California Truck Weight Limits

How much a truck can weigh in California

California holds the line at 80,000 pounds (CVC 35551). There's no routine divisible-load permit to go heavier - anything over 80,000 needs a Caltrans oversize/overweight permit for a specific load. The fine schedule is one of the harshest (CVC 42030): go 10,000-plus pounds over and it's $2,000 plus 20 cents a pound, and a court can't cut the fine once you're more than 4,000 over.

Axles, off-Interstate, and permits

• Off the Interstate: 80,000 lb; heavier loads only under a Caltrans oversize/overweight permit (no routine divisible-load ceiling above 80,000)
• Single axle: 20,000 lb
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lb (California sets axle-group weight by the CVC 35551 table)

Posted bridge and road limits

Structurally limited bridges are load-posted under MUTCD R12 signs. 'WEIGHT LIMIT X TONS' is short tons (2,000 lb), so 15 TONS = 30,000 lb. The posted limit overrides the 80,000-lb legal max - if the bridge is posted below your weight, detour. Crossing over a posted limit is a separate charge on top of any overweight fine, plus liability for bridge damage.

What running heavy costs

CVC 42030 graduates by pounds over the limit: minor overloads start near $20 and rise (about $175 at 4,501-5,000 over); 8,001-10,000 over = $1,200 + 15 cents/lb over 8,000; 10,001 lb and over = $2,000 + 20 cents/lb over 10,000. A court may not reduce the fine when the load is more than 4,000 lb over the limit.

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