New York Oversize & Overweight Permit Rules
What a load can be in New York without a permit, where the permit and escort tiers start on 2-lane roads and multi-lane roads, when it can move, and who to call. Every figure is the JaloPermit Atlas entry for New York, shown as the app shows it.
Rules as of Jul 31, 2026 · Links checked Jul 13, 2026
Read this before you trust a number. Rules change. The issued permit, posted signs and the state permit office always win over this page. JaloPermit is a reading aid, not a permit-filing service. Guests get 3 free decodes a day with no account and no card, logged-in users get 10 a day, and extra decodes are $3.50 each with no subscription.
What moves in New York without a permit
Legal limits are the dimensions and gross weight a vehicle may run at without an oversize or overweight permit. New York publishes its length limit as overall combination, so compare it against that measurement on your permit, not the overall rig.
Where the permit and escort tiers start
| Dimension | Legal without permit | Permit tier starts | First escort on 2-lane roads | First escort on multi-lane roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8'6" | 8'7" | 12'1" · Front escort | 12'1" · Rear escort |
| Height | 13'6" | 13'7" | 14' · Front + High pole | 14' · Front + High pole |
| Length | 65'0"overall combination | 65'1" | 80' · Front escort | 80' · Rear escort |
| Weight | 80,000 lbs | 80,001 lbs | 200,000 lbs · Police escort | 200,000 lbs · Police escort |
"Permit tier starts" is the lowest size in the Atlas ladder that needs a permit. "First escort" is the lowest size that adds a private or police escort on that road class; the full ladder with each tier's rule and source is below.
New York escort ladder, tier by tier
Open a tier to read the rule behind it, quoted with its source. Amber tiers add a police escort or a superload review; grey tiers are permit-only with conditions.
On 2-lane roads
Escorts begin at 12'1" wide
Width
Permit required8'7" – 12'
Permit required over 8'6". Flags, OVERSIZE LOAD sign front and rear, amber beacon (PERM 87). No state escort at or below 12'0" (PERM 87 8'-7" TO 12'-0" row; Manual sec.15(a); 154-1.8(b) trigger is 'greater than 12 feet'). Conditional: escort follows if slow-moving/bridge speed restriction or overhang over 10 ft. NYC, county and town roads are permitted by those authorities - prior data flagged NYC escort over 11'; confirm with NYC DOT.
Front escort12'1" – 13'11"
1 certified escort to precede on two-lane highways (PERM 87; 17 NYCRR 154-1.8(b)). Two-lane rules mapped to non_interstate; on non-Interstate multi-lane highways the escort follows instead (state distinction is two-lane vs more-than-two-lanes, not interstate status).
Front escort14' – 15'11"
1 certified escort to precede (two-lane). Additionally at 14'0"+: no business-district travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM (PERM 87). Mobile/manufactured/modular homes over 14' wide: front AND rear certified escorts at all times, route survey, corridor routes only (PERM 87 14'-1" row; 17 NYCRR 154-1.11(b)(4)-(5)).
Front + Rear16' – 16'
At exactly 16'0": front and rear certified escorts on all routes, route survey, no NYS travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM, bond (PERM 87). The second precede escort applies only OVER 16' on two-lane (PERM 87; Manual sec.15(e)) and the mandatory officer-led escort only when width EXCEEDS 16' (PERM 87 C), hence this exact-width band.
Front + Rear + Police16'1"+
3 certified escorts - two to precede on two-lane highways over 16' wide plus one to follow (PERM 87 OVER 16'-0" row; Manual sec.15(e) 'two front, one rear') - PLUS 1 police escort (width over 16', PERM 87 C; Manual sec.18(b)). Route survey; statewide 7-9 AM/4-6 PM ban; bond. Beyond 20' case-by-case. A police escort is required over 16 ft wide, in addition to the private escorts. Source: New York State Certified Escort Manual (2025) sec. 18 Police Escorts (incorporated by reference, 17 NYCRR 154-1.2(y), 154-1.12(d)).
Height
Permit required13'7" – 13'11"
Permit required over 13'6". Warning sign front and rear plus amber beacon (PERM 87 13'-7" TO 13'-11" row). Escort and route survey begin at 14'0". Local (NYC/county/town) roads permitted separately.
Front + High pole14' – 15'11"
Certified escort to precede WITH HEIGHT POLE at 14'0" and over; route survey required (PERM 87; Manual sec.15(b); 154-1.12(c)(10)). Pole set 3" above load height when load is 12' wide or less, 6" when wider (PERM 85). No business-district travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM at 14'+; statewide 7-9/4-6 ban at 15'0"+ per PERM 87 (2025 Manual lists 14' - conservative: expect from 14').
