Texas Overweight / Heavy Haul Permit Wizard
Answer 6 quick questions about your load’s weight, size and axles — and instantly see which TxDMV oversize/overweight permit you need, or whether you can run legal with no permit at all.
Texas Oversize and Overweight Permits, Explained
Texas moves more freight than almost any other state in the country, and a lot of it is big: wind turbine blades on the plains, oilfield equipment in the Permian, and construction machinery heading for the next highway job. The problem every heavy hauler faces is the same — knowing whether a load can roll as a legal load or needs a permit before it moves. The wizard above answers that question in about a minute. It asks six things — gross weight, width, height, length, whether the load can be split, and whether the axles are over their limits — then tells you whether you are legal, what permit you need, or whether the load has to be reconfigured first. This page explains the rules behind those answers, so you can see why the wizard says what it says.
Texas legal size and weight limits
Without a permit, a truck in Texas can run at up to 80,000 lbs gross weight, a width of 8 feet 6 inches, and a height of 14 feet. The axle limits matter just as much: a single axle is limited to 20,000 lbs and a tandem axle group to 34,000 lbs. Go over any one of these numbers and the load is oversize or overweight, and a permit is required before it moves. Axle limits apply on their own, even when the gross weight is legal — a truck can be under 80,000 lbs overall and still be illegal if one axle group is carrying too much, which is why the wizard asks you to check the scale ticket axle by axle, not just the total.
Single-trip permits vs annual envelope permits
Texas issues oversize and overweight permits in two main forms. A single-trip permit covers one specific load on one specific route for one move — the right choice for a one-off machine move or a load that will not be repeated. An annual envelope permit is built for carriers that move similar loads again and again: it covers a whole year of moves within a defined envelope of dimensions and weights, so you do not have to file a fresh application for every trailer. The choice is mostly about frequency. Move the same kind of load every week and the annual envelope saves paperwork and waiting; move a single unusual load and a single-trip permit is the simpler and cheaper route. Both are applied for through TxDMV, and both come with a route and conditions you have to follow.
Why divisible loads generally cannot be permitted overweight
Overweight permits in Texas exist for loads that cannot be made legal any other way — a single transformer, a vessel, a crane, or a piece of machinery that cannot be dismantled without damage or major work. That is what non-divisible means. If the freight can be split, reduced, or reloaded into legal loads — palletised goods, gravel, produce, liquids, building materials — then Texas expects you to split it, and generally will not issue an overweight permit for it. The reasoning is straightforward: the highways are not there to carry extra weight that could have been spread over more legal trips. Running a divisible load overweight without a permit risks heavy fines and being ordered to stop until the load is legal. If the wizard flags your load as divisible and overweight, the fix is practical, not legal — take weight off, split the freight between vehicles, or reconfigure the trailer, then re-weigh and run the wizard again.
Superheavy loads over 200,000 lbs
Anything over 200,000 lbs gross is superheavy, and it plays by different rules. A superheavy load needs a dedicated TxDMV superheavy permit, and it is not issued on the basis of an application alone: TxDMV commissions a route survey and an engineering review of the bridges, culverts, and pavements on the proposed route before it can move. The permit names the approved route and the conditions for that specific load — sometimes including escort vehicles, travel-time restrictions, or temporary measures for structures along the way. Because the survey and review take time, superheavy moves need to be planned weeks ahead; a load that is ready to roll today should not be assumed to be moving this week. The wizard flags superheavy loads early so the planning conversation starts before a truck is booked.
How to use the wizard’s result
Answer the six questions with real numbers from your scale ticket — guessing the weight is how legal loads turn into violations. If the wizard says you are legal, run as normal and keep your scale tickets. If it says you need a permit, apply in TxPROS before you move and wait for the approved route. If it flags a divisible load, split or reconfigure it first. And if it flags a superheavy load, start the TxDMV process as early as you can. This wizard gives general information, not legal advice and not a permit: TxDMV sets the permit type, fees, route, and conditions for each specific load, so always confirm your case in TxPROS before moving.
You can find more free tools for Texas truckers on our Trucking Tools hub. If you are setting up a new operation, our Texas Trucking Authority Checker tells you which operating authority you need, and the Texas Trucking Insurance Cost Estimator gives you a rough idea of what cover will cost before you call an agent.
Frequently asked questions
What are the legal size and weight limits in Texas without a permit?
Without a permit, a truck in Texas may run at up to 80,000 lbs gross weight, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 14 feet tall. A single axle is limited to 20,000 lbs and a tandem axle group to 34,000 lbs. Exceeding any one of these limits means you need an oversize or overweight permit before you move — even if every other number is legal.
Can I get an overweight permit for a divisible load in Texas?
Generally no. Texas issues overweight permits for non-divisible loads — a single piece of machinery or a vessel that cannot be broken down without damage or major work. If the load can be split, reduced, or reloaded into legal loads, you should split it or reconfigure it instead. If you are unsure whether a load counts as divisible, check with TxDMV before you move — do not assume an exception applies.
What counts as a superheavy load in Texas?
A load over 200,000 lbs gross is superheavy in Texas. Superheavy loads need a dedicated TxDMV superheavy permit, which requires a route survey and an engineering review of the bridges, culverts, and pavements on the proposed route, plus an approved route for that specific load. Plan superheavy moves well in advance, because the survey and review take time.
Where do I apply for a Texas oversize/overweight permit?
Apply through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) in its online permitting system, TxPROS. You will need the load’s exact weight and dimensions, the axle weights, and the route. TxDMV sets the permit type, fees, route, and any escort or travel conditions for your specific load.