SBTC Challenges NY, CA CDL Authority

What New York actually requires

The story above is the enforcement. This is the rule it is enforcing — so you do not have to go looking for it.

Legal without a permit

Legal width (Above this you need a permit)

8'6"

Legal height (Above this you need a permit)

13'6"

Legal gross weight (Above this you need a permit)

80,000 lbs

When escorts kick in

Front escort required over (width)

12'

Rear escort required over (width)

12'

Escorts both ends over (width)

12'

Height escort / pole car over (height)

14'

When you may run — base envelope only, conditions below

Night travel

Not allowed

Weekend travel

Not allowed

Sunday travel

Not allowed

Superload threshold

Superload over (width)

16'

Superload over (height)

16'

Superload over (length)

160'

Superload over (weight)

200,000 lbs

• NYSDOT state-highway certified-escort triggers (17 NYCRR 154-1.12 + 2025 Certified Escort Manual). No escort if under 12 ft wide, under 80 ft long, and under 14 ft high (unless slow-moving, bridge-speed-restricted, or overhang > 10 ft). FRONT escort on two-lane highways when load exceeds 12 ft wide (>144 in), is 80 ft+ long, 14 ft+ high, or overhang > 10 ft. REAR escort on highways of more than two lanes under the same triggers. TWO escorts (front+rear) when both conditions apply. THREE escorts when over 16 ft wide on two-lane, 18 ft+ on four-lane, 100 ft+ on two-lane, or 160 ft+ on four-lane. Overheight: front escort carries height pole set 3 in above load (<=12 ft wide) or 6 in above (if wider), running 3,000 ft ahead. POLICE escort (in addition) required when length exceeds 160 ft (200 ft on NYS Thruway), width exceeds 16 ft, weight exceeds 200,000 lbs or crossing a structure centerline, or height 16 ft or greater. Certified escorts cannot legally stop traffic on the Thruway. NYS Thruway and NYC DOT issue separate permits with differing rules.
• Daylight-only: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; night travel may be allowed on request in Lower Hudson Region and Long Island counties. No Saturday/Sunday travel EXCEPT loads within 12 ft wide and 85 ft long able to maintain traffic-flow speed may travel until 12:00 noon Saturday (unless a holiday/half-day-before). Overweight-only loads within 125% of legal weight, all other dimensions legal, able to maintain traffic speed may travel 24/7. Rush-hour (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM): no travel statewide for any load 100 ft+; none in Business Districts for 14 ft+ wide/90 ft+ long/14 ft+ high; none statewide for 16 ft+ wide/100 ft+ long/14 ft+ high. Max permit speed 55 MPH. No travel when visibility under 1,000 ft or road hazardous.
• No permit travel on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day; also prohibited from 12:00 noon the working day (Mon-Fri) preceding these holidays. Manufactured/modular homes over 14 ft wide add Monday-holiday blackouts: MLK Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day.

Permit desk: 518-485-2999 · Apply online

Official source · Checked 2026-07-16 · Confidence: high
Only limits we have confirmed are listed. A limit that is not shown is one we have not verified — never read a gap here as "no limit". Always confirm on the permit before you roll.