Front + High pole + Police16'+
One certified escort ahead of the load with a height pole set 3 inches above the load (6 inches when the load is wider than 12'). At 16'0" or taller a police escort is also required, in addition to the certified escort; it is police, not a private pilot car, and height alone requires no rear certified escort. A route survey and a surety bond (at least $10,000) are required, and there is no travel anywhere in New York 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM. Source: NYSDOT PERM 87 (3/15), height rows and police escort item E; NYS Certified Escort Manual (2025) §15(b), §18(d); 17 NYCRR 154-1.12(c)(10).
Length
Permit required65'1" – 79'11"
Permit required over 65'. Flags and warning sign front and rear (PERM 87; 154-1.8(c)). No state escort below 80'. Prior-data caveat retained: NYC may require an escort over 65' under its own permit - confirm with NYC DOT. Conditional: escort follows if slow-moving or overhang over 10 ft.
Front escort80' – 99'11"
1 certified escort to precede on two-lane highways at 80'0"+ (PERM 87; Manual sec.15(b); 154-1.8(c) 'over 80 feet ... preceded'). At 90'0"+: no business-district travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM (PERM 87). Two-lane mapped to non_interstate; on non-Interstate multi-lane the escort follows.
Front + Rear100' – 160'
2 certified escorts to precede on two-lane highways plus 1 to follow at 100'+ (PERM 87 100' OR GREATER row: front and rear on all routes, two to precede on two-lane; Manual sec.15(e) 'two front, one rear'). Route survey; no NYS travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM. On non-Interstate multi-lane highways two escorts (front+rear) apply until 160'. The mandatory officer-led escort begins only when length EXCEEDS 160'.
Front + Rear + Police160'1"+
3 certified escorts (two to precede on all highways at 160'+ plus one to follow, PERM 87 160' row; Manual sec.15(e)) PLUS 1 police escort for length over 160' (PERM 87 D; Manual sec.18(a)). Route survey; statewide 7-9/4-6 ban. Beyond 200' case-by-case. A police escort is required over 160 ft long, in addition to the private escorts. Source: New York State Certified Escort Manual (2025) sec. 18 Police Escorts (incorporated by reference, 17 NYCRR 154-1.2(y), 154-1.12(d)).
Weight
Permit required80,001 lbs – 199,999 lbs
Permit required over legal weight; no escort from weight alone below 200,000 lbs (PERM 87). Conditional: certified escort follows if unable to stay within 20 mph of posted speed, and across structures crossed at under 5 mph (PERM 87 SPEED). Police if crossing the centerline of a bridge or highway; night moves need police except NYSDOT Regions 8 and 10 (PERM 87 A, G). Overweight-only within 125% of legal and holding traffic speed travels unrestricted hours (17 NYCRR 154-1.2(a)).
Police escort200,000 lbs+
A police escort is required at 200,000 lb or more (PERM 87 F; the 2025 Certified Escort Manual sec. 18(c) says over 200,000). Weight alone sets no certified escort; one follows when the permit sets bridge speed limits or the load cannot hold speed (PERM 87 Speed Requirements). A route survey verifies roadway and bridge weight limits (PERM 85); minimum $10,000 surety bond at 200,000 lb and over (PERM 87).
On multi-lane roads
Escorts begin at 12'1" wide
Width
Permit required8'7" – 12'
Permit required over 8'6". Flags at load extremities, OVERSIZE LOAD sign front and rear, amber beacon on power unit (PERM 87). No escort at or below 12'0" (PERM 87; Escort Manual sec.15(a)). Conditional: certified escort must follow if unable to stay within 20 mph of posted speed or under a bridge speed restriction, or if overhang exceeds 10 ft (PERM 87 SPEED; Manual sec.15(a)). NYS Thruway is a separate permit authority.
Rear escort12'1" – 13'11"
1 certified escort to follow on highways of more than two lanes (PERM 87; 17 NYCRR 154-1.8(b)). Interstate here approximates NY's 'four lane or divided / more than two lanes' class.
Rear escort14' – 15'11"
1 certified escort to follow (multi-lane). Additionally at 14'0"+: no business-district travel 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM (PERM 87). Mobile/manufactured/modular homes over 14' wide: front AND rear certified escorts and route survey on all routes (PERM 87; 17 NYCRR 154-1.11(b)(4)-(5), corridor routes only).
Front + Rear16' – 16'
At exactly 16'0": front and rear certified escorts on all routes, route survey required, no NYS travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM, surety bond (PERM 87). The mandatory officer-led escort begins only when width EXCEEDS 16' (PERM 87 C; Manual sec.18(b)), hence this exact-width band.
