| Length: |
NYC:
|
| Weight: | 80,000 lbs. gross weight
(Axles less than 46” apart are considered as one axle). |
| Height: | 13’6″ |
Overlength Permit Exemptions: If your load consists only of poles, girders, beams, columns or similar objects and is only overlength, you do not need permits. This may not apply in NYC area.
PERMIT LIMITS
| Width: | No set amount: state determines on an individual basis. NY Thruway – 16’ wide maximum. |
| Weight: | Gross Weights
|
| Length: | No set amount. The state determines the limits on an individual basis. |
| Height: | 14’ and over (over 13’6” on Thruway) requires a route survey. |
| Overhang: |
|
| Superloads: | Any vehicle or combination which is:
Is treated as a superload. At least 2 weeks are required for approval. |
| Axle Weights: |
You must be registered for at least the amount of weight you are permitting for in New York. |
ESCORTS/ PILOTS
| Height: |
|
| Length: |
New York City:
|
| Overhang: | Over 10’ front or rear overhang – 1 escort |
| Width: |
New York City:
|
| Weight: | Over 200,000 lbs. – police escort. A police escort is also required whenever a vehicle must centerline a bridge or highway. Escorts are also required if permit vehicle cannot maintain normal highway speeds (within 20 mph of posted speed). |
Route Surveys:
New York State:
- Length – 100’ and over requires a route survey to order a permit
- Width – 16’ and over requires a route survey to order a permit
- Height – 14’ and over need a route survey to order a permit
New York City:
- Length – over 80’
- Width – over 12’
- Height – over 14’
SIGNS & FLAGS
New York State requires “Oversize Load” signs on the front and rear on all oversized loads. Red or orange fluorescent flags (18” square), mounted on staffs, are also required at all corners at the extremities of load or trailer for any overwidth or overlength load. For night moves, use amber warning lights on the front or sides in place of flags, and red warning lights on the rear. Overhang of 4’ or more requires flags on staff at end of load or lights at night (two flags required at extremities of overhang if the width of the overhang is more than 2’). All headlights and external lights must be turned on for oversize loads. For loads over 8’6” wide or 13’6” high, power unit must have a minimum of one amber light (6” to 9” in size) located on top of the vehicle and visible in a 360-degree radius.
In New York City, loads over 10’ wide must have two flashing yellow lights at each end of the load. Loads over 14’ wide require two steady yellow lights attached to the rear of the load.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL
At 14’ wide, 14’ tall, or 90’ long, no travel is permitted through business districts between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. At or exceeding 16’ wide, 15’ tall, or 100’ long, no travel is permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. On major holidays, the state does not permit any travel of overdimensional loads. Travel shut down is usually from 12:00 Noon on the day before a holiday or holiday weekend. NYC is more restrictive. Other time restrictions may be listed on permits for local areas.
You can also obtain any trip and fuel permits you may need with our sister site!