ROUTINE PERMIT RESTRICTIONS: Width: 15′ Height: Depends on the route. For heights greater than 17′, written verification of the itinerary may be required from the applicant. Length: Typically up to 135 feet overhang: If the rear overhang puts the tractor/trailer over a total length of 80 feet, California may deny a permit and require the load to be on an extended trailer. Weight: Steering – 12,500; Single – 20,000; Tandem – 46,000*; Tridem – 58,061 to 60,000*; Spreizachstandems (8` to 10`2 range) can weigh a maximum of 40,000 pounds. Tridems over a distance of more than 10` (5`-5`) can only be approved for a maximum of 40,000 pounds. More than 15′ wide, 17′ high or 135′ long are considered supercharges. *These vary depending on the central distance and routes. LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8`6″ Height: 14′ (above height not allowed on platform, see next section) Length: 75′ (65′ on highway not designated), semi-trailers 48′. Note: 53-foot trailers are not legal unless the tree pin in the center of the rear axle does not exceed 40 feet. Longer trailers may only be permitted if they are stretched for a specific load or can be justified by loading. Overhang: 10′, as long as the total length including the overhang does not exceed 75′.
Weight: 80,000 gross single – 20,000; Tandem – 34,000; Tridem – depending on axle deviation RESTRICTED ROUTE: No trip for loads over 10 feet wide, Monday through Friday in the Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego areas: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. Los Angeles area: 6:00 am and 3:00 am and 3:00 – 6: 00 pm * San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge: 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
*More than 11 feet wide or more in height require a highway patrol escort. More than 12` widely limited from 11:00 to 13:00 from Monday to Friday. Travel restrictions generally only apply to larger loads. TRAVEL TIME: Travel is allowed from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, although the Ministry of Transport may grant night and weekend operation depending on the dimensions of the cargo. Overnight and weekend trips must be requested at the time of ordering. Discussion at the “Flatbed Trucking Forum”, initiated by Lysdexis, on November 3, 2018. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Placards and flags are required for vehicles over 8`6″ wide, over 80` long or more than 10` overhanged. Signs are also necessary, if only in case of excess weight. For night driving, yellow position lights are required on the front cargo corners and one on the left outer edge, visible from the front and sides, and red on the rear corners, visible from the rear and sides.
If a rear overhang is 4` or larger, at least two lights or a taillight bar are required at night. The taillight bar is not required under a long load in broad daylight, unless the turn signals and brake lights are obscured by the load. ESCORT: Length: More than 100′ on some roads – 1 escort car, more than 120′ – 1 escort car Overhang: More than 25′ front or rear – 1 escort pilot or more Width: More than 12′ – 1 escort car (some local roads may require an escort of less than 12′), more than 13′ on 2 lanes – 2 escort pilots on some routes, more than 14`11″ on the highway and 4 lanes – 2 escort cars, more than 16′ (more than 15′ on 2 lanes) also requires escorts CHP (3 CHPS) Height: More than 18`– 1 escort with high post, supply authorization and route survey. A state patrol escort may also be required. If an escort is desired for a lower height, this must be indicated on the permit, otherwise you will be liable to a fine. With respect to trucks operating on the NHS in California, two provisions of state law allow trucks to cross certain elements of federal borders: .