California oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in California.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (CVC 35100) |
|---|---|
| Height | 14′ (CVC 35250) |
| Length | 65′ overall on California-legal (black) routes · STAA (green) routes: 53′ semitrailer, 40′ kingpin-to-rear-axle, unlimited overall |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
What Pro adds for California
- 4 escort rules with counts by width, height, length and road type
- 4 travel restrictions: curfews, night, weekends, holidays
- Superload thresholds and conditions
- 3 published fee lines and permit lead time
- Lane routing with miles per state and a cost breakdown
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 4 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Police escort triggers
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 4 restrictions: curfews, night travel, weekends and holidays
- Which ones apply to a given load size
Superloads
- Exact thresholds and what the state requires past them
- Lead times, route surveys and police escort conditions
Permit fees
- 3 published fee lines with links to the fee schedule
- Validity periods and add-on charges
Common questions
How much is a California oversize permit?
Answer available to members. Start free or sign in.
When does California require a CHP escort?
Answer available to members. Start free or sign in.
What counts as a superload in California?
Answer available to members. Start free or sign in.
Are there curfews for wide loads in California cities?
Answer available to members. Start free or sign in.
Sources
- Caltrans Transportation Permits FAQ (fees, variance thresholds, curfew areas)
- Caltrans Transportation Permits Manual, Chapter 5 (pilot cars, route colors, curfews, holidays)
- Caltrans Single Trip Pilot Car Maps
- Caltrans Legal Truck Access: vehicle widths (CVC 35100)
- Caltrans Legal Truck Access: height (CVC 35250)
- Caltrans Legal Truck Access: truck lengths quick guide
- Caltrans Transportation Permits (overview, when a permit is required)
- Caltrans Transportation Permits contact
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Caltrans Transportation Permits Issuance Branch (Sacramento) before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
Other states: Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming