California OSOW Regulations (Caltrans)

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6"
• Height: 14'
• Length: 65' (vehicle)
• Legal Overhang: Front 3', Rear 6'

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

• Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs maximum
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs maximum
• Tridem axle: 51,450 lbs (9' axle spacing), 52,500 lbs (10' axle spacing)
  • Requirements: 8' width maximum, 4 tires per axle

Permit Types and Costs

Single Trip Permit

• Cost: $16.00 (for routine OS/OW loads)
• Type I and Type II available
• Valid: 7 days
• Applies to: Loads greater than 8'6" wide, 14' high, or over 80,000 lbs

Annual Permit

• Cost: $90.00
• Maximum dimensions: 12' wide x 14' high
• Kingpin to Rear Axle (KPRA): 40' maximum
• Cost savings: If you haul more than 5 OS/OW loads per year, the annual permit saves money and eliminates waiting periods (half day to three days per permit)

Note: These fees apply to all OS/OW loads except super-loads, which have higher fees

Variance Permit

Required for:

• Loads over 15' width
• Loads over 17' height
• Loads over 135' length
• Special hauling equipment exceeding department's standard weight classification

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Width

• Over 11' wide: Highway Patrol escort required
• Over 12' wide: One or two escorts required (may require escort under 12' on some local routes)
• Over 13' on two-lane highways: Two escorts required on some routes
• Over 14'11" on Interstate and four-lane: Two escorts required
• Over 16' (over 15' on two-lane): CHP escorts required (three CHP units)

Over Height

• Overheight loads: Require Highway Patrol escort

Overhang

• Over 25' rear overhang: Requires one or more escorts
• Over 30' front or rear overhang: Requires one or more escorts

Length

• Over 12' wide loads: Specific escort positioning required

Escort Vehicle Positioning

• On two- or three-lane conventional roads: One car required in front of permitted vehicle
• On roads with rear overhang >25 ft: One car required in front
• On four-lane (or more) conventional highways and divided highways: One car required to follow permitted vehicle

Escort Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Lighting

• Top-mounted flashing amber lights
• Visible to the front when car leads
• Visible to the rear when car follows

Flags

• At least one red warning flag
• Minimum 16 inches square

Travel Restrictions

Time-of-Day Restrictions (Loads over 10' wide)

No travel allowed Monday through Friday:

• Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego areas: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Los Angeles area: 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Width-Specific Operating Times

• Over 12' wide: Restricted to 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Monday - Friday

Penalties and Fines

Overweight Violations

Fine Structure:

• Approximately $1.00 per pound for every pound exceeding the legal weight limit
• Minimum fine: $238
• Up to 1,000 lbs over (single axle): Base fine as low as $20

Important: Base fines have significant added fees

• $20 base fine = approximately $175 total after penalty assessments and court costs
• Load 4,000-5,000 lbs overweight with $175 base fine = approximately $753 total after all penalties

Criminal Penalties

Misdemeanor (most cases):

• Summary probation
• Up to 6 months in county jail
• Fine up to $1,000

Infraction (if excess weight less than 4,501 lbs):

• Fine of $250

Enforcement

• Enforced by: California Highway Patrol (CHP)
• Contact: (916) 843-3400
• Note: Fines vary by county where citation was issued

Contact Information

• Website: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/transportation-permits
• State: California
• Agency: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

Regulatory References

• California Vehicle Code
• Caltrans Transportation Permits Division
• https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/transportation-permits
• https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-california

Last Updated: 2025-11-11