Trucks & Commercial Vehicles
Trucks and commercial vehicles are essential to New York City, providing goods and services to millions of New Yorkers every day.
Freight Mobility
NYC DOT’s Freight Mobility unit is responsible for advancing policies and programs that mitigate the adverse impacts of trucks on infrastructure and communities, while also improving truck delivery efficiency with an overall mission of supporting the City’s economic competitiveness. We provide resources such as maps and FAQ for truck drivers, programs for freight haulers, and studies to make truck deliveries in NYC more efficient.
Contact the Freight Mobility unit by leaving a message on our hotline 212-839-6670 or by emailing freightmobility@dot.nyc.gov.
Subscribe to our Freight Mobility newsletter
The City's diverse mixture of land uses, dense urban environment and vast transportation infrastructure require a distinct set of rules and regulations to govern the operation of trucks and commercial vehicles. In order for this system to function efficiently, it is important that drivers observe these rules and regulations.
Resources: Truck Map & Routes NYC Traffic Rules & Regulations Safety Tips for Drivers Parking and Making Deliveries Express Lane Permits Freight Programs & Initiatives Reports & Studies Truck Driver FAQ
Truck or Commercial Vehicle?
New York City has unique definitions for commercial vehicles and trucks that differ from New York State Department of Motor Vehicles classifications. Find out how your vehicle is classified so you know what rules and regulations apply to you.
Safety Tips for Drivers of Trucks and Other Large Vehicles
Operating a truck or large vehicle in NYC can be difficult and poses some of the greatest risk. In 2019, 67% of truck-involved pedestrian and cyclist crashes resulted in serious injury or death.
To make our streets safer for everyone, truck and commercial vehicle drivers must do their part by learning safe practices.
Truck Smart Guide
Truck Smart Guide – What You Need To Know Before You Go is the official guide to safe truck driving in New York City. This helpful handbook is filled with tips and information to keep everyone travelling throughout NYC safer and smarter.
Truck Smart Guide – What You Need to Know Before You Go Guía Truck Smart: Qué debe saber antes de partir Truck Smart 指南 – 出發前須知 Руководство Truck Smart – Что нужно знать перед поездкой
Things to Know Before You Go:
- Always do your pre-trip safety inspections
- Plan your route
- Slow down and give pedestrians and cyclists space
- Signal for safety
- Remember - Backing up at an intersection or crosswalk is illegal and dangerous
- Avoid distractions
- Do not use cell phone mounts or other items that obstruct your view
- Get enough rest - don’t drive when you’re tired
Watch NYC's "I See You: Safety for Trucks & Other Large Fleet" video for safety tips for truck and large fleet drivers:
Truck Routes
With nearly 1,000 miles of designated roadway, New York City has one of the most complex truck route systems in the nation. Need help navigating the city by truck? Learn more about different types of truck routes
Parkway Restrictions
Trucks and commercial vehicles cannot travel on most parkways in New York City.
Read a complete list of parkways where trucks and commercial vehicles are prohibited Commercial Vehicles, Trucks & Tractor Trailers are Not Allowed on New York State Parkways Brochure (pdf) Request paper copies of the parkways brochure
Truck Route Geodata
The New York City Truck Routes map data is available in shapefile on NYC Open Data. These data sets contain the centerlines of through and local truck routes, and were created from LION, the City's base map of streets.
Truck Route Layer on NYC Open Data (shapefile) Truck Route Layer on NYC Open Data (map)
New York City Truck Route Map
This map is to be used for reference purposes only. Please refer to the New York City Traffic Rules for the most current traffic regulations governing truck routes as well as permissible truck weight and dimensions. Information on this map is subject to change without notices. Always observe all posted restrictions as limitations may apply to designated truck routes.
NYC DOT publishes a full color, double-sided map featuring the City's comprehensive Truck Route network overlaid on top of the entire arterial street network, making it easier for drivers to locate specific streets and intersections. The map also contains helpful information on truck route signage, weight limits and dimensions, overweight/overdimensional permitting and truck related violations as well as City, regional and state truck-related resources.
