Legal Size Limits (Before a Permit Is Required)
Width
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8 feet 6 inches (102″) is the general maximum overall width (vehicle + load).
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In New York City and on some narrow roads, width may be limited to 8 feet due to lane width restrictions.
Height
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13 feet 6 inches overall height is the statewide legal maximum.
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Some bridges or local rules (e.g., NYC parkways) may impose lower limits.
Length
Single Unit Vehicles
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Maximum 40 feet overall including load and bumpers.
Combination Vehicles (Tractor + Trailer)
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48-foot trailer maximum on non-designated routes.
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65 feet overall vehicle + load allowed on many state highways.
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53-foot trailers may be permitted on designated access highways (e.g., interstates) under federal/NY rules.
Weight Limits
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
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80,000 pounds total gross vehicle weight is the standard New York and federal limit for most commercial trucks on the Interstate and state highway system.
Axle Weight Limits
State and local enforcement generally follows typical weight spacing formulas:
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Single axle: ~22,400 lbs
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Tandem axle: ~36,000 lbs
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Tridem axle: varies by spacing, often up to ~54,000 lbs
(Exact formulas depend on spacing and vehicle type; limits above reflect typical pre-permit thresholds statewide.)
Key Notes
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These dimensions apply before needing a state oversize/overweight permit; exceeding them generally triggers permitting.
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New York City imposes stricter local limits (e.g., 8′ width and 55′ length in some areas) that may differ from general state limits.
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Federal Surface Transportation rules also affect what’s legally allowed on the Interstate system (e.g., 53′ trailers on designated highways).
Summary Table
| Dimension | NY Legal Limit (generally) |
|---|---|
| Width | 8′6″ |
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Single Vehicle Length | 40′ |
| Trailer Length | 48′ (general) |
| Combination Length | 65′ (common) |
| Gross Weight | 80,000 lbs |
| Axle Weights | ~22,400 lbs (single), 36,000 lbs (tandem) |