Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | California legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 14' |
| Width | 8'6" |
| Front Overhang | 3' (4' when hauling only vehicles) |
| Rear Overhang | 2/3 of wheelbase length; combination overall length capped at 75' |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in California, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Governed by Extralegal Weight Charts and bridge-formula analysis (UNCONFIRMED exact figures) |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs (axles 8'6"+ apart) | Set per Extralegal Weight Charts/bridge formula rather than a flat number |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Determined by bridge-formula analysis on the specific route; no single statewide flat cap |
Superload: Loads over 15' wide, 17' high, or 135' long require variance-permit approval with a written route survey (min. 30 days' advance notice)
Permit types we file in California
Single Trip PermitValid for 7 consecutive days for one-way travel from a specified origin to destination.
Annual PermitOne-year permit for a specified vehicle/configuration on approved routes.
Repetitive PermitValid up to 90 days for repeated identical-load movements over the same route.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 135' under a standard single-trip permit |
| Width | Up to 14' generally; up to 15' without CHP escort on Green/Blue/Brown routes; up to 16' on Yellow routes |
| Height | Up to 17'; loads over 17' require a written route survey |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
California treats loads over 15' wide, 17' high, or 135' long as requiring a variance permit and written route survey (the superload threshold).
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Pilot car and CHP escort requirements are set by route classification and vary by highway segment.
- Widths up to 14' generally require no escort on most routes; 14'-15' may travel without CHP escort on Green/Blue/Brown routes; over 15' generally requires CHP escort.
- Curfews restricting travel apply in the LA, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco metro areas for loads wider than 10'.
When you can travel
- Curfews apply in major metro areas for loads wider than 10'.
- Loads over 17' high require a written route survey and minimum 30 days' advance notice.
- Some routes (e.g., SF-Oakland Bay Bridge) carry additional route-specific restrictions.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
California specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for California are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by Caltrans and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.