NYC DOT – Trucks and Commercial Vehicles

Office of Freight Mobility

The Office of Freight Mobility is responsible for advancing policies and programs that mitigate the adverse impacts of trucks on infrastructure and communities, while also improving truck delivery efficiency with an overall mission of supporting the City’s economic competitiveness. Truck Driver Frequently Asked Questions are available on this website and for download. The Office of Freight Mobility can be reached by leaving a message on our hotline number, 212-839-6670, or by emailing [email protected].

Trucks and commercial vehicles are essential to New York City, providing goods and services to millions of New Yorkers every day. The City’s diverse mixture of land uses, dense urban environment and vast transportation infrastructure require a distinct set of rules and regulations to govern the operation of trucks and commercial vehicles. In order for this system to function efficiently, it is important that drivers observe these rules and regulations.

The information provided on these web pages is for educational purposes only. Please refer to the official New York City Traffic Rules and Regulations for the most current rules governing trucks and commercial vehicles.

Subscribe to the DOT Freight Mobility mailing list

Resources:

Truck Routes

Interactive Truck Map

NYC Traffic Rules

Truck Regulations

Parking and Deliveries

Cross Over Mirrors

Express Lane Permits

Urban Freight Initiatives

Improving the Efficiency of Truck Deliveries in NYC

Truck Driver Frequently Asked Questions

Key Freight Initiatives:

Smart Truck Management Plan

The New York City Department of Transportation is developing a plan to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers through the safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible movement of goods. The citywide Smart Truck Management Plan will improve our understanding of truck route usage and compliance, movement of goods, needs of shoppers and receivers, and community concerns. With input from the community, the Department will then implement a series of strategies and actions to improve operations and enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Visit the NYC Smart Truck Management Plan Feedback Portal to get more information and updates about the plan, or contact us at [email protected]

Improving the Efficiency of Truck Deliveries in NYC

Understanding the challenges of urban freight deliveries in NYC today enables us to identify opportunities for improved efficiency in the last mile delivery.
Download Improving the Efficiency of Truck Deliveries in NYC report (pdf)

Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) Program

Delivery trucks and commercial vehicles are critical to the economic vitality of New York City (NYC), a population of 8.5 million. Without efficient freight transportation, retail stores would not have goods to sell and restaurants would have nothing to serve. As NYC’s population continues to grow, the demand for freight transportation will also increase, resulting in more trucks on the road.

The continuous growth and demand on our transportation system has caused increased congestion, which reduces economic productivity and diminishes quality of life. To address these issues, NYC DOT is expanding its Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) program. The OHD program encourage goods delivery off-hours between 7 pm and 6 am. Visit the program webpage to learn more.

Truck’s Eye View Program

DOT developed the Truck’s Eye View (TEV) program in 2011 to provide education to the public on the blind spots around large trucks. The Truck’s Eye View program demonstrates to the public where the blind spots around large trucks are located. At events citywide, participants can sit in the driver’s seat of a truck and learn about the vehicle’s blind spots from a professional truck driver, to increase safety awareness for all roadway users.

In 2017, DOT held five events with a total of 1,742 participants. With the hopes of reaching more residents citywide, the NYCDOT will be presenting the TEV program in all five boroughs in 2018. With the help of our trucking association affiliates and inter-agency volunteers, we will be looking to bring a truck to a neighborhood near you. We’re asking everyone to come experience sitting in a truck and learn about truck blind spots and how to be safer on city streets!

To learn more about the Truck’s Eye View Program or request a display at a community event in your area, please contact us at [email protected].

Check It or Wreck It

DOT’s Check It or Wreck It campaign encourages truckers to view the truck route map, use a truck-specific GPS and avoid parkways in the New York Metro Area.

Listen to the radio spot (mp3)

See a mistake? Please help us make the next edition of this map more accurate. Inform the New York City Department of Transportation about any inaccuracies or omissions you may notice by emailing [email protected].

Interactive Truck Map

There have been truck route changes since 2015 to the Truck Route Map. For details of changes, see links below.
Download details on the truck route changes in Staten Island (pdf))

Changes made to the Truck Route network and map between 2012 and 2015 are summarized below. For details of changes, see links below.
Download details on the truck route changes in Brooklyn (pdf)
Download details on the truck route changes in Queens (pdf)
53 Foot Tractor Trailers can access specific and limited routes to JFK Airport in Queens. See the reverse side of the 2015 Truck Route Map for more information.

