Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - New Mexico

General requirements

Reducible expectations	Permits will not be issued for vehicles or loads that can reasonably be reduced or dismantled. An applicant for a permit to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight up to 96,000 pounds within 12 miles of a port of entry on the border with Mexico is not required to demonstrate that the load cannot be reduced.
Permit timing	Single trip permits are issued for single-trip, one-way movements of oversize or overweight vehicles and objects. The permits are valid for three days, unless amended, and will specify the routes to be traveled.
Method of application	In addition to the New Mexico Operating Permit System (NM-OPS), permits can be arranged at ports of entry or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	No personal checks will be accepted. Cashier and certified checks, money orders, Visa®, Master Card®, Discover® or American Express® will be accepted in payment of the required fees. Payments made at Port of Entry must be cash or credit card.
Electronic permits	All permits for oversize or overweight movements must be carried in the vehicle or power unit at all times during the move and must be available for inspection by police officers or other officials.
Route surveys	If a permit is requested for a height greater than 16', applicants must check the desired routes for clearance of overhead structures such as traffic signals, wires, utility lines, and overpasses. A full route survey may be required. Certification from utility companies may be required if the vehicle or load exceeds 18'. Permittees must protect all overhead wires, structures, and property.

Insurance requirements

Liability	Any person applying for any special permit must submit to the Department proof of meeting the financial responsibility requirements of New Mexico's statutes. If a private carrier, the applicant must file with the department's Santa Fe office a printed or typed certificate of insurance issued by an insurance carrier which is duly authorized to transact business in New Mexico. If requested by the Department or a municipality, before any permit will be issued, the applicant must deposit with the Department or municipality a surety bond, cash equivalent, or other security satisfactory to the Department or municipality sufficient to cover any damages anticipated to road surfaces, bridges, or other appurtenances which may be caused by the proposed move. The amount of security will be determined by the Department or municipality following analysis of the proposed move and structures along its route.
Coverage	The certificate of insurance must show satisfactory evidence of bodily injury liability of $50,000 coverage for each person and $100,000 coverage for each accident. In addition, the certificate must demonstrate property damage liability coverage in the amount of $25,000 for each accident.

Available permits and fees

General
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single	Permit is valid for 5 days	$25
Multi-trip	Permit is valid for a period up to one year. Multiple trip permits are not issued by Ports of Entry.	$250
Excess weight	Per ton/mile	$0.25

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Height	Limitation
Special	Special permits may be issued for vehicles, combinations, or loads that exceed a height of 14', provided the substitution of a different type of trailer would not make the vehicle or load 14' or less in height.
Length	Limitations
Single units	Single units, including front and rear overhang, may not exceed 40't in length, except by special permit.
Special	Overlength special permits will be denied when: • Pipe, when welded together, is in excess of 80' in length • Crane or tower booms, when bolted or pinned, are in excess of 40'
Configuration	Limitations
Single trip	• Width: 12' • Height: 14' 6" • Length: 90' measured from the foremost point to the rearmost point • Weight: 120,000 lbs
Manufactured housing	A permittee may request continuous movement for manufactured homes if: Width: not exceeding 12' Overall length, including towing unit, not more than 90'
Multiple trip	Allows the movement of a specific vehicle, combination or load multiple times in a specific area of the state consisting of 4 contiguous counties and 3 interstates Multiple Trip Permit selections are available for combination vehicles not to exceed the following dimensions: • Weight: 140,000 lbs • Width: 14' • Height: 15' • Length: 120' • Front overhang: 15' • Rear overhang: 25’
Continuous move	A special permit for a continuous move limits: • Width: 12' • Height: 14' 6" • Length: 90' measured from the foremost point to the rearmost point • Weight: 120,000 lbs

Signs

General sign requirement	A front sign placed on the front of the foremost vehicle or on top of the cab of the power unit in the foremost position. The front sign shall be mounted or affixed in a position that is visible to motorists and that does not interfere with the clearance lights located on the top of the power unit. A rear sign must be placed on either the rear of the load or the rear of the rearmost vehicle as long as it is clearly visible to motorists and does not obscure any required equipment or license plates.
Escort sign requirement	Required signs mounted on the front bumper of a front escort vehicle, on the rear bumper of a rear escort vehicle, or on the roof of the front or rear escort vehicle, whichever position provides the greatest visibility for the motoring public.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERWIDTH/OVERHEIGHT/OVERLENGTH/OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 12"	10" black lettering with 1" brushstroke	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 12"	10" black lettering with 1" brushstroke	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	For an over-width or over-length vehicle, combination, or load, warning lights are required.
Escort light requirements	Warning lights required
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	At least one rotating, flashing, strobe or LED amber light	At the rear of the vehicle and two rotating, flashing, strobe or LED amber lights on the power unit.
Escort light type and placement	(2) rotating, flashing, strobe or LED amber lights	Mounted on top of the vehicle with sufficient intensity to be visible at a distance of at least 500' in normal sunlight.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red, fluorescent red, or fluorescent orange	18" square	Flags must be displayed on all four corners of overwidth objects, and at the extreme ends of all projections and overhangs.
Escort Flags	Red or fluorescent orange	12" square	Mounted on the front bumper of a front escort vehicle, on the rear bumper of a rear escort vehicle, or on the roof of the front or rear escort vehicle, whichever position provides the greatest visibility for the motoring public.