Front + Rear + Police16'1" – 17'11"
2 certified escorts (front+rear on all routes, PERM 87 16'-0" row) PLUS 1 police escort - width greater than 16' mandates police (PERM 87 C; Manual sec.18(b)). Route survey; no NYS travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM; bond. Third certified (second front) escort begins at 18' on four-lane highways. A police escort is required over 16 ft wide, in addition to the private escorts. Source: New York State Certified Escort Manual (2025) sec. 18 Police Escorts (incorporated by reference, 17 NYCRR 154-1.2(y), 154-1.12(d)).
Front + Rear + Police18'+
3 certified escorts - two to precede and one to follow on four-lane highways at 18' or greater (PERM 87; Manual sec.15(e)) - PLUS 1 police escort (width over 16', PERM 87 C). Route survey; statewide 7-9 AM/4-6 PM ban; bond. Beyond 20' NYSDOT engineers the move case-by-case and may require more (Manual sec.15(f); PERM 87 guideline caveat). A police escort is required over 16 ft wide, in addition to the private escorts. Source: New York State Certified Escort Manual (2025) sec. 18 Police Escorts (incorporated by reference, 17 NYCRR 154-1.2(y), 154-1.12(d)).
Height
Permit required13'7" – 13'11"
Permit required over 13'6". Warning sign front and rear plus amber beacon (PERM 87 13'-7" TO 13'-11" row). Escort and route survey begin at 14'0". Prior-data caveat retained: NY Thruway (separate authority) may bar over 13'6" - confirm with Thruway before routing.
Front + High pole14' – 15'11"
Certified escort to precede WITH HEIGHT POLE at 14'0" and over; route survey required (PERM 87; Manual sec.15(b); 154-1.12(c)(10)). Pole set 3" above load height when load is 12' wide or less, 6" when wider (PERM 85). No business-district travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM at 14'+; statewide 7-9/4-6 ban at 15'0"+ per PERM 87 (2025 Manual lists 14' for the statewide ban - conservative reading: expect it from 14').
Front + High pole + Police16'+
One certified escort ahead of the load with a height pole set 3 inches above the load (6 inches when the load is wider than 12'). At 16'0" or taller a police escort is also required, in addition to the certified escort; it is police, not a private pilot car, and height alone requires no rear certified escort. A route survey and a surety bond (at least $10,000) are required, and there is no travel anywhere in New York 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM. PERM 87 puts the pole escort ahead on all routes; the 2025 Escort Manual words the front escort for two-lane highways. Source: NYSDOT PERM 87 (3/15), height rows and police escort item E; NYS Certified Escort Manual (2025) §15(b), §18(d); 17 NYCRR 154-1.12(c)(10).
Length
Permit required65'1" – 79'11"
Permit required over 65'. Flags at extremities and warning sign front and rear (PERM 87 65'-1" TO 79'-11" row; 154-1.8(c)). No escort below 80'. Conditional: escort follows if slow-moving/bridge speed restriction or overhang over 10 ft (PERM 87).
Rear escort80' – 99'11"
1 certified escort to follow on highways of more than two lanes at 80'0"+ (PERM 87 80'-0" TO 89'-11" row; Manual sec.15(c)). At 90'0"+: no business-district travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM (PERM 87).
Front + Rear100' – 160'
Front AND rear certified escorts on all routes at 100'+ (PERM 87 100' OR GREATER row). Route survey required; no NYS travel 7-9 AM/4-6 PM. The mandatory officer-led escort applies only when length EXCEEDS 160' (PERM 87 D), so exactly 160'0" stays at two certified escorts (interstate-only routes also waive the second precede escort at 160'+, Manual sec.15(e)). Manufactured homes towed by tandem-drive-axle power units: trigger is 105' instead of 100' (PERM 87 note 1).
Front + Rear + Police160'1"+
2 certified escorts (front+rear - at 160'+ the second precede escort is waived when approved routes are Interstate highways only, PERM 87 160' row; Manual sec.15(e)) PLUS 1 police escort for length over 160' (PERM 87 D; Manual sec.18(a)). On NYS Thruway-controlled highways the police threshold is 200' (Manual sec.18(a)). If the route leaves the Interstate, two precede escorts apply (4 total with police). Route survey; statewide 7-9/4-6 ban. Beyond 200' case-by-case. A police escort is required over 160 ft long, in addition to the private escorts. Source: New York State Certified Escort Manual (2025) sec. 18 Police Escorts (incorporated by reference, 17 NYCRR 154-1.2(y), 154-1.12(d)). Three certified escorts (two front, one rear) at 160 ft or more on four-lane highways; two suffice only when the approved route is Interstate highways only (Certified Escort Manual sec. 15(e); PERM 87).
