New Jersey

Width

8'6" (8' on undesignated roads)

Height

13'6"

Semi-trailer length

53' (48' on non-designated highways)

Single axle

22,400 lb.

Tandem axle

34,000 lb.

Tridem axle

56,400 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

609-633-9402

Fax

609-633-9393

Hours

8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern

Website

state.nj.us/transportation

The gross weight of each set of tandem axles may not exceed 34,000 lbs, and two consecutive sets of tandem axles combined may not exceed 68,000 lbs. An annual multiple-trip permit is available for ocean-borne containerized cargo (a tractor-semitrailer combination hauling sealed international ocean cargo containers): combined GVW 90,000 lbs, tandem axle 38,000 lbs, tridem (tri-axle) 56,000 lbs — weights beyond these require single-trip permits.

Temporary Trip Permit (72 hours)

$25

Temporary Fuel Permit (96 hours)

$25

Both permits are issued in lieu of IRP/IFTA registration and can be obtained through a permitting service for an additional processing fee.

A weight limit violation carries a fine of up to $1,000, and the owner/operator is responsible to the municipality (or the state, for state-maintained bridges) for any resulting bridge damage.

New Jersey police typically enforce GVW/axle overweight violations separately; GVW overweight fines are $500 for the first 1,000 lbs, then $100 for each additional 1,000 lbs.

Oversize permit loads may not operate on New Year's Day, Memorial Day (and the preceding Friday), Independence Day, Labor Day (and the preceding Friday), Thanksgiving Day (and the preceding Wednesday), and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on Sunday, operation is also barred the following Monday; if on Saturday, the preceding Friday (waivers may be granted). An oversize permit is not valid at night (sunset to sunrise), when daylight visibility is under 500 feet, or when hazardous road conditions exist.

Warning signs must be at least 6' wide by 1' high, reading "WIDE LOAD" or "OVERSIZE LOAD" in black letters at least 10 inches high on a yellow background — placement varies by how many escort vehicles are required (front/rear of the escorts or, if none, front/rear of the oversize combination itself). Warning flags must be red and at least 18 inches square, displayed at the front corners of a preceding escort, the rear corners of a following escort, or the four corners of the oversize vehicle/load (whichever applies given the escort configuration and whether the load projects beyond the vehicle). Low-beam headlamps and red taillamps must be illuminated on all escort, towing, and towed vehicles.

Minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 inch, and no motor vehicle or trailer may be driven unless equipped with tires in safe operating condition. Tire chains of reasonable proportions are permitted when roads are slippery due to rain, snow, ice, oil, construction, or similar reasons, but may not be used on improved highways at any time when conditions don't necessitate them for safety. Solid rubber tires must have at least 1 inch of rubber above the flange around the entire periphery.

There is no annual permit in New Jersey.

Be alert and minimize distractions, don't tailgate (keep at least two car lengths and watch brake lights), obey posted speed limits (moving violation fines are doubled in work zones), change lanes with caution, obey flaggers, expect the unexpected (workers or equipment may enter your lane without warning), expect delays (check conditions online and consider an alternate route), and be patient.

There are no specific regulations relating to the movement of manufactured housing in New Jersey — refer to the general oversize load regulations above.