RouteAllCaltrans Pilot Car Maps And Restrictions: CA Oversize Permits
Last verified October 14, 2026 against the California rules linked below.
A California load needs a transportation permit once it is wider than 102 inches, taller than 14 feet, or past the length and 80,000-pound limits. Caltrans issues single-trip permits through its Transportation Permit System for $16, valid 7 consecutive days.
On This Page
Caltrans sets pilot cars and night travel by route colour, from yellow (least restrictive) to red. This page covers how that works.
What are California's legal size limits?
California allows 102 inches wide, 14 feet high and 80,000 pounds gross without a permit. A California legal combination may be 65 feet. An interstate (STAA) truck may pull a 53-foot semitrailer with no overall length limit. Cities and counties may cap their own roads at 96 inches.
The table lists each limit as Caltrans publishes it from the Vehicle Code.
| Dimension | Legal limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 102 inches; 96 inches where a city or county sets it | CVC 35100 |
| Height | 14 feet | CVC 35250 |
| Length | 65-foot California legal combination; 53-foot STAA semitrailer; 40-foot single vehicle | CVC 35400, 35401 |
| Weight | 80,000 pounds gross; 20,000 single axle | CVC 35550, 35551 |
How do you get a California oversize permit?
Apply through the Caltrans Transportation Permit System, CTPS. A single-trip permit costs $16 and is valid 7 consecutive days, issued no more than 3 days ahead. It covers up to 14 feet wide and 135 feet long, with height at least 3 inches below the lowest structure on the route.
| Permit | Fee | Covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single trip | $16 | 7 consecutive days; up to 14 feet wide, 135 feet long | TPM 109, TPM 201 |
| Annual | $90 | One year; up to 12 feet wide and 14 feet high; not on red routes | TPM 109 |
| Variance | By review | Anything past the single-trip maximums | TPM 201 |
RouteAll reads the permit you upload and drives the route it names, so the roads on the screen are the roads Caltrans approved.
When does California require a pilot car?
Caltrans sets pilot cars by route colour on its pilot car maps, from yellow, the least restrictive, through green, blue, brown and red. On a yellow route, one pilot car is the maximum until the load is over 15 feet wide. On yellow, green, blue and brown routes, two is the maximum.
The colour comes from the map for each Caltrans district, so read the route before counting cars.
- CHP escort: the California Highway Patrol escorts loads over 16 feet wide on yellow routes and over 15 feet wide on green, blue and brown routes (TPM 502.4).
- Position: one pilot car leads on two- and three-lane roads and follows on roads with four or more lanes; with two, one leads and one follows.
- Maps: drivers on an annual permit must carry the colour pilot car maps (Caltrans transportation permits).
- Certification: this guide found no Caltrans source that certifies pilot car drivers.
Other states' escort rules are in pilot car requirements by state.
Where Are Caltrans Pilot Car Maps And Weekly Restrictions?
Caltrans publishes separate pilot car maps for single-trip and annual permits. Choose the map set matching your permit and vehicle configuration. Check CalRoute’s weekly short-term restrictions before each trip. A route colour does not establish that the road is open today, and a map does not replace the issued permit.
- Single-Trip Maps: Open the Caltrans single-trip pilot car maps. Select every district on your authorized route and read the legend against your load dimensions.
- Annual Maps: Open the Caltrans annual pilot car maps. Match the California Legal or STAA configuration, weight class and district to your permit.
- Weekly Restrictions: Read CalRoute’s weekly short-term restrictions. Caltrans updates the list daily and publishes it weekly. Annual and repetitive permit holders must carry the information with their permit, printed or electronic.
Check for added restrictions on your authorized route before departure. If a restriction conflicts with the planned move, resolve it with the permit authority before rolling. Do not substitute another road without authorization.
Use the California permit reading checklist to review the route and attachments together. These map and restriction sources were reviewed November 7, 2026; the other rule sections retain their stated source-review date.
When can an oversize load move in California?
Without a pilot car, travel is allowed around the clock on yellow, green, blue and brown routes unless the permit says "No Night Travel". With a pilot car, the route colour decides. Yellow routes allow 24 hours up to 16 feet wide; blue and brown routes allow no night travel.
| Route | Daylight | Darkness | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Up to 16 feet wide | Up to 16 feet wide | 502.4 |
| Green | Up to 15 feet wide, weekends included | Up to 14 feet wide | 502.4 |
| Blue and brown | Weekdays up to 15 feet; weekends half an hour before sunrise to noon | Not allowed | 502.4 |
- Holidays: loads needing a pilot car stop from 4 p.m. to midnight the day before, and from noon to midnight on the holiday and holiday-weekend days: New Year's Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- City curfews: over 10 feet wide, curfew maps apply in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.
What signs and flags does California require?
Signs go front and rear once the load is over 8 feet 6 inches wide, 80 feet long, or has more than 10 feet of overhang. They read OVERSIZE, or LONG LOAD over 100 feet, in black letters at least 10 inches high on yellow, mounted at least 18 inches up.
"All loads and/or vehicles being moved on State highways that exceed 8'-6" in width, 80'-0" in length, or more than 10'-0" of overhang shall display appropriate warning signs." — Caltrans Transportation Permits Manual 502.9. Verified October 14, 2026.
A rear projection of 4 feet or more takes a flag by day and two red lights at night. Caltrans pages disagree on the flag size, 12 or 18 inches, so carry 18-inch flags. Compare states in sign requirements by state.
What is a superload in California?
California does not use the term. Anything over the single-trip maximums, 14 feet wide or 135 feet long, needs a variance permit and a separate review (TPM 201). Red routes need a single-trip permit and special review in every case.
Use This Check In RouteAll
After receiving the issued permit, use RouteAll’s permit-to-GPS workflow to compare its highway sequence with a reviewable map. Keep local permissions, travel windows and escort instructions available separately. RouteAll does not issue permits or amend the authorized roads.
Before you roll
Check the load against 102 inches, 14 feet and 80,000 pounds, then find each road's colour on the Caltrans pilot car map. The colour decides your pilot cars and whether you may move at night. Over 10 feet wide, read the city curfew maps before you enter Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco or Sacramento.
Common questions
How much is a California oversize permit?
A single-trip transportation permit costs $16 and is valid 7 consecutive days. An annual permit costs $90 and covers loads up to 12 feet wide and 14 feet high, but not on red routes. Card payments add a processing fee.
Can oversize loads travel at night in California?
Without a pilot car, yes, on yellow, green, blue and brown routes unless the permit says "No Night Travel". With a pilot car, yellow routes allow night travel up to 16 feet wide, green up to 14 feet, and blue and brown not at all.
Do pilot cars need certification in California?
This guide found no Caltrans source that certifies pilot car drivers. California does set the pilot car sign: at least 440 square inches, black letters at least 6 inches high, mounted at least 48 inches up, under Vehicle Code 27904.5.
Further reading
Sources
- Caltrans legal truck access: widths, height, lengths, weight.
- Caltrans Transportation Permits Manual, chapter 1 (2026), chapter 2 and chapter 5.
- Caltrans Transportation Permit System.
- Caltrans pilot car maps: single-trip and annual district map indexes.
- Caltrans CalRoute weekly short-term restrictions.
RouteAll reads the permit you provide. It does not issue permits or guarantee compliance. The driver remains responsible for the load. California rules change, and your permit can be stricter than the rule; verify against the permit and the California permit office before every move.