Oversize / Overweight Permits in Texas

Texas Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Texas law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Height: 14′ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length of the semi-trailer of a two-vehicle combo: 59′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Length of a two-vehicle combo: 65′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.

Texas Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding the legal limit of up to 254300 lbs. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit.

Note: Loads wider 20′, higher 18’11”, or longer 125′ require a Route Inspection certification on file to obtain a permit.

For more details:

https://www.txdmv.gov/motor-carriers/oversize-weight-permits/general-single-trip

Texas Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:

maximum length for a single empty vehicle or the one hauling a load – 75′
maximum width – 8’6″
maximum height – 14′
the maximum length of vehicles and loads on a trailer – 110′

A trip fee ranges from $175 to over $1000 depending on the number of counties chosen.

An annual company-specific or vehicle-specific envelope cost is $4000.

The maximum distance covered by annual Texas oversize permits for hauling manufactured housing should not exceed 20 miles from the point of manufacture.

Texas Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized loads must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 12″ square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Texas does not require trailers and vehicles hauling oversized loads to be equipped with “oversize” banners. However, escort vehicles must have them.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

The requirements are the same as for the banners.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Haul Vehicles may not be equipped with warning lights, whereas escort vehicles may require them.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

One front escort vehicle is required if the load’s width is over 14′ to 16′. Loads wider than 16′ must be hauled with one escort vehicle in the front and another in the rear.

Texas Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Texas wide load permits, there are no specific Texas oversize holiday restrictions. However, in some cases, manufactured housing can be restricted to move on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Oversized loads are allowed to transport from half an hour before sunrise till half an hour after sunset. Vehicle hauling loads under legal limits can run at night but on the interstate system only.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Texas does not provide specific bridge restrictions as the Federal Bridge Formula determines them. As for the oversize road restrictions, they come as the following:

driving through work zones that are under construction
neglecting warning signals when driving through work zones
not giving traffic priority to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, etc

Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:

While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Texas. However, they may appear in Texas oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Texas Wide Load Limits

Texas sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″. Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.

Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:

8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)

Axle Weight Limits:

Legal axle weight limit:

single axle – 20,000 lbs
tandem axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 34,000 lbs
triple axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 42,000 lbs
quadrum axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 50,000 lbs

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 25,000 lbs
tandem axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 46,000 lbs
triple axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 60,000 lbs
quadrum axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 70,000 lbs

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″.

Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety.

Texas Trip Permits

The state of Texas issues two types of IRP permits, including a 72-hour license for $25 and a 144-hour permit for $50. There is also a $4.75 fee for handling and processing your permit.

Texas Fuel Permits

IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Texas. They must pay a fuel use tax to obtain an IFTA license.

Texas Specialty Permits

The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.

Mileage Permits:

A single-trip mileage permit may be required for transporting well-servicing units like self-propelled and trailer-mounted cranes or bundle extractors exceeding the legal size and weight limits. The permit may cover the return way to the point of origin if the return mileage is permitted.

Highway Use Tax Permits:

HUT permits refer to temporary permits issued for private and commercial vehicles not authorized to travel on the state’s highways. It can be either a 72-hour, 144-hour, or transit permit.

Amber Light Permits:

Vehicles escorting oversize loads other than manufactured housing shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights.

Loading Zone Permits:

A loading zone permit is issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles.

For more information about specialty permits:

https://www.txdmv.gov/motor-carriers/oversize-overweight-permits

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Texas

Oversize and overweight fines in Texas start at $100 for the first offense and can reach over $10000. Their size depends on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight and the number of offenses since the first one within a year.

The second offense within one year can also result in up to 60 days of jail time, while the third can lead to up to 6 months of imprisonment.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Texas

The cost of Texas OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $25 for a single-trip permit and can exceed several thousand dollars for an annual permit.

You may also be charged an application fee of nearly $5 for processing your permit request.

Trucking Permit Service

Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.