Annual Over Axle/Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permits

The Texas Department of Transportation issues over axle/over gross weight tolerance permits for the operation of commercial motor vehicles with a weight that exceeds the allowable axle weight by a tolerance of 12% for agricultural commodities or 10% for non-agricultural commodities. Tolerances may be up to, but may not exceed, 5% of the allowable gross weight. Those tolerances are above the maximum allowed for the particular vehicle or combination which is enforced based on the "outer bridge" distance and not the registered weight.

Travel is permissible on county roads and state-maintained roadways, excluding the interstate highway system, in those counties selected on the permit application.

Effective September 1, 2001, permitted vehicles may not be operated on a load posted bridge if the gross weight of the vehicle and load, or the axles and wheel loads, are greater than the established and posted limits, unless the bridge provides the only public vehicular access to or from the permittee’s origin or destination.

How Do I Apply?

• Complete Form 1751, Over Axle/Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Application [pdf, 5 pages, 1mb].
• Applicants who do not have a current permit bond on file must pay by check, cashier's check or money order, payable to the Texas Department of Transportation, and mail the original bond with the application and fees to: Weight Tolerance Permit Applications, P.O. Box 13529, Austin TX 78711-3529.
• Applicants with a current permit bond on file and paying by check, cashier's check or money order (payable to the Texas Department of Transportation) should mail the application and fees to: Weight Tolerance Permit Applications, P.O. Box 13529, Austin TX 78711-3529.
• Applicants with a current permit bond on file and paying by credit card, PAC, or escrow account may submit their applications and payment information by fax to (512) 302-2154.
• Submit renewal applications four to five weeks prior to the current permit’s expiration date and include desired permit start date (i.e. expiration date plus one day).

Bond Requirements

Applicants must have Form 1753, Over Axle and Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Bond [pdf, 1 page, 31kb] in the amount of $15,000 or an Irrevocable Letter of Credit on file with TxDOT. (For non-agricultural commodities only.)

Motor Carrier Registration Requirements

If you are permitted under the provisions of Transportation Code, Chapter 623, Subchapter D, before obtaining an oversize/overweight permit you must be registered as a commercial motor carrier.

A commercial motor vehicle includes any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds that is designed or used for the transportation of cargo in furtherance of any commercial enterprise.

Vehicle Registration Requirements

Proper vehicle registration must be obtained through TxDOT's Vehicle Titles and Registration Division or your county tax office. Vehicles must be registered in accordance with Transportation Code, Chapter 502, for the maximum gross weight applicable to the vehicle under Transportation Code, Section 621.101, or have the distinguishing license plates as provided by Transportation Code, Section 504.504, if applicable to the vehicle.

Fees

Weight Tolerance Permit fees are based upon the number of counties chosen, as follows:

Carriers operating a trailer with Texas token or apportioned trailer tags in combination with a truck that has this permit must pay an additional $15 "upgrade" registration fee at the county tax office or regional Vehicle Titles and Registration office.

Permit fees are payable to the Texas Department of Transportation by check, cashier's check, or money order (mail applications only), credit card, Permit Account Card or escrow.

Permit fees are non-refundable.

Other Information

Weight tolerance permits are non-transferable. Weight tolerance permits are issued to the power unit (such as a truck or truck/tractor) only. Applicants hauling both non-agricultural and agricultural commodities must obtain a $15,000 surety bond on Form 1753 [pdf, 1 page, 31kb], or Irrevocable Letter of Credit, and submit the original with the initial application.