New Jersey Oversize Permit, Wide and Heavy Haul Information

Summary:

• New Jersey offers several types of permits for oversize/overweight loads, including 5-day single-trip permits, Code 23 permits for construction equipment, annual ocean-borne container permits, and emergency permits, each with specific requirements and restrictions.
• Operating under an oversize permit requires specific safety equipment including red 18″x18″ flags at load extremities, yellow warning signs with 10″ black letters reading “WIDE LOAD” or “OVERSIZE LOAD,” and proper lighting during low-visibility conditions.
• Escort vehicle requirements vary based on load dimensions and road type, with vehicles exceeding 14 feet in width or 100 feet in length requiring at least one escort, while movement is prohibited during major holidays and may be restricted on certain routes including toll facilities.

Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions

In New Jersey, oversize permits are not valid for the operation of a vehicle on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day and Friday before Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day and the Friday before Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day and the Wednesday before
• Christmas Day

If these holidays fall on a Sunday, the operation shall not be permitted on the following Monday. If these holidays fall on a Saturday, the operation shall not be permitted on the preceding Friday. 

Travel with an oversize permit in New Jersey is restricted during the nighttime hours of sunset to sunrise.

Travel on NJ Route 495 and the Holland Tunnel, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, and the Atlantic City Expressway is not allowed. Obtaining access to the I-95 sector of the NJ Turnpike between Ridgefield and the George Washington Bridge is permitted only with the permission of the Turnpike Authority.

Traveling on I-95 to New York on the GW Bridge requires contacting the Traffic Safety Officer of the NY/NJ Port Authority.

Signs, Flags, Lights, and Escort Requirements

For the safety of others on the road, lights, flags, and signs may be required for oversize loads and superloads.

Signs

Any vehicle operating under an OS/OW permit must display warning signs to alert other motorists. The sign requirements are:

• Must be a minimum size of 6 feet wide by 12 inches high
• Must display either “WIDE LOAD” or “OVERSIZE LOAD”
• Must have a yellow background with black letters that are 10 inches high

Sign placement depends on escort requirements:

• When no escorts are required: Signs must be displayed on both the front and rear of the oversize vehicle combination.
• When one escort is required:
  • If the escort precedes the load: Sign must be on the front of the escort vehicle and on the rear of the escorted combination
  • If the escort follows the load: Sign must be on the rear of the escort vehicle and on the front of the escorted combination
• When two escorts are required: Signs must be displayed on the front of the escort vehicle preceding the load and on the rear of the escort vehicle following the load

If two escort vehicles are necessary, a warning sign needs to be placed on the front of the leading escort and one on the rear of the following escort.

When a single escort is needed, one warning sign will be placed on the rear of the following vehicle and the front of the leading vehicle, whether it is the oversized vehicle or escort. If no escorts are required, warning signs should be on both the front and rear of the oversized vehicle.

Flags

Red warning flags must be a minimum of 18 inches x 18 inches in size. Flag placement varies depending on the load:

• For oversize vehicles: Flags must be placed at the four corners of the vehicle
• For loads projecting beyond vehicle sides: Flags must be placed at the extremities of the load rather than on the vehicle
• For loads projecting only beyond the rear: Two flags must be placed on the two rear corners of the load
• For round or irregularly shaped loads without distinguishable corners: Flags must be placed at the outermost extremity of the load on each side and/or rear of the vehicle

When escort vehicles are required:

• Front escort vehicle must display warning flags on its two front corners
• Rear escort vehicle must display warning flags on its two rear corners

Lights

Vehicles transporting loads extending more than 4 inches beyond the overall width must have:

• An amber lamp at the front edge of the outermost extremity of the load, visible from the front and side
• A red lamp at the rearmost edge of the outermost portion of the load that extends beyond the side, visible from the rear and side
• For loads less than 3 feet from front to rear:
  • An amber lamp visible from the front, both sides, and rear
  • If the projection is at/near the rear, a red lamp visible from front, side, and rear

For loads projecting more than 4 feet beyond the rear or with extended tailboards/tailgates:

• One red side marker lamp on each side of the projecting load, visible from the side, indicating maximum overhang
• Two red lamps and two red reflectors on the rear of the load, one at each side, indicating maximum width

All escort vehicles, towing vehicles, and towed vehicles must have:

