Truck Routes & Transportation Permits

General information, conditions, route map, and more.

The City of Hayward provides transportation permits for qualified loads and vehicles to operate safely on the roadways to/from and through our jurisdiction. Below find information about Truck Routes & Transportation Permits conditions, applications, truck routes and authorized permit companies. 

Questions, Contact: If you need more information or have additional questions, please contact the Traffic bureau at (510) 293-7099 or email HPDTransPermit@hayward-ca.gov

Permit Info & Applications Transportation Routes Authorized Permit Companies

Conditions: 

Extralegal Load: This permit is issued for movement of an “Extralegal Load” as defined in California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sec. 320.5.

Terms and Conditions: The movement of any vehicle and/or load in accordance with the permit shall be regarded as acceptance by the permittee of all terms and conditions of the permit. Acceptance of the permit constitutes an agreement by the permittee to observe and comply with all of the general and specific conditions on the face of the permit and attachments.

Responsibility of Permittee: The permittee shall be knowledgeable and in compliance with all applicable California conditions, requirements, and laws for the use of the highway system and in particular movement of extralegal vehicles and/orloads.

Verification: The use of the permit is prima facie evidence that the driver has checked the load and/or vehicle and knows it to be within the limits as set forth hereon and has verified the routing accuracy. The vehicle and/or load authorized under this permit is subject to inspection by representatives of the Hayward Police Department.

Permit is void under the following conditions:

  • If any portion, part or section is illegible.
  • If it is not signed by an authorized representative of the City of Hayward.
  • If any portion, part or section has been altered or if an attempt to alter is apparent.
  • If it is present without the attachments affixed that are specifically named and required upon the face of the permit.

Liability for Damage: The permittee is responsible for all liability, for personal injury or property damages, which may occur through any act or omission of the permittee when acting under the permit, and in the event any claim is made against the City of Hayward or any, department, officer, or employee thereof, through, by reason of or in connection with any such act or omission, the permittee shall defend, indemnity and hold them and each of them harmless from such claim. The permit shall not  be effective for any purpose unless and until the above named permittee files an insurance certificate in the form and amount required by the City of Hayward, unless specifically exempted on the face  hereof.

Repair of Damage: In accepting the permit, the permittee agrees to repair at his own expense and to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works, any damage to highway appurtenances or structures resulting from travel under the permit. Notwithstanding, work or repair may be done by the City of Hayward forces at the option of the Director of Public Works, the cost to be borne by the permittee. In the event of damage to City highway facilities such as bridges, traffic signals, light standards and other appurtenances, a written report must be filed with the Hayward Police Department within 72 hours after such damage has been done. Failure to make this report will be considered cause for cancellation of all permit privileges pending a satisfactory arrangement with the City for repair or replacement of the damaged facility.

CalTrans & CVC Conditions: All conditions required by CalTrans and the California State Vehicle Code, Division 15, Chapters 1 through 5, shall apply to this permit.

Proof of Insurance: Proof of Insurance in accordance with California Vehicle Code Sec. 16500.5 VC may be required prior to the issuance of a transportation permit.

Special Services: Special services required by unusually large or heavy loads needing engineering services or loads that require a Hayward Police Department escort, will be billed separately.

Police Escorts: All loads over 16 feet wide, and/or over 140 feet in length, and/or 18 feet height shall be escorted by the Hayward Police Department. Escorts shall be coordinated with the Traffic Bureau a minimum of 72 hours prior to the move.

* HPD escort shall be required anytime opposing lanes must be used.

Cost of Services: The cost of all services rendered by the Hayward Police Department as a result of any omissions or commissions on the part of the permit holder during a move shall be borne by the permit holder.

Faxed Permits: Permits applied for and obtained via facsimile shall be legible. Legibility is the responsibility of the applicant.

Pilot Cars: A single pilot car is required on any load, which is, over 12 feet wide and/or over 120 feet in length and/or over 16 feet in height. Two pilot cars are required on any load, which is, over 14 feet wide and/or over 135 feet in length.

Restricted Days of Travel: All loads covered by the permit shall not be move/transported during heavy traffic, on Saturdays, Sundays, or observed State of California holidays unless specifically stated on the face of the permit.

