Do you plan to ship your car to the Big Apple? You're in excellent company.
Research shows the vehicle shipping market was valued at nearly $11 billion in 2022 due to high demand for auto transport services.
Understanding NYS commercial vehicle laws may help you ensure a smooth car transport experience. Let's explore the auto transport regulations in New York so you can plan.
Auto Transport Regulations in New York
New York auto transport companies whose carriers move across state lines must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, according to federal law.
Your transporter should've been given a motor carrier docket number (six digits) to haul cargo. They must also have a United States Department of Transportation, or USDOT, number (seven digits) to operate within the state of New York.
Ask to see these numbers before signing a contract with any auto transport service. Avoid transporters that don't display their motor carrier docket numbers prominently on their websites, as they may not be legitimate.
Additional Commercial Vehicle Regulations
New York trucking laws and regulations require auto transporters' commercial vehicles to show the registrants' names and addresses on each side.
The state's finance and tax department also administers highway use tax numbers to carriers that operate certain vehicles on the state's public highways. The state bases the tax rate on a commercial vehicle's weight.
Any New York auto transporter you hire should have one of these numbers, too.
NYS Commercial Vehicle Laws: Size
New York's commercial motor vehicle regulations require a commercial vehicle's gross weight to be no more than 80,000 pounds in the Big Apple. The vehicle's trailer can't exceed 48 feet long, and the vehicle should be no more than 13 feet high and eight feet wide.
Any driver whose vehicle exceeds these dimensions has to get an over-dimensional vehicle permit daily for every trip they take.
Where Traveling Is Allowed
Auto transport vehicles in New York may travel on designated truck routes and interstates if they're within the required weight and size ranges. They can't legally travel along parkways according to today's open auto transport rules and regulations.
Let's say your New York auto transport driver's truck has a 53-foot trailer. The driver can travel only on portions of the following interstates crossing New York City between the Nassau-Queens County line and the Westchester-Bronx County line. These interstates include the following:
- Interstate 495
- Interstate 295
- Interstate 95
If the 53-foot-trailer truck is carrying a large load that can't be split up, the driver must complete an application for a city permit.
A car hauler inspection may show that your auto transport driver isn't following the above-mentioned federal or New York laws. The driver and their employer may be fined for their non-compliance.
This can also negatively affect you by causing a delay in your car shipment. This is why it's so important to hire an auto transport service with a valid registration and a record of following auto transport regulations in New York.
Car Shipping Timeline
Some auto transport companies lie to their customers about their shipping timelines to get their business. Understanding how long it generally takes to ship cars may help you avoid falling for a transport service's lies.
A company might tell you they can transport a car from California to New York in three days. Be suspicious of them, as this isn't possible if a company is following federal interstate commerce regulations and rules.
It usually takes seven to 12 days to perform cross-country car shipping, where a car is shipped at least 2,000 miles.
New York car shipping involving transporting a car around 1,500 miles might take one to two days.
Car Shipping Cost
How much does car shipping from New York to Florida, and vice versa, cost?
New York car shipping costs depend on several factors. These include:
- Your car's model and make
- Your vehicle's size
- Your auto shipment pickup and drop-off dates
- The car shipping distance
The distance for car shipping from Florida to New York is a little more than 1,000 miles, so your cost may be slightly more than $1,100. A shorter transport distance of under 500 miles may cost you around $600.
The above-listed prices apply only to open car hauling. This is where your car is transported on an open carrier, which has no sides. Open hauling is a cost-effective method of transport, but your car won't be shielded from the elements.
Enclosed car hauling involves transporting vehicles on carriers whose sides are covered. This is more expensive than open hauling, but your car will be better protected from the weather and road debris.
Open hauling costs may be around $900 for a shipping distance under 500 miles, $1,500 to ship a car between 500 and 2,500 miles, and $1,800 to ship a car more than 2,500 miles.
A car shipping calculator can help you determine how much your auto shipping costs will be.
How We Can Help With Transport
Auto transport regulations in New York govern how large and heavy commercial vehicles in the state can be. Commercial vehicle regulations require auto transporters' vehicles to weigh no more than 80,000 pounds and have trailers 48 feet in length or less.
Auto transport companies must also have USDOT and motor carrier docket numbers.
At Nexus Auto Transport, we would be glad to ship a car to another state for you. We comply with the latest commercial transport regulations to protect your best interests.
Contact us to learn more about our services, and get a free shipment quote today!