Truck Route Geodata

The New York City Truck Routes map data is available in shapefile and KML format in the DOT Datafeeds collection. This data has been revised to include all truck route changes from 2012 through 2015.
Download the data

New York City Traffic Rules

The New York City Traffic Rules and Regulations are contained in Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Rules of the City of New York. It includes rules on traffic signals; pedestrians; restrictions on turns; speed restrictions; other restrictions on movement; rules for parking, stopping, and standing; rules for buses, taxis and for-hire vehicles; truck routes; rules pertaining to parkways and parks; limitations on dimensions and weight of vehicles; and other information.

Commercial Vehicle Identification

The New York City Traffic Rules require that commercial vehicles display the registrant’s name and address on both sides of the vehicle. This is described in Section 4.08 of the Traffic Rules.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues vehicle identification numbers, known as USDOT numbers, to commercial vehicles that operate interstate to transport passengers, or haul cargo. New York State requires intrastate commercial motor vehicle registrants to obtain a USDOT number. For more information, contact the FMCSA at 800-832-5660 or visit
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number.

Highway Use Tax (HUT) numbers are administered by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. For information call 1-800-980-5437 or (in New York State) 518-388-5245, or visit OSCAR.

Reducing Emissions From Non-Road Equipment (Local Law 77)

Local Law 77, which was signed into law in 2003, requires the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel and “best available technology” for reducing emissions from non-road equipment used on City construction projects.
See the Verified Technologies List of all the diesel retrofit technologies that the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved for use in engine retrofit programs.
See the summary of verified diesel emission control strategies by the California Air Resources Board.

Truck Regulations

Weight and Size Limits

The allowed gross vehicle weight in New York City is 80,000 pounds.
Read the full weight and size limits
Vehicles that exceed New York City’s size and weight limits must obtain overdimensional permits.

Parkway Restrictions

Trucks and commercial vehicles cannot travel on most parkways in New York City.
Read a complete list of parkways where trucks and commercial vehicles are prohibited
Download a brochure from DOT and NYSDOT about parkways regulations in the New York area.
Request paper copies of the brochure

Parking and Deliveries

Parking a Truck or Commercial Vehicle

What you need to know about parking your truck or commercial vehicle in New York City.

Cross Over Mirrors

Because of the height of large trucks, it can be difficult for truck drivers to see what is happening directly in front of their vehicles. This has contributed to a significant number of pedestrian deaths in New York City.

Cross over mirrors must be installed on all trucks that

Installing cross over mirrors in front of the cab of a truck is a simple way of eliminating a truck driver’s front “blind spot” and allowing the driver to see any person at least three feet tall and passing one foot in front of the vehicle. School buses have long been required to have cross over mirrors. The mirrors are relatively inexpensive and manufacturers typically offer them below list price, and provide bulk discounts.
Read the law
Download a flyer about cross over mirrors

Express Lane Permits

DOT issues Express Lane Permits that enable ambulettes, commuter vans and shuttles and other mass transit fleets to use the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes leading to the Queens-Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnels.

Urban Freight Initiatives

This report outlines initiatives aimed towards advancing policies and programs which mitigate the adverse impacts of trucks on infrastructure and communities, while improving safety, truck delivery efficiency, and New York City’s economic competitiveness.
Download Urban Freight Initiatives Report (pdf)

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Operator Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Traveling on NYC Roadways

State Highway Road Closures and Traveling Outside of NYC

Commercial Vehicle Identification, Class, and Licenses

Truck Size and Weight Regulations

Truck Parking Regulations

Carrying Hazardous Materials

Traveling on NYC Roadways

What roads are appropriate for trucks in New York City?

The New York City Truck Route Network is a set of roads that commercial vehicles must use in New York City. Please refer to the New York City Traffic Rules for the most current traffic regulations governing truck routes as well as permissible truck weight and dimensions. The truck route network is comprised of two distinct classes of roadways, Local Truck Routes and Through Truck Routes. A map of these roadways is available for download here. As a general rule, trucks and commercial vehicles cannot travel on most parkways in New York City. More information about parkway restrictions is available here.

Where can I find information about low clearances and avoiding bridge strikes?

Clearance information for major New York City crossings is available on the New York City Truck Route Map for download here. Tips for avoiding parkways, where low clearances can result in bridge strikes, can be found here.

Is there a GIS version of the New York City Truck Route Map?

The New York City Truck Routes map data is available in shapefile and KML format in the DOT Datafeeds collection and can be downloaded here.

