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 |
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | California requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 15 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 100 ft long | 1 escort · 135 ft → 2 escorts |
| 17 ft high | Route survey required |
| 15 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted in defined conditions — Route-dependent. No pilot car needed: 24/7 on Yellow, Green, Blue and Brown routes. Pilot car needed: Yellow routes 24/7 up to 16 ft wide; Green routes night up to 14 ft wide; Blue/Brown routes no night travel. Urban curfews when over 10 ft wide..
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in California
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 15 ft |
| Height | 17 ft |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 30 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~30 days.
- 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 over 12 ft wide (two over 15 ft), and a police escort over 15 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in California?
California allows night movement in defined conditions (Route-dependent. No pilot car needed: 24/7 on Yellow, Green, Blue and Brown routes. Pilot car needed: Yellow routes 24/7 up to 16 ft wide; Green routes night up to 14 ft wide; Blue/Brown routes no night travel. Urban curfews when over 10 ft wide). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in California?
Over 15 ft wide, or 17 ft high. It requires individual review 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 →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in California?
California does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 30 days. A permit is valid for 7 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in California?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (Only loads requiring a pilot car: no travel 4:00 PM-midnight day before, and noon-midnight on holiday / each day of holiday weekend (travel OK midnight/sunrise-noon)); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does California require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 17 ft high. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in California?
California publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, manufactured homes, and structural members (poles/timbers/pipe) (for example width limits vary by road type, chp can impose restrictions). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a California permit cover Oregon?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Oregon, Nevada, or Arizona needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.