Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - California

General requirements

Reducible expectations	To be eligible for an oversize/overweight or "extralegal" permit, the main criterion is that the load be non-reducible, that is, that it cannot be reduced down and transported in a legal vehicle.
Permit timing	All applications should be handled promptly and in the same order as received. Permit services prioritizes the submittals so that at the close of the business day the routine applications can be processed without carry over to the following day.
Method of application	Electronically, by hand, Caltrans Single-Trip Application and Routing System (STARS2) or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Payment accepted in person at the counter, through the mail, or through Fax. When paying through mail or fax, include the card number and expiration date in appropriate areas on the application form.
Electronic permits	This permit shall be carried in the vehicle to which it refers at all times while the vehicle is within the highway limits. Electronic permits not addressed.
Route surveys	For information on California Truck Routes, visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/ truck-network-map.html. For Special Route Restrictions, visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/ trafficops/trucks/restrict-list.html. Caltrans' Single-Trip Application and Routing System (STARS2) allows customers to use the CalRoute – Route Clearing Database to generate a route. The database verifies the route is clear of any height and/or weight violations.

Insurance requirements

Liability	The permittee is responsible for all liability for injury to, or death of person, or damage to property which may occur through any act or omission of either the permittee or the State of California arising from the issuance of a permit. In the event any claim, suit or action is brought against the State of California, its officers, employees or agents thereof, by reason of, or in connection with any such act or omission, permittee shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the state, its officers, employees or agents from such claim, suit or action.
Coverage	NS

Available permits and fees

General
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single Trip	• 7 Consecutive Days Duration. • A single trip is from a single origin to a single destination in one direction of travel.	$16
Repetative	• Maximum of 90-days duration. • Delivery of the same load over the same route on a repeated basis.	$90
Annual	Available for certain envelope loads or specific vehicles on specified highways.	$90

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
	Limitation
Width	15'
Length	135'
Rear overhang	35'
Front overhang	30'
Height	No less than 3" below the lowest structure along the route . Loads greater than 17' in height require a written route review.
Weight	Limitations
Single axle	• 20,000 lbs in general • 20,000 lbs max. steering axle • 22,500 lbs on a single drive axle of a 2-axle tow truck • 28,000 lbs on a single axle mechanical distribution unit heavy haul configuration and some fixed load applications • No single axle may exceed 30,000 lbs
Tandem	California has special weight limit charts for tridems.
Tridem	California has special weight limit charts for tandems.
Over any above	Or on special hauling equipment which exceed the standard method of weight classification must be approved by a variance coordinator for special processing.

Signs

General sign requirement	Must be posted on the front and rear
Escort sign requirement	Visible from straight-ahead or behind, as well as 45° on either side.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD/LONG LOAD/OVERSIZE/WIDE LOAD	NS	1 ⁵/₈" brushstroke of black letters	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD/LONG LOAD/OVERSIZE/WIDE LOAD	440 square inch (minimum)	6" black letters, 1" brushstroke	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Any vehicle or combination of vehicles subject to the permit if specified in the permit. Left side of the vehicle 1' or more: • An amber lamp plainly visible for 300' to the front and rear of the vehicle • An amber lamp at the front visible for 300' to the front • A red lamp at the rear plainly visible for 300' to the rear of the vehicle if the projecting load exceeds 120" in length
Escort light requirements	Any pilot car required by the permit. Must be operated at all times when escorting an oversize movement.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Flashing amber warning lights:	To the front, sides or rear. On front overhangs, two amber clearance lights must be placed at the forward extremity of the overhang, and 2 additional amber side marker lights are to be placed on each side of the overhang at maximum intervals of 6' for the full length of the overhang
Escort light type and placement	Flashing amber warning lights	Top-mounted visible to the front when the car leads and to the rear when it follows.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or fluorescent orange	18"	Load that extends beyond the sides of a vehicle by more than 4" must display a flag or cloth at the extremities of the vehicle or equipment. Equipment operating under a permit for exceeding width restrictions must display a flag or cloth at the extremities of the vehicle or equipment.
Escort Flags	Red warning flag	16" square	Mounted on the side of the vehicle.

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
Letters no less than 2.5" in height	Right and left sides of vehicle	Company name, owner/driver

Escort/Flagperson requirements

Escorts are required for oversize/overweight loads as specified by permit. In general, escort cars are required on the following routes when the width exceeds:

Route	1 escort car required	2 escort cars required
Yellow	12 ft	15 ft
Green	12 ft	14 ft
Blue	11 ft	13 ft
Brown	10 ft	12 ft
Red	See “Red Route Summary Table” for escort information at http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/permits/index.html.

The permittee must ensure that escort-car vehicles and operators are equipped and briefed as to their duties before movement.

Escorts must be placed as follows:

One car is required in front of the permitted vehicle on two- or three-lane conventional roads or on any roads if the rear overhang is more than 25 feet.
One car is required to follow the permitted vehicle on four-lane (or more) conventional highways and divided highways.
If two escort cars are required, one car must be in front of and one car must follow the permitted vehicle.

Escort car/company requirements

Escort cars and their operators must have the following:

STOP/SLOW sign paddle each (C28);
Orange vest, shirt or jacket each;
Red hand flag each (24 inches by 24 inches minimum);
Two-way radio communication with permitted vehicle; and
A non-destructive, vertical clearance measuring device with height in excess of 14 feet when escorting a permitted load or vehicle must be requested at the time of application.

An escort car operator must:

Maintain a safe distance between the permitted vehicle and the escort car to allow passing by other traffic (up to 500 feet); and
Accompany the permitted load over all operational California Highway Patrol scale and inspection facilities.

For pilot car travel requirements, see the pilot car maps at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/permits/pcmaps.htm.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

Escort cars must display signs:

Containing the word OVERSIZE (WIDE LOAD, OVERSIZE LOAD, or LONG LOAD signs are acceptable where appropriate), which are visible from straight-ahead or behind, as well as 45 degrees on either side (the signs must be at least 48 inches above the ground with black letters on a yellow background (lettering must be of a one-inch brush stroke with a minimum height of six inches minimum projected letter height; the sign itself must be 440 square inches).
Showing the name of the company or the owner or driver of the car must be displayed on both the right and left sides of the car. The lettering on the signs must be no less than two and one-half inches in height in a color that contrasts with the background.

Escort cars must be equipped with lights and flags as follows:

Top-mounted flashing amber lights visible to the front when the car leads and to the rear when it follows, and must be operated at all times when escorting an oversize movement.
At least one red warning flag measuring at least 16 inches square. The flag may be mounted on the side of the vehicle. All lights shall be removed or covered when the car is not escorting an oversize movement.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Major cities have rush hour curfews. Night moving of extralegal loads and/or vehicles will only be permitted when specifically stated on the face of the permit. Single trip permits may be issued for continuous night and weekend travel.
Weekend	Dependent on permit type and size.
Holidays	Permitted moves generally restricted from 4 p.m. to midnight the day before the holiday and from noon to midnight on the holiday or days of the holiday weekend; special restrictions exist for holidays falling close to weekends.
Visibility	Movement of extralegal vehicles and/or loads will be restricted during inclement weather when visibility is restricted to less than 1,000' and/or when hazardous conditions exist due to ice and snow.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - California