Department of Transportation
Caltrans
California • United States of America
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) manages the nation's largest state highway system with over 50,000 lane miles of highway serving one of the world's largest economies. Caltrans is critical to the trucking industry as California's ports — Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland — handle roughly 40% of US container imports. Key freight corridors include I-5, I-10, I-15, I-80, and SR-99. The department administers commercial vehicle weight permits, the Freeway Ramp Metering system, and numerous truck inspection stations. Caltrans also enforces strict emissions standards relevant to trucking fleets operating in California.
| Official Website | https://dot.ca.gov/ |
|---|---|
| Data API | https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/traveler-information/511 |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles |
Available Data
Social Media
- @511SFBay — 511 SF Bay
California Trucking Regulations
Size & weight limits, OS/OW permits, and seasonal restrictions for commercial vehicles
Weight Limits
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Max Gross Vehicle Weight | 80000 lbs |
| Single Axle | 20000 lbs |
| Tandem Axle | 34000 lbs |
| Superload Threshold | 250000 lbs |
Dimensional Limits
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Max Height | 14 ft |
| Max Width | 8.5 ft |
| Max Length (Single Unit) | 40 ft |
| Max Length (Combination) | 65 ft |
OS/OW Permits
Seasonal Restrictions Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Chain controls are mandatory in the Sierra Nevada and mountain passes, typically October through June. All commercial vehicles in affected zones must carry or be equipped with approved tire chains or snow tires. CHP enforces R1 and R2 chain-control designations; non-compliance results in fines and forced turn-around.
Weigh Station Bypass
28¢/gal
Member
Special Exemptions
Notable Rules
California has strict weight enforcement with electronic citation (eCIT) at weigh stations operated by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Longer combination vehicles (LCVs) are prohibited statewide. Access to the STAA highway network is more limited than in most states; check Caltrans route maps before routing oversized loads.
Sources
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