As part of the Delivering New York: A Smart Truck Management Plan, we continue work to improve our truck route network and map. Check our website and sign up for the Freight Newsletter to stay informed of the latest freight policy and updates.
See a mistake? Please help us make the next edition of this map more accurate. Inform NYC DOT about any inaccuracies or omissions you may notice by emailing freightmobility@dot.nyc.gov.
2022 New York City Truck Route Map (pdf) Request paper copies of the 2022 Truck Route Map
Past Truck Route Changes
There have been truck route changes since 2015 to the Truck Route Map. For details of changes, see links below. Details on truck route changes in Staten Island (pdf)
Changes made to the Truck Route network and map between 2012 and 2015 are summarized below. For details of changes, see links below. Details on truck route changes in Brooklyn (pdf) Details on truck route changes in Queens (pdf) 53 Foot Tractor Trailers can access specific and limited routes to JFK Airport in Queens. See the reverse side of the 2022 Truck Route Map for more information.
Express Lane Permits
NYC DOT issues Express Lane Permits that enable ambulettes, commuter vans and shuttles and other mass transit fleets to use the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes leading to the Queens-Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnels.
Rules and Regulations
The New York City Traffic Rules and Regulations are contained in Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Rules of the City of New York. It includes rules on traffic signals; pedestrians; restrictions on turns; speed restrictions; other restrictions on movement; rules for parking, stopping, and standing; rules for buses, taxis and for-hire vehicles; truck routes; rules pertaining to parkways and parks; limitations on dimensions and weight of vehicles; and other information.
Loading Zones
Loading Zones provide space at the curb for loading and unloading passengers and goods. Types of Loading Zones
Commercial Vehicle Identification
The New York City Traffic Rules require that commercial vehicles display the registrant's name and address on both sides of the vehicle. This is described in Section 4.08 of the Traffic Rules.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues vehicle identification numbers, known as USDOT numbers, to commercial vehicles that operate interstate to transport passengers, or haul cargo. New York State requires intrastate commercial motor vehicle registrants to obtain a USDOT number. For more information, contact the FMCSA at 800-832-5660 or visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number.
Highway Use Tax (HUT) numbers are administered by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. For information call 1-800-980-5437 or (in New York State) 518-388-5245, or visit OSCAR.
Weight and Size Limits
The allowed gross vehicle weight in New York City is 80,000 pounds. Read the full weight and size limits Vehicles that exceed New York City's size and weight limits must obtain overdimensional permits.
Parking a Truck or Commercial Vehicle
What you need to know about parking your truck or commercial vehicle in New York City.
Cross Over Mirrors
Because of the height of large trucks, it can be difficult for truck drivers to see what is happening directly in front of their vehicles. This has contributed to a significant number of pedestrian deaths in New York City.
Cross over mirrors must be installed on all trucks that
- Qualify as Commercial Vehicles,
- Are registered in New York State, and
- Operate in New York City (except for expressways).
Installing cross over mirrors in front of the cab of a truck is a simple way of eliminating a truck driver’s front “blind spot” and allowing the driver to see any person at least three feet tall and passing one foot in front of the vehicle. School buses have long been required to have cross over mirrors. The mirrors are relatively inexpensive and manufacturers typically offer them below list price, and provide bulk discounts.
Cross Over Mirrors Law Cross Over Mirrors for Trucks (pdf)
Reducing Emissions from Non-Road Equipment (Local Law 77)
Local Law 77, which was signed into law in 2003, requires the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel and "best available technology" for reducing emissions from non-road equipment used on City construction projects.
Verified Technologies List of all the diesel retrofit technologies that the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved for use in engine retrofit programs Summary of verified diesel emission control strategies by the California Air Resources Board
Freight Programs & Initiatives
NYC Freight Vision Plan: Delivering Green
NYC DOT and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) are committed to encouraging greener and more efficient truck deliveries, increasing the share of goods moved by water, rail, and cargo bicycles, and supporting innovation and new technologies to make freight movement more efficient. Delivering Green: A vision for a sustainable freight network serving New York City highlights the critical work needed to execute New York City’s shared vision for the future of safer, more efficient, and sustainable freight movement. The City intends to seek federal funding to execute these initiatives made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by Congress in November 2021, which includes over $120 billion over the next five years.
