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The State of Texas has established legal size and weight limits for vehicles
and the loads when operating on state-maintained roads and bridges. These
dimensions include:
Width Limits
Width is measured from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding
safety devices.
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Explanation |
Measurement |
|
Legal width limit |
8’, 6" (102") |
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Maximum width permitted on holidays |
14’, except for manufactured housing |
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Maximum width permitted on controlled access highways* (Interstate
Highway System) |
16’, except for manufactured housing |
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Maximum width permitted without route and traffic studies and
certification by applicant on file |
20’ |
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Maximum width permitted for new houses |
34’ |
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Maximum width permitted for existing houses |
40' |
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Maximum width permitted for new tanks |
34’ |
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Maximum width permitted for existing tanks |
40' |
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Maximum width permitted for portable buildings |
No limit |
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Maximum width for manufactured housing |
No limit |
*Controlled access highways are those highways that must be entered from an
access road, not from a stop sign. Traffic can cross the highway only by way of
an overpass or underpass. Controlled access highways are usually considered to
be the Interstate Highway System.
- One escort is required for all loads exceeding 14’ up to 16’ wide. Two escorts
are required for all loads exceeding 16’ wide. The escort must precede the load
on a two-lane highway to warn oncoming traffic of the approaching overwidth
load. The escort must follow the load on a roadway of four or more lanes to warn
approaching traffic of the overwidth load ahead.
- Loads exceeding 20’ in width must physically inspect a proposed route and
certify to the Motor Carrier Division by letter or facsimile that the overwidth
load can safely negotiate the route.
- There are special requirements for manufactured housing.
Height Limits
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Explanation |
Measurement |
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Legal height limit |
14’ |
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Maximum height permitted on holidays |
16’ |
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Maximum height permitted without a route and traffic study and route
certification by applicant on file |
less than 19’ |
- One escort is required for loads exceeding 17’ in height. The escort must be
equipped with a height pole to accurately measure overhead obstructions.
- Front and rear escorts are required for loads exceeding 18’ in height.
- Loads 19’ or higher must physically inspect a proposed route and certify to the
Motor Carrier Division by letter or facsimile that the overheight load can
safely negotiate all power, communication, and cable television lines, and all
other low vertical obstructions.
Length Limits
|
Vehicle(s) Type |
Legal |
Maximum |
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Truck or single vehicle |
45’ |
75’ |
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Truck and trailer combination |
65’ |
|
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Commercial truck and semitrailer combination transporting automobiles or
boats |
overall unlimited, trailer limited to 59’ |
|
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Combinations such as truck, travel trailer & boat or motor home, boat
and towing a car |
65' |
|
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Truck and trailer combination hauling oil field equipment |
overall unlimited, trailer limited to 59’ |
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Truck-tractor |
unlimited |
unlimited |
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Truck-tractor combination |
overall unlimited, trailer limited to 59’ |
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Semitrailer |
Single unit |
59’ |
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2 trailers |
28’, 6" |
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Front overhang |
3’ |
25’ |
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Rear overhang |
4’ |
30' |
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Maximum overall length |
180’ |
180’ |
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Maximum length permitted without route and traffic study and route
certification by applicant on file |
125’ |
125’ |
One escort is required for loads exceeding:
- 110’, but not exceeding 125’ long
- 20’ front or rear overhang
Front and rear escorts are required for loads exceeding 125’ in length.
NOTE: The overall length indicated on the permit includes any overhang, but the
amount of the overhang must be noted on the permit.
Weight
The basis for maximum legal weight is the number of axles. This information, in
conjunction with the Permissible Weight Table, is used to determine maximum
legal weight for a vehicle. The following terms are used in relation to weight:
- drive axles—the axles which power a vehicle
- inner bridge distance—the distance from the center of the first drive axle to
the center of the last trailer axle
- outer bridge distance—the distance from the center of the steering axle of the
truck to the center of the last trailer axle
- steering axle—the front axle of the truck (legal weight and permitted weight are
the same on steering axles)
- tandem axle weight—the total weight transmitted to the road by two or more
consecutive axles whose centers may be included between two parallel transverse
vertical planes spaced more than 40" and not more than 96" apart, across the
full width of the vehicle.
- Maximum legal gross weight cannot exceed 80,000 pounds.
- Maximum legal weight for a single axle cannot exceed 20,000 pounds.
- Maximum legal weight for a tandem axle group cannot exceed 34,000 pounds.
- Tires may not carry a weight greater than the weight specified and marked on the
sidewall of the tire.
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