Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | New Jersey legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Width | 102 in / 8 ft 6 in |
| Front Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in New Jersey, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs | UNCONFIRMED — governed by 800 lbs per inch of tire width rather than a flat… |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs (axles 40"–96" apart) | Up to 38,000 lbs; tri-axle trailer groups up to 56,400 lbs |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | No single published statewide cap for standard permits — case-by-case via engineering/route review |
Superload: Reviewed case by case
Permit types we file in New Jersey
Single-Trip PermitValid for 5 days, for a single non-divisible move.
Annual PermitIncludes the ocean-borne containerized cargo permit and Code 23 overdimensional trailer registration.
Special-Use PermitCovers house-type/manufactured-home trailers, allowing widths up to 16 ft for HUD-compliant homes.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Additional permit fees apply beyond 63 ft (general vehicles) / 70 ft (house-type trailers) |
| Width | Up to 14 ft standard; up to 16 ft for HUD-compliant manufactured homes |
| Height | Statutory clearance trigger at 14 ft |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
NJDOT does not publish one bright-line superload weight; loads exceeding the standard permit fee-table dimensions are individually reviewed.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- 1 escort required when width exceeds 14 ft and/or length exceeds 100 ft.
- 2 escorts required when width exceeds 16 ft and/or length exceeds 120 ft.
When you can travel
- No oversize travel from sunset to sunrise.
- No travel on designated NJDOT holidays.
- No travel when visibility is under 500 ft or during hazardous road conditions.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
New Jersey specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for New Jersey are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by NJDOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.