Oversize/Overweight Permits for Commercial Vehicles and Trucks

Information for overweight or overdimensional vehicles

Unless otherwise signed, vehicles not exceeding the size and weight restrictions (13 feet 6 inches in height, 8 feet in width and 55 feet in length) are permitted to travel on most City roadways providing that they are following the Truck Route Network. Vehicles that exceed these size and weight restrictions require "Daily Overdimensional Permits." Use the "Truck Access and Vehicle Dimension Guidelines for New York City" table below to determine the permitting requirements for your vehicle.

Vehicles exceeding the maximum dimensions must obtain a daily overdimensional vehicles permit for each portion of a trip (for example, one permit is needed to travel to a destination within the City and another is needed to travel back out). Use the table below to see the permitting requirements for your vehicle.

How to obtain an overweight or overdimensional permit in New York City

The New York City Department of Transportation issues "daily overdimensional permits" for oversized or overweight vehicles. Please refer to the Truck Access and Vehicle Dimension Guidelines for classification and requirements.
Download the Truck Access And Vehicle Dimension Guidelines (pdf)
Download the Daily Overdimensional Permit application form (pdf)

For information concerning Daily Overdimensional Permits, please contact:

Bridges - Truck Unit
New York City Department of Transportation
55 Water Street
New York NY 10041
Tel: (212) 839-6341

New York State defines a Special Dimension Vehicle (SDV) as a 53' trailer with a 43' kingpin (distance between the kingpin and the centerline of the rear axle or rear axles group does not exceed 43 feet).

An STAA Vehicle is defined as any vehicle authorized by Federal Surface Transport Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), as amended, when such vehicle is operating pursuant to such Act. STAA Vehicles includes 48' L x102" W trailers. Twin 28'-6" tandem trailers, maxicubes, triple saddlemounts, conventional auto carriers and stinger steered auto carriers.

Ordering NYC Daily Over-dimensional per-trip permits

Please provide the following on original company letterhead - signed and dated - so that we may begin the process of setting up a contract to order NYC Daily Over-dimensional permits from DOT to move non-divisible loads in the City:

• full company name and address
• Federal Tax ID number
• company contact person, as well as the individual who will be mentioned in the actual agreement
• company email address where the completed permits can be emailed to
• telephone and fax numbers
• the number of over-dimensional permits you will order per month or on a two-month basis.

Special Handling Permit From MTA

Vehicles weighing over 80,000 lbs. may require a permit for special handling, in advance, from MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

MTA Bridge Letters

MTA Bridge Letters for Over-dimensional trucks/vehicle combinations are processed through the DOT ODVP permit processing on-line system. Paper and faxed Bridge Letters will no longer be accepted. All vehicles that exceed the bridge formula, 80,000 lbs GVW, or any other NYC legal dimension, require a DOT permit to travel through/in New York City. If the route includes an MTA structure, DOT will coordinate the approval process for that structure with the MTA.
Learn more from the MTA trucking site

Additional truck permitting information

Other enforcement and transportation agencies in the region may have different regulations and requirements pertaining to trucks. Truck restrictions can vary by facility. Use the contact information below to check before you travel.

Other Useful Numbers

Information on USDOT numbers

If you already have a USDOT number and the name of your business and USDOT number are displayed on the side of your truck or trucks this section does not apply to you.

All trucks and truck/trailers with a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 lbs or more for business purposes in New York State are required to have a valid USDOT number. This law went into effect July 5, 2006.

These new rules contain new vehicle marking requirements. The lettering of your business name and USDOT # followed by the letters "NY" needs to contrast with the background color of your truck and be readable from 50 feet.

Example:
ABC LAWN CARE SERVICE
USDOT 123456 NY

Visit the New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) Truck and Motor Safety Website to learn more about the new marking requirements.

When operating in New York City, all commercial vehicles must meet the marking requirements outlined in the Commercial Vehicle Parking page.

Obtaining a USDOT number is simple and free. You can receive your USDOT number immediately by registering online with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Online Registration and Licensing System. All that is needed is a valid credit card (there is no charge), the card is needed for an electronic signature).

If you operate within New York State (intrastate), you can download this application and fax it to NYSDOT at (518) 457-6513, or you can call NYSDOT at (866) 881-2630. They will mail or fax you an application. Your USDOT number will promptly be sent to you in the mail.

If you operate across state lines (interstate), you can download a copy of the interstate application (MCS-150), and mail it to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Follow the instructions on the application.