Who Needs an HUT Permit in New York
You (or your motor carrier company) need an HUT permit if you operate a motor vehicle on public highways in New York and your vehicle meets certain weight criteria.
Specifically, a HUT (or related) registration is required for:
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Any truck, tractor, or self-propelled vehicle with a gross weight over 18,000 pounds.
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Alternatively — if you choose to calculate via “unloaded weight method” — any truck with an unloaded weight over 8,000 lbs or any tractor with unloaded weight over 4,000 lbs.
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Vehicles used to transport automotive fuel under certain circumstances require a different certificate (AFC) — see below.
If your vehicle meets those thresholds — and you use it on New York public highways — you (or your carrier) must register for HUT, obtain a certificate of registration (C of R), affix the “HUT decal,” and file returns.
What “Operating in New York” Means — HUT Coverage
“HUT permit required” applies when the vehicle travels on public highways in New York State. This includes non-toll roads, and also may include toll roads depending on circumstances — but HUT is generally linked to “public highways,” not just private or off-road usage.
If your vehicle only comes into New York very occasionally — e.g. just a one-time or occasional crossing — there is an alternative: you can use a “trip certificate of registration” (trip permit) instead of full HUT registration.
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The trip permit is available for occasional or limited use.
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It’s not available for vehicles transporting automotive fuel (see AFC rules) under some circumstances.
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There is a limit on how many trip certificates per year (not more than 10) under the trip-certificate option.
What You Get: Permit, Decal & Ongoing Filing Requirements
When a vehicle is subject to HUT and you register properly:
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You receive a certificate of registration (C of R) and a decal for the vehicle.
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The decal must be securely and conspicuously affixed (for trucks/tractors: near the front license plate; for fuel-transport trailers under AFC: near rear license plate).
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You (or carrier) are then required to file regular HUT returns, even if no tax is owed, for every vehicle under C of R.
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How often you file depends on annual liability: quarterly, monthly or annually depending on total HUT owed.
Failure to comply — e.g. operating heavy vehicles without a required HUT certificate/decal — can result in serious consequences: revocation of registration, fines, legal penalties.
Exceptions & Exemptions — When You Don’t Need HUT
Not all large vehicles are subject to HUT. Some vehicles are excluded or exempt under HUT law.
Common categories include (but are not limited to):
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Some buses, highway construction or maintenance vehicles.
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Emergency vehicles, farm vehicles, recreational vehicles, or other vehicles used exclusively for exempt activities.
That means even if a vehicle is heavy, if it qualifies under one of the exempt categories (and is used in the defined exempt way), HUT registration may not be required.
Summary: Who Needs HUT — Quick Checklist
You need a HUT permit if:
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Your vehicle is a truck/tractor/self-propelled vehicle; and
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Its gross weight (or unloaded-weight under alternate method) exceeds HUT thresholds; and
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You plan to operate on public New York State highways (with regular or repeated usage); and
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The vehicle isn’t exempt under special categories (e.g. farm, emergency, construction, etc.)
If you only plan a rare or one-time entry into NY with such a vehicle, a trip certificate may suffice — but you cannot exceed the limit of trip permits per year, and some types (e.g. automotive-fuel transporters) may require full registration.