Delivering Green: A vision for a sustainable freight network serving New York City (pdf) Blue Highways: Activating NYC's Waterways for the Sustainable Movement of Goods NYCEDC’s DockNYC Microhubs Pilot Report
Delivering New York: A Smart Truck Management Plan for New York City
Delivering New York is the City’s strategic freight management plan. This plan provides a comprehensive policy framework for a safe, sustainable, equitable, and efficient last-mile freight delivery system.
The plan emphasizes the importance of transforming the "last mile" – the final stage of delivery. This plan introduces new and creative approaches to:
- Accommodate growth in truck traffic
- Expand intermodal delivery methods including programs to reduce freight travel demand, such as off-hour deliveries
- Provide better access to the curb
- Test innovative delivery methods
- Improve truck routing
- Streamline regulations for smarter, data-driven governance
New Yorkers can and should be able to receive the goods they need without compromising on environmental, financial, and social returns. NYC DOT will work with partners to adopt the actions in this plan and put the City on a path towards a safer, more responsible, sustainable, and efficient freight system that grows the economy, supports freight-related jobs, and delivers the goods that residents and businesses need.
Goals of Delivering New York:
- Safety: Improve the safety of truck travel through and within the city
- Efficiency: Improve the efficiency of freight movement to, from, and within the city
- Sustainability: Foster the sustainable and responsible movement of goods
- Partnerships and Knowledge: Expand partnerships within the public and private sectors to increase awareness and understanding of freight activity
Delivering New York: A Smart Truck Management Plan for New York City (pdf)
Commercial Cargo Bicyclist Pilot Program
NYC DOT is committed to exploring the expansion sustainable and efficient transportation modes for last-mile freight delivery. This pilot program encourages the use of cargo bicycles for commercial purposes in the City, and is open to any business interested in utilizing cargo bicycles for last-mile freight delivery. Commercial Cargo Bicyclist Program Information and Resources
NYC Clean Trucks
The NYC Clean Trucks Program provides rebate incentives and a network of resources to local commercial fleet operators so that they may transition away from diesel and towards clean, advanced trucks and transportation technologies. NYC Clean Trucks Program Website
Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) Program
OHD Program Website and 2010 Pilot Report
Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) Incentive Program
NYC DOT provides Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) incentive funding toward the purchase of Tier 4 Final or ultra-low-emissions TRUs to qualified applicants in Hunts Point. Qualified fleets will work with the City to promote the reduction of harmful emissions from Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2 TRU engines.
Truck's Eye View
NYC DOT developed the Truck’s Eye View program in 2011 to provide education to the public on the obstructed vision areas around large trucks. At events citywide, participants can sit in the driver’s seat of a truck and learn about the vehicle’s obstructed vision areas from a professional truck driver, to increase safety awareness for all roadway users.
To learn more about the Truck’s Eye View Program or request a display at a community event in your area, please contact us at FreightMobility@dot.nyc.gov.
Check It or Wreck It
NYC DOT’s Check It or Wreck It campaign encourages truckers to view the truck route map, use a truck-specific GPS and avoid parkways in the New York Metro Area.
Reports & Studies
Improving the Efficiency of Truck Deliveries in NYC
Understanding the challenges of urban freight deliveries in NYC today enables us to identify opportunities for improved efficiency in the last mile delivery. Improving the Efficiency of Truck Deliveries in NYC report (pdf)
Urban Freight Initiatives Report
This report outlines initiatives aimed towards advancing policies and programs which mitigate the adverse impacts of trucks on infrastructure and communities, while improving safety, truck delivery efficiency, and New York City’s economic competitiveness. Download Urban Freight Initiatives Report (pdf)
Newsletter
Subscribe to the NYC DOT Freight Newsletter:
Newsletter Archive:
February 2022 January 2022 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 April 2021 February 2021 July 2020 December 2017: All Trucks Must Exit May 2017