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

General requirements

Reducible expectations	A nondivisible load means one piece or item which cannot be separated into units of less weight without affecting the physical integrity of the load. A nondivisible load is not a fungible load. Examples of nondivisible loads may include, but are not limited to single poles, girders, columns, wood or metal trusses, buildings, houses and such determinations made. By statute, a nondivisible load includes bulk milk.
Permit timing	NS
Method of application	Application may be made in person or by mail at the main office of the Department of Transportation, at a NYSDOT Regional office, on-line via the New York State One Stop Credentialing and Registration (OSCAR) system, or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted. Money orders and checks (both personal and business) are also accepted. Payments must be in U.S. funds.
Electronic permits	The original permit must be carried in the vehicle to which it refers. The permit must be immediately open to the inspection of any peace officer, acting pursuant to his special duties, or police officer, or any other officer or employee authorized to enforce this section, upon request.
Route surveys	The New York State Department of Transportation offers an oversize and overweight vehicle pre-screening tool at https://www.dot.ny.gov/gisapps/osowscreen

Insurance requirements

Liability	Liability insurance must be in effect for the full term of any permit issued on a monthly or annual basis. Expiration of, or lack of, liability insurance automatically terminates the Permit.
Coverage	Non-divisible load and divisible load permit holders and applicants must hold the following liability coverage: $750,000 for bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident and $250,000 for injury to or destruction of property in any one accident; or $1,000,000 combined single limit for any one accident.

Available permits and fees

New York Throughway
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Regular per mile tolls for travel on the Controlled System - PLUS fee	$21
Trip	Regular toll for travel through a Fixed Toll Barrier(s) - PLUS fee	$3
The following graduated fees are also required of overweight vehicles (per ton mile):
Trip	80,001 - 100,000 lbs	$0.03
Trip	100,001 - 110,000 lbs	$0.05
Trip	Over 110,000 lbs	$0.08
New York State
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	A trip permit authorizing the movement of an oversize and/or overweight vehicle from one specific place to another may be obtained. Movement must be over an approved route and must be completed within 5 permissible hauling days.	$40
Monthly	Blanket	$60
Annual	Blanket	$360
Annual	Emergency blanket	$360
Trip	Superload	$40
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Variable	Overweight divisible load permit — varies according to the type of permit desired	Variable
Trip	Sealed containerized cargo permits (fees based on walk in or service)	$40
Monthly		$250
Annual		$750

