Texas

Width

8'6"

Height

14'

Semi-trailer (2-vehicle combination)

59'

Two-vehicle combination

65'

Single axle

20,000 lb.

Tandem axle

34,000 lb.

Tridem axle

42,000 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

800-299-1700

Fax

512-465-4248

Hours

6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Central

Website

txdmv.gov/motor-carriers/oversize-overweight-permits

If a load exceeds escort requirements in two dimensions, both front and rear escorts are required. Special provisions allow convoys of up to four loads to travel together.

An axle group must have a minimum spacing of 40 inches between axles, with the Federal Bridge Formula governing maximum legal weight on groups of two or more consecutive axles. Maximum permit weight is based on 650 lbs per inch of tire width or the axle-group table above, whichever is less; 6 or more axles requires an engineering study of the equipment and measurements.

Interstate motor carriers pay state fuel use tax and may obtain either an IFTA license (consolidated reporting) or a fuel trip permit ($50.00). Trip permits carry a non-refundable $4.75 processing fee: 72-hour permit $25, 144-hour permit $50 — permits may be purchased in advance and chained together (each becomes effective on the prior one's expiration). Personal checks are not accepted.

Illegally overweight vehicles are fined $100–$150 for a first offense, $150–$250 for a second (within one year), and $200–$500 for a third (within one year) — a second offense may carry up to 60 days imprisonment, a third up to 6 months. While the driver is charged, recent legislation also allows prosecution of the person responsible for overloading the vehicle.

Travel is permitted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, including Saturday and Sunday. Loads not exceeding 10' wide, legal height (14 ft), or with a legal front/rear overhang may travel at night on the Interstate system only. Overweight-only loads may have continuous movement. City/county curfew times are listed on the permit, and travel on major holidays depends on the load's dimensions.

No lighting requirements are specified for the haul vehicle (escort vehicles may require warning lights). In Texas, signs are required only on escort vehicles. Red or fluorescent orange flags, 12 inches square, are required at all extremities of the load.

All tires must have a tread depth of at least 2/32 inch and be in safe operating condition, and should appear properly inflated (a gauge check is not required). Tires should be inspected visually, with tread measured using a gauge calibrated in 32nds of an inch when no wear indicators are present. No protuberance other than rubber may project beyond the tread unless it doesn't injure the highway, or is a tire chain of reasonable proportion used for safety in conditions that might cause a skid.

Length

125'

Overhang

30'

Width

20'

Cost — Annual Envelope (company or vehicle specific)

$4,000

TxDOT urges drivers through work zones and construction areas to slow down, respect traffic signs, stay alert, and remain calm and patient. Under Texas's Move Over/Slow Down law, drivers must move over or slow down when approaching TxDOT crews, law enforcement, emergency vehicles, or tow trucks stopped on the roadside with flashing lights — failure to do so can carry a fine of up to $2,000.

TxDMV issues a Single Trip Permit for movement of manufactured housing or buildings exceeding Texas legal size limits when transported on a returnable undercarriage or temporary chassis system — valid for one movement, not to exceed five days. Manufactured housing may not be transported on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day. Housing exceeding legal gross, axle, or axle-group weights must obtain a General Single-Trip Permit; for a double-wide moving on its own axles, each half requires its own permit, while moving as one unit on house-moving dollies requires a single house-move permit. An Annual Permit is available for transporting a manufactured home from a manufacturing facility to a temporary storage location not exceeding 20 miles from the point of manufacture — fee $1,500.