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Permits by state
What Caltrans requires before an oversize or overweight load moves on the California State Highway System: permit triggers, permit types, pilot cars, and when you can travel. Sourced from Caltrans.
The numbers
| Dimension | Permit needed above |
|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in |
| Height | 14 ft 0 in |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb |
| Length | Varies by combination; verify with the state |
Caltrans issues these permits for state highways only. County and city roads need permits from the local agency.
Source: Caltrans: Transportation Permits. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
Permits
| Permit | Covers |
|---|---|
| Single Trip (I and II) | Loads over 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, or 80,000 lb |
| Annual | Up to 12 ft wide, 14 ft high, 40 ft kingpin-to-rear-axle; no travel on Red routes |
| Repetitive | Up to 12 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high, 90 ft long |
| Variance (superload) | Over 15 ft wide, 17 ft high, or 135 ft long, or special hauling equipment beyond standard weight classification |
Routes are color-coded (Yellow, Green, Blue, Brown, Red) on Caltrans pilot car maps, and the color drives pilot car and travel-time rules. Permit fees: verify with the state.
Source: Caltrans: Transportation Permits. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
Pilot cars
Pilot car needs depend on the route color. Highlights from Caltrans:
| Situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Over 12 ft wide, over 120 ft long, over 17 ft high, or over 25 ft front/rear overhang | Pilot car(s) may be required, by route color (see pilot car maps) |
| Yellow routes | Maximum of one pilot car until width exceeds 15 ft |
| Rear overhang over 25 ft | Pilot car follows the load on all routes |
| Over 16 ft wide on Yellow, or over 15 ft on Green/Blue/Brown in daylight | CHP escort; CHP and district set hours |
Sources: Caltrans Transportation Permits Manual, Ch. 5 (PDF); Caltrans Pilot Car Special Conditions (PDF); Caltrans 24/7 Travel Special Conditions (PDF). Checked Oct 15, 2026.
When you can roll
| Route | Travel with a pilot car |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 24/7 up to 16 ft wide |
| Green | Daylight incl. weekends up to 15 ft; darkness up to 14 ft wide |
| Blue / Brown | Daylight weekdays; no darkness travel; Sat-Sun from ½ hour before sunrise to noon |
| Without a pilot car | 24/7 on all of the above unless the permit says "No Night Travel" |
Holidays (New Year's, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas): loads that require a pilot car may not travel from 4:00 PM to midnight the day before, or from noon to midnight on the holiday and holiday-weekend days. Travel is allowed from midnight or sunrise to noon on those days, subject to the 24/7 policy.
Thanksgiving 2026: applying the rule to a Thursday holiday with Friday off, pilot-car loads stop at 4:00 PM Wed, Nov 25 and are restricted noon to midnight Thu, Nov 26 through Sun, Nov 29. Confirm on your permit.
Sources: Caltrans 24/7 Travel Special Conditions (PDF); Caltrans Special Conditions for Holiday Travel (PDF). Checked Oct 15, 2026.
Permit office
1120 N St., Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone (916) 322-1297, 8 AM to 5 PM Mon-Fri (closed state holidays). After-hours emergencies: (916) 653-3442. Apply online through CTPS (formerly STARS2). dot.ca.gov: Transportation Permits
Rather not deal with it? Run your load through our permit checker, then call (310) 989-6530.
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