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Configuration	Limitations
25 mile air-radius	• GVW of 116,000 lbs for a 5-axle (or more) vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 36' • GVW of 112,000 lbs for a 4-axle vehicle which consists of 2 steering axles with a minimum wheel base of 28' • GVW of 80,000 lbs for a 4-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 22' • GVW of 73,280 lbs for a 3-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 17' • Tandem axle limited to 56,000 lbs • Tridem grouping limited to 60,000 lbs • Width limited to 12' • Length limited to 79' 11" long (length of 85' may be issued for specific vehicles on selected approved routes) • Legal height
100 mile air-radius	• Authorizes movements of specified vehicles or loads for a period of either monthly or annually, within a 100 air-mile radius of the boundaries of the municipality in which the business of the applicant is located. Authorizes: • GVW up to 135% of the legal gross weight • Width up to 12' • Length up to 79' 11" (length of 85' may be issued for specific vehicles on selected approved routes) • Legal height
Blanket	For use only on highways of 20 or more feet of pavement width. The blanket permit shall be issued for a period of one month up to one year. • Axle and axle groups up to 125% of the legal weight • GVW up to 100,000 lbs • Width up to 10' • Length up to 79' 11" • Height up to 13' 6"
Emergency blanket	Available to transporters of equipment required to meet emergency conditions. • GVW of 116,000 lbs for a 5-axle (or more) vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 36' • GVW of 112,000 lbs for a 4-axle vehicle which consists of 2 steering axles with a minimum wheel base of 28' • GVW of 80,000 lbs for a 4-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 22' • GVW of 73,280 lbs for a 3-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 17' • Tandem axle limited to 56,000 lbs • Tridem grouping limited to 60,000 lbs • Width limited to 12' • Length limited to 79' 11" long (length of 85' may be issued for specific vehicles on selected approved routes)
2-3 vehicles	Two or three vehicle combinations, consisting of a tractor semitrailer or tractor semitrailer and trailer for specifically transporting steel on approved routes listed on the permit in Erie County, City of Niagara Falls in Niagara County and the City of Dunkirk in Chautauqua County. Permits will only cover the transportation over approved routes or to or from Pennsylvania and Canada. • Legal length, height and width • 140,000 GVW
Manufactured housing	• Modular units over 12' wide must be drawn on a flatbed or similar trailer • Maximum height is bridge clearance less 6" otherwise maximum permit height is 14' 6" • Maximum length allowed will vary according to conditions • Maximum length of the home is 80'
Sealed containerized cargo	A sealed container permit authorizes the movement of a sealed shipping container at weights exceeding legal weight. Limits are: • 8' 6 " wide • 65' long (if traveling on exclusively qualifying & access highways there is no maximum length; however, trailer cannot exceed 53') • 13' 6" high • 125% of legal gross weight, or a maximum gross weight of 100,000 lbs
Roadwork Vehicle Permits - the maximum axle or class weight limit shall be the lesser of the manufacturers' rating or the weight specified below.
Configuration	Limitation
Vehicle 1	A twin steer 4-axle single unit vehicle with minimum wheelbase of 21' • GVW: 68,000 lbs • Tandems: 36,000 lbs • Each rear axle must have 4 tires • All axles must be fixed
Vehicle 2	A 6-axle combination vehicle with a minimum wheelbase of 51' and minimum distance between axle groupings of 26' • GVW: 86,000 lbs • Steer axle: 15,000 lbs • Other single axles: 18,000 lbs • Tandems: 36,000 lbs • Tridem: 42,500 lbs
Vehicle 3	A 7-axle combination vehicle with a minimum wheelbase of 51' and minimum distance between axle groupings of 26' • GVW: 91,000 lbs • Steer axle: 15,000 lbs • Other single axles: 18,000 lbs • Tandems: 36,000 lbs • Tridem: 42,500 lbs

Signs

General sign requirement	Warning signs must be attached to the front and rear of the vehicle. Warning signs on oversize vehicles shall be at least 2' above the surface of the road and not more than 5'.
Escort sign requirement	Warning signs must be made of durable material such as wood, steel, aluminum or of a flexible material. If the sign is made of flexible material it needs to be securely fastened to the certified escort or escort vehicle so that it remains in a flat position and does not curl, wave or become illegible.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	10" with a 1.41" brushstroke	Highway yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 12"	8" tall	Highway yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Warning lights required. All vehicle headlights and other steady burning exterior lights shall be turned on.
Escort light requirements	Warning lights required. All vehicle headlights and other steady burning exterior lights shall be turned on.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Amber revolving light (6"-9")	Top of the towing vehicle providing a visible signal, under normal conditions, of at least 1,000'.
Escort light type and placement	Certified Escort: • 43"-52" long x 10"-13" wide x 4"-8" high amber flashing or strobe light bar Escort Vehicle: • (2) 6"-9" revolving or flashing amber lights	Certified Escort: • Located on the roof of the vehicle perpendicular to the length of the escort vehicle visible 360° for a distance of 1,000'. Escort Vehicle: • Located on the roof of the vehicle spaced at least 3' 6" apart perpendicular to the side of the vehicle visible signal under normal conditions from at least 500'.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or orange fluorescent	18" square	All corners at the extremities of the load or trailer.
Escort Flags	(2) Red or orange fluorescent flags	18" square	On staffs

