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Engineering Services Department Land Development Engineering P.O. Box 642 Modesto, California 95354 [PHONE REDACTED] Modestogov.com TRANSPORTATION PERMITS What Is The Purpose Of A Transportation Permit? The annual blanket and daily transportation permits’ purpose is to enable the City to regulate movement of oversize loads over City bridges and roads to insure vehicle safety and to protect City bridges and roads. Issuing the permit assures that oversize loads are moved over a route with bridges and roads that can handle the weight and dimension requirements for the load, and that also addresses safety considerations unique to the assigned route. When Is Transportation Permit Required? A daily transportation permit is required whenever movement over City bridges and roads falls within the following criteria: The truck, truck and trailer, vehicle, or vehicle and trailer are over the legal size defined in California Vehicle Code Division 15. The load is over the legal size in terms of height, width, length, and/or weight as defined in California Vehicle Code Division 15. An annual blanket transportation permit can be obtained and used in lieu of a daily transportation permit along routes over City bridges and roads that can handle the Caltrans rated load specified on the permit. What is Considered an Oversized Vehicle or Load? Width. Any load or vehicle over the legal width of 8’-6” requires a permit, as specified in California Vehicle Code Section 35100. Height. No vehicle or load shall exceed a height of 14’ measured from the surface upon which the vehicle stands. Any load or vehicle in excess of 14’ in height requires a permit as specified in California Vehicle Code Section 35250. Length. While there are exceptions specified in the California Vehicle Code, generally, any single vehicle exceeding 40’ in length requires a permit and any combination of vehicle and/or semi-trailers and/or trailers exceeding 65’ requires a permit as specified in California Vehicle Code Sections 35400 and 35401. Weight. Gross weight limits are based on the maximum number of pounds on each axle or axle group specified in California Vehicle Code Sections 35550 through 35558 depending on the number of tires and spacing of the axle group. The general rule is that legal vehicle combinations exceeding a gross weight of ---PAGE BREAK--- 80,000 pounds must obtain a transportation permit and that the legal gross weight imposed on a single axle shall not exceed 20,000 pounds. Truck axle group weight charts and weight limitation information including exceptions can be found in the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Transportation Manual which can be found online at the Caltrans website and in the California Vehicle Code sections 35550 through 35558. What Are the Pilot Car Requirements? Width. A load width in excess of 12’ requires two pilot cars. Length. A load in excess of 100’ in length requires one pilot car. Length. A load in excess of 120’ requires two pilot cars. Hilly Terrain. In hilly terrain where sight visibility may be reduced, two pilot cars are required. What Does The Permit Cost? The permit fees are based on a transportation permit fee schedule specified by the California State Legislature. The City of Modesto transportation permit fees are $15 for a daily transportation permit and $85 for an annual blanket transportation permit. What Do I Need To Submit? Individual citizens and commercial businesses may apply for daily and annual blanket transportation permits. The applicant must submit a completed daily or annual blanket transportation permit form. Applicants must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance for their personal residence/property or for their commercial business or have a current certificate on file with City of Modesto, Engineering Services Department, Land Development Engineering Division, prior to issuance of a permit. A minimum liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000 is required and City of Modesto must be named as an additional insured on the certificate. The permit fee must be paid prior to issuance of a permit. Application forms for daily and annual blanket transportation permits can be requested by telephoning Land Development Engineering at (209) 342-4712, or accessing the City of Modesto, Land Development Engineering internet website at www.modestogov.com/1199/Permits ---PAGE BREAK--- What Are The Steps In Applying For A Transportation Permit? The Application. Submit a completed application form via the e-TRAKiT portal, and provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance. Permit Review and Approval. Annual and daily transportation permits will be reviewed for requested date of movement, load dimensions and weight, equipment size, proposed route, and day and time of movement for compliance to City requirements. Payment. Pay for the permit. The fee is paid through the e-TRAKiT portal. Issuance. Upon approval of application and fees collection, the permit is issued to the applicant via the e-TRAKiT portal. ---PAGE BREAK--- GENERAL PROVISIONS 1. AUTHORIZATION: This permit is issued pursuant to Section 35780 of the Vehicle Code and does not waive applicable vehicle registration requirements nor other applicable laws. Said laws must be complied within all particulars. a. SCOPE: This permit is to be strictly construed and no work other than that specifically mentioned herein is authorized hereby. b. LIMIT OF AUTHORIZATION: This permit covers only moves within City rights-of-way under the jurisdiction of the City of Modesto. State Division of Highways and County permits must be secured for travel over highways and streets of respective jurisdiction. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF PERMIT: The moving of any conveyance or doing of any work on the highway in conjunction with the provisions of this permit shall be regarded as an acceptance by the PERMITTEE of all terms and conditions of this permit. a. PERMIT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION: The permit must be carried with the conveyance at all times while it is being moved within City right-of-way limits. It shall be submitted for inspection on demand of any authorized representative of the City of Modesto or of any law enforcement officer. b. REVOCATION: This permit is revocable at any time upon written notice to the mailing address of the Permittee. 3. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE: The PERMITTEE shall at all times give strict attention to the safety and rights of the traveling public. a. IMPAIRED VISIBILITY: No move is to be made except on special authorization: i. In rainy or foggy weather ii. During hours of darkness iii. When horizontal visibility is less than 1, 000 feet (due to smoke, dust, etc.). b. PILOT CARS: Shall be provided and maintained by the PERMITTEE at a proper distance (approximately 500 feet) both to the front and to the rear of the conveyance in the following cases: i. Where any portion of the conveyance exceeds twelve feet (12’) in WIDTH; ii. Where any portion of the conveyance exceeds the TRAVEL LANE WIDTH; and, iii. Over routes where the vertical and/or horizontal sight distances are restricted so that oncoming traffic does not have the conveyance in full view from a safe and reasonable distance. ---PAGE BREAK--- c. PILOT CAR DRIVER: Pilot car drivers shall be completely familiar with the rules and regulations of the California Vehicle Code and other laws pertaining to direction and guidance of traffic along City highways, and shall be fully qualified to perform the required function. d. YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY: When being passed by other vehicles traveling in either direction, if the roadway and road shoulder provide sufficient room to do so, no portion of the conveyance shall be permitted to extend over the centerline of pavement or traveled way separation line. e. PROTECTION ON BRIDGES AND NARROW ROADS: Prior to traversing bridges and roads so narrow that it is impossible to avoid extension over the centerline, flagmen and other required warning devices shall be posted at each end of the narrow area to warn and direct approaching traffic. f. NIGHT MOVING: No night moving is allowed unless specifically so stated on the face hereof. If any moving is to be done after dark, necessary warning lights must be displayed and sufficient flagmen employed so as to properly protect public traffic in all directions. g. HAZARDOUS ROAD SURFACE: No moving is allowed when road surfaces are slick with ice, snow, frost, etc. h. TRAFFIC CONGESTION PERIODS: No conveyances covered hereby shall be moved over City highways on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays (Lincoln’s Birthday, Good Friday, Columbus Day, and all Election Days excepted), unless specifically so stated on the face hereof. i. PARKING ON HIGHWAY: If it is necessary to leave a conveyance on City highway right-of-way at night or at times of impaired visibility, it shall be moved off the traveled way and roadway pavement so as to interfere in no way with passing traffic. Lights and other necessary warning devices shall be displayed so as to adequately warn and direct passing traffic. 4. PROTECTION OF ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY FEATURES: It will be the responsibility of the PERMITTEE to check the route of travel for road closure, for other road and bridge posting, and for disadvantageous and injurious obstructions and features before sending the conveyance over any route. a. ASPHALT PAVEMENTS: Conveyances with steel tires and tracks with cleats and other detrimental unevenness of road bearing surface shall not be driven over City roads without first providing a protective pad, planks or heavy belting, under the tracks to protect the pavement unless specifically so stated on the face hereof. ---PAGE BREAK--- b. BRIDGES: This permit does not authorize crossing posted bridges with loads exceeding posted limits unless specifically mentioned on the face of this permit. The PERMITTEE shall comply with all rules posted on bridges over which he is to pass and shall assume all risks relative thereto. Posted limits and rules shall take precedence over any presumed authorization derived from faulty routing. c. OVERHEAD CLEARANCE: When height of conveyance exceeds legal limit it becomes the responsibility of the PERMITTEE to check all underpasses, bridges, overhead wires, or other structures for impaired vertical clearance and to bypass or arrange for clearance at such locations. d. TREE TRIMMING: No trimming or damage to trees will be permitted in the course of moving a conveyance unless specifically so stated on the face hereof. If permitted, the route must be cleared by an authorized tree surgeon. (Tree surgeon’s license number and statement of responsibility must accompany application for a tree trimming permit.) 5. REPAIR OF DAMAGE: In accepting this permit, the PERMITTEE agrees to repair at his own expense and to the satisfaction of the City of Modesto, any damage to the highway or structures. At the option of the City of Modesto, repair work may be done by the City; the cost of repairs to be borne by the PERMITTEE. 6. LIABILITY: The PERMITTEE, by acceptance of this permit, shall assume full responsibility for all liability for personal injury and property damage which may occur through any act or omission of the PERMITTEE while pursuing the functions of this permit. In the event any claim is made against the City of Modesto or any department, official or employee thereof, through by any reason of, or in connection with any such act or omission, the PERMITTEE shall defend, indemnify and hold them and each of them harmless of such claim. 7. CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE: This permit shall not be effective for any purpose unless and until the PERMITTEE files with the City of Modesto evidence of public liability and property damage (certificate of insurance) in the form and amount required by said Department. 8. TIME AND TRIP LIMITS: Unless specifically so stated on the face hereof, this permit is good only for one trip during the movement period between the points designated.