New York OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – any load exceeding legal size or weight must have a permit from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Oversize/overweight permits are issued through NYSDOT's Oversize/Overweight Permits office.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 65' (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: Permitted oversize movement runs Monday–Friday from 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, and Saturday until noon.
- Sunday: No Sunday travel for loads over 12' wide or 72' and longer.
- Holidays: No movement on New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas (extended blackouts per permit).
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | Front pilot car on 2-lane highways; rear pilot car on 4+ lane divided highways (NYS-certified) |
| Width > 16' | Front and rear pilot on all route types, plus police escort |
| Height > 14' | Front pilot with height pole required on all routes |
| Height > 16' | Police escort in addition to civilian pilot |
| Length > 80' | Rear pilot car on 2-lane highways |
| Length > 100' | Front and rear pilot on all routes |
| Length > 160' | Police escort |
| Front overhang > 10' | Front pilot car required |
| Rear overhang > 10' | Rear pilot car required |
| Weight > 200,000 lbs | Police escort |
Detailed Information
WIDTH ESCORTS: A front pilot car is required for widths over 12' on 2-lane highways, and a rear pilot car for widths over 12' on 4+ lane divided highways (17 NYCRR Part 154). For widths over 16', front and rear pilots are required on all route types (2-lane and divided), and a police escort is required in addition to the civilian pilots.
HEIGHT POLE: A front pilot with a height pole is required for heights over 14' on all routes; the lead pilot car must carry a height pole for loads over 14' high (17 NYCRR Part 154). For heights over 16', a police escort is required in addition to the civilian pilot.
LENGTH ESCORTS: A rear pilot car is required for overall lengths over 80' on 2-lane highways (17 NYCRR Part 154). Front and rear pilots are required for overall lengths over 100' on all routes, and a police escort is required for overall lengths over 160'.
OVERHANG: A front pilot is required when front overhang exceeds 10', and a rear pilot is required when rear overhang exceeds 10' (17 NYCRR Part 154).
WEIGHT: A police escort is required for permitted gross weights over 200,000 lbs.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Permitted oversize movement runs Monday through Friday from 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset and Saturday until noon. There is no Sunday travel for loads over 12' wide or 72' and longer, and no movement on the six major holidays (extended blackouts per permit).
Additional Notes
- All escort drivers must hold New York State certification (17 NYCRR Part 154).
- "Oversize Load" signs, red/orange flags, and amber warning lights are required on the load and escort vehicles per NYSDOT permit conditions.
- Permit conditions issued by NYSDOT govern the specific move and may impose requirements beyond these general thresholds.
Source: New York State DOT — Oversize/Overweight Permits. Informational only — always verify against the live NYSDOT permit office before any move; permit conditions control.
