California Oversize & Overweight Permits

When California needs a permit

Break 8'6" wide, 14' high, 65' overall, or 80,000 lb and Caltrans permits it (Vehicle Code 35780). Single trip is $16, annual $90. One escort leads on two- or three-lane roads, follows on four-lane; over 17' high pulls a pole car, route survey, and often CHP. Many loads run 24/7, but Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco ban you 6-9 a.m. on weekdays. Over 16' wide or 150,000 lb is a superload.

Thresholds, escorts, and curfews

• Legal max before a permit: Permit needed over 8'6" wide, 14' high, 65' overall length, or 80,000 lb.
• Escort / pilot car: One car leads on two- or three-lane conventional roads, and any road where rear overhang tops 25'; one car follows on four-lane or divided highways. Over 17' high adds a pole car, utility clearance, and a route survey, with CHP escort often required (three CHP units over 16' high, or over 15' high on two-lane routes).
• Superload: Superload over 16' wide or 150,000 lb. Special/variance processing also kicks in over 15' wide, 17' high, or 135' long, with route survey, engineering review, and CHP coordination.
• Travel curfew: Many permitted loads may run 24/7, but wide and tall loads are held to daylight on the permit. Weekday commute bans apply 6-9 a.m. in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Weekend and holiday limits are written into each permit; a legal, permitted load can still be parked in the metros at rush hour.
• Permit fee: $16 per single-trip permit; $90 for an annual or repetitive permit.

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