2024 California Oversize Permits and Regulations (2024)

Boat Shipping Boom, Masts, Cranes, Shovels, and Drilling Equipment Restrictions

Transporting booms, masts, cranes, shovels, or drilling equipment is permitted provided it meets the two-thirds (2/3) provisions described above in “overhang from the rear of any trailer”. Any protrusions from the trailer must be secured to prevent and bending or movement.Front projections that may extend further than the front axle must be a minimum of 7 feet above the pavement and must not restrict the vision of the truck driver.

Container Shipping and Overhang Limitations

Container shipping companies that have intermodal capabilities whether shipping within or out of the state of California must ensure that all lower corners are securely fastened to the trailer. On trailers that are not designed as “intermodal” trailers, you are not permitted to overhang from the front or rear of your trailer and all 4 corners must rest securely upon your trailer however, IF the trailers are completely empty overhang is permitted provided it meets all other overhang restrictions and does not protrude more than 5 feet from the front or rear of the trailer. Also keep in mind the state of California conforms to the regulations defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49, Part 393, Section 126 (c) and (d)as well as California state law defined in theCalifornia Code of Regulations (CCR): Title 13, Div 2, Chap 7, Article 1, Section 1300 (b). If you intend on operating as a container shipper it is strongly advised you clearly understand the limitations set in both federal and state laws.

Drawbars or Load Extensions

Extension devices or drawbars up to 18 inches in length are not included in measuring the length of a tractor or trailer individually but are included in measuring a shipment’s overall length. If you are simply towing a small trailer, boat, car or camper see the California sections on the “Auto, Boat, & Camper Transporters Exemptions.”

Safety Devices to Ensure Trailer Attachments

Any safety devices that are used to ensure the trailer is secured to the towing vehicle are permitted provided they are no longer than 10 inches in length. If you need to perform more research on California overhang laws this is directly from the source.

California Superload Information

In California, shipments in excess of the following weights/dimensions are classified as superloads.

• Superload Weight:over 250,000 pounds of gross weight.
• Superload Length: over 150 feet.
• Superload Width: over 16 feet.
• Superload Height: over 16 feet.
• Superload Overhang: 4+ feet

In-depth California Superload Information

• Length: If you are over 135′ in length overall you are more than likely going to be classified as a superload in California.
• Width: Depending on routing and the number of lanes available on the route but 15′ in some areas would qualify you. Over 17′ in width and you will more than likely be categorized as a superload.
• Height: Anything over 18 feet tall will require a route survey. If 18′ feet or over in height you more than likely will be classified as a superload. For detailed information on California’s maximum height limitations check out the state height limitations and routes.
• Weight: Of course, heavy haul weights are a huge issue. Anytime your overall GVW is over 80,000 pounds or you exceed any of the above (see routine permits) limitations on length, width, or height depending on the route you desire you are subject to be classified as a superload.
• Overhang: California is NOT going to let you break the rule of 1/3 (no more than 1/3 of overall length can overhang) and they shouldn’t in our opinion from a general viewpoint. Get your proposed routing together and talk to them and see what you come up with would be our suggestion. 15′ possibly routine. 20′ and you are a superload for sure we’d guess.

NOTES: Here are some maps for superloads (California calls them “Extralegal” – maybe Arnie came up with that?)that can save you some serious money when you need the information. If you need to hire an expert to take care of your California shipping needs or even consult you we are happy to assist you. Most of the time we can handle your problem over the phone for a reasonable fee but when you need someone in the field we are qualified to assist you.

Permitted Oversize and Overweight Loads Travel Times & Restrictions in California

California permitted travel times and restrictions for heavy haul and oversize loads:

Holiday Travel in California

There is no holiday travel time permitted in California unless you have a special arrangement with Caltrans. The following holidays are observed as no travel days by California state shipping regulations:

• New Years Day
• Abraham Lincoln’s birthday
• George Washington’s birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If the holiday is on a Friday or a Monday there is no travel permitted on Saturday or Sunday. Never travel without first verifying approval first which will be documented clearly on your permit.

