New York Radius Permits: How the 25, 50, and 100-Mile Oversize Options Differ
Table Of Contents
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Introduction
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What a Radius Permit Is
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The 25-Mile Radius Permit
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The 50-Mile Radius Permit
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The 100-Mile Radius Permit
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Side-by-Side Comparison
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Time-of-Travel Restrictions
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Why Many Trucking Companies Choose Our Service
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FAQ
Introduction
Many carriers in New York run the same kinds of overweight or oversize loads close to home, day after day. Applying for a separate trip permit for every move can slow work down. Radius permits solve that problem by covering repeated movements within a set distance of your business location. They are one of the most practical forms of a New York Oversize Permit for local and regional operations.
New York offers three radius options: 25 miles, 50 miles, and 100 miles. Each has its own weight, width, and length limits. This guide explains how they differ, based on Title 17 of the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR), Section 154-1.2.
What a Radius Permit Is
A radius permit is a special hauling permit that authorizes movements within an air mile radius of the boundaries of the municipality where the applicant's business is located. Under 17 NYCRR 154-1.2, all three radius permits are issued for a period of either monthly or annual.
Two details matter here:
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Air miles, not road miles. The radius is measured as a straight-line distance from the municipal boundary, not by the distance you drive.
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A municipality is not a county. For radius permits, the regulation states that a "municipality" shall not include a county. It means the geographic boundaries of a city, town, or village.
Choosing the right radius is the key decision when you apply for this type of New York Oversize Permit.
The 25-Mile Radius Permit
The 25-mile radius permit allows the highest gross weights of the three options, but it applies only to specific vehicle configurations. The maximum gross weights are:
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116,000 pounds for a five-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 36 feet
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112,000 pounds for a four-axle vehicle with two steering axles
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80,000 pounds for a four-axle vehicle with one steering axle
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73,280 pounds for a three-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 17 feet
Any tandem axle grouping is limited to 56,000 pounds, and any triaxle grouping is limited to 60,000 pounds.
The size limits are a maximum width of 12 feet and a maximum length of 72 feet. A length of up to 85 feet may be issued for specific vehicles on selected routes if the highway geometry allows it.
The regulation also allows contractors and trucking companies to obtain an additional 25-mile radius permit centered on a specific construction project, which is useful for job sites away from the home office.
The 50-Mile Radius Permit
The 50-mile radius permit covers a wider area but uses a different weight standard. Instead of fixed numbers by axle count, it authorizes a maximum gross weight not to exceed 135 percent of the weight prescribed in Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 385(10).
Axle and axle grouping weights may not exceed 125 percent of the limits in VTL Section 385, subsections (8), (9), or (10).
The size limits match the 25-mile permit:
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Width: up to 12 feet
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Length: up to 72 feet, with up to 85 feet possible for specific vehicles on selected routes when highway geometry allows
The 100-Mile Radius Permit
The 100-mile radius permit covers the largest area. It uses the same weight structure as the 50-mile permit: gross weight up to 135 percent of VTL 385(10) and axle and grouping weights up to 125 percent of the statutory limits.
The main difference is width. The 100-mile permit allows a maximum width of 11 feet, one foot narrower than the other two options. The maximum length is still 72 feet, with the same conditional 85-foot allowance.
If your load is 11.5 or 12 feet wide, the 100-mile option will not cover it, even if your route stays well inside that radius.
Side-by-Side Comparison
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25-mile: fixed gross weights by configuration (up to 116,000 pounds on five axles), 12 feet wide, 72 feet long
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50-mile: 135 percent of VTL 385(10) gross weight, 12 feet wide, 72 feet long
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100-mile: 135 percent of VTL 385(10) gross weight, 11 feet wide, 72 feet long
All three are issued monthly or annually, and all three may allow 85 feet in length on selected routes.
Time-of-Travel Restrictions
Under 17 NYCRR 154-1.2(a), special hauling permits generally do not authorize movement between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, or on weekends and listed holidays, unless the permit states otherwise. Always check the conditions printed on your New York Oversize Permit before moving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Measuring by road miles. The radius is in air miles from the municipal boundary.
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Using the county as the starting point. The radius starts at the city, town, or village boundary.
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Assuming 12 feet works everywhere. The 100-mile permit allows only 11 feet of width.
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Ignoring axle groupings. On the 25-mile permit, tandem and triaxle limits still apply even under the gross limit.
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Assuming 85 feet is automatic. The extra length is only for specific vehicles on selected routes.
Why Many Trucking Companies Choose Our Service
New York Trucking Online helps carriers choose the right radius and secure the correct New York Oversize Permit for their equipment and operating area. Our service fee for an oversize permit is $97. We review your vehicle's weights and dimensions so you get a permit that fits how you actually work.
We provide support 24/7 and also work weekends and holidays.
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FAQ
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How long are New York radius permits valid?
They are issued for a period of either monthly or annually.
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Which radius permit allows 116,000 pounds?
The 25-mile radius permit, for a five-axle vehicle with a minimum wheel base of 36 feet.
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What is the width limit for each radius permit?
The 25-mile and 50-mile permits allow 12 feet. The 100-mile permit allows 11 feet.
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What is the maximum length?
72 feet for all three, with up to 85 feet possible for specific vehicles on selected routes.
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Where is the radius measured from?
From the boundaries of the city, town, or village where your business is located, not the county.
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Can I get a radius permit for a construction site?
Yes. Contractors and trucking companies may obtain an additional 25-mile radius permit around a specific construction project.
For more information, visit the New York State Department of Transportation.