California

California Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of California? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on California highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when California requires pilot cars. The following data is for informational purposes only. We are not a permit service, do not arrange permits for carriers, and do not answer permit and escort requirement questions.

Oversize Load Limits

Maximum load sizes before a permit is required:

• Length: 65′
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 14′
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross
• Overhang: 3′ in the front; 6′ off the rear

Permits

California oversize permits are valid for seven days. For more information, visit the California Department of Transportation.

Legal Operating Times

• Continuous 24/7 travel normally allowed if load does not require escorts, detours off of state routes, and does not exceed a two-vehicle configuration. Load must be lighted for night travel.
• Travel prohibited for loads exceeding 10′ in width in Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego areas Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; in the Los Angeles area from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and on the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, George Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). If the holiday falls on a Friday or a Monday, travel is not permitted on Saturday or Sunday as well.

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:

• Length: Over 100′ in length requires one front and one rear in the city of Los Angles, Los Angeles county, and possibly other areas as well. Between 120′ and no 135′ requires one front and one rear on some routes. Over 135′ requires one front and one rear on any road in the state.
• Width: Over 12′ wide generally requires one front on two-lane roads and one rear four-lane roads. However, some routes may require two.
• Height: Over 18′ in height requires one with height pole, but before applying for a permit, a route survey and a utility company clearance letter are required.
• Weight: If shipment cannot maintain minimum speed requirements, then one front, one rear, and possibly a police escort will more than likely be required.
• Overhang: Between 20′ and 25′ of overhang requires at least one. An overhang in both the front and the rear that exceeds 30′ in the front and 25′ in the rear requires one front and one rear.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot cars ad escort vehicles must display a yellow banner that is at least 5′ wide and 10″ tall with black lettering no at least 1.625″ thick and mounted at least 48″ from the pavement surface. At least one amber flashing or strobe light must be mounted at the highest point of the vehicle and have 360-degree visibility from at least 500′. One red safety flag at least 16″ in length must be mounted on each side of the vehicle. Identification signs stating the company name, address, and contact telephone number must be place each side of the vehicle. Pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or a 2-way communication device with a range of at least 15 miles (and be in constant communication with all parties related to the shipment), a handheld STOP/SLOW sign, an emergency colored vest, shirt, or jacket with a reflective stripe, and a red emergency flag at least 24” in length.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

Signs (“OVERSIZE LOAD”, “WIDE LOAD”, or “LONG LOAD”) and safety flags are required on loads exceeding 80′ in length, 8′6″ width, or 10′ in overhang and on overweight only loads. Amber marker lights are required at the front corners of the load and on the left extreme outside edge; red marker light are required at the rear corners. Los Angeles County also requires amber lights (red in the rear) at all protrusions and at 5′ intervals around the entire load. If the rear overhang exceeds 4′, two lights or a rear light bar required for night travel.

The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.