Fast, reliable & cost effective Equipment Transport

I’ve watched too many truckers get blindsided by California’s oversize permit rules. Last month, a driver hauling construction equipment got stopped at a weigh station outside Bakersfield—$2,500 fine, load impounded, and a full day wasted. His mistake? He thought his 9-foot-wide load didn’t need special documentation because “it was just a few inches over.”

California doesn’t play around with oversize regulations. If your rig is wider than 8’6″, taller than 14’0″, longer than 65 feet, or tips the scales past 80,000 pounds, you’re in oversize territory. No exceptions, no wiggle room.

The truth is, California’s permit system exists for good reason. The state’s infrastructure takes a beating from heavy equipment transport, and without proper oversight, bridges would crumble and highways would crack faster than they already do. But understanding these rules shouldn’t feel like decoding a legal document written in another language.

This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining oversize load permits in California, covering the different types of permits, application processes, and specific operating requirements.

What Actually Counts as “Legal” in California?

Most people think they know the limits. They’re usually wrong about at least one dimension.

Width: Your load can be 8’6″ wide. That’s bumper to bumper, mirror to mirror, or side to side on whatever you’re hauling. One inch over? You need a permit.

Height: The magic number is 14’0″. Measure from the ground to the highest point of your load. Don’t forget to account for the trailer itself. I’ve seen drivers measure just the equipment and forget about the 5 feet of trailer underneath.

Length: On non-STAA highways, you get 65 feet. STAA routes are more forgiving, but most of California’s roads fall under the stricter category.

Weight: 80,000 pounds gross. This includes your tractor, trailer, and everything you’re hauling. Go over, and you’re filing for an oversize overweight permit.

Here’s what catches people off guard: California measures these dimensions differently than other states. That load you moved through Nevada without issue? It might be illegal the moment you cross into California.

California Oversize Permit Categories (And Which One You Actually Need)

The California Department of Transportation offers several permit types, and picking the wrong one costs you time and money.

Single-Trip Permits

Most haulers start here. You’re moving one load, one time, from Point A to Point B. The permit is valid for seven days, which sounds generous until you hit traffic in Los Angeles or deal with weather delays in the mountain passes.

Cost varies based on your load dimensions and weight, but expect to pay anywhere from $15 to several hundred dollars. The wider, heavier, and longer your load, the more you’ll pay.

Single-trip permits work well for occasional haulers or those moving unique equipment that won’t need regular transport.

Annual Permits

If you’re regularly hauling oversize equipment across California, annual permits make financial sense. They’re valid for 12 months and cover multiple trips, but they come with their own set of restrictions.

The state issues annual permits for specific load types and dimensions. You can’t just buy one and assume it covers everything you might haul throughout the year. Each permit specifies maximum dimensions, and if your load exceeds those specs, you’re back to applying for a single-trip permit.

Annual permits cost more upfront—sometimes $1,000 or more—but they pay for themselves if you’re making frequent trips.

Specialized Permits

Some loads are so massive or unusual that standard permits don’t cut it. We’re talking about industrial equipment, prefabricated buildings, or oversized load towing that requires custom routing and extensive planning.

These permits take longer to process because Caltrans needs to review your specific route, check bridge clearances, and sometimes even inspect the load beforehand. Plan for several weeks of lead time, not days.

The Real Application Process (Not the Sanitized Version)

California makes you work for these permits. Here’s what actually happens:

You’ll need detailed measurements of your load—and I mean detailed. Width at the widest point, height at the tallest point, length including any overhang, and total weight distribution across all axles. Guessing doesn’t fly here.

Submit your application through the California DOT’s online portal. Paper applications still exist, but they take longer to process. You’ll input your route, load specifications, and travel dates.

Then you wait. Standard processing takes 3-5 business days for routine permits. Specialized or unusual loads can take weeks. Don’t book your driver until you have that permit in hand.

The fees depend on what you’re hauling. A basic oversize permit starts around $15-20. Add weight, width, or length, and costs climb fast. Some permits run several hundred dollars, especially if you need multiple escort vehicles or route surveys.

Load Dimension	Legal Limit	Permit Required When…	Typical Restrictions
Width	8’6″	Exceeds 8’6″	Over 10′ wide = major metro curfews
Height	14’0″	Exceeds 14’0″	Route survey often required
Length	65′ (non-STAA)	Exceeds 65′	Over 100′ in LA = two escorts
Weight	80,000 lbs	Exceeds 80,000 lbs	Bridge restrictions common

California’s Travel Restrictions Are Stricter Than You Think

Getting the permit is one thing. Actually moving your load is another.

Time restrictions hit hard in metro areas. If your load is over 10 feet wide, you can’t travel through Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, or San Diego during rush hours. We’re talking roughly 6 AM to 9 AM and 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays. Some areas extend these restrictions even further.

Weekend travel looks better on paper, but Saturday mornings in major cities still see heavy traffic. Sunday offers your best window for wide load shipping through urban areas.