Weight
Permit required80,001 lbs – 199,999 lbs
Permit required over legal weight; no escort from weight alone below 200,000 lbs (PERM 87 police list starts at 200,000; escort triggers are dimensional/speed-based). Conditional: certified escort must follow if the vehicle cannot stay within 20 mph of posted speed, and across any bridge/culvert crossed at under 5 mph (PERM 87 SPEED). Police escort if the load must cross the centerline of a bridge or highway, and for authorized night moves outside NYSDOT Regions 8 and 10 (PERM 87 A, G). Overweight-only within 125% of legal and holding traffic speed travels unrestricted hours (17 NYCRR 154-1.2(a)).
Police escort200,000 lbs+
A police escort is required at 200,000 lb or more (PERM 87 F; the 2025 Certified Escort Manual sec. 18(c) says over 200,000). Weight alone sets no certified escort; one follows when the permit sets bridge speed limits or the load cannot hold speed (PERM 87 Speed Requirements). A route survey verifies roadway and bridge weight limits (PERM 85); minimum $10,000 surety bond at 200,000 lb and over (PERM 87).
When a permitted load can move
- Standard hours
Monday through Friday, from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, when weather conditions are favorable. No travel when visibility is under 1,000 feet or the surface is hazardous from rain, sleet, snow, ice, fog, flood or wind.
- Night travel
Barred one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless the permit face authorizes it (17 NYCRR 154-1.2(a)). Overweight-only moves that are not over-dimensional, within 125% of legal weight, and able to hold traffic-flow speed are unrestricted.
- Weekend travel
No Saturday or Sunday travel, except moves within 12' wide, 85' long, legal height and able to hold traffic-flow speed may run from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon Saturday, not if that Saturday is a listed holiday. Overweight-only within 125% is exempt.
- Holiday restrictions
No travel on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, or after 12 noon on the normal working day preceding those five (not New Year's). Overweight-only moves within 125% of legal weight are exempt.
- Urban restrictions
Thruway: speed-restricted vehicles may not travel 7-9 AM or 4-6 PM; over 12' wide is daylight only with a rear NYS certified escort; mainline and Cuomo Bridge cap at 12'6". NYC, county and town roads need permits from those authorities, not NYSDOT.
Signage New York expects
- Oversize load sign
Warning sign reading OVERSIZE LOAD required front and rear on any permitted vehicle over legal width or over 65 feet long. At least 7 feet long by 18 inches high, black letters 10 inches high on highway yellow, mounted 2 to 5 feet above the road (17 NYCRR 154-1.13).
- Flags
Red or orange fluorescent flags at least 18 inches square, on staffs, at the extremities of the vehicle and load. Vehicles over 8'6" wide display them front and rear unless other warning devices or escort vehicles are required.
- Beacons
Permitted loads carry one amber revolving light on top of the towing vehicle, 6 to 9 inches in diameter with an amber lens, visible 1,000 feet. Certified escort vehicles carry a roof-mounted amber bar light visible 360 degrees for 1,000 feet.
New York permit office
The permit office is the authority on every number on this page. Call it, or open the official site, before you rely on a threshold for a load that is close to a line.
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What are the legal limits in New York without an oversize or overweight permit?
In New York, the legal limits without an oversize or overweight permit are 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 65'0" long (overall combination) and 80,000 lbs gross. Legal overhang is 3'0" front and 4'0" rear. Anything over those figures needs a permit from the New York permit office before it moves.
When does an oversize load need an escort or pilot car in New York?
On 2-lane roads in New York, escorts begin at 12'1" wide. On multi-lane roads, escorts begin at 12'1" wide. The first escort tier is "Front escort" at 12'1" – 13'11" wide. Every tier on this page quotes its rule and source.
Can oversize loads travel at night, on weekends or on holidays in New York?
Night travel: Barred one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless the permit face authorizes it (17 NYCRR 154-1.2(a)). Overweight-only moves that are not over-dimensional, within 125% of legal weight, and able to hold traffic-flow speed are unrestricted. Weekend travel: No Saturday or Sunday travel, except moves within 12' wide, 85' long, legal height and able to hold traffic-flow speed may run from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon Saturday, not if that Saturday is a listed holiday. Overweight-only within 125% is exempt. Holidays: No travel on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, or after 12 noon on the normal working day preceding those five (not New Year's). Overweight-only moves within 125% of legal weight are exempt.