Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | New York legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Width | 96 in standard / 102 in on qualifying/access highways |
| 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 York, 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 | Up to 25,000–25,750 lbs depending on divisible-load permit class |
| Tandem axle | 36,000 lbs (axles spaced under 8 ft apart) | 47,000–48,000 lbs depending on permit class; tridem 57,000–63,000 lbs |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | 102,000–120,000 lbs for divisible-load overweight permits; nondivisible-load permits set case-by-case |
Superload: Reviewed case by case
Permit types we file in New York
Single-Trip / Daily Over-Dimensional PermitIssued for one specific move.
Annual / Special Hauling PermitTied to a specific vehicle for repeat oversize/overweight moves within a year.
Divisible Load Overweight PermitCovers legal-configuration vehicles exceeding 80,000 lbs gross.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Confirmed at filing |
| Width | Escort required at 12 ft+ |
| Height | Escort required at 14 ft+ |
| Rear Overhang | Escort required when overhang exceeds 10 ft |
NYSDOT sets nondivisible (oversize) load permit weights and dimensions case-by-case; the escort thresholds above are the practical markers of closer DOT scrutiny.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Escort required when width is 12 ft or more.
- Escort required when length is 80 ft or more.
- Escort required when height is 14 ft or more.
- Escort required when load overhang exceeds 10 ft.
When you can travel
- Confirmed for your load at filing.
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 York specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for New York 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 NYSDOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.