New Jersey OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – any load exceeding legal size or weight must have a permit from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). Oversize/overweight (OS/OW) permits are issued through NJDOT's permit office before the move.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 75' (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW (standard axle limits apply)
Anything over a legal dimension or weight requires an oversize/overweight permit before the move. Superloads beyond routine permit limits require engineering review, route survey, and possible bridge analysis.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Oversize movement is permitted sunrise to sunset, and Saturday until noon. No Sunday travel (N.J.A.C. 13:18).
- Holidays: No movement on New Year's, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Memorial Day and Labor Day blackouts extend to the preceding Friday.
- Night travel: Generally not permitted for over-dimensional loads; verify lighting and route conditions on the issued permit.
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 14' | Front pilot car on 2-lane highways; rear pilot car on 4+ lane highways |
| Width > 16' | Front AND rear pilot car required on all routes |
| Height > 14' | Front pilot car on 2-lane highways |
| Length > 100' | Front pilot car on 2-lane highways; rear pilot car on 4+ lane highways |
| Length > 120' | Front AND rear pilot car required on all routes |
Detailed Information
WIDTH ESCORTS: A front pilot car is required for widths over 14' on 2-lane highways, and a rear pilot car for widths over 14' on 4+ lane highways (N.J.A.C. 13:18-1.11). For widths over 16', both a front AND rear pilot are required on all routes (N.J.A.C. 13:18-1.11(b)).
LENGTH ESCORTS: A front pilot is required for overall lengths over 100' on 2-lane highways, and a rear pilot for overall lengths over 100' on 4+ lane highways (N.J.A.C. 13:18-1.11). For overall lengths over 120', both a front AND rear pilot are required on all routes (N.J.A.C. 13:18-1.11(b)).
HEIGHT ESCORTS: A front pilot is required for heights over 14' on 2-lane highways per N.J.A.C. 13:18.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Oversize movement is limited to sunrise–sunset and Saturday until noon, with no Sunday travel, and is prohibited on the listed holidays; Memorial Day and Labor Day blackouts extend to the preceding Friday (N.J.A.C. 13:18). Movement through metro areas may carry additional local restrictions noted on the permit.
Additional Notes
- "Oversize Load" signs, red/orange flags, and amber warning lights are required on the load and escort vehicles per NJDOT permit conditions.
- Permit conditions issued by NJDOT govern the specific move and may impose requirements beyond these general thresholds.
Source: New Jersey DOT — Oversize/Overweight Permits. Informational only — always verify against the live permit office before any move; permit conditions control.
