Question 1

What is legal without a permit?

Accepted Answer

Legal size: Legal limits are 96 inches wide and 13′6″ high; 102 inches is allowed only on certain routes. Length and overhang depend on the setup. Weight depends on every axle, spacing, tire, the formula, registration, route and exceptions. Width: Legal width is 96 inches. 102 inches applies only on qualifying highways, access roads and other eligible roads with wide enough lanes. Height: Legal height is 13′6″. Axle limits: legal and with a permit: Legal: single 22,400 lb, two axles under 8′ apart 36,000 lb, two axles 8′–10′ apart 40,000 lb. With a permit: . Axles less than 46″ apart count as one axle. Wheel maximum 11,200 lb; tire maximum is the lesser of the manufacturer's rating or 800 lb per inch of tire. Two axles 8′–10′ apart are limited by NY's axle formula, 40,000 lb maximum. Legal width by road: Outside New York City, 102″ is also legal on any highway with travel lanes designed 10′ or wider; otherwise 96″ unless the road is a qualifying or access highway.

Question 2

Which permit do you need?

Accepted Answer

Permits: Get the route-approved permit before moving. A Type 1 trip permit covers five allowed hauling days, not five calendar days. The driver keeps a valid copy and shows it on request. Use paper unless the issuer allows another format. Type 1 and superloads: Type 1 permits go up to 16′ wide, 160′ long, 15′11″ high and 199,999 lb. Anything larger, or 200,000 lb or more, needs a Type 1S superload permit. Type 1S adds application, bond, engineering, route and police-escort requirements. Superload (Type 1S): Superload applications go to the Central Permit Office in Albany, with: Manufacturer or designer certification that the load can't feasibly be built or broken down smaller. A letter from the permittee taking full responsibility for any damage. Police escorts on every superload; contact police at least 2 business days before the move. Superload route paperwork: A superload application also needs route-specific paperwork: A letter from each municipality whose highways the move uses (a municipal police escort is accepted instead). 18′ wide or more: a traffic control plan may be required. At-grade railroad or other right-of-way crossings: certify the vehicle can cross safely. Type 1 single-trip permit: Valid for 5 permissible hauling days, up to 16′ wide, 160′ long, 15′11″ high and 199,999 lb. Can be amended only once. Dates can be extended once, by up to 5 more permissible hauling days. Dimensions can be amended only if the route doesn't have to change. Route survey: The permit applicant or a designated representative physically surveys the route: road and bridge weight limits must not be exceeded, and no part of the load may come within 3″ of any overhead object. Thruway, NYC and local roads: Thruway, parkway, county, town, city and village roads need permission from their own authority on top of the NYSDOT permit. New York City permit office: 212-839-6337. Thruway and Bridge Authority permits are issued through HOOCS.

Question 3

What does the permit cost?

Accepted Answer

Example agency fee: $40 for a nondivisible load 8′7″ wide, 13′ high and 70′ long at 72,000 lb gross, on a five-axle truck with a 48′ trailer, for 100 miles in New York. Enter your own load in the calculator below. What the fee covers: New York's fee depends on the permit product and the loaded vehicle. The calculator itemizes the published charges it can price. Local permits, escorts, tolls, payment charges and ODPermit services are separate.

Question 4

When do you need pilot cars?