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

If an escort is required, the type of escort will be stipulated on the permit. Types of escorts are private or police. Private escorts include for-hire escorts or permittee escorts.

An intrastate movement requiring an escort that is made by a for-hire carrier must use a for-hire escort with State Corporation Commission or Public Regulation Commission authority. If the movement requiring the escort is interstate, a for-hire carrier that has been granted current authority by the Commission may use its own escort. A for-hire carrier without current Commission authority must use a for-hire escort service that has current Commission authority. It is the responsibility of the permittee to assure that the for-hire escort used in the move has current operating authority from the commission.

A private carrier may furnish its own escort vehicles and drivers for both intrastate and interstate movements.

An escort vehicle may be required for loads 8 feet 6 inches up to 14 feet in width, depending on the highways to be traveled or whether the Department determines that a load may present a hazard on certain highways. Escorts may also be required for vehicles with excessive overhang.

Escorts are required as follows:

Load Conditions and/or Highway Type	Escort Requirements
Two-lane highways, movements wider than 14 ft	Front escort
Four-lane highways, movements wider than 14 ft	Rear escort
Loads exceeding 90 ft in length	Number based on the route to be traveled and other relevant considerations.
Height	If stated on special permit
Overweight	Number of escort vehicles will be specified by the permit
Structures 20 ft or more in width for a distance of 5 miles or more	State police escort

The escort vehicle must travel to the rear of the movement on multi-lane highways and in front of the movement on two-lane highways.

Escort(s) are required for the movement of all widths exceeding 14 feet, and may be required for widths of less than 14 feet depending upon routes to be traveled. Escorts are required for the movement of loads exceeding 13 feet 6 inches on any Group A restricted highways. An escort vehicle map is available by electronic link on the special permit application.

NM 2 from Roswell to Artesia;
US 70 from Ruidoso Downs to Hondo;
US 380 from San Antonio to Hondo;
US 285 from Lamy Junction to Clines Corners;
NM 4 from 5.5 miles east of San Ysidro to NM 502;
US 68 from Velarde to Taos;
NM 522 from Arroyo Hondo to Questa;
US 84 from Abiquiu to Chama;
NM 12 from Datil to US 180 Junction; and
US 180 from Silver City to NM 12 Junction.

Escort(s) are required for the movement of loads exceeding 12 feet in width on any of the following Group B restricted highways:

NM 152 from Central to Hillsboro;
US 82 from Alamogordo to Hope; and
US 64 from Taos to Cimarron.

If continuous movement of an overwidth or overlength vehicle, combination, or load is authorized by the Department, a rear escort must be utilized for movement during non-daylight hours. Continuous movement is allowed only on interstates and four-lane divided highways.

A front escort is required during non-daylight hours for continuous movement on undivided roads and highways.

The Department may use state highway and transportation department maps, guidelines, or directives when determining if a second person or escort will be required to check all overhead clearances during the move. Any requirement for a second person or escort will be stated on the face of the special permit.

Flagperson requirements

Flagpersons must be used on all loads 20 feet wide or wider and whenever required by permit.

A flagperson may not be used in lieu of an escort vehicle, but an escort vehicle may be used in lieu of a flagperson. The flagperson must be at least 18 years old and be an employee or agent of the permittee or other private escort service.

Flagpersons must wear an orange or red safety jacket and an orange or red hard hat or bump cap.

Flagpersons must be equipped with a paddle sign in the shape of a stop sign. The sign must be at least 14 inches, point-to-point and must have a red background with white letters, 1.5-inch brush stroke, with the word STOP. The reverse side must be yellow or orange background with black letters, 1.5-inch brush stroke, with the word CAUTION. The sign must be equipped with at least an eight-inch handle.

The duty of a flagperson is to dismount when movement ceases, and to direct traffic at all locations where traffic may be obstructed, or when it is necessary to infringe on oncoming traffic because of breakdown, pulling onto or off of the pavement, or avoiding obstacles in the path of the movement. The flagperson must use the paddle-sign to warn traffic of the approaching oversize vehicle.