State Highway Road Closures and Traveling Outside of NYC

Where can I learn more about restrictions and closures for NY state roadways?

Information about weather related and other closures for NY state highways and New York roadways outside of New York City can be obtained by calling 511 or visiting 511NY. Additional support for trucks traveling on Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties) is available by calling the NYSDOT Long Island office at (631) 952-6022.

Where can I get more resources on NYC regional commercial transportation?

Information about regional resources can be obtained in the following locations:

Commercial Vehicle Identification, Class, and Licenses

What do I need to know about the identification regulations for my truck?

The New York City Traffic Rules require that commercial vehicles display the registrant’s name and address on both sides of the vehicle. This is described in Section 4.08 of the Traffic Rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues vehicle identification numbers, known as USDOT numbers, to commercial vehicles that operate interstate to transport passengers, or haul cargo. New York State requires interstate commercial motor vehicle registrants to obtain a USDOT number. For more information, contact the FMCSA at 800-832-5660. Highway Use Tax (HUT) numbers are administered by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. For information call 1-800-980-5437 or (in New York State) 518-388-5245, or visit OSCAR.

Where can I learn about obtaining or renewing a Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL)?

Information about commercial licenses and driving regulations can be found through the NYSDMV and FMCSA.

Where can I find information about US commercial vehicle category classifications?

Basic information about how commercial vehicles are defined in NYC can be found here. Additional information and a chart detailing commercial vehicle classifications can be found on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website.

Truck Size and Weight Regulations

What are the dimensional and weight restrictions for trucks operating in the City?

Tractor-trailer vehicle combinations not exceeding 13′6″ in height, 8′ in width, and 55′ in length can travel on interstates and truck routes. The maximum allowed length of single unit vehicles, such as box-trucks, is 35′. Maximum weight limit for vehicles is 80,000 pounds or less, depending upon axle spacing. Bridges or viaducts may have lower weight limits posted. More information about truck size and weight restrictions is available here.

How can I apply for a permit to operate my over-dimensioned vehicle in the City?

Vehicles exceeding the maximum dimensions must obtain a daily over-dimensional vehicles permit for each portion of a trip (for example, one permit is needed to travel to a destination within the City and another is needed to travel back out). More information about the permit process and application forms are available here. Additional help with Daily Over-Dimensional Permits is available from DOT by calling 212-839-6341.

Truck Parking Regulations

Where is it legal for me to park my truck in New York City?

When parking is not otherwise restricted, no person shall park a commercial vehicle in any area, including a residential area, in excess of three hours. Where a posted sign reads “No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading,” commercial vehicles may stand or park in that area, for the purpose of expeditiously making pickups, deliveries or service calls. The full listing of regulations for parking, stopping and standing a vehicle in New York City can be found in Section (pdf) 4-08 of the New York City Traffic Rules. Additional details about commercial vehicle parking restrictions and regulations are available here.

Are there any permits to reserve curb space for on-street truck parking or storage?

Currently, there are no permits for reserving curb space for temporary on-street parking of commercial vehicles for general pick-up and delivery purposes through DOT. Information about provisions for construction related activity and on-street container storage is available here. Permits associated with film shoot related commercial vehicles, trailers, and equipment are available through the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

Where can I find information about metered commercial parking?

Information about metered commercial parking rates and payment options through ParkNYC is available here.

Where can trucks legally park overnight in NYC?

Overnight residential street parking for trucks is prohibited in NYC. No person shall park a commercial vehicle on a residential street, between the hours of 9 pm and 5 am, unless it is performing work associated with heat system maintenance or a public utility. More information is available here. Operators should seek out private off-street overnight parking and storage facilities in the NYC metro area. An example is the JFK Travel Plaza which features truck parking, fueling stations, and other amenities.

Carrying Hazardous Materials

What are the regulations around trucks carrying hazardous materials?

Information about regulations and markings needed for trucks carrying hazardous materials can be found on the NYSDMV website. Permits for handling hazardous materials are available through the FDNY. More information is also available here.

Download Truck and Commercial Vehicle Operator Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Note: Please refer to the official New York City Traffic Rules and Regulations for the most current rules governing trucks and commercial vehicles.

Still have questions?

Leave a message by phone by calling (212) 839-6670 or email [email protected].

Truck Driver Frequently Asked Questions are available on this website and for download. The Office of Freight Mobility can be reached by leaving a message on our hotline number, 212-839-6670, or by emailing [email protected]