New York (NY) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

Legal Dimensions — New York

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
65'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'1" 13'11" 1 Rear 1 certified escort vehicle to follow on highways of more than two lanes
14'0" 15'11" 1 Rear 1 follow escort; route survey required; no business district travel 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM
16'0" 17'11" 2 Police Front + Rear Front + rear certified escort vehicles required; police escort may be required
18'0" 20'0" 3 Police 2 Front + 1 Rear 3 escorts on 4-lane (additional rear); police escort

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required. NY Thruway: over 13'6" prohibited.
14'1" 16'0" 1 Front Documented clearance required
Height pole required
16'1" 20'0" 1 Police Front High pole + police escort
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
65'1" 79'11" 0 Permit required, no escort
80'0" 99'11" 1 Rear 1 rear escort on multi-lane highways
100'0" 159'11" 2 Front + Rear Front + rear certified escort vehicles on multi-lane; route survey required; statewide daytime restriction 7-9 AM/4-6 PM
160'0" 200'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 2 escorts on interstate only (3 on other multi-lane); police escort required

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
10'1" 30'0" 1 Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Police escort required. Also when must centerline a bridge or cannot maintain within 20mph of posted speed.
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 11'0" 0 Permit required. NYC: over 11' = 1 escort
11'1" 13'11" 1 Front 1 certified escort vehicle to precede on two-lane highways
14'0" 15'11" 1 Front 1 precede escort; route survey; no business district 7-9 AM/4-6 PM
16'0" 20'0" 3 Police 2 Front + 1 Rear Front + rear required on all routes; third precede escort on 2-lane; police may be required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required
14'1" 16'0" 1 Front Documented clearance required
Height pole required
16'1" 20'0" 1 Police Front High pole + police
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
65'1" 79'11" 0 Permit required. NYC: over 65' = 1 escort
80'0" 99'11" 1 Front 1 front escort on 2-lane highways
100'0" 159'11" 3 2 Front + 1 Rear 3 certified escort vehicles on 2-lane highways: 2 front, 1 rear; route survey required
160'0" 200'0" 3 Police 2 Front + 1 Rear 3 escorts on 2-lane / non-interstate multi-lane + police escort

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
10'1" 30'0" 1 Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Police escort required
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight, Monday through Friday
Night Travel
Not permitted. NYC night moves: 10 PM-5:30 AM Mon-Thu.
Weekend Travel
Saturday until noon only for loads 12' wide or less and 85' long or less. No Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
7-9 AM and 4-6 PM restricted in business districts. NY Thruway: over 15' wide requires Thruway Traffic Safety escort.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the New York Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through New York?

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