In California, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | California legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 65 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 4 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | California requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 15 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 17 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 100 ft long | 1 escort · 135 ft → 2 escorts |
| 17 ft high or 999 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 15 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted within limits.
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- Loads > 12 ft wide restricted to 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mon-Fri per FAQ.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in California
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 15 ft |
| Height | 17 ft |
| Length | 135 ft |
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
Superloads require a route survey and roughly 30 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~3 business days to issue.
- Superload: ~30 days (route survey + review).
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~7 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?California permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in California?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in California?
California requires one escort at 12 ft wide (two at 15 ft), a height pole at 17 ft high, and a police escort at 15 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in California?
Travel windows are set on the permit in California.
What counts as a superload in California?
Over 15 ft wide, 17 ft high, 135 ft long, or 200,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey and about 30 days of lead time.
How much does a California oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your California load with FreightDeck →.