Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in New York.
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout New York. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across New York and all connecting states. We handle the coordination so your oversize load moves safely and on time.
| Min Width | Max Width | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Overhang | Max Overhang | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10'1" | 30'0" | 1 | Rear |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Width | Max Width | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Min Overhang | Max Overhang | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10'1" | 30'0" | 1 | Rear |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200,001 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 2 Police | Front + Rear |
Police escort required
Route survey required |
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout New York for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through New York, 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 York and beyond.