Moving a wide excavator, a tall transformer or a long steel beam across Texas? If your load is wider than 8 feet 6 inches, taller than 14 feet, longer than the legal limits or heavier than 80,000 lbs, you need an oversize or overweight permit from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). A standard single-trip permit costs $60 for a load at legal weight, and $210 to $470 when it's also overweight.
This guide covers Texas legal size limits, permit types and 2026 fees, how to order a permit in TxPROS, escort (pilot car) rules, flags and lights, and when oversize loads may move. Each rule links to TxDMV or the Texas Administrative Code. If you're new to heavy hauling, start with our guide to hot shot trucking requirements in Texas.
When Do You Need an Oversize Load Permit in Texas?
You need a permit when a vehicle or load goes over any of these legal limits, published by TxDMV:
Limit | Legal maximum without a permit |
|---|---|
Width | 8 ft 6 in (102 in) for trucks and trailers |
Height | 14 ft |
Length, single motor vehicle | 45 ft |
Length, semitrailer in a two-vehicle combination | 59 ft |
Length, truck and trailer (not a truck-tractor) | 65 ft overall |
Overhang | 3 ft in front, 4 ft in the rear |
Gross weight | 80,000 lbs |
Axle weight | 20,000 lbs single, 34,000 lbs tandem, 42,000 lbs triple |
Two points catch a lot of haulers. First, a standard 102-inch flatbed deck is already at the width limit, so anything hanging over the side makes the load oversize. Second, height is measured from the road, so the trailer's deck height counts toward the 14 ft limit, not just the height of the cargo.
Permits are only for non-divisible loads. Under 43 TAC §219.2, that means a load that can't be split without compromising its use, destroying its value, or taking more than eight work-hours to take apart. A load of pipe that could be stacked on two trucks doesn't qualify. A single bulldozer does.
Texas Oversize Permit Types and Costs (2026)
Most haulers use one of two permits. A general single-trip permit covers one move from a specific origin to a specific destination, for loads up to 254,300 lbs. A 30, 60 or 90-day time permit covers repeated moves of overwidth or overlength loads without a new permit each trip. Here are the fees, from TxDMV's single-trip and time permit pages:
Permit | What it covers | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Single-trip, legal weight | Oversize only, up to 80,000 lbs | $60 |
Single-trip, 80,001–120,000 lbs | Oversize and/or overweight | $210 |
Single-trip, 120,001–160,000 lbs | Oversize and/or overweight | $285 |
Single-trip, 160,001–200,000 lbs | Oversize and/or overweight | $360 |
Single-trip, 200,001–254,300 lbs | Includes a $35 vehicle supervision fee | $470 |
30, 60 or 90-day width permit | Up to 13 ft wide and 14 ft high, legal length | $120, $180 or $240 |
30, 60 or 90-day length permit | Up to 110 ft long, 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high | $120, $180 or $240 |
Paying by card adds 25 cents plus 2.25%. Loads over 254,300 lbs need a separate superheavy permit. Permit fees are generally not refunded once a permit number is issued, so double-check your measurements before you pay.
The state permit is only part of the cost. Escort vehicles, route surveys for very large loads, and city permits are billed separately. Escort companies set their own rates.
How to Get an Oversize Load Permit in Texas
Measure the loaded vehicle. Get the overall width, height from the ground, overall length, front and rear overhang, gross weight, axle weights and axle spacings. TxDMV says you must confirm the limits you need before applying.
Have your USDOT number ready. TxDMV checks it against FMCSA records for out-of-service orders. If you don't need a USDOT number, you need a $10,000 permit surety bond on file instead.
Apply in TxPROS. The Texas Permitting & Routing Optimization System at txpros.txdmv.gov is where you order permits online, and its Permit Wizard shows which permit fits your load. You can also call TxDMV at (800) 299-1700, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Follow the route on the permit. TxDMV sets the route, and the permit is good only for the route and travel times it lists.
Check city and county roads. The state permit covers state highways. TxDMV says carriers must contact local jurisdictions for roads the state doesn't maintain, and cities such as Houston require their own permits. See TxDMV's list of known local restrictions.
Carry the permit in the truck for the whole move and follow its conditions, including travel times and curfews.
Very large loads need a route inspection first. TxDMV requires a Route Inspection Certification on file for loads over 20 ft wide, 18 ft 11 in high or 125 ft long.
