Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Texas

General requirements

Reducible expectations	If a single commodity, when loaded, creates a single overdimension, two or more commodities may be hauled as one load provided legal axle and gross weights are not exceeded, or another over-dimension of width, length, or height is not created or made greater by the additional cargo. If the load creates or makes greater an illegal dimension of length, width, or height, the TxDMV may issue permits under certain conditions.
Permit timing	NS
Method of application	Permits can be obtained by telephone, fax, on-line using the Texas Permitting & Routing Optimization System (TxPROS), or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Fees may be paid by the electronic funds transfer, an escrow account, or a credit card.
Electronic permits	Except as for superloads, the original permit, a print copy of the permit, or an electronic copy of the permit must be kept in the permitted vehicle until the permit terminates or expires. An operator of a vehicle operating under a permit shall, on request, provide the original permit, a print copy of the permit, or an electronic copy of the permit to a department inspector or to a peace officer. If the department provides a permit electronically, the vehicle operator may provide a legible and accurate image of the permit displayed on a wireless communication device.
Route surveys	Applicants requesting a permit to move a load exceeding 20' wide, 125' long, or 19' high will be furnished with a proposed route. The applicant must physically inspect the proposed route to determine if the overdimension load can safely negotiate it. The applicant must notify the TxDMV in writing whether the overdimension load can or cannot safely negotiate the proposed route. If any section of the proposed route is unacceptable, the applicant must provide the TxDMV with an alternate route around the unacceptable section. Once a route is decided upon and a permit issued, the permit may not be amended unless an exception is granted by the TxDMV.

Insurance requirements

Liability	Texas may require a surety bond in an amount as may be determined by the commission to compensate for the cost of maintenance and repairs.
Coverage	Varies

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Oversize	$60
Single trip	Manufactured housing	$40
Single trip	Portable building	$15
30-day	Exceeding legal width or length limits	$120
60-day	Exceeding legal width or length limits	$180
90-day	Exceeding legal width or length limits	$240
Annual	Exceeding legal height or length limits	$960
Annual	Round hay bales loaded side by side up to 12' wide	$10
Annual	Newly manufactured homes	$1,500
Annual	Utility pole (overlength)	$120
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Base permit fee PLUS highway maintenance fee	$60 +
Highway Maintenance Fee
Trip	80,001 - 120,000 lbs	$150
Trip	120,001 - 160,000 lbs	$225
Trip	160,001 - 200,000 lbs	$300
Trip	200,001 lbs - above PLUS $35 vehicle supervision fee	$375 +
Trip	> 254,300 lbs - Above fees PLUS bridge analysis fee	$500 +
Annual Over Axle/Over Gross Weight Tolerance (10% axle and 5% GVW tolerance)
Annual	Base fee PLUS county fee	$90 +
Annual	1-5 counties	$175
Annual	6-20 counties	$250
Annual	21-40 counties	$450
Annual	41-60 counties	$625
Annual	61-80 counties	$800
Annual	81-100 counties	$900
Annual	101-254 counties	$1000
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Annual	Intermodal Shipping Container Port Permit	$6,000
Annual	North Texas Intermodal Permits	$1,000
Annual	Rig-up truck	$52
Annual	Timber	$900
Annual	Ready-mix	$1,000
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Movement of houses that exceed 20' wide PLUS overweight fees	$60 +
Single trip	Cranes and well-servicing units (fee based on mileage - $31 minimum)	Variable
Single trip	Self-propelled off road equipment PLUS overweight fees	$60 +
Annual	Company envelope	$4,000
Annual	Vehicle envelope	$4,000
Quarterly	Hubometer Permits (fee based on mileage - $31 minimum)	Variable
Annual	Implements of husbandry - Envelope PLUS overweight fees	$270 +
Annual	Mobile crane	$100
Annual	Water well drilling machinery and related equipment PLUS overweight fees	$270 +