Escort vehicle requirements scale with your load size. Here’s the breakdown:

• Over 10′ wide: One escort vehicle in most situations
• Over 12′ wide: Two escorts, positioned front and rear
• Over 14′ wide: Route-specific requirements, often three escorts
• Over 100′ long in LA: Two escorts minimum
• 120′ to 135′ long: One or more escorts depending on route

Escort drivers need certification in California. You can’t just hand your buddy a radio and call it good. These vehicles must have specific markings, amber lights, and “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs visible from 500 feet.

Night travel requires additional lighting. Amber marker lights at the front corners of your load, red lights at the rear. These aren’t suggestions. State patrol checks for proper lighting, and violations add up fast.

The Hidden Details That Cost You Money

California oversize provisions include restrictions most haulers don’t discover until they’re already on the road.

Bridge clearances vary wildly across the state. A 14-foot-tall load might clear most overpasses, but that one bridge in Fresno? It’s 13’8″. Your permit might specify alternate routes to avoid these problem areas.

Construction zones pop up constantly. What was a clear route last month might now have lane closures, reduced clearances, or weight restrictions. Check Caltrans’ QuickMap before every trip.

Weather matters more than you’d think. Heavy rain can trigger restrictions on certain routes, especially mountain passes. Snow closes roads entirely. Your seven-day permit doesn’t extend if weather delays your trip.

Indivisible loads get special consideration. If your equipment genuinely can’t be broken down into smaller pieces, California provides some flexibility. But you need to prove indivisibility. Photos, manufacturer specs, and engineering reports help your case.

What Happens When You Skip the Permit

I’ll be direct: don’t.

California Highway Patrol doesn’t issue warnings for oversize violations. You’re looking at fines starting at $1,000 and climbing based on how far over the limits you are. Add in impound fees, towing costs, and lost time, and a $50 permit suddenly looks like the bargain of the century.

Repeat violations can result in your operating authority being suspended. If you’re running a business, that’s catastrophic.

Insurance companies also care about permit compliance. An accident while operating without proper permits? Your coverage might vanish. That’s a risk no serious hauler takes.

Working with Professional Heavy Haul Carriers Services

Some loads demand expertise beyond basic permit knowledge. When you’re moving industrial equipment worth millions, or your load requires multi-state coordination, professional Heavy Haul Carriers services bring value that goes beyond just filing paperwork.

These specialists handle route surveys, coordinate escort vehicles, manage permit applications across multiple jurisdictions, and deal with the inevitable headaches when something doesn’t go according to plan. They’ve already made the mistakes you’re about to make, and that experience saves you money.

For occasional haulers, DIY permits make sense. For regular oversize movements or particularly complex loads, the cost of professional services pays for itself in reduced stress and avoided violations.

Getting It Right the First Time

California oversize load regulations aren’t designed to be obstacles. They exist because 40-ton equipment moving at highway speeds needs proper oversight. The state’s infrastructure can handle these loads—when everyone follows the rules.

Start planning early. Don’t wait until the day before you need to move equipment. Give yourself at least a week for routine permits, longer for anything unusual.

Measure twice, apply once. Wrong dimensions on your permit application create problems you don’t want. Either the permit gets denied, or worse, you get approved for specs that don’t match your actual load.

Know your route inside and out. Drive it beforehand if possible. Check clearances, note tight turns, identify potential problem areas. Your permit might authorize the trip, but physics still applies at bridge underpasses and narrow intersections.

Keep physical copies of your permit, route authorization, and all supporting documents in the cab. Digital copies are great until your phone dies or you’re in an area with no service.

California’s oversize permit system isn’t perfect, but it’s manageable when you understand how it actually works. Take the time to get it right, plan properly, and you’ll move your equipment safely and legally across the state.

The alternative—winging it and hoping you don’t get caught—isn’t a strategy. It’s gambling with your business, your license, and your livelihood. California gives you the tools to do this legally. Use them.

Frequently Asked Questions About California Oversize Permits

Q: How much does an oversize load permit cost in California?

Single-trip permits start around $15-20 for basic oversize loads. Costs increase based on your dimensions and weight—expect to pay several hundred dollars for extremely wide or heavy loads. Annual permits typically run $1,000 or more but cover multiple trips throughout the year.

Q: How long does it take to get an oversize permit in California?

Standard permits process in 3-5 business days. Specialized or unusual loads requiring route surveys can take several weeks. Never book your driver or schedule delivery until you have the approved permit in hand.

Q: Can I drive an oversize load through Los Angeles during rush hour?

No. Loads over 10 feet wide cannot travel through major metro areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, or San Diego during peak hours (roughly 6 AM-9 AM and 3 PM-7 PM on weekdays). Plan your route timing carefully to avoid these restrictions.

Q: What’s the widest load allowed on California roads with a permit?

California doesn’t set a hard maximum width, but anything over 16 feet wide requires extensive route planning, multiple escorts, and often custom permits. Loads over 12 feet wide already trigger strict escort and timing requirements. Each situation gets evaluated individually.

Q: Do I need escort vehicles for my oversize load in California?

It depends on your dimensions. Loads over 10 feet wide typically need one escort vehicle. Over 12 feet wide requires two escorts. Loads exceeding 100 feet in length in the LA area need two escorts. Requirements vary by route and specific dimensions—your permit will specify exact escort needs.