How To Apply

1. Eligibility:
   • To be eligible for an oversize/overweight (or "extralegal") permit, the main criterion is that the load is non-reducible. That is, the load cannot be broken down into smaller parts and transported on a legal tractor/trailer setup.
   • A Vehicle Inspection Report may be required for certain types of vehicles and/or equipment prior to applying for a transportation permit.
   • Inspection reports must be attached to applications for new permits and permit renewals if required.
   
   
2. Single Trip I Permit (previously known as Single Trip Faxed‐in Permit):
   
   • Single Trip I permit applications are single trip applications with rider form, resident engineer approval required, or no route provided by permittee requiring Caltrans to develop the route.
     These permit applications require additional processing time.
   • Instructions for Single-Trip Application
   • Visit CTPS Information and Route Clearing Database (CalRoute) webpages for instructions and training videos on how to complete a single trip permit application online.
   • Submit online after logging into Caltrans Transportation Permit System (CTPS).
   • Credit Card Payment Tutorial Video
     
     
3. Single Trip II Permit (previously known as STARS2 Permit):
   • Single Trip II permit applications are all other single trip applications, excluding Single Trip I permit applications.
   • Instructions for Single-Trip II Application
   • Visit CTPS Information and Route Clearing Database (CalRoute) webpages for instructions and training videos on how to complete a single trip permit application online.
   • Submit online after logging into Caltrans Transportation Permit System (CTPS).
   
   
4. Annual Permit:     
   • Instructions for Annual Permit Application
   • Annual Transportation Permittee Responsibilities (Revised 12/2020) (PDF)
   • Submit application online after logging into Caltrans Transportation Permit System (CTPS)
   • Online Submittal and Credit Card payment Tutorial Video
     
     
5. Repetitive Permit:
   • Instructions for Repetitive Permit Application
   • Submit application online after logging into Caltrans Transportation Permit System (CTPS)
   • Online Submittal and Credit Card Payment Tutorial Video
     
     
6. Variance Loads:
   • Variance permits are for vehicles over 15 feet in width, 17 feet or more in height, over 135 feet in length, or on special hauling equipment which exceeds the Department's standard method of weight classification.
   • Online Submittal and Credit Card Payment Tutorial Video
   
   
7. Sea Container Permit:
   • Instructions for Sea Container Permit Application
   • Submit application online after logging into Caltrans Transportation Permit System (CTPS)
   • Online Submittal and Credit Card payment Tutorial Video
     
8. Motorsports Permit:
   • Visit the Motorsports Permit information page.
   
   
9. Non-Legal (Non-Permitted) Size & Weight: 
   • If your vehicle combination length or the cargo load are not eligible for an extralegal (oversize/overweight) permit, you cannot travel in California legally.
   • You must reduce your vehicle combination length or your load to meet the California Legal Truck size and weight limit.
   
   
10. Questions:
    • For questions about Single-Trip, Annual, Repetitive and Sea Container permits call (916) 322-1297.
    • For questions about Variance permits call (916) 323-2893.
    • For questions about Non-Legal (Non-Permitted) Size & Weight loads call (916) 654-5741.
    • Full list of Permits Office Contacts.
    • If you are experiencing difficulty accessing any of the forms, see our forms troubleshooting guide