Restricted Hours of Travel: Loads that exceed 10’ in width are subject to restricted hours. No movement shall be made between the hours of 7 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. No moves shall be initiated which cannot be reasonably completed before 7 a.m. or 4 p.m. respectively.

Possession of Permit: The permit shall be carried in the vehicle for which it refers to at all times while the vehicle is within the City limits (California Vehicle Code Section 35783).

Moving In Convoy: Movement in convoy shall not be permitted unless specified on the face of the permit.

Night Moving: Night moving is not permitted unless specifically so stated on the face of the permit. If any moving is permitted at night, necessary warning lights shall be displayed and flag personnel employed in such a manner as to thoroughly protect traffic in either direction. *Note: “Night” means “Darkness” and is defined in the CVC under Section 280.

Overhead Clearance: When the height of the load exceeds the legal limit (14’0”), it becomes the responsibility of the permittee to check all underpasses, overcrossings, bridges, overhead wires or other structures for impaired vertical clearance and to bypass or arrange clearance at such locations.

Lane Use: When practical, the vehicle shall be kept in the far right lane of the roadway and shall not encroach on the roadway shoulder except where necessary to allow traffic to pass.

* HPD escort shall be required anytime opposing lanes must be used.

Accident Reporting: Accidents occurring while operating under the permit and requiring a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles under CVC section 16000 shall also be reported to the City of Hayward. A copy of the permit and accident report shall be mailed to the Hayward Traffic Bureau – 300 West Winton AV, Hayward CA 94544 within 30 days of the date of the accident. Failure to mail all copies will be considered cause for cancellation of all permit privileges.

Tires: Tires on permitted vehicles shall comply with the California Code of Regulations Title 13, commencing with Section 1085 of Article 14. Permitted axle or axle group weights shall not exceed the rated capacity marked on the tire sidewall.

Reducible Loads: The permit is issued for the movement of an “Extralegal Load” as defined in CVC 320.5 when loaded at its minimal dimensions. The permit is automatically canceled if the permitted dimensions and weight can be reduced to legal limits by repositioning and/or practical removal of a part, portion or unit. The permit does not authorize Extralegal weight if the load can be repositioned to stay within legal axle or axle group weights authorized in CVC 35551 or 35551.5. If the load cannot be repositioned, the weights shown on the permit are authorized. Other items may be hauled in addition to the permitted item provided they do not exceed the dimensions of the vehicle or permitted item (whichever is greater) and the loaded vehicle is of legal axle and gross weights. Over-height permits shall not be issued for items transported on a conventional flat deck trailer unless the deck is needed to support a long fragile load or a long load that would cause unbalanced axle group weights.

Towing Disabled Permit Vehicles: Disabled Extralegal vehicles or Extralegal combinations of vehicles, whose movement is authorized by a transportation permit, or any disabled legal vehicle or legal combination of vehicles which because of damage has incurred distortion in width or height thereby causing an excess in legal dimensions may only be moved at the direction of a peace officer. Disabled overweight permitted loads/vehicles shall only be moved at the direction of a peace officer and to a point where the roadway has been safely cleared. Movement of the permit vehicle/load beyond this point shall be completed only under the authority of a City, County or State transportation permit. Single trip permits for towing permit vehicles shall require reduction of the disabled combinations to the shortest dimension possible.

Moving In Inclement Weather: Movement shall not occur in snow, fog, rain or wind when visibility is restricted to less than 1,000 feet (304.8 meters). Movement is prohibited when road surfaces are  hazardous due to rain, ice, snow or frost, or when use of tire chains is mandatory. In addition, manufactured housing shall not move when the wind velocity is such that it causes the vehicle being towed to whip or swerve from side-to-side or fail to follow the path of the towing vehicle. Any accident caused by excessive wind or weather conditions shall be considered a prima facie violation of this condition.

Warning Signs and Flags: All loads/vehicles over 8’-6” in width, 80 feet in length or more than 10 feet of overhang shall display warning signs. Signs shall be posted on the front and rear of the vehicle or on the front of the lead vehicle and the rear of the back trailer with multi-vehicle combinations. Signs shall have black letters on a yellow background and comply with Section 502.9 of the California Department of Transportation Permit Manual. Flags shall comply with Section 25104 VC of the California Vehicle  Code. Appropriate flags and/or lamps as required by the California Vehicle Code sections 24604, 25103 and 25104 CVC shall be utilized.