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Length	Limitations
Truck or single vehicle	75'
Overhang	Front: 25', rear: 30'
Weight	Limitations
Tire	650 lbs per inch of tire width or the following axle or axle group weights, whichever is the lesser amount
Single axle	25,000 lbs
2-axle group	46,000 lbs
3-axle group	60,000 lbs
4-axle group	70,000 lbs
5-axle group	81,400 lbs
6- or more axle group	Determined by the TxDOT based on an engineering study of the equipment
Over 200,000 lbs	Must have at least 95' of total axle spacing
Intermodal Shipping Container Port Permit
Configuration	Limitations
Distance	Transported in Texas within 30 miles of select port authorities or ports of entry that are located in a county contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf
6-axles	• Gross weight – 93,000 lbs • Truck-tractor single axle – 13,000 lbs • Truck-tractor two-axle group – 18,500 lbs per axle • Semitrailer three-axle group – 16,400 lbs per axle
7-axles	• Gross weight – 100,000 lbs • Truck-tractor single axle – 15,000 lbs • Truck-tractor three-axle group – 14,900 lbs per axle • Semitrailer three-axle group – 15,400 lbs per axle
Configuration	Limitation
Cranes and well-servicing units	The maximum permit weight may not exceed (whichever is less): • Single axle: 30,000 lbs • Inch of tire width: 850 lbs per (950 lbs per inch of tire width for steerable units)
Self-propelled off road equipment	Operating under this permit must meet the following requirements: • Weight per inch of tire width does not exceed 650 lbs • Weight per axle does not exceed 45,000 lbs • All wheels have a minimum rim diameter of 25" • Minimum spacing between axles, measured from center of axle to center of axle, is not less than 12' • Equipment must be empty and not travel on controlled access highways
30-, 60-, 90-day overdimension	In order to qualify for a 30, 60 or 90 day permit, vehicles and loads must be: • No greater than 13' wide, 14' high or legal length for an overwidth permit, and • No greater than 8' 6" wide, 14' high, 110' long for vehicles and loads on a trailer • No longer than 75' long for single vehicles moving empty or hauling a load
Annual overdimension	To qualify for this permit, vehicles and loads must be: • No greater than 8' 6" wide, 14' high, 110' long for vehicles and loads on a trailer • No longer than 75' long for single vehicles moving empty or hauling a load
Company envelope	May be used to operate any properly registered truck owned or leased to the company. No more than one vehicle can be operated at one time with a specific permit, but a company may purchase more than one permit • Width: 12' • Height: 14' • Length: 110' • Weight: 120,000 lbs gross weight
Single vehicle envelope	Single vehicle envelope • Width: 12' • Height: 14' • Length: 110' • Weight: 120,000 lbs gross weight
Hay	To transport cylindrical (round) bales of hay • Width: 12' • All other dimensions and weight must be legal
Hubometer	For the following vehicle types: self-propelled oil well servicing units, self-propelled mobile cranes, self-propelled concrete pumps, trailer-mounted oil well servicing units, coiled tubing units, swabbing units, and self-propelled bundle extractors • Maximum width: 12' • Maximum height: 14' 6" • Maximum length: 95' • Axle: 30,000 lbs (based upon results of weight analysis) • Tire width : 850 lbs per inch for non-steerable units • Tire width : 950 lbs per inch for steerable units
Implements of husbandry	Oversize or overweight implements of husbandry operating under this permit may not exceed: • Maximum Width - 16' • Maximum Height - 16' • Maximum Length - 110' • Maximum Weight – Max. allowable permit weights
Manufactured housing	For the movement of newly manufactured homes that exceed Texas legal size limits from a manufacturing facility to a temporary storage location, not to exceed 20 miles from the point of manufacture
Mobile crane	Cranes operating under this permit may not exceed: • Width: 10’ • Legal height and length • 650 lbs per inch of tire width • 120,000 lbs gross weight • 25,000 lbs single axle • 46,000 lbs tandem axle group • 60,000 lbs 3-axle group • 70,000 lbs 4-axle group • 81,400 lbs 5-axle group
Rig-up truck	Units operating under this permit may not exceed: • Steer axle: 25,000 lbs or 850 lbs per inch of tire width, whichever is less • All other axles must be legal weight • Legal height, width, and length
Utility pole	For vehicles used exclusively for the transportation of poles required for the maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution of lines • Length: 75' • Legal height, width, and weight
Water well drilling machinery	For the movement of water well drilling machinery and related equipment that cannot be reasonably dismantled • Maximum Width: 16' • Maximum Height: 14'6" • Maximum Length: 110' • Weight: maximum allowable permit weights
Timber	For the movement of unrefined timber, wood chips and woody biomass • GVW: 84,000 lbs • Tandems: 44,000 lbs • Legal height, width, and length
Ready-mix	For ready-mixed concrete trucks operating on three axles providing an axle tolerance of 10% provides the following weights are not exceeded: GVW: 69,000 lbs • Single axle: 25,300 lbs • Tandem: 50,600 lbs • Tires: Manufacturer’s tire load rating • Legal height, width, and length

Signs

General sign requirement	On non-escorted moves, Texas does not require the use of OVERSIZE LOAD signs except when moving a manufactured home.
Escort sign requirement	Must display on either the roof or the front and rear.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	NS	NS	NS	NS
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD	5' x 12" (minimum) 7' x 18" (maximum)	8" high (minimum) 10" high with a brushstroke of at least 1.41" (maximum)	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Warning lights are required when traveling in a convoy or moving a mobile home
Escort light requirements	Warning lights are required while actively engaged in escort duties for the permitted vehicle.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Rotating amber beacon or an amber pulsating light not less than 8" in diameter	Mounted at the rear top of the load being transported A manufactured home may use (2) 5" flashing amber lights mounted approximately 6' from ground level at the rear corners and must use a rotating amber beacon of not less than 8" in diameter mounted on top of the cab.
Escort light type and placement	(2) flashing amber lights or 1 rotating amber beacon of not less than 8" in diameter An escort flag vehicle may be equipped with alternating or flashing blue and amber lights.	Fixed to the roof visible to the front, sides, and rear of the escort