Accepted Answer

Height pole: On an overheight load, the front escort carries a height pole set above the load's overall height: 3″ higher for loads 12′ wide or less. 6″ higher for loads over 12′ wide. Police escorts: These sizes and weights require police escorts: Over 16′ wide. 16′ high or more. Over 160′ long (over 200′ on Thruway-controlled highways). Over 200,000 lb, or the vehicle must cross the centerline of a structure. Front escort on two-lane roads: On two-lane highways a front escort is required when the load: Is over 12′ wide. Is 80′ long or more. Is 14′ high or more. Has an overhang over 10′. Rear escort on multi-lane roads: On highways of more than two lanes a rear escort is required when the load: Is over 12′ wide. Is 80′ long or more. Has an overhang over 10′. Escort spacing: Each load needs its own escorts when escorts are required. Escorts run about 1,000′ ahead of or behind the load. A height-pole car runs 3,000′ ahead of the load. Three escorts: Three escorts (two front, one rear) when the load is: Over 16′ wide on two-lane highways. 18′ wide or more on four-lane highways. 100′ long or more on two-lane highways. 160′ long or more on four-lane highways (only two on Interstate-only routes). Slow loads and bridge speeds: A load that can't keep within 20 mph of the posted or statutory speed needs a certified escort following; if the permit requires under 5 mph over a bridge or culvert, a certified escort follows across it. Certified escort drivers: Escort drivers must pass New York's written escort test, given at NY DMV offices. Be 21 years old. Out-of-state drivers need current New York driving privileges to be eligible. Score 70% or higher; the test fee is $40. Have the certificate with you while escorting. Certified escort vehicle: A certified escort vehicle needs a wheelbase of at least 100″, an escort warning sign at least 5′ × 12″, and a light bar visible all around from 1,000′ with amber domes. Escort radio and phone: Every certified escort vehicle must carry: A two-way radio to talk with the escorted vehicle. A cell phone in the escort or the load vehicle. Three emergency triangles and/or flares. Escort safety gear: Every certified escort vehicle must also carry: An 18″ or larger stop paddle. Two 18″ × 18″ red or orange fluorescent flags on staffs. A 5BC or larger fire extinguisher. Front escort on an overheight load: a measuring device. Flag persons: A flag person must be a certified escort driver, at least 21, in an ANSI 3 vest with a STOP paddle. Certified escorts may not stop traffic on Thruway highways. On any oversize move: Slow moves and restricted-speed bridge crossings require a rear escort. Crossing a structure's centerline or making a wrong-way movement can require police, regardless of the load's dimensional thresholds. Over 12′ wide: Two-lane highways: 1 front. Other multi-lane highways: 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. 16′ wide or more: Two-lane highways: 1 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 1 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Over 16′ wide: Two-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 1 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Police assistance is required in addition to the civilian team for these dimensions or weight. The permitting authority assigns the police vehicles; no police price is included. Coordinate the move with NYSDOT's Central Permit Office, including the required vehicle plans, bonding and municipal permissions. At 15 ft high or above, overhead signals within 3 in of the load require an approved signal contractor; conflicts with utility wires require the owner's arrangements. 18′ wide or more: Two-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 2 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Police assistance is required in addition to the civilian team for these dimensions or weight. The permitting authority assigns the police vehicles; no police price is included. Coordinate the move with NYSDOT's Central Permit Office, including the required vehicle plans, bonding and municipal permissions. At 15 ft high or above, overhead signals within 3 in of the load require an approved signal contractor; conflicts with utility wires require the owner's arrangements. 14′ high or more: Two-lane highways: 1 front (height pole). Other multi-lane highways: 1 front (height pole). Interstate-only route: 1 front (height pole). These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. The leading escort needs a pole 3 in above the loaded height. That vehicle is included in the plan. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. 16′ high or more: Two-lane highways: 1 front (height pole). Other multi-lane highways: 1 front (height pole). Interstate-only route: 1 front (height pole). These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. The leading escort needs a pole 3 in above the loaded height. That vehicle is included in the plan. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Police assistance is required in addition to the civilian team for these dimensions or weight. The permitting authority assigns the police vehicles; no police price is included. Coordinate the move with NYSDOT's Central Permit Office, including the required vehicle plans, bonding and municipal permissions. At 15 ft high or above, overhead signals within 3 in of the load require an approved signal contractor; conflicts with utility wires require the owner's arrangements. 80′ long or more: Two-lane highways: 1 front. Other multi-lane highways: 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. 100′ long or more: Two-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 1 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. 160′ long or more: Two-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Coordinate the move with NYSDOT's Central Permit Office, including the required vehicle plans, bonding and municipal permissions. At 15 ft high or above, overhead signals within 3 in of the load require an approved signal contractor; conflicts with utility wires require the owner's arrangements. At 160 ft, confirm the police team through the superload application. The issuing authority sets the assignment for each highway jurisdiction. Over 160′ long: Two-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Coordinate the move with NYSDOT's Central Permit Office, including the required vehicle plans, bonding and municipal permissions. At 15 ft high or above, overhead signals within 3 in of the load require an approved signal contractor; conflicts with utility wires require the owner's arrangements. On NYSDOT highways, length over 160 ft requires police assistance. The 2025 manual lists a separate over-200-ft length threshold on Thruway-controlled highways. Apply the issuing authority's conditions to each part of the route. Over 200′ long: Two-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Other multi-lane highways: 2 front and 1 rear. Interstate-only route: 1 front and 1 rear. These are civilian cars; any required police team is separate. PERM 87 calls for a route survey from 16 ft wide, 100 ft long or 14 ft high. Record the actual loaded vehicle and route clearances. Police assistance is required in addition to the civilian team for these dimensions or weight. The permitting authority assigns the police vehicles; no police price is included. Coordinate the move with NYSDOT's Central Permit Office, including the required vehicle plans, bonding and municipal permissions. At 15 ft high or above, overhead signals within 3 in of the load require an approved signal contractor; conflicts with utility wires require the owner's arrangements.

Question 5

When can you move?

