New Jersey (NJ) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in New Jersey.

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout New Jersey. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across New Jersey and all connecting states. We handle the coordination so your oversize load moves safely and on time.

Legal Dimensions — New Jersey

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
53'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
14'1" 16'0" 1 Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required
14'1" 20'0" 0 No mandatory escort for height alone; utility-company coordination required for overhead wires (N.J.S.A. 39:4-28)

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 100'0" 0 Permit required
100'1" 120'0" 1 Rear
120'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
150,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 0 Special clearance required
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required
14'1" 16'0" 1 Front
16'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required
14'1" 20'0" 0 No mandatory escort for height alone; utility-company coordination required for overhead wires (N.J.S.A. 39:4-28)

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 100'0" 0 Permit required
100'1" 120'0" 1 Rear
120'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
150,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 0 Special clearance required
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight hours
Night Travel
Not permitted
Weekend Travel
No Saturday afternoon or Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
Prohibited: NJ Route 495, Holland Tunnel, NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway. I-95/GW Bridge requires Port Authority pre-approval.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities

Pilot Car Services in New Jersey

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout New Jersey for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through New Jersey, our team matches your load with the right escorts — lead cars, chase cars, high pole escorts, and steer cars — based on the dimension thresholds and travel rules outlined above.

Because oversize requirements change at every state line, we plan your route end to end so your equipment stays compliant from origin to destination. Our dispatchers handle scheduling, positioning, and communication with your drivers, keeping your oversize or overweight load moving safely and on time across New Jersey and beyond.

Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the New Jersey Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Need a Pilot Car in New Jersey?

Call us at (214) 550-7192 or order online. Our pilots are ready to escort your load anywhere in New Jersey and beyond.