Texas Oversize & Overweight Permit Rules
What a load can be in Texas without a permit, where the permit and escort tiers start on 2-lane roads and multi-lane roads, when it can move, and who to call. Every figure is the JaloPermit Atlas entry for Texas, shown as the app shows it.
Rules as of Jul 31, 2026 · Links checked Jul 13, 2026
Read this before you trust a number. Rules change. The issued permit, posted signs and the state permit office always win over this page. JaloPermit is a reading aid, not a permit-filing service. Guests get 3 free decodes a day with no account and no card, logged-in users get 10 a day, and extra decodes are $3.50 each with no subscription.
What moves in Texas without a permit
Legal limits are the dimensions and gross weight a vehicle may run at without an oversize or overweight permit. Texas publishes its length limit as semitrailer, so compare it against that measurement on your permit, not the overall rig.
Where the permit and escort tiers start
| Dimension | Legal without permit | Permit tier starts | First escort on 2-lane roads | First escort on multi-lane roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8'6" | 8'6" | 14' · Front escort | 14' · Rear escort |
| Height | 14'0" | 14' | 17' · Front + High pole | 17' · Front + High pole |
| Length | 59'0"semitrailer | 59' | 110' · Front escort | 110' · Rear escort |
| Weight | 80,000 lbs | 200,001 lbs | No escort tier (permit only) | No escort tier (permit only) |
"Permit tier starts" is the lowest size in the Atlas ladder that needs a permit. "First escort" is the lowest size that adds a private or police escort on that road class; the full ladder with each tier's rule and source is below.
Texas escort ladder, tier by tier
Open a tier to read the rule behind it, quoted with its source. Amber tiers add a police escort or a superload review; grey tiers are permit-only with conditions.
On 2-lane roads
Escorts begin at 14' wide
Width
Permit required8'6" – 14'
Over legal 8'6" width: permit required, no escort up to 14 ft — escorts begin only 'Exceeding 14 feet' (TxDMV Motor Carrier Handbook May 2025 p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(2)).
Front escort14' – 16'
'Exceeding 14 feet to 16 feet': 1 Front on two-lane highway; 1 Rear on divided highway (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(2)). Texas keys this to two-lane vs divided — this row approximates two-lane; a divided non-interstate highway takes the rear escort instead. Two-dimension loads need front AND rear escorts. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Front + Rear16'+
'Exceeding 16 feet': 1 Front and 1 Rear — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(2)(C): 'have a front and a rear escort flag vehicle for all roads'). Width over 20 ft additionally requires a Route Inspection Certification before permit issuance (Handbook p.36); TxDMV may also require law-enforcement escorts. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Height
Permit required14' – 17'
Over legal 14 ft height: permit required, no escort up to 17 ft — escorts begin only 'Exceeding 17 feet' (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(4)).
Front + High pole17' – 18'
'Exceeding 17 feet': 1 Front equipped with height pole — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(4)). If a second dimension also triggers an escort, front and rear are required. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Front + Rear + High pole18'+
'Exceeding 18 feet': 1 Front equipped with height pole and 1 Rear — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(4)). Height over 18'11" additionally requires a Route Inspection Certification before permit issuance (Handbook p.36). When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Length
Permit required59' – 110'
Over legal length (59 ft semitrailer basis): permit required, no escort up to 110 ft — escorts begin only 'Exceeding 110 feet' (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(3)). EXCEPTION regardless of overall length: front overhang exceeding 20 ft requires 1 front escort on two-lane / 1 rear on four-or-more-lane highways, and rear overhang exceeding 20 ft requires 1 rear escort on all roads (Handbook p.33).
Front escort110' – 125'
'Exceeding 110 feet to 125 feet': 1 Front on two-lane highway; 1 Rear on divided highway (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(3)). Approximates two-lane; a divided non-interstate highway takes the rear escort instead. Separate triggers: front overhang over 20 ft (front escort on two-lane / rear on 4+ lanes) and rear overhang over 20 ft (1 rear, all roads). Two-dimension loads need front AND rear escorts. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Front + Rear125'+
'Exceeding 125 feet': 1 Front and 1 Rear — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(3)). Length over 125 ft additionally requires a Route Inspection Certification before permit issuance (Handbook p.36). Overlength convoys of 110-150 ft loads (up to 4) or 150'1"-180 ft loads (2) may share one front and one rear escort. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Weight
Permit required200,001 lbs – 254,300 lbs
Texas has no weight-based escort rule: weight alone does not require an escort flag vehicle. The standing escort rules cover width over 14 ft, length over 110 ft, height over 17 ft, loads over more than one of those, convoys, and loads extending more than 20 ft beyond the load-carrying surface. TxDOT may still require escort flag vehicles or law enforcement assistance for a particular move, and the permit will say so. Over 200,000 lb gross the applicant pays the vehicle supervision fee; a 200,001-254,300 lb load is superheavy only if its overall axle spacing is under 95 ft or an axle or axle group exceeds permit limits. Source: 43 Tex. Admin. Code §219.11(i)(5), (k) and §219.12(b)(3), (b)(7) (amended eff. 7/18/2024).
