New Jersey OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – oversize or overweight loads must have a permit from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 70' (combo); 53' trailer permitted with restrictions
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW (with axle limits)
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 16' with proper escorting
- Height: Over 14' requires route survey and utility approval
- Length: Over 120' allowed with routing review
- Weight: Over 150,000 lbs requires engineering analysis
Superloads need pre-approval, structure clearance, and often coordination with the Turnpike Authority.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Sunrise to Sunset
- Weekend: No travel Saturday after 12:00 PM or on Sunday
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or after 12:00 PM the prior day
- Night travel: Not typically allowed, unless under 10' wide and pre-approved
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (front or rear as specified by route) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 14' | High pole car required + utility coordination |
| Length > 120' | 1 or more escorts depending on configuration |
Additional Notes
- “Oversize Load” signs, flags on corners, and amber lights are required
- New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway may have separate requirements
- Permits are processed through the NJDOT Superload System (via OXC online portal)
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for five travel days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME: Daylight hours 7 days a week. Overweight loads only are not restricted for travel time.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No travel on major holidays. No travel on NJ Route 495 and the Holland Tunnel, New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway. Access onto the I-95 section of the NJ Turnpike between Ridgefield and the George Washington Bridge (mp118 to mp 122) is only obtainable with permission of the Turnpike Authority, phone (732) 247-0900, extension 5429. Vehicles traveling I-95 to New York via the GW Bridge must contact Patrick C. Kennedy Traffic Safety Officer of the NJ/NY Port Authority prior to arrival, phone (201) 242-8116.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" on designated roads, 8' all other roads Height: 13'6" Length: 53' semi-trailer on Interstate and designated highways (41' kingpin to center of rear tandem). 48' on all other roads. Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 22,400 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 56,400
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 18' Height: 16' Length: 120' Weight: The maximum weight that can be permitted on each axle is 800 pounds per inch of tire width. This means that four 10-inch tires on an axle would allow a maximum of 32,000 pounds on that axle; four 11-inch tires would allow 35,500 pounds. GVW over 150,000 requires special clearance from DOT.
ESCORTS: Width: Over 14' – 1 escort; over 16' – 2 escorts Height: Over 14' – 1 escort (Note: According to NJ Statutes, When the vehicle and/or load is over 14' in height, the permittee shall notify, before the move is made, all Public Utility Companies, NJ DOT, County and Municipal Traffic Engineering Departments.) Length: Over 100' – 1 escort; over 120' – 2 escorts.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: "Oversize Load" or "Wide Load" signs required on all overwidth vehicles. Mount red flags on overwidth extremities and the corners of the load, or on the rear corners of an overwidth and overlength load. Low beam headlights and red tail lights (on both tractor and trailer) should be illuminated.