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	Doors	Insignia as required

Escort/flagperson requirements

Escorts are required as follows:

A front escort vehicle will be required for travel on all two-lane highways when vehicle/load is 12 feet wide or greater, and/or 80 feet long or greater and/or height greater than 14 feet, or where the overhang is greater than 10 feet. For overheight vehicles, the front escort must be equipped with a height pole which is 3 inches higher than the overall height of the permitted vehicle/load.
A rear escort vehicle is required for travel on highways of more than two-lanes when vehicle/load is 12 feet wide or greater, 80 feet long or greater, or if the vehicle is a slow moving vehicle, or bridge speed restrictions are required, or where the overhang is greater than 10 feet.
Two escort vehicles are required for travel whenever the vehicle/load meets the criteria above and dictates a front and rear escort.
Three escort vehicles (two front, one rear) are required for travel whenever the vehicle/load is over 16 feet wide on two-lane highways, 18 feet wide or greater on four-lane highways, or 100 feet long or greater on two-lane highways, 160 feet long or greater on four-lane highways. If the vehicle/load is 160 feet long or greater and is traveling only on interstate highways, only two escorts will be required.
Each oversize/overweight vehicle/load requires its own escort vehicle(s) when escort is required. Escort vehicles must maintain adequate distance in front or/behind the unit (approximately 1,000 feet) to warn motorists of the oversize load. For escort vehicles that are required to have a height pole, the distance in front of the permitted load shall be 3,000 feet to allow for adequate stopping distance.
All escort vehicle drivers and the oversize load driver must be in constant communications at all times.

No escort vehicles are required for oversized loads less than 12 feet wide, 80 feet long and 13 feet 6 inches high. However, if the vehicle is a slow moving vehicle, or bridge speed restrictions are required or where the overhang is greater than 10 feet then escorts will be required.

Escorts are required as follows:

Width	Requirements
12 ft 1 in. to 13 ft 11 in.	Certified Escort Vehicle to precede on two lane highways. Certified Escort Vehicle to follow on highways of more than two lanes. Certified Escort Vehicle shall display warning signs, operational barlight on roof, headlights and other external lights shall be turned on.
14 ft to 15 ft 11 in.	Certified Escort Vehicle to precede on two lane highways. Certified Escort Vehicle to follow on highways of more than two lanes. Certified Escort Vehicle shall display warning signs, operational barlight on roof, headlights and other external lights shall be turned on. No travel Business Districts between 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
14 ft 1 in. or greater	Front and rear certified escort vehicles on all routes for mobile/modular homes or modular building units. Route survey required for a mobile/manufactured homes or modular building units.
16 ft	Front and rear Certified Escort Vehicles on all routes. Route Survey required.
Over 16 ft	In addition to the above, a third Certified Escort Vehicle to precede on two-lane highways.
18 ft or greater	In addition to the above, a third Certified Escort Vehicle to follow on fourlane highways.

Length	Requirements
80 ft to 89 ft 11 in.	Certified Escort Vehicle to precede on two lane highways. Certified Escort Vehicle to follow on highways of more than two lanes. Certified Escort Vehicle shall display warning signs, operational barlight on roof, headlights and other external lights shall be turned on.
90 ft to 99 ft 11 in.	Certified Escort Vehicle to precede on two lane highways. Certified Escort Vehicle to follow on highways of more than two lanes. Certified Escort Vehicle shall display warning signs, operational barlight on roof, headlights and other external lights shall be turned on. No travel Business Districts between 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
100 ft or greater	No travel New York State between 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Three Certified Escort Vehicles on two-lane highways, two front, one rear. Front and rear Certified Escort Vehicles on highways of more than two lanes. Route Survey required.
160 ft or greater	Three Certified Escort Vehicles on multi-lane highways unless travelling on interstate highways only, then two Certified Escort Vehicles will be required.