Maximum Oversize Load Allowed On The Road in California(even with permits)

Shipments in excess are classified as “superloads”.

• Max Length Allowed With Permits: 135 feet.
• Max Width Allowed With Permits: 15 feet.
• Max Height Allowed With Permits:7 feet.
• The Maximum Weight: Steering axle, 12,500 pounds. Single axle, 20,000 pounds. Tandem axle, 46,000 pounds. Try to maximal, 60,000 pounds. Trunnion axle, 10 feet wide 60,000 pounds. Quad axles are not recognized for heavy haul weights. Gross weight on five axles 112,500 pounds. Six axles hundred and 17,450 pounds. Seven and eight axles 158,000 pounds to 181,000 pounds which will be subject to inspection for heavy haul shipments. You may not move a heavy haul shipment on tandem axles that have more than an 8-foot spread. You may not move a heavy haul shipment on tridem axles that exceed a 10-foot spread.

Heavy Haul and Oversize Trucking Shipments Are Classified as Superloads in California

Any shipment that is in excess of 15 feet wide is classified as a superload. Any shipment that exceeds the weights and dimensions listed above will more than likely be classified as a superload. In many circ*mstances, certain routes will require that you file for a superload permit while other routes may require you to file a standard permit. For more information please refer to the above section on super loads as well as the CalTrans links. While performing our research we found it difficult to obtain information on California superload shipments as the term “superload” is not as widely used in this state as in other states.

Heavy Haul and Oversize Load Sign, Flags, and Lights in California

Any shipment being moved in the state of California that is in excess of 8’6″ wide or 80 feet in length or more than 10 feet of overhang will need to use the appropriate warning signs. Warning signs shall be posted on the front and the rear of the shipment and need to specify “LONG LOAD” or “OVERSIZE LOAD” or “WIDE LOAD” or “EXCESSIVE FRONT OVERHANG” or “EXCESSIVE REAR OVERHANG”. The applicable warning sign must be used whenever you are transporting oversize shipments. At times when a shipment is oversize and long but under 100 feet in length, an “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign should be displayed. However, if the shipment is in excess of 100 feet long then a “LONG LOAD” sign is required. All signs must display black letters on a yellow background. The letters must be 10 inches in height and a minimum of 1 and 5/8 inches wide. All signs will need to be mounted at least 18 inches above the surface of the road on both the front and the rear of the entire combination of signs and flags required on vehicles that are over the legal width (8’6”). Flags are required whenever any shipment extends beyond 4 feet or more from the end of the trailer. For night movements you will need to use both safety lights and flags. Two safety lights and two flags are required for night shipments that are in excess of 12 feet in width. These lights are to be no more than 6 candlepower lights that are clearly visible from both the side and the rear of the shipment for 500 feet. If the shipment has a front overhang you may be required to use white lights visible from 500 feet in combination with flags on the front of the load. As stated above the flags will need to be red or fluorescent orange in color and square, with each side of the square a minimum of 16 inches. Any revolving amber lights on any towing unit must be completely covered when not engaged in transporting a permitted shipment.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements in California

When a shipment is over 12 feet wide depending on the routes, one or two pilot cars or escort vehicles are required. When a shipment is 120 feet and up to 135 feet long depending on the location and route, one or more pilot cars or escorts may be required. If the shipment is over 100 feet in length in Los Angeles County or in the city of Los Angeles you will be required to have one front and one rear pilot car or escort vehicle. Any shipment that is in excess of 18 feet or more in height will require a utility clearance and a survey of a route done by a pilot car or escort vehicle equipped with a high pole. For shipments that have 30 feet or more of front overhang, one pilot car will be required. For shipments with 25 feet of overhang beyond the rear of the trailer may require one or more pilot cars or escort vehicles. Be sure to use the above links to print a CalTrans route classification map to determine if you are moving on a red, blue, green, yellow, or brown route for escort/pilot requirements. Pilot car requirements in the state of California required by CalTrans on oversize and some heavy-haul shipments are extremely complicated. At times on some routes with a rear overhang that is over 25 feet, some areas may require two rear pilot cars or escort vehicles while on other routes one. Some route colors only allow a single pilot car or escort vehicle to operate on them. Be 100% certain you have done your homework when it comes to operating a pilot car or escort vehicle in the state of California. Failure to comply will likely result in a hefty fine.

