State Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Length:

• 80′ to 99′-11″ – one escort
• 100′ and over – two escorts, three on two-lane highways
• 160′ and over – three escorts

New York City:

• Over 65′ long – one escort
• Going to Long Island requires 2 escorts

Overhang: Over 10′ front or rear overhang – one escort.

Width:

• Over 12′ – one escort
• 16′ and over – at least two escorts (three may be required)
• Over 16′ – police escort
• Over 15′ on NY Thruway also requires Thruway Traffic Safety Supervision Escort

New York City:

• Over 11′ – one escort
• Over 14′ – two escorts

Height:

• 14′ and over – one escort with pole, and a route survey is needed to apply for permit
• Over 15′ may need to provide a bucket truck
• Over 16′ – police escort
• On Long Island, escort required for over 13’6 high

Weight: Over 200,000 pounds – police escort. Speed, etc.: Police escort also required whenever a vehicle must centerline a bridge or highway. Escort also required if permit vehicle cannot maintain normal highway speeds (within 20 mph of posted speed).

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ROUTE SURVEYS

Length:

• NY State: 100′ and over requires route survey to order a permit
• New York City: over 80′

Width:

• NY State: 16′ and over requires route survey to order a permit
• New York City: Over 12′

Height:

• NY State: 14′ and over – route survey required to order a permit
• New York City: over 14′

BRIDGES: Toll for most legal weight loads is $30.00 State bridges (like the George Washington Bridge) charge it only one way if coming out empty; city bridges charge it both ways. Bridge permits are needed for some loads.

SIGNS & FLAGS: “Oversize Load” signs are required to the front and rear on all oversized loads, including high loads. Red or orange fluorescent flags (18″ square), mounted on staffs, are required at all corners at the extremities of load or trailer for any over width or over length load. (For night moves, use amber warning lights to front or side in place of flags, and red warning lights to 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 width of overhang is more than 2′).  All headlights and external lights must be turned on for wide, high, or over length loads. For wide or high loads (over 8’6″ wide or 13’6″ high), power unit must have a minimum of one amber light (6″ minimum to 9″ maximum 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 rear of the load.

NYC Note:
Loads going into or through New York City require a permit and one escort if overall length exceeds the legal length of 65 feet!  This also applies when trailer is empty after dropping a load in NYC area.

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