Accepted Answer

Rush hours depend on size and district: Ordinary permitted travel is Monday–Friday, half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; limited Saturday and overweight-only exceptions and holiday closures apply. PERM 87 prohibits travel 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. statewide at 16′ width, 100′ length or 15′ height and above. The same hours apply within business districts beginning at 14′ width, 90′ length or 14′ height. Follow the permit’s route, dates and special conditions. Saturday and 24/7 exceptions: Saturday, 24/7 and overweight-only exceptions depend on the exact permit, load size, speed and route. Travel hours & road restrictions: Right before dispatch, check the 2026 holiday bulletin, noon closures before holidays, urban time windows, weather, bridge, construction and seasonal limits, and the permit's restrictions. When you can move: Unless the permit says otherwise, travel only from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, and never on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Holiday dates and noon cutoffs: see the holiday lists. Saturday morning travel: A permit may allow Saturday travel from ½ hour before sunrise until noon for a load within 12′ wide, 85′ long and legal height that keeps normal highway speed, unless that Saturday is a holiday. Rush-hour bans: No travel 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.: Anywhere in the state: 16′ wide or more, or 100′ long or more. In business districts: 14′ wide, 90′ long or 14′ high and over. City rush-hour bans: These places ban travel 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. above their own limits: Binghamton: over 10′ wide or over 72′ long. Within 10 miles of Syracuse: over 10′ wide or over 85′ long. Hudson, Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie: over 11′ wide. Utica and Amsterdam: over 12′ wide (contact police before the move). Night travel: Night travel may be allowed on request in the Lower Hudson Region and Long Island: Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Nassau and Suffolk counties. Overwidth loads of uniform width: amber lights on the front corners, red lights on the rear corners. Weather and spacing: No travel when anything isn't clearly visible at 1,000′, or when rain, sleet, snow, ice, fog, flood or wind make travel hazardous. Permit loads must stay at least 2,000′ apart unless the permit says otherwise. 2026 holiday restrictions: No oversize travel from 12 noon on the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas until ½ hour before sunrise after the holiday. After Christmas, travel resumes Saturday December 26 only for loads eligible for Saturday travel. Day before Thanksgiving (no travel from 12 noon) (Nov 25, 2026), Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26, 2026), Christmas Eve (no travel from 12 noon) (Dec 24, 2026), Christmas Day (Dec 25, 2026). 2027 holidays named in the rule: No permit travel on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, or from noon on the working day (Monday–Friday) before the last five. Only the fixed-date holidays are listed; check NYSDOT's 2027 bulletin for exact windows. New Year's Day (Jan 1, 2027), Independence Day (Jul 4, 2027), Christmas Day (Dec 25, 2027).

What is legal without a permit?

General width: 8′–8′6″

Loaded height: 13′6″

NN semitrailer: 48′

Overall length: No NN cap*

Interstate weight: 80,000 lb*

Legal size

Width

Height

Axle limits: legal and with a permit

Legal width by road

Where each requirement starts

Width 8′: Legal width, any highway

Width 8′6″: Legal width, qualifying roads

Width 8′6″: Flags, signs, amber light

Width 12′: 1 certified escort

Width 16′: Front + rear · route survey

Width 16′: Superload

Width 16′: 3 escorts on two-lane

Width 18′: 3 escorts on four-lane

Height 13′6″: Legal height

Height 13′6″: Signs and amber light

Height 14′: Height pole

Height 14′: Route survey

Height 15′11″: Single-trip permit max

Height 16′: Superload

Height 17′: $30,000 bond

Length 40′: Legal single vehicle

Length 53′: Legal single trailer

Length 65′: Legal combination

Length 65′: Signs over 65′

Length 80′: 1 certified escort

Length 100′: Route survey · 3 escorts 2-lane

Length 160′: 3 escorts off Interstate

Length 160′: Superload

Length 200′: Thruway police escort

Overhang 4′: Overhang flags

Overhang 10′: Overhang escort

Overhang 15′ front: Overhang limits

Weight 80,000 lb: Legal gross

Weight 200,000 lb: Superload

Weight 300,000 lb: $20,000 bond

Weight 400,000 lb: $50,000 bond

Which permit do you need?

Permits

Type 1 and superloads

Superload (Type 1S)

Superload route paperwork

Type 1 single-trip permit

Route survey

Thruway, NYC and local roads

What does the permit cost?

Example agency fee

What the fee covers

When do you need pilot cars?

Height pole

Police escorts

Front escort on two-lane roads

Rear escort on multi-lane roads

Escort spacing

Three escorts

Slow loads and bridge speeds

Certified escort drivers

Certified escort vehicle

Escort radio and phone

Escort safety gear

Flag persons

On any oversize move

Over 12′ wide

16′ wide or more

Over 16′ wide

18′ wide or more

14′ high or more

16′ high or more

80′ long or more

100′ long or more

160′ long or more

Over 160′ long

Over 200′ long

When can you move?

Turn the estimate
into a permitted move.