Requirements for Escort and Pilot Car Operators in California

All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be a minimum of 60 inches wide. All escort vehicles and pilot cars must display at least one red warning flag on each side of the vehicle. The flag will need to be a minimum of 16 inches and in the shape of a square. All flags need to be mounted so that they are visible from both the front and the rear of the vehicle. You must remove all flags when you are not operating in the capacity of an escort or pilot car driver. The vehicle must be equipped with a stop slow sign, at least one orange safety vest, shirt, or jacket, a 124-inch handheld warning flag that is square, and two-way communication radio. All escort vehicles and pilot cars are required to be equipped with a flashing amber warning light. Flashing amber warning lights will need to be visible from the front, rear, and side of the pilot car or escort vehicle. All pilot cars and escort vehicles will need to display a company’s sign on the side of the vehicle and nice clean and legible lettering which includes your contact information. All escort vehicles and pilot cars will need to display legible signs that state the oversize load visible from the front and the rear. This sign will need to be above the pavement a minimum of 4 feet and be completely legible from 45° from either side when read from the front or the rear. All lettering must be a minimum of 6 inches tall on a yellow background and be black in color with a minimum thickness of 1 and 5/8 of an inch. All signs must be a minimum of 440 square inches.

At no time is a stop slow sign to be used from the window of a moving vehicle. All warning lamps will need to be covered when the pilot car or escort vehicle is not working.

Oversize Load Travel Times in California

The 24 hours a day seven days a week policy has been replaced with a 3 AM policy for movements during dark hours. When filing for permits be sure to request as much travel time as you wish as all they can do is modify it in accordance with their regulations. However, if an escort or pilot car vehicle is required you will be subject to various curfews. If travel time is restricted note that sunrise means one-half hour before the sun rises and sunset means up to one-half hour after the sunset. Shipments that are in excess of 12 feet in width are prohibited from traveling during the early morning hours and late afternoon hours in the greater San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco areas. Slow-moving vehicle emblems must be displayed whenever a vehicle will be operated at speeds of less than 25 mph shipments that are 10 feet or more wide are not permitted to travel Monday through Friday during the following times in the following cities.

• Greater Los Angeles: 6-9 am and 3-6 pm.
• Greater Sacramento: 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.
• Greater San Diego: 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.
• Greater San Francisco in the Oakland Bay Bridge: 6:30-9 am and 3:30 – 6:30 pm.
• San Francisco city limits: 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.

A California Highway Patrol is required when shipments in excess of 15 feet wide travel on two-lane roads and up to 16 feet wide on yellow routes. Again depending on the size of your shipment and the desired route of travel, there are all kinds of variances in travel times. There is even a subsection for what is called “variance loads” when a shipment is over 15 feet wide, 17 feet tall, or over I hundred and 35 feet long or for hauling special equipment that exceeds the department standard method of weight classification which will need to be up proved by a special processing unit.

Written route surveys are required under many circ*mstances from the applicant. The California Highway Patrol in coordination with the district traffic manager will determine the required hours of travel. If you are required to have an inspection performed by the permit office inspectors you can reach the vehicle inspectors at one of the following numbers:

Southern California: 909-223-8860.

Central California: 916-215-7937.

Northern California: 530-941-0121.

Inspections usually require a minimum of 20 days before they are performed. If you need to speak to a headquarters equipment engineer, you can call 916-653-4385.