Height	Requirements
14 ft and over	Certified Escort Vehicle to precede with height pole. Certified Escort Vehicle shall display warning signs, operational bar light on roof, headlights and other external lights shall be turned on. No travel in Business districts between 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Route Survey required.
15 ft and over	No travel in New York state between 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

Police escorts may be required as follows:

Whenever a vehicle/load must cross the centerline of a bridge, police escort is needed for bridge crossing only.
Width of vehicle/load is greater than 16 feet on all highways.
Vehicle/load length is greater than 160 feet on all highways.
Vehicle/load height is 16 feet or greater.
Vehicle/load exceeds 200,000 pounds.
All night moves.

Flagpersons

When necessary to post a flag person(s) in order to warn and direct approaching traffic, each flag person must be wearing a fluorescent orange vest with appropriate identification (See Appendix B-1 of the NYS Certified Escort Manual) on the left lapel of the vest and be equipped with a paddle reading STOP in white letters with red background. Flag person(s) may not be less than 21 years of age and capable of carrying out flagging responsibilities. The flag person shall be a Certified Escort Driver.

Escort car/company requirements

Escort vehicles shall have a minimum wheelbase of at least 100 inches unless otherwise authorized by the Department of Transportation.

Wherever escort vehicles are required, the following equipment is needed for each escort vehicle.

The escort vehicle shall be in safe operating condition and capable of displaying signs and other warning devices as prescribed.
All exterior vehicle lights must be turned on during escort operations.
A two-way radio that meets Federal Communication Commission standards is required in each escort vehicle.
A cellular telephone is required in either the escort vehicle or the permitted load vehicle.
Three emergency triangles and/or flares.
Three emergency flares for permitted night moves.
A fluorescent orange vest with certified escort insignia on left chest of vest.
A stop paddle.
Two 18 inch by 18 inch red or fluorescent orange fluorescent flags on staffs.
A class 5BC or larger rated fire extinguisher.
Every front escort shall have a measuring device attached to the vehicle when escorting an overheight load. If two front escorts are required, only one escort is required to have such a measuring device.

Route surveys are required for vehicles/loads exceeding 13 feet 11 inches high, 100 feet long, and 16 feet wide. Route surveys must be physically performed by New York State-certified escorts. In conducting the survey, the escort shall assure that sufficient clearance of all physical objects along the route(s) exists for the movement(s) to be made and the roadway or bridge limits are not exceeded. With respect to height clearance, the survey shall guarantee that no portion of the movement shall be within three inches of any overhead object if the vehicle/load is 12 feet wide or less, and within six feet of any overhead object if the vehicle is over 12 feet wide.

Escort certification

In order to qualify as a certified escort, applicants must:

Be 21 years old;
Have a valid New York State driver license or valid license in the state or jurisdiction in which he/she is a resident (those out of state drivers who do not have current New York State driving privileges are not eligible for escort certification);
Comply with all terms, conditions, requirements and/or regulations set forth by the permitting agency in the State of New York; and
Pass the New York State Escort Drivers Certification Test and score 70 percent or higher.

For certified escorts with a New York State driver's license, the Escort Driver Certificate will expire at the expiration date of the driver license. If a certified escort has a driver license from another state, the certificate will be valid for four years from the date it is issued.

The New York Certified Escort Manual can be found at https://roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/documents/14661/escort.pdf.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	A special hauling permit does not, except as may be specifically provided on the face of the permit, authorize movement between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
Weekend	A special hauling permit does not, except as may be specifically provided on the face of the permit, authorize movement on Saturdays or Sundays.
Holidays	Movements are not allowed on the following holidays: • New Years Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day Travel is also prohibited after noon on the day preceding Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Visibility	No movements are allowed upon any highway when the visibility is limited by atmospheric or other conditions so as to make travel hazardous for any vehicle. No travel is allowed when any person, vehicle or highway is not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000'. No travel is allowed when the surface of the highway is made hazardous by rain, sleet, snow or ice.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - New York