• Low beam headlamps illuminated
• Red tail lamps illuminated
• These lights must remain on throughout the duration of operation

Lights are required:

• From one half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise
• When rain, mist, snow or other precipitation requires windshield wipers
• During any conditions where visibility is less than 500 feet due to smoke, fog, or unfavorable atmospheric conditions

Escort Vehicles

The number of escort vehicles required depends on the load dimensions and road type:

For Highways with 4 or More Lanes:

• Width exceeding 14 feet: One rear escort
• Width exceeding 16 feet: One front and one rear escort
• Length exceeding 100 feet: One rear escort
• Length exceeding 120 feet: One front and one rear escort

For Highways with Less than 4 Lanes:

• Width exceeding 14 feet: One front escort
• Width exceeding 16 feet: One front and one rear escort
• Length exceeding 100 feet: One front escort
• Length exceeding 120 feet: One front and one rear escort

When traveling during nighttime hours under a waiver, one additional escort vehicle must be added to the standard escort requirements. If a vehicle and/or load is under the width and length dimensions requiring escorts, then one escort vehicle is required when operating with a waiver during nighttime hours.

Front escort vehicles must maintain a distance of 200 to 500 feet from the front of the permitted vehicle(s). Rear escort vehicles must maintain a distance of 100 to 250 feet from the rear of the permitted vehicle(s).

Obtaining a Permit

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issues size and weight permits on behalf of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. There are several types of permits available:

Single-Trip OS/OW Permit

• Valid for five days
• Used for transporting any non-divisible load above legal size and/or weight limitations
• If the trip cannot be completed within the valid period due to hazardous road conditions or vehicle breakdown, a one-day extension may be granted if requested before permit expiration
• Fees: $10 base permit fee plus additional charges for excess dimensions/weight, $12 transaction fee, and 5% service charge

Code 23 Permits

1. Code 23 Overdimensional Trailer Permit (Lifetime)

• Used for empty trailers exceeding 8 feet in width (but not over 10 feet) in combination with vehicles exceeding 55 feet in length (but not more than 70 feet overall)
• Valid for the life of the trailer as long as Code 23 registration remains valid
• Requires annual trailer registration fee of $209.50

2. Code 23 Overweight/Over Dimensional Route Specific Permit

• Valid for 30 days
• Traditionally used for transport of heavy construction equipment or machinery
• No excess weight fees apply

Ocean Borne Container Permit

• Valid for one year
• Used for transport of sealed ocean borne containerized cargo
• Fee: $100 plus $12 transaction fee and 5% service charge

Emergency Hauling Permits

1. Pre Planned Non-Divisible Load Emergency Permit

• For emergency preparation situations
• Non-divisible loads only

2. Unplanned Non-Divisible Load Emergency Move Permit

• Available during State Declared Emergencies
• Non-divisible loads only

3. Unplanned Divisible Load Emergency Move Permit

• Available only during Federal Declared Emergencies
• Can be used for divisible loads

Permits can be obtained:

• Online 24/7 through NJDOT’s permit website: https://nj.gotpermits.com
• Through a registered permit service company
• For assistance, contact the Trucking Services Permit Office at (609) 963-2085 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday)
• Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Note: NJDOT does not issue permits for the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway south of Exit 105, or Atlantic City Expressway. Separate permits must be obtained from these authorities for travel on their facilities.

Partnering with a Logistics Company

Transporting oversize and overweight loads through New Jersey requires strict adherence to state regulations and permit requirements. By understanding the operating hours, restricted travel times, signage, and permit application process, you can ensure safe and legal transport. If you are interested in streamlining the oversize permit process in New Jersey, consider partnering with a modular logistics company like Stream. Contact our experts to ensure a seamless wide and heavy haul experience for your project. 

Read more:

• Over-Dimensional and Heavy Haul Permitting 101
• What You Need to Know About State Oversize Permits for Over-Dimensional, Wide, and Heavy Haul Trucking
• State Oversize Permit & Wide Load Regulations: Simplified

Stream Logistics is a transportation logistics company specializing exclusively in High Stakes Freight® , or freight where there is significant risk in moving your product. We help you transport freight when there are projects with timelines and delivery sequences, shipments with high complexity, and shipments with unique constraints.