California State Permit Resource

Staying current with state permits is crucial for truckers to ensure legal compliance and avoid costly fines or delays. These permits help streamline operations, ensuring that truckers can transport goods smoothly across state lines without regulatory issues.

California Single-Trip Permit

A single-trip permit in California allows for travel from one point to another and is only valid for one-way travel. If the load exceeds legal limits and the return trip is necessary, a second single-trip permit must be obtained since road conditions or alignments may differ.

Maximum Dimensions and Weight for Single-Trip Permits

      • Height: Varies based on the route and structures encountered; the loaded height must clear the lowest structure by 3 inches.
      • Width: Maximum of 14 feet in general, 15 feet without a California Highway Patrol (CHP) escort on green, blue, and brown routes, and 16 feet on yellow routes.
      • Length: 135 feet maximum.
      • Weight: Subject to the “Purple Chart” weight limitations for heavy loads.

Single-trip permits are valid for seven consecutive days and may be issued up to three days before the start of travel.

California Annual Permit

Annual permits are issued for hauling non-reducible loads or vehicles within specific size and weight limits. These permits allow continuous operation within California throughout the year, subject to the following restrictions:

      • Height: 14 feet maximum (legal height)
      • Width: 12 feet maximum
      • Length: Varies depending on the load and vehicle
      • Weight: Must comply with legal weight limits according to the Green and Purple weight charts
      • Kingpin to Rear Axle (KPRA): 40 feet maximum, except where permitted under the California Vehicle Code

Annual permits are valid for one year and must be renewed before they expire to avoid a lapse in validity. Permit renewals can be submitted up to 60 days before the permit expires.

California Repetitive Trip Permit

Repetitive trip permits are available for non-reducible loads, allowing repeated travel between the same two points. These permits are limited to:

  • Height: 14 feet 6 inches maximum
  • Width: 12 feet maximum
  • Length: 90 feet maximum

Repetitive trip permits are valid for up to 90 days. A second permit is required for the return trip if the vehicle exceeds legal size limits. These permits are not available for variance loads, and the processing time is at least 14 business days.

California Sea Container Permit

Sea container permits are available for specific routes near the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. This permit applies to 4-axle tractor and 3-axle trailer configurations transporting intermodal cargo containers within the following areas:

  • The 2.9-mile portion of State Route 47 and State Route 103 (Terminal Island Freeway)
  • The 2.4-mile portion of State Highway Route 1 between Sanford Avenue in Los Angeles and Harbor Avenue in Long Beach

Maximum Allowable Dimensions for Sea Container Permits:

  • Width: 8 feet 6 inches
  • Length: 65 feet maximum
  • Height: 14 feet maximum
  • Kingpin to Rear Axle (KPRA): 40 feet maximum
  • Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 95,000 pounds maximum

Sea container permits are valid for one year and must be renewed before expiration to avoid a lapse in validity.

California Variance Permit

Variance permits are required for loads that exceed 15 feet in width, 17 feet in height, or 135 feet in length or that require special hauling equipment exceeding California’s standard weight classification methods. These permits require:

  • Written Route Surveys: Required for loads over 17 feet in height. The route must be inspected and documented for any potential obstructions like bridges, power lines, and road restrictions.
  • Engineering Justification: Applicants must provide inspection reports, engineering studies, and detailed drawings of the items to be moved.

If the load requires a CHP escort, the permit holder is responsible for scheduling the escort with the CHP.

Fees:

      • The fee depends on the type of permit and the number of trips. Annual and repetitive permits typically cost $90, while single-trip permits cost $16 per trip.

California Manufactured Home Permit

Permits are available for transporting manufactured and mobile homes across the state. For homes up to 12 feet wide:

      • Width: 10 to 12 feet
      • Length: 105 feet maximum (80 feet for housing, including the tongue)
      • Height: 14 feet maximum
      • Weight: 6,000 pounds per axle

Permits are restricted to licensed manufacturers, dealers, or transporters.

California Fuel Trip (IRP/IFTA) Permit

The California Fuel Trip (CFT) permit allows out-of-state registered vehicles to enter California for four consecutive days without obtaining a permanent fuel tax license.

      • Qualified Vehicles: Vehicles with two or more axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, or with three or more axles, or those with a combination weight exceeding 26,000 pounds.

The permit fee is $30 and must be acquired prior to entering the state.

Contact Us

Please note that DOT Compliance Group does not provide State Permit Registration. However, we offer a variety of essential compliance services to keep your business running smoothly, including Clearinghouse Registration, Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), Biennial Updates, and much more. If you have any questions about our services or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at 972-232-2218. We’re here to help with all your compliance needs.