Travel Guide
Need to know
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or a valid passport to fly within the United States. Get your REAL ID now!
The Caltrans Travel Guide and Caltrans Travel Tips are the Department’s method of communicating travel and reimbursement rules to employees. It is the goal of the Division of Accounting to communicate this information in a timely and accurate manner.
The Travel Guide details the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) travel rules and the Department’s travel policies. Before traveling on State business or incurring travel expenses, employees should review the Travel Guide for current information.
For a quick reference for travel information while on travel status visit the Electronic Pocket Travel Guide. For instructions on how to add the page as an app on your phone see Travel Information & Policy (TIP) 17-06.
To address a travel related question, the Outlook mailbox below can be used to send inquiries:
Division of Accounting - Travel Questions Mailbox
Division.of.Accounting.Travel.Questions.Mailbox@dot.ca.gov
For general assistance, contact the Travel Information Line at (916) 227-9061 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (Time of service has been adjusted due to COVID-19 pandemic.)
If an answer to a specific question cannot be found in the Travel Guide or answered by the Travel Information Line, please contact the Travel Policy Section at (916) 227-8652.
Mailing Address
Department of Transportation
Division of Accounting
Travel Payments and Policy Section, MS-25
P.O. Box 168018
Sacramento, CA 95816-8018
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - State Travel Policy
Chapter 2 - Travel Advance and U.S. Bank
Chapter 3 - Travel Expense Claim (TEC) Instruction
Chapter 4 - Short-Term Travel (Lodging and Meal Rates)
Chapter 6 - Out-of-State/ Country Travel (OST)
Chapter 8 - Professional License Expenses
Chapter 9 - Training, Business Related Meals, and Conference Fees
Chapter 10 - Safety Footwear and Uniform Allowance
Chapter 11 - Medical Examinations and Driver's License Fees
Chapter 12 - Non-Travel Related Expenses
Chapter 13 - Overtime Meals and Call-Back Mileage
Chapter 14 - Travel Exceptions
Chapter 16 - Transit Incentive Program
Chapter 17 - Tax Withholding and Reporting Requirements
Chapter 18 - Travel Reservation System (Concur)
Chapter 19 - Non-State Employee Travel
Appendix A - Travel Instructional Videos
Appendix B - Travel Related Forms List
Appendix C - Travel Information & Policy (TIP)
Appendix D - Reimbursement Rates by Bargaining Unit