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California Oversize and Overweight Permits

Here are the California DOT legal load size and weight maximums:

  • Length: 65 feet

  • Width: 8 feet 6 inches

  • Height: 14 feet

  • Overhang: 3 feet front overhang, 6 feet rear overhang

  • Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW

When Are Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Required in California?

Here are the shipment requirements for escort vehicles or pilot cars in California:

  • Length:

    • For shipments over 100 feet in length within Los Angeles or Los Angeles County, 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort is required.

    • For shipments between 120 feet and 135 feet in length on certain routes, 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle is required.

    • For shipments over 135 feet in length, 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort is required on all roads in California.

  • Width:

    • For shipments over 12 feet wide, the general rule is to have 1 front pilot car on 2-lane roads and 1 rear escort on 4-lane roads. However, some routes may require 2 pilot cars. Any load exceeding 12 feet wide should expect at least 2 pilot cars or escort vehicles.

  • Height:

    • For shipments over 18 feet high, a height pole pilot car/escort is required. Before applying for a permit, a route survey must be conducted with the height pole set at a minimum of 18 feet 3 inches, along with a utility company clearance letter. For heights exceeding this, you must notify utility companies in advance.

  • Weight:

    • Pilot cars are typically not required based on weight alone. However, if a shipment cannot maintain the minimum required speed limits, at least 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle will likely be needed. Some routes may even require a police escort, depending on the shipment's weight and route.

  • Overhang:

    • For shipments with less than 15 feet of rear overhang, a pilot car may not be needed. For shipments with 20–25 feet of rear overhang, at least 1 pilot car/escort vehicle will be required (lead for front overhang, chase for rear overhang).

    • For shipments with both front and rear overhang exceeding 30 feet in the front and 25 feet in the rear, you will need 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle.

Notes:
These guidelines are for oversize and heavy haul shipments in California. Regulations may change due to construction, project completions, or policy modifications. Always check your oversize trucking permit for up-to-date requirements before traveling. Ensure pilot car and escort vehicle certifications are met.

How Much Do Trucking Permits Cost in Califronia?

Here are the costs for oversize and overweight permits in California. The Wide Load Shipping team of specialists is here to help you obtain the necessary permits for your load. Call us at (877) 398-6016 for assistance!

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  • Single Trip Permits: $16

  • Annual Trip Permits: $90

  • Repetitive Permits: $90

California Oversize and Overweight Permit Limits

Maximum Dimensions with Permit:

  • Length: 135 feet

  • Width: 15 feet

  • Height: 17 feet

  • Overhang: Varies by route

Maximum Weight with Permit:

  • Single Axle: 20,000 pounds

  • Tandem Axles: 46,000 pounds

  • Tridem Axles: 60,000 pounds

  • Trunnion Axles: 60,000 pounds

  • Five Axles: 112,000 pounds

  • Six Axles: 117,450 pounds

  • Seven Axles: 158,000 pounds

  • Eight Axles: 181,300 pounds

Note: The distance between axles is measured to the nearest whole foot. If the measurement is between two feet, it should be rounded up to the next foot.

Overhang Regulations:

Front Overhang:

  • Overhang is permitted as long as it does not interfere with the truck's safe operation. Loads designed to carry items like cars can have up to 4 feet of overhang.

  • For combination trailers, the front overhang is limited to 3 feet.

Rear Overhang:

  • Rear overhang cannot extend beyond the last point of support more than two-thirds of the length of the wheelbase. For semitrailers, this means the distance from the rear axle of the towing vehicle to the rearmost axle of the semitrailer.

Lights & Flags for Rear Overhang:

  • When the rear overhang exceeds 4 feet, a red or fluorescent orange flag (18 inches square) must be placed at the extreme end of the overhang.

  • If the overhang is wider than 2 feet, two warning flags are required.

  • After sunset, in addition to flags, red bulbs (not over 6 candle power) must be placed on the sides and rear, visible from at least 500 feet.

Exemptions for Certain Shipments:

Certain shipments, such as poles, timber, pipes, or integral structural materials, are exempt from some vehicle length limitations under the California Vehicle Code. However, these exemptions apply only to specific types of equipment and when following certain conditions.

Forklifts Protruding from Trailers:

  • Forklifts that extend beyond the rear of the trailer must comply with the rear overhang regulations and meet the two-thirds wheelbase restriction.

Side Projections:

  • Shipments protruding more than 4 inches but less than 2 feet from the side of the trailer must have red or orange fluorescent flags (18 inches square) at the rear end of the shipment.

Shipping Restrictions for Specific Equipment:

Boats, Cranes, Masts, and Drilling Equipment:

  • These shipments are permitted provided they adhere to the two-thirds overhang rule. Any front projections extending beyond the front axle must be at least 7 feet above the pavement and not block the truck driver’s vision.

Container Shipping:

  • For intermodal container shipping, all lower corners must be securely fastened to the trailer. Overhang is allowed for empty containers but cannot exceed 5 feet from the front or rear, provided other overhang restrictions are met.

Drawbars and Load Extensions:

  • Extensions or drawbars up to 18 inches long are not counted toward the individual length of the trailer but are included in the total shipment length.

Safety Devices:

  • Safety devices used to secure the trailer to the towing vehicle must not exceed 10 inches in length.

For further information or to ensure compliance with California’s overhang and heavy-haul laws, please refer directly to the California Vehicle Code or consult with a specialist in oversize shipping.

Learn More About Super Load Permits in Califronia 

In California, shipments that exceed the following dimensions or weights are classified as superloads:

  • Superload Weight: Over 250,000 pounds gross weight

  • Superload Length: Over 150 feet

  • Superload Width: Over 16 feet

  • Superload Height: Over 16 feet

  • Superload Overhang: Over 4 feet

Comprehensive Information on California Superloads

  • Length: If your load exceeds 135 feet in length, it is likely to be classified as a superload in California.

  • Width: Depending on the route and available lanes, loads over 15 feet wide in some areas may qualify as superloads. Anything exceeding 17 feet in width will almost certainly be categorized as a superload.

  • Height: Loads over 18 feet in height require a route survey and are typically considered superloads. For specifics on height limitations and approved routes, refer to California’s state regulations.

  • Weight: Loads with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 80,000 pounds, or those that surpass any of the length, width, or height limitations mentioned above, will likely be classified as superloads, based on the proposed route.

  • Overhang: California enforces a strict rule that overhang must not exceed one-third of the total length of the vehicle. Loads with overhangs greater than 20 feet will definitely be considered superloads, while overhangs of 15 feet may still fall under routine permit rules.

 

Notes: California refers to superloads as “Extralegal” loads. If you need assistance navigating the complex regulations, we can provide consultations and routing advice over the phone. For on-site support, we can connect you with qualified professionals to help with your shipment.

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