Tow Vehicles: For towing units of 12 feet in width or less the tow vehicle shall be a truck tractor with dual rear wheels and an unladen weight of not less than 6,500 pounds as defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 655 and 660. For towing units greater than 12 feet in width the tow vehicle shall be a truck tractor with dual rear wheels and an unladen weight of not less than 9,500 pounds as defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 655 and 660.

Special Conditions for Manufactured Housing: The following special conditions are applicable to all permits authorizing travel for a Park Trailer as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code or a Manufactured Home as defined in Section 387 of the California Vehicle Code:

General conditions: In acceptance of the permit, the applicant certifies that he or she is in compliance with all applicable statutes and specifically with Section 35790(e) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) which states in part that a permit for the movement of a manufactured home under this section shall not be issued exception to transporters or licensed manufacturers and dealers… Movement in convoy shall  not be permitted unless specified on the face of the permit. Axle weights shall not exceed 6,000 pounds per axle on the park trailer or manufactured home. Tire loading, including the service  factor  50% increase, is dependent on tire wear and shall be in compliance with all Federal and State rules, conditions, and laws. Units open on one-side shall be covered by plywood, hard board or other rigid material. In lieu of rigid material, suitable plastics, or other flexible material may be used. Billowing or flapping plastic or flexible side covering in excess of 6 inches in any one location is not acceptable and renders the permit void until repaired. Units open on both sides such as those used for temporary schools, warehouses, offices, etc. may be moved empty with no side covering.

Special Conditions for Buildings and other Structures: Before start of a building, house or structure move authorized by the permit, the Permittee shall notify the City of Hayward Police Department.

Equipment: Structures are to be moved with regular house or permitted equipment.

Interference with Traffic: The moving shall be done at the time of day and in a manner which will cause the least interference with traffic.

Cleaning up Right of Way: Upon completion of the moving work, all timbers and equipment shall be removed and the right of way left in the same condition as before the work started.

Do Not Disturb the Roadway Surface: No wedges, bars or spikes shall be driven in the surface of the city street.

Care of Trees: No trees shall be cut, trimmed, used for attached cables or in any way disturbed.

Care of Overhead Lines: Permittee shall notify the owner of all overhead lines subject to disturbance or damage by his/her operations at least twenty-four hours in advance of such work and mutually agreeable arrangements shall be made between the parties affected. *Note: This provision does not authorize owners of overhead lines to limit work allowed under the permit.

Crossing Railroad Tracks: Permittee shall notify the railroad company at least 36 hours in advance of crossing railroad tracks pursuant to Section 35789 of the California Vehicle Code.

Special Conditions for Loads and/or Vehicles Escorted by Pilot Car(s):

The following special conditions are applicable to all permits requiring escort by pilot car(s):

Equipment: Failure to comply with all equipment requirements under law renders the permit void and the vehicle and/or load out of service until all necessary repairs or additional equipment are obtained to meet said requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Pilot cars maintain communications with the escorted load via two-way radio communication device.
  • Pilot cars maintain a safe distance from the escorted vehicle to allow both passing and warning for other traffic.
  • Pilot cars accompany the escorted vehicle over all operational California Highway Patrol (CHP) scale and inspection facilities.

Location

  • If one pilot car is required, the pilot car precedes the escorted vehicle on two (one lane in each direction) or three-lane conventional roads. When a pilot car is required for rear overhang (i.e. – more that 25’0”), the pilot car will follow the escorted vehicle on all routes. The pilot car follows the escorted vehicle on conventional highways having four or more lanes, divided highways and freeways.
  • If two pilot cars are required, one pilot car precedes, and the other follows the escorted vehicle.Pilot cars shall remain right of the centerline of the roadway at all times.

Restrictions

  •  It is unauthorized for a pilot car to stop, pre-empt, or impede opposing traffic.
  •  It is unauthorized for a pilot car to tow another vehicle while escorting a load unless it is specifically stated on the face of the transportation permit or permit rider.
  • It is unauthorized for pilot cars to escort more than one vehicle and/or load at one time unless specified on the face of the transportation permit or permit rider.
  • It is unauthorized to display STOP/SLOW sign paddles from the window of a moving vehicle.