New Mexico

Width

8'6" (8' on undesignated roads)

Height

14'

Semi-trailer length

57'6" (65' on non-designated highways)

Single axle

21,000 lb.

Tandem axle

34,320 lb.

Tridem axle

34,320 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

505-476-2475

Fax

505-827-0385

Hours

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Mountain

Website

dot.state.nm.us

An escort is required for all widths exceeding 14', and may be required for widths under 14' depending on the route. An escort is required for all loads exceeding 90' in length. Front and rear escorts are required for 18'-wide loads on two-lane highways. Police escorts are required for all loads 20' or more in width, and front and rear escorts are required for loads exceeding 110' in length.

Max weight per tire

600 lbs per inch of tire width

Max single axle

21,600 lbs

Max tandem axle

34,320 lbs

Max weight for any vehicle/combination

86,400 lbs

Single trip oversize permit fee

$25.00

Single trip overweight permit fee

$25.00

State Police escort (if necessary)

+$300.00 per day

Self-issue permits — manufactured home transporters/dealers

$250.00 for a book of 10

Self-issue permits — implements of husbandry

$150.00 for a book of 10

Multiple trip permit (combo up to 140,000 lbs, 14' wide, 15' high, 15' front/25' rear overhang)

$250.00

Without a valid IFTA decal/license, a special-fuel-powered vehicle needs a Temporary Special Fuel Permit ($5.00, valid up to 48 hours or one entry and exit). Without a valid IFTA decal, a special fuel tax is assessed at 5 cents per mile operated in New Mexico. Without a valid Tax Identification Permit, a trip tax is assessed based on miles operated and combination gross weight.

Driving an overweight commercial vehicle is a misdemeanor: $50 first offense, $250 second offense, $500 subsequent offenses.

Movement is generally permitted sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday. Overweight-only loads may have continuous travel on Interstate and 4-lane highways, with a pilot car required. Movement is prohibited 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Española, and no travel is permitted on major holidays.

Towing vehicles pulling loads wider than 12' may display an amber rotating flashing beacon atop the cab. "Oversize Load" or "Wide Load" signs are required on the front of the towing unit and rear of the load, black letters on a yellow background, for any oversize, overweight, or overweight-only load. Red or orange flags are required at the front corners of the tow vehicle and aft corners of the load.

When permitted, solid rubber tires must have at least 1 inch of rubber above the flange around the entire periphery. Minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 inch. No vehicle may operate with any tire surface in contact with the roadway that is wholly or partly metal or another hard, non-resilient material, except a snow tire with metal studs designed to increase traction on ice or snow. Tire chains or metal-studded snow tires are permitted for safety in snow, ice, or similar conditions.

The Department of Public Safety may issue a special permit authorizing movement exceeding state weight limits, either single trip or for one year (emergency cases), allowing GVW up to 140,000 lbs. Vehicles up to 96,000 lbs operating within 6 miles of the Mexico border are not required to demonstrate the load is non-divisible. Permits may be issued for manufactured homes, subject to further statutory restrictions. Vehicles with a GVW over 170,000 lbs require a special permit with an engineering review.

Cost

$250

Turnaround

1 week

Avoid distractions, pay attention to signs, follow flagger directions, keep a safe following distance, and observe work zone speed limits — fines are doubled for speeding in New Mexico work zones. Expect the unexpected, stay alert for workers and equipment, and be patient.

Each permit is issued for a single trip, may include a designated route and other conditions, and must be carried in the vehicle for inspection by any peace officer — violating a permit condition is a misdemeanor. A single-trip fee is $25 plus $0.025 for each 2,000 lbs (or major fraction) in excess of 86,400 lbs, multiplied by the miles to be traveled. A permit will not be issued for a manufactured home wider than 18 feet, including no more than a 6-inch roof overhang on the left side or 12 inches on the right side, in addition to the 18-foot width. The Secretary of Public Safety may allow movers to self-issue permits for certain manufactured home sizes over specific routes, at a cost of no less than $25.