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or orange fluorescent	12" square	Securely mounted on a staff or securely fastened by at least one corner to the widest extremities of an overwidth permitted vehicle, and at the rear of an overlength permitted vehicle or a permitted vehicle with a rear overhang in excess of 4'
Escort Flags	Red	16" square	Mounted on each of the four corners of the vehicle when escorting a manufactured home or portable building

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

Except for loads that are overweight only, escorts are required for various oversize loads, unless the TxDOT grants an exception:

DIMENSION	SIZE	TYPE OF ESCORT*
These requirements do not apply to movements of manufactured housing, portable building units, or portable building compatible cargo; requirements for such movements are described later.
Width	exceeds 14 feet up to 16 feet	front — two lane roadway rear — four or more lane roadway
Width	exceeds 16 feet	front and rear for all roadways
Height	exceeds 17 feet	front — equipped with height pole
Height	exceeds 18 feet	front and rear — front escort to be equipped with height pole.
Length	exceeds 110 feet up to 125 feet overall	front — two lane roadway rear — multi-lane roadway
	exceeds 125 feet overall	front and rear for all roadways
	front overhang exceeds 20 feet	front — two-lane highway rear — four or more lane highway
	rear overhang exceeds 20 feet	rear — all roads

If the load is over in two dimensions that require an escort, then front and rear escorts will be required. For example, if a load exceeds 14 feet in width and 110 feet in length, both front and rear escorts are required.

Convoys must have a front escort vehicle and a rear escort vehicle on all highways at all times.

Flagpersons

An "escort flag vehicle" means a vehicle that precedes or follows an oversize or overweight vehicle operating under a permit for the purpose of facilitating the safe movement of the vehicle and load.

An "escort flagger" means a person who has successfully completed a training program in traffic direction as defined by the basic peace officer course curriculum established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. In accordance with a permit operates an escort flag vehicle or directs and controls the flow of traffic using a hand signaling device or an automated flagger assistance device.

In addition to any other specific requirements, the Department may require a person operating under a permit to use one or more escort flag vehicles and escort flaggers.

Escort car/company requirements

An escort vehicle must be a single unit with a gross vehicle weight of not less than 1,000 pounds nor more than 10,000 pounds.

Any permitted vehicle that exceeds 17 feet in height must have a front escort vehicle equipped with a height pole, made of nonconductive material, to accurately measure overhead obstructions.

An escort vehicle must maintain two-way communications with the permitted vehicle and other escort vehicles involved with the movement of the permitted vehicle.

Escort operators must warn the traveling public when a permitted vehicle must travel over the center line of a narrow bridge or roadway, a permitted vehicle makes any turning movement that will require the permitted vehicle to travel in the opposing traffic lanes, a permitted vehicle reduces speed to cross under a low overhead obstruction or over a bridge, a permitted vehicle creates an abnormal and unusual traffic flow pattern, or in the opinion of TxDOT, warning is required to ensure the safety of the traveling public or safe movement of the permitted vehicle.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

An escort vehicle must have two flashing amber lights or one rotating amber beacon of not less than eight inches in diameter fixed to the roof of the escort vehicle. The light must be visible from all sides of the escort vehicle. An escort flag vehicle may be equipped with alternating or flashing blue and amber lights.

An escort vehicle must display a sign on either the roof of the vehicle or the front and rear of the vehicle with the words OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD. The sign must be visible from the front and rear of the vehicle while escorting the permitted load and meet the following specifications:

At least five feet, but not more than seven feet in length, and at least 12 inches, but not more than 18 inches in height;
Yellow background with black lettering;
Lettering must be at least 8 inches high, but not more than 10 inches high with a brush stroke at least 1.41 inches wide; and
The sign must be visible from the front and rear of the vehicle while escorting the permit load (the sign must not be used at any other time).

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Permitted vehicle may be moved only during daylight hours unless the vehicle is overweight only or is traveling on an interstate highway and does not exceed 10' wide and 100' with legal front and rear overhangs.
Weekend	NS
Holidays	Permitted loads exceeding 14' wide, 16' high, or 110' long, may be prohibited from moving on • New Years • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving • Christmas
Visibility	Prohibited when visibility is reduced to less than two-tenths of one mile or if the road surface is hazardous due to rain, wind, ice, sleet, or snow.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Texas