Flagpersons must position themselves far enough in advance of a problem area so that oncoming traffic is allowed sufficient distance to reduce speed and come to a stop. Depending upon approach speed and physical conditions at the site, a distance of 200 to 300 feet is usually adequate. Flagpersons must face traffic on the edge of the shoulder of the road just outside of the traffic lane and must always stand where they are visible by approaching motorists.

When warning traffic, the paddle-sign must be kept in a horizontal position in the path of the vehicle.

Escort car/company requirements

A private escort vehicle must be inspected by the Department on an annual basis. The department will issue a certificate of acceptance for the vehicle upon the satisfactory evaluation of the vehicle for a period of one year or until insurance coverage of the vehicle expires, whichever first occurs.

Escort vehicle drivers must:

Be at least 18 years old and licensed appropriately;
At all times during a move, an escort vehicle driver shall carry a current driver's license, the escort vehicle certification issued by the department, an escort vehicle map and any document required by the public regulation commission; and
Not wear any uniform of a color or design similar to those used by New Mexico police agencies, display a badge or emblem similar to the police, or wear a side-arm of any type while performing escort vehicle driver services.

Escort vehicles must meet the following requirements:

The wheelbase of the vehicle must be at least 100 inches;
Escort vehicles must not exceed a “ton & one-half capacity” as rated by the manufacturer;
An escort vehicle operated by an escort vehicle service company shall display the name, city, and state of the company on both sides of the vehicle. This information may be displayed using removable, magnetic signs;
Escort vehicles must not display any sign, insignia, device, or emblem that is similar in size, shape, or color to any police insignia or badge;
The escort vehicle in operation as an escort vehicle must not tow any trailer or vehicle, be loaded in a manner to obstruct the driver's vision to the front, side, or rear, or be loaded with any items, other than required safety equipment, that protrude beyond the front, rear, or sides of the escort vehicle;
The escort vehicle must be registered in accordance with provisions of New Mexico motor vehicle laws and must be insured in accordance with New Mexico financial responsibility laws (unless otherwise required by law, liability insurance amounts must be at least $50,000 for each person, $100,000 for each accident, and must cover property damage of not less than $25,000 for each accident; escort vehicles regulated by the state corporation commission or public regulation commission must comply with any liability insurance requirements promulgated by the commission).

The private escort vehicle and the vehicle that is transporting or hauling the oversize load must be equipped with:

Two-way radios to provide direct communication between the vehicles;
An outside rear view mirror on both the driver's side and the passenger's side of the vehicle;
At least one fire extinguisher of minimum size, 2.5 pound carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguisher or dry-chemical type, or extinguishers of other types having equivalent or better extinguishing capacities (extinguishers are to be mounted so as to be readily accessible for use); and
The safety equipment specified in Section 66-3-849 NMSA 1978 relating to flares and other warning devices;
All the equipment required for flagmen, as provided in 18.19.8.99 NMAC;
The escort vehicle map developed and maintained by the department of transportation.

The required equipment, the certificate of convenience and necessity that is required by the state corporation commission or public regulation commission, and any documentation of vehicle registration and insurance on the escort vehicle must be available for inspection on demand by proper authorities.

Detailed responsibilities for escort vehicle drivers can be found in New Mexico Administrative Code § 18.19.8.90 through .95.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

The escort vehicle must be equipped with two red or fluorescent orange flags when escorting a load; flags must be square or rectangular and no less than 12 inches on any side.

Escort vehicles must:

Display two rotating amber flashing or strobe lights on top of the vehicle (width not to exceed eight feet). The lights must be visible at a distance of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.
Display a yellow OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 12 inches by five feet with black letters at least 10 inches high and one inch wide when escorting any oversize or overweight vehicle. The required flags and signage must be mounted on the front bumper of a front escort vehicle, on the rear bumper of a rear escort vehicle, or on the roof of the front or rear escort vehicle, whichever position provides the greatest visibility for the motoring public.

All exterior vehicle lights must be turned on during escort operations. When stopped or slowing at a traffic hazard or when traveling at a speed less than 30 mph, the escort driver must use emergency flashers.

Lights and signs must be hooded or removed when not in use.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Unless continuous movement is specifically allowed on a permit, there is no movement allowed 30-minutes after sunset until 30-minutes before sunrise.
Weekend	NS
Holidays	Unless expressly specified on the special permit, movement is prohibited on the following legal holidays: • New Year’s Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day
Visibility	No movement is allowed during inclement weather that limits visibility to less than 1,000'.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

...

Oversize and overweight movements - New Mexico