Overwidth escorts
Above 14 feet and through 16 feet, escort position depends on whether the route is two-lane or four-or-more lanes. Above 16 feet, front and rear escorts are required unless an authorized exception applies.
Texas permit intelligence
Texas Oversize Load Permits: TxDMV Rules, Fees and Escort Requirements
What are the oversize load permit thresholds in Texas?
Texas requires an oversize or overweight permit and authorized route, when applicable, for vehicles or loads exceeding the legal limits for their configuration. Key baselines include 8 feet 6 inches wide, 14 feet high and 80,000 pounds gross, while length varies by vehicle combination. TxDMV conditions control the movement.
Texas Legal Limits and TxDMV Permit Escalation
The table separates legal operation from permit and engineering-review paths. It does not replace the issued permit, authorized route or current TxDMV restrictions.
| Parameter | Texas legal baseline | Permit path | Escalation signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in for vehicles and loads other than passenger vehicles | A TxDMV OS/OW permit and authorized route are required when applicable above the legal limit. | Over 14 ft: escort direction depends on road type; over 16 ft: front and rear escorts. Over 20 ft requires Route Inspection Certification. |
| Height | 14 ft | Overheight movement requires a permit and route clearance review. | Over 17 ft requires a front escort with a nonconductive height pole. Over 18 ft 11 in requires Route Inspection Certification. |
| Length | Varies by configuration; a semitrailer in a two-vehicle combination is limited to 59 ft | Configuration-specific limits control whether an overlength permit is available. | Over 125 ft requires Route Inspection Certification; escort conditions depend on total length and road type. |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb, subject to axle-group and bridge-formula limits | General single-trip permits cover qualifying nondivisible vehicles or loads up to 254,300 lb. | Superheavy review applies above 254,300 lb, above maximum permitted axle-group weights, or at 200,001-254,300 lb with under 95 ft axle spacing. |
| Axle groups | 20,000 lb single; 34,000 lb tandem; 42,000 lb triple; 50,000 lb quad | Permitted axle weights depend on spacing, tire capacity, configuration and route. | Exceeding maximum permit weight on any axle or axle group triggers the superheavy permit path. |
Texas General Single-Trip Permit Fees
TxDMV currently lists a $60 permit fee. Overweight movements add the published highway-maintenance fee; payment service charges and vehicle-supervision fees may also apply.
| Gross weight | Maintenance fee | Permit fee | Published total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80,001-120,000 lb | $150 | $60 | $210 |
| 120,001-160,000 lb | $225 | $60 | $285 |
| 160,001-200,000 lb | $300 | $60 | $360 |
| 200,001 lb and above | $375 | $60 | $435 plus applicable supervision fee |
Texas Escorts, Route Inspections and Local Restrictions
Overheight escorts
A permitted vehicle over 17 feet high requires a front escort with a nonconductive height pole. The permit and route review may add further conditions.
Route inspection
A Route Inspection Certification must be on file above 20 feet wide, 18 feet 11 inches high or 125 feet long for the general single-trip path.
Curfews and local permits
Restrictions are route specific. TxDMV publishes current time-permit curfews and jurisdiction notices; Houston requires a city permit for OS/OW travel on Houston city streets.
How to Prepare a TxDMV Permit Application
- 1
Verify carrier status
Provide the USDOT number used for the movement. TxDMV checks FMCSA MCMIS for out-of-service orders. Applicants not required to have a USDOT number must meet TxDMV's permit surety-bond requirement.
- 2
Measure the complete loaded vehicle
Record maximum width, height, overall length, gross weight, axle weights, axle spacings, overhang and the exact transport configuration.
- 3
Select the TxDMV permit path
Use the TxPROS Permit Wizard to identify the applicable single-trip, time, annual or superheavy permit based on the actual load and vehicle.
- 4
Submit origin, destination and route inputs
TxPROS evaluates the proposed movement against structures, low clearances, load-zoned roads and active district or county restrictions.
- 5
Coordinate inspections and escorts
Complete Route Inspection Certification when dimensional triggers apply and arrange the escort vehicles, height pole, communications, signs and flags stated by current rules and the permit.
- 6
Recheck movement conditions
Before dispatch, review the issued route, time restrictions, holiday rules, city or county permits, bridge and toll requirements, and any new TxDMV restriction notices.
Texas Municipal Oversize Permit Guides
Use the statewide permit first, then verify city, county, port, toll-road, bridge and final-mile requirements for the roads actually used.
Texas Heavy Haul Permit FAQs
What Texas dimensions can generally operate without an oversize permit?
TxDMV lists 8 feet 6 inches as the legal width for vehicles and loads other than passenger vehicles and 14 feet as the legal height. Length depends on the vehicle combination; for example, a semitrailer in a two-vehicle combination is limited to 59 feet.
How much is a Texas general single-trip permit?
TxDMV currently lists a $60 permit fee. Loads over 80,000 pounds also incur the published highway-maintenance fee, and loads over 200,000 pounds incur the applicable vehicle-supervision fee. Payment-service charges may also apply, so verify the current TxDMV schedule when ordering.
When does Texas require a superheavy single-trip permit?
TxDMV requires the superheavy path when total gross weight exceeds 254,300 pounds, maximum permit weight is exceeded on an axle or axle group, or gross weight is between 200,001 and 254,300 pounds with less than 95 feet of total axle spacing.
When does Texas require route-inspection certification?
For a general single-trip movement, TxDMV states that Route Inspection Certification must be on file when the vehicle or load exceeds 20 feet wide, 18 feet 11 inches high, or 125 feet long.
Does a TxDMV permit cover Houston city streets?
Not by itself in every case. TxDMV's jurisdiction notice states that Houston requires a city-issued oversize or overweight permit for travel on Houston city streets. The exact route must be divided by road ownership before movement.
Official Texas sources and review status
Reviewed August 3, 2026 against current TxDMV size and weight limits, general single-trip, superheavy, escort/equipment and jurisdiction-restriction pages. Recheck TxDMV and the issued permit before movement.
Review the Texas load and route before permit ordering
Share the complete configuration, axle data, sites, requested dates and proposed route.