Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Texas legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 14 ft 0 in |
| Width | 8 ft 6 in |
| Front Overhang | 3 ft |
| Rear Overhang | 4 ft |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in Texas, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | 25,000 lbs |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | 46,000 lbs (Tridem 60,000 lbs; Quad 70,000 lbs; Quint 81,400 lbs) |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | 60,000 lbs |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | 70,000 lbs |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Up to 254,300 lbs before Superheavy Single-Trip Permit classification |
Superload: Loads exceeding 254,300 lbs total gross weight (or 200,001-254,300 lbs with less than 95 ft of axle spacing) require a Superheavy Single-Trip Permit
Permit types we file in Texas
General Single-Trip PermitCovers a single specific oversize/overweight movement.
Annual Envelope PermitCovers repeat moves within set dimension/weight 'envelopes' for a specific vehicle or fleet.
Superheavy Single-Trip PermitFor loads exceeding 254,300 lbs gross weight, requiring route/bridge analysis.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 125 ft without requiring a special route inspection certification |
| Width | Up to 20 ft without requiring a special route inspection certification |
| Height | Up to 18 ft 11 in without requiring a special route inspection certification |
| Rear Overhang | 20 ft before triggering a mandatory rear escort |
Loads up to 125 ft long, 20 ft wide, and 18 ft 11 in high can generally move under a standard TxDMV permit; anything larger requires Superheavy/route-inspection handling.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Width over 14 ft to 16 ft: one front or rear escort.
- Width over 16 ft: front and rear escorts required on all roads.
- Height over 17 ft: one front escort with a height pole; over 18 ft: front and rear escorts.
When you can travel
- Vehicles/loads exceeding 14 ft wide, 16 ft high, or 110 ft long may not move on major federal holidays.
- Manufactured housing faces additional holiday blackout dates.
- TxDMV publishes specific 'Time Permit Curfews' for certain cities/counties.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
Texas specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Texas are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by TxDMV and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.