California speed, lanes and tire chains

In California, check the applicable truck speed limit and lane designation, then adjust for conditions and controls. Do not assume passenger-car chain or phone practices apply to a heavy truck.

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16 / CALIFORNIA SPEED, LANES AND TIRE CHAINS

California speed, lanes and tire chains

In California, check the applicable truck speed limit and lane designation, then adjust for conditions and controls. Do not assume passenger-car chain or phone practices apply to a heavy truck.

In California, check the applicable truck speed limit and lane designation, then adjust for conditions and controls. Do not assume passenger-car chain or phone practices apply to a heavy truck.

Scope

For trucks and truck tractors on California highways, with applicability determined by axle count, towing and signs. Federal safety rules, temporary closures and traffic-control directions also apply.

01

Start with these requirements

Three-or-more-axle or towing trucks generally have a 55 mph maximum

CTAC PLAIN-LANGUAGE EXPLANATION
What the rule requires
This section prohibits trucks or truck tractors with three or more axles, and trucks or truck tractors towing another vehicle, from exceeding 55 mph. A higher speed limit used by passenger traffic does not authorize the truck to use it.

No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:

(a) (a) A motortruck or truck tractor having three or more axles or any motortruck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle.

Read the full section (English)

Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.

A speed below the posted limit can still be unsafe

CTAC PLAIN-LANGUAGE EXPLANATION
What the rule requires
Reduce speed when weather, visibility, traffic or the roadway requires it. For applicable vehicles, 55 mph is a ceiling, not a target to maintain in rain or snow.

No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.

Read the full section (English)

Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.

Follow designated truck lanes first

CTAC PLAIN-LANGUAGE EXPLANATION
What the rule requires
For vehicles subject to §22406 and the other categories specified in this section, use posted designated lanes. Otherwise generally keep right. On a divided highway with four or more marked lanes in one direction, the lane immediately left of the rightmost lane may also be used unless otherwise prohibited. Passing, turns, entering/exiting and necessary route continuation are governed by the specific provisions.

(a) (a) Whenever the Department of Transportation or local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the designation of a specific lane or lanes for the travel of vehicles required to travel at reduced speeds would facilitate the safe and orderly movement of traffic, the department or local authority may designate a specific lane or lanes for the travel of vehicles which are subject to the provisions of Section 22406 and shall erect signs at reasonable intervals giving notice thereof.

(b) (b) Any trailer bus, except as provided in Section 21655.5, and any vehicle subject to the provisions of Section 22406 shall be driven in the lane or lanes designated pursuant to subdivision (a) whenever signs have been erected giving notice of that designation. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when a specific lane or lanes have not been so designated, any of those vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right edge or curb. If, however, a specific lane or lanes have not been designated on a divided highway having four or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, any of those vehicles may also be driven in the lane to the immediate left of that right-hand lane, unless otherwise prohibited under this code. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, the driver shall use either the designated lane, the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, or the right-hand lane for traffic as permitted under this code.

This subdivision does not apply to a driver who is preparing for a left- or right-hand turn or who is entering into or exiting from a highway or to a driver who must necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his or her intended route.

Read the full section (English)

Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.

Meet traction-device controls before proceeding

CTAC PLAIN-LANGUAGE EXPLANATION
What the rule requires
Do not enter a highway segment requiring tire traction devices without the required equipment. The lighter-vehicle snow-tire provisions do not directly apply to Class 8 trucks; follow the applicable official equipment, wheel-position and current control requirements.

No person shall operate any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer upon any portion of a highway without tire traction devices when that portion of the highway is signed for the requirement of tire traction devices. In any case where a passenger vehicle or motortruck having an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less may be required by the Department of Transportation or local authorities to be equipped with tire traction devices, the devices shall be placed on at least two drive wheels, or the department or local authorities may provide, in the alternative, that the vehicle may be equipped with snow-tread tires on at least two drive wheels when the weather and surface conditions at the time are such that the stopping, tractive, and cornering abilities of the snow-tread tires are adequate. The snow-tread tires shall be of a type and design manufactured for use on snow as a replacement for tire chains or tire traction devices, shall be in good condition, and shall bear the marking of M-S, M/S, or other marking indicating that the tire was manufactured for use on snow, or, in the case of tires purchased before January 1, 1987, shall either bear the markings or, in the opinion of the inspecting officer, comply with the tread pattern requirements of Section 558.

Read the full section (English)

Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.

Do not operate a handheld phone; a mount is not unlimited permission

CTAC PLAIN-LANGUAGE EXPLANATION
What the rule requires
Do not hold and operate a wireless phone or electronic wireless communications device while driving. Voice/hands-free use must meet the rule. Permitted manual activation has mounting and single-swipe/tap conditions; do not type or browse while moving. Commercial drivers must also check federal phone and texting rules.

(a) (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device unless the wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and it is used in that manner while driving.

(c) (c) A handheld wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device may be operated in a manner requiring the use of the driver’s hand while the driver is operating the vehicle only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(c)(1) (1) The handheld wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is mounted on a vehicle’s windshield in the same manner a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) is mounted pursuant to paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 26708 or is mounted on or affixed to a vehicle’s dashboard or center console in a manner that does not hinder the driver’s view of the road.

(c)(2) (2) The driver’s hand is used to activate or deactivate a feature or function of the handheld wireless telephone or wireless communications device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.

Read the full section (English)

Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.

WORKED EXAMPLE

02

Passenger traffic is faster than the truck limit

Illustrative scenario: a three-axle tractor towing a trailer is surrounded by faster traffic as rain begins.

  1. Apply the truck’s rules

    Apply the 55 mph restriction and designated truck lanes rather than matching passenger speed or moving arbitrarily left.

  2. Further reduce for conditions

    Reduce further for visibility, water and traffic, maintaining safe following distance.

Apply vehicle restrictions, road signs and actual conditions together.

03

Common mistakes in day-to-day work

“Snow tires exempt a heavy truck from chains”

Limited light-vehicle exceptions are not permission for a heavy combination; check current official controls and equipment-specific requirements before departure.

Full text and sources

REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH

California Vehicle Code § 22406

California Vehicle Code § 22406

Source:leginfo.legislature.ca.govCA Vehicle Code § 22406
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REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH

California Vehicle Code § 22350

California Vehicle Code § 22350

Source:leginfo.legislature.ca.govCA Vehicle Code § 22350
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REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH

California Vehicle Code § 21655

California Vehicle Code § 21655

Source:leginfo.legislature.ca.govCA Vehicle Code § 21655
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REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH

California Vehicle Code § 27459

California Vehicle Code § 27459

Source:leginfo.legislature.ca.govCA Vehicle Code § 27459
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REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH

California Vehicle Code § 23123.5

California Vehicle Code § 23123.5

Source:leginfo.legislature.ca.govCA Vehicle Code § 23123.5
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Drafted from linked official texts and agency guidance. Both language interpretations are CTAC AI-assisted drafts pending human review; examples are illustrative, not member records. Capture dates are not legal effective dates.

CTAC plain-language explanations are not official translations or case-specific legal advice. Check scope, source editions and current official notices.