Texas Escort (Pilot Car) Requirements
Escort rules depend on the load's size and the type of road. Here's the TxDMV escort and equipment table in plain terms:
Load size | Escorts required |
|---|---|
Over 14 ft up to 16 ft wide | 1 in front on two-lane roads; 1 behind on multi-lane highways |
Over 16 ft wide | 1 in front and 1 behind on all roads |
Over 17 ft high | 1 in front, with a height pole |
Over 18 ft high | 1 in front with a height pole and 1 behind |
Over 110 ft up to 125 ft long | 1 in front on two-lane roads; 1 behind on multi-lane highways |
Over 125 ft long | 1 in front and 1 behind on all roads |
Front or rear overhang over 20 ft | 1 behind on all roads |
If a load is over the limit in two dimensions, both sets of escort rules apply. Escort vehicles must weigh 1,000 to 10,000 lbs and carry amber warning lights, two-way radios, and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" or "WIDE LOAD" sign with black letters on a yellow background. TxDMV may also require a law enforcement escort.
The good news for most hot shot and flatbed loads: up to 14 ft wide, Texas doesn't require an escort at all.
Flags, Lights and Signs for Oversize Loads
Flags: A load that sticks out past the sides, or more than 4 ft past the rear, needs 12-inch red flags marking its outer edges.
Lights: A load that extends more than 4 ft past the bed needs two red lamps on the rear, visible from at least 500 ft. It also needs red reflectors marking its width and red side lamps marking the overhang.
Signs: Texas rules spell out the "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign for escort vehicles: 5 to 7 ft long, 12 to 18 inches tall, with 8 to 10 inch black letters on yellow. It's shown only while escorting.
When Oversize Loads Can Move in Texas
Daylight is the default. Under 43 TAC §219.11, permitted loads move only during the daytime, which Texas defines as half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Weekends are allowed.
Night moves are limited. Overweight-only loads can run at night. So can loads on the Interstate system that are no more than 10 ft wide and 100 ft long, with legal overhang. Anything bigger needs a TxDOT exception.
Holidays. Loads over 14 ft wide, 16 ft high or 110 ft long can't move on major holidays. In 2026 and early 2027 that means Thanksgiving (November 26), Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1, 2027), according to TxDMV's holiday restrictions.
Rush-hour curfews. Some cities and counties ban oversize moves at peak times. For example, TxDMV's curfew list for time permits bars all oversize vehicles in Tarrant County from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. In Austin, the same hours apply to loads over 12 ft wide or 95 ft long. Your permit lists the curfews that apply to your route.
Example: A 12 ft Wide Load From Garland to Houston
Say you're moving a 12 ft wide piece of equipment on a 40 ft gooseneck flatbed, and the loaded rig weighs 40,000 lbs. Here's what Texas rules would require:
Permit: a general single-trip permit for $60, because the rig is oversize but under 80,000 lbs.
Escorts: none, because the load is under 14 ft wide.
Flags: 12-inch red flags on each side where the load sticks out.
Travel time: daylight only, because the load is wider than 10 ft. Holiday restrictions wouldn't apply, since it's under 14 ft wide.
Local roads: if the delivery address is on city streets in Houston, check the City of Houston's own permit rules.
Plan the whole run, Dallas to Houston on I-45, so it fits inside daylight hours, including fuel and rest stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a load over 8 feet 6 inches wide in Texas?
Yes. The legal width limit for trucks and trailers in Texas is 8 ft 6 in (102 inches). Anything wider needs an oversize permit from TxDMV, and the load must be non-divisible.
How much does a wide load permit cost in Texas?
A general single-trip oversize permit costs $60 for a load at legal weight. Overweight loads cost $210 to $470 depending on gross weight. A 30, 60 or 90-day width permit costs $120, $180 or $240.
How do I get an oversize load permit in Texas?
Order it online in TxDMV's TxPROS system, or call (800) 299-1700. You'll need your USDOT number (or a $10,000 permit bond), the load's dimensions and weights, axle spacings, and the origin and destination.
How wide can a load be without an escort in Texas?
Up to 14 ft wide. Over 14 ft up to 16 ft, you need one escort: in front on two-lane roads, or behind on multi-lane highways. Over 16 ft, you need escorts in front and behind on all roads.
Can oversize loads travel at night in Texas?
Only in limited cases. Overweight-only loads, and loads on Interstate highways that are no more than 10 ft wide and 100 ft long with legal overhang, can move at night. Other oversize loads must move during daylight.
Can oversize loads travel on weekends in Texas?
Yes. Texas allows weekend movement during daylight hours. Large loads (over 14 ft wide, 16 ft high or 110 ft long) can't move on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
How tall can a load be in Texas without a permit?
14 ft, measured from the road to the highest point of the load, so the trailer's deck height counts. Over 17 ft you need a front escort with a height pole, and over 18 ft 11 in you need a route inspection.
Need a Load Moved Across Texas?
Mr. Whiz Logistics runs hot shot trucking with a 40 ft flatbed and semi-truck flatbed service from Garland, TX. Send us your load's dimensions and weight when you request a quote, and we'll tell you how it can move. Call +1 (214) 217-6302 or request a free quote. For rates, see our guide to hot shot trucking costs in Texas.
