CALTRANS
LEGAL TRUCK SIZE & WEIGHT
EXEMPTIONS
Motorsports Routes
(Note: All abbreviations are defined at the end of page.)
MOTORSPORTS EXEMPTION
An otherwise legal truck tractor-semitrailer combination vehicle traveling to or from a qualifying motorsports venue may have a KPRA length of up to 46 feet if operating on the designated STAA Network and Caltrans-approved motorsports access routes. (Complete text of Vehicle Code exception shown below)LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Height & Width: Vehicle basic height law in California is 14 feet. The basic width law is 102 inches.
Length: Vehicles qualifying for the motorsports KPRA exemption must comply with all other length requirements. Basic length laws in California are as follows:
California Legal |
STAA Truck with 48' Trailer |
STAA Truck with 53' Trailer |
Semi-trailer = no limit |
Semi-trailer = 48' max KPRA = no limit Combination length = no limit |
Semi-trailer = over 48', but 53' max KPRA = 40' max Combination length = no limit |
Access: virtually anywhere in California. |
Access: STAA Network only! | Access: STAA Network only! |
The STAA Network is the green routes on the on-line Truck Network Map. (Click on the Caltrans district numbers to open each district map.)
POWER UNITS
Truck Tractor: To qualify for the motorsports exemption, the power unit must meet the definition of a "truck tractor" per the California Vehicle Code (CVC) (with bolding added):
655. (a) "A 'truck tractor' is a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load, other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and the load so drawn. As used in this section, "load" does not include items carried on the truck tractor in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle if the load carrying space for these items does not exceed 34 square feet."
Dromedaries: As stated in the definition above, "droms" may carry only items required for the operation of the vehicle. If the "droms" carry other items, the vehicle converts to a California Legal combination with a maximum allowed overall length of 65 feet.
Buses & Motorhomes: A bus or motorhome is not considered a truck tractor. If it is used as a power unit, it would not qualify for the motorsports exemption. However, a bus or motorhome can certainly travel to motorsports events if it is a legal vehicle on the required routes. The legal length of a single-unit vehicle in California is 40'. A bus or motorhome may exceed 40' up to a maximum of 45', provided that they stay on designated routes. The routes for the over-40' buses and motorhomes are not related to motorsports routes. When a bus or motorhome tows another vehicle, the combination cannot exceed 65' in length. (Return to the Office of Truck Services web page and scroll to the topic "6 - 45' Buses & Motorhomes" for a map of designated routes, and links to two web pages entitled "45' Buses" and "45' Motorhomes.")OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Commercial vehicles are subject to all motor carrier regulations. Many of these requirements are listed and summarized on the Office of Truck Services web page under Topic 1 "Commercial Vehicle Operations."
MOTORSPORTS EVENTS
Motorsports definition: In the context of this law, a motorsports event is any event sanctioned under the auspices of the member organizations of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States. Those events are listed in the table below.
Exemption of event activities: This exemption also applies to all activities leading up to that event, including, but not limited to, administration, testing, practice, promotion, and merchandising.
Events outside California: Vehicles registered in California and participating in a motorsports event outside of the state may use the STAA Network (National Network, Terminal Access routes, and Service routes) within California.APPROVED ROUTES
The law mentions issuing of permits. However, in lieu of issuing permits, the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) worked with local authorities to develop the following list of approved routes for each motorsports venue. Note that some routes allow only California Legal vehicles, and one allows only STAA vehicles, which means that the 46' KPRA exemption does not apply on those routes or at those events. (See abbreviations at end of page.)
| Racetrack | City | Local Requirements | Required Route to Track and State Restrictions |
| Auto Club Famoso Raceway | North of Bakersfield | None | No access from SB 99 to track. NB 99 to Famoso Rd, then east. To go south from track, take Famoso Road to SB 65 to SB 99. To NB 99, take Famoso Rd. |
| Bakersfield Speedway | Bakersfield | None | SR 99 north to 65, north 1 mi to 7th Standard Rd, east to Chester Ave, then north. |
| Cal-Expo | Sacramento | None | Take Capital City Freeway (Business 80) to Expo Blvd, then east. Leaving track, access NB 99 via Expo Blvd to 160 to 99. |
| Calistoga Speedway | Calistoga at Fairgrounds | CALIFORNIA LEGAL ONLY (40' KPRA, 65' overal). 30' KPRA advisory N of SR 128. | CA Legal vehicles only (40' KPRA/65' overall). SR 29 has 30' KPRA advisory north of SR 128. From WB I-80 take SR 12 west to 29. From EB 80 exit at SR 29. |
| Auto Club Speedway | Fontana | None | I-15 to 4th St., then E. to participant's entrance E. of Etiwanda. |
| Grand Prix of Long Beach | Long Beach | None | Street circuit. I-710 to south end of Long Beach Freeway. |
| Holtville Aerodrome Int'l Raceway | Holtville | STAA VEHICLES ONLY (48' trailer/no KPRA limit or up to 53' trailer/40' KPRA limit) | STAA vehicles only (48' trailer/no KPRA limit or up to 53' trailer/40' KPRA limit). I-8 to 115, north to Norrish Rd. |
| Kings Chevrolet Speedway | Hanford | None | SR 198 to 10th Ave. exit, go south. |
| Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca | Monterey | None | US 101 to Laurel Drive exit. West to Davis Road, east on Blanco Road to SR 68, south on SR 68 to track. Do not take Sanborn or Abbot exits. |
| Madera Speedway | Madera | None | SR 99 to Cleveland Ave, go west to fairgrounds. |
| Orange Show Speedway | San Bernardino | None | I-215 to Orange Show Rd, then east 0.25 mi to E street, then north to track. |
| Perris Auto Speedway | near Perris | None | I-215 to Ramona Expressway to Lake Perris Fairgrounds. |
| Auto Club Raceway in Pomona | Pomona | Notify Pomona Dept of Public Works 909-620-2281. | I-10 to Fairplex Dr, north to LA County Fairgrounds. |
| Redding Drag Strip | Redding | DO NOT take Rancho Rd. | I-5 to SR 44 to SB Airport Road, then immediate left onto Old Oregon Trail to track. |
| Sacramento Raceway Park | Sacramento | None | US 50 east to SR 16, then north on Excelsior Rd. |
| Santa Maria Speedway | Santa Maria | CALIFORNIA LEGAL ONLY (40' KPRA, 65' overall) | CA Legal vehicles only (40' KPRA, 65' overall). US 101 to SR 166 exit, west to frontage road, then north. |
| Infineon Raceway | Sonoma | None | I-80 to SR 37 to SR 121. |
| Silver Dollar Speedway | Chico | None | SR 99 to Skyway (Park Ave), then west to fairgrounds. |
| Thunderhill Park | Willows | CALIFORNIA LEGAL ONLY (40' KPRA, 65' overall) | CA Legal vehicles only (40' KPRA, 65' overall). I-5 to SR 162. |
| Willow Springs Motorsports Park | Rosamond | Note special routing FROM track to NB 14. | SR 14 to Rosamond Blvd. Return same way with one exception. From track to N/B 14 take Rosamond east to Pacific Hwy, north to Backus to SR 14. |
FEDERAL LAW
The motorsports exemption was passed via federal legislation, H.R. 2539, effective January 1, 1996.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): The CFR, Title 23, Section 658.13(g) states: "No State shall impose a limitation of less than 46 feet on the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle on trailers or semitrailers used exclusively or primarily to transport vehicles in connection with motorsports competition events."
United States Code (USC): Title 49 USC Section 31111: (a)... (b) General Limitations. - 1) Except as provided in this section, a State may not prescribe or enforce a regulation of commerce that - ... (E) imposes a limitation of less than 46 feet on the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle on trailers used exclusively or primarily in connection with motorsports competition events.
CALIFORNIA LAW
California Senate Bill 1463 codified the federal motorsports KPRA exemption in California law. The governor signed the bill August 17, 1996 and it became law on January 1, 1997.
California Vehicle Code (CVC): The State motorsports exemption is located in the CVC Section 35401.5(g) and (h)(2) and is copied here in part (bolding added):
35401.5(g)(1) Notwithstanding Sections 35400 and 35401, the Department of Transportation or local authorities, with regard to highways under their respective jurisdictions, may, upon application, issue a special permit authorizing the applicant to operate a combination of vehicles consisting of a truck tractor semitrailer combination operated pursuant to subdivision (a) with a kingpin to rearmost axle measurement limit of not more than 46 feet on trailers used exclusively or primarily in connection with motorsports. As used in this paragraph, "motorsports" means any event, and all activities leading up to that event, including, but not limited to, administration, testing, practice, promotion, and merchandising, that is sanctioned under the auspices of the member organizations of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States.
(2) A local authority, as a condition of issuing a special permit under this subdivision, may establish reasonable controls on the allowable hours of operation of those semitrailers that are authorized to operate under this subdivision.
(h) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (1) ... (2) In authorizing the department to issue special transportation permits for motorsports, it is the intent of the Legislature to conform with Section 31111(b)(1)(E) of Title 49 of the United States Code. It is also the intent of the Legislature that this action not be a precedent for future increases in the distance from the kingpin to the rearmost axle of semitrailers that would adversely affect the turning maneuverability of vehicle combinations.
35401.5(a) A combination of vehicles consisting of a truck tractor and semitrailer ... is not subject to the limitations of Sections 35400 and 35401, when operating on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways ... or when using routes appropriately identified by the Department of Transportation or local authorities ... if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The length of the semitrailer ... does not exceed 48 feet. A semitrailer not more than 53 feet in length shall satisfy this requirement when configured with two or more rear axles, the rearmost of which is located 40 feet or less from the kingpin or when configured with a single axle which is located 38 feet or less from the kingpin. ...
DEFINITIONS:
KPRA = kingpin-to-rear-axle
CA = California
CVC = California Vehicle Code
SR = State Route
STAA = Surface Transportation Assistance Act, federal legislation allowing larger trucks on the National Network. See the Caltrans web page: Truck Sizes & Routes for more details.
STAA Network = National Network, Terminal Access routes, and Service routes. For a map showing the STAA Network, see the Truck Network Map.
NB = northboundSB = southbound
EB = eastbound
WB = westbound
CONTACTS
Caltrans Legal Truck Size & Weight Work Group
Casey Robb
Manuel Fonseca
General number (916) 654-5741
E-mail: Truck Size & Weight Unit.
Return to the Caltrans "Office of Truck Services" page.
Revised 5/4/12.