1. Commercial Vehicles Exceeding Size or Weight Limits
If your truck or combination (truck + trailer) exceeds New York’s legal weight or dimension limits, you must obtain an oversize/overweight permit before operating on public highways. This includes:
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Vehicles over state weight limits or bridge formula limits.
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Trucks wider, taller, or longer than state standards.
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Special oversized or overweight loads that require special hauling permits.
2. Out-of-State Carriers without IRP/IFTA
If you are an out-of-state trucker and not registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP) or International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), you must get a New York trip permit to operate legally in the state.
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These are short-term credentials in lieu of full IRP/IFTA registration.
3. Interstate Carriers Operating Through NY
Even if registered federally (USDOT, IRP, IFTA), if your vehicle/load doesn’t meet state limits (e.g., oversize/overweight), you must get the appropriate New York permit. Federal registration does not replace state permitting requirements.
4. Vehicles Operating in New York City with Special Limits
New York City has its own size/weight restrictions. Trucks that exceed local limits must obtain a daily over-dimensional permit before entering city streets.
5. Highway Use Tax (HUT) Permit Required
You must register for a Highway Use Tax (HUT) permit if your vehicle:
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Operates on New York public highways and
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Has a gross weight or combined (truck + trailer) weight over 18,000 lbs.
This applies to trucks, tractors, and most commercial combinations, even for occasional trips.
6. Temporary Fuel or Trip Permits
If you are not IFTA-registered but still need to operate (e.g., one-time trip or short stay), you can obtain:
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Temporary HUT (fuel) permit — allows legal operation without full IFTA.
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Trip permit — temporary registration credential.
Quick Checklist: Do I Need a NY Trucking Permit?
You likely must obtain a permit if any of the following are true:
Your vehicle + load exceed state size or weight limits
You are an out-of-state carrier without IRP/IFTA planning to operate in NY
You operate vehicles over 18,000 lbs in New York (HUT requirement)
You enter NYC with oversized/overweight equipment
You need a temporary fuel or trip permit for short stays