Permit required254,301 lbs+
Texas has no weight-based escort rule: weight alone does not require an escort flag vehicle. The standing escort rules cover width over 14 ft, length over 110 ft, height over 17 ft, loads over more than one of those, convoys, and loads extending more than 20 ft beyond the load-carrying surface. TxDOT may still require escort flag vehicles or law enforcement assistance for a particular move, and the permit will say so. Over 254,300 lb gross is a superheavy permit: the department sets a tentative route, the applicant's TxDOT-certified engineering firm must submit a structural analysis of the bridges on it, and TxDOT must approve the route before the permit is issued. Source: 43 Tex. Admin. Code §219.11(i)(5), (k) and §219.12(b)(7) (amended eff. 7/18/2024).
On multi-lane roads
Escorts begin at 14' wide
Width
Permit required8'6" – 14'
Over legal 8'6" width: permit required, no escort up to 14 ft — escorts begin only 'Exceeding 14 feet' (TxDMV Motor Carrier Handbook May 2025 p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(2)).
Rear escort14' – 16'
'Exceeding 14 feet to 16 feet': 1 Rear on divided highway; 1 Front on two-lane highway (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(2)). Texas keys this to two-lane vs divided, not interstate status — this row approximates divided/multi-lane. If the load exceeds escort thresholds in two dimensions, front AND rear escorts are required. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Front + Rear16'+
'Exceeding 16 feet': 1 Front and 1 Rear — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(2)(C): 'have a front and a rear escort flag vehicle for all roads'). Width over 20 ft additionally requires a Route Inspection Certification before permit issuance (Handbook p.36); TxDMV may also require law-enforcement escorts. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Height
Permit required14' – 17'
Over legal 14 ft height: permit required, no escort up to 17 ft — escorts begin only 'Exceeding 17 feet' (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(4)).
Front + High pole17' – 18'
'Exceeding 17 feet': 1 Front equipped with height pole — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(4)). If a second dimension also triggers an escort, front and rear are required. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Front + Rear + High pole18'+
'Exceeding 18 feet': 1 Front equipped with height pole and 1 Rear — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(4)). Height over 18'11" additionally requires a Route Inspection Certification before permit issuance (Handbook p.36). When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Length
Permit required59' – 110'
Over legal length (59 ft semitrailer basis): permit required, no escort up to 110 ft — escorts begin only 'Exceeding 110 feet' (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(3)). EXCEPTION regardless of overall length: front overhang exceeding 20 ft requires 1 front escort on two-lane / 1 rear on four-or-more-lane highways, and rear overhang exceeding 20 ft requires 1 rear escort on all roads (Handbook p.33).
Rear escort110' – 125'
'Exceeding 110 feet to 125 feet': 1 Rear on divided highway; 1 Front on two-lane highway (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(3)). Approximates divided/multi-lane. Separate triggers: front overhang over 20 ft (front escort on two-lane / rear on 4+ lanes) and rear overhang over 20 ft (1 rear, all roads). Two-dimension loads need front AND rear escorts. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Front + Rear125'+
'Exceeding 125 feet': 1 Front and 1 Rear — all roads (TxDMV Handbook p.33; 43 TAC 219.11(k)(3)). Length over 125 ft additionally requires a Route Inspection Certification before permit issuance (Handbook p.36). Overlength convoys of 110-150 ft loads (up to 4) or 150'1"-180 ft loads (2) may share one front and one rear escort. When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
Weight
Permit required200,001 lbs – 254,300 lbs
Texas has no weight-based escort rule: weight alone does not require an escort flag vehicle. The standing escort rules cover width over 14 ft, length over 110 ft, height over 17 ft, loads over more than one of those, convoys, and loads extending more than 20 ft beyond the load-carrying surface. TxDOT may still require escort flag vehicles or law enforcement assistance for a particular move, and the permit will say so. Over 200,000 lb gross the applicant pays the vehicle supervision fee; a 200,001-254,300 lb load is superheavy only if its overall axle spacing is under 95 ft or an axle or axle group exceeds permit limits. Source: 43 Tex. Admin. Code §219.11(i)(5), (k) and §219.12(b)(3), (b)(7) (amended eff. 7/18/2024).
Permit required254,301 lbs+
Texas has no weight-based escort rule: weight alone does not require an escort flag vehicle. The standing escort rules cover width over 14 ft, length over 110 ft, height over 17 ft, loads over more than one of those, convoys, and loads extending more than 20 ft beyond the load-carrying surface. TxDOT may still require escort flag vehicles or law enforcement assistance for a particular move, and the permit will say so. Over 254,300 lb gross is a superheavy permit: the department sets a tentative route, the applicant's TxDOT-certified engineering firm must submit a structural analysis of the bridges on it, and TxDOT must approve the route before the permit is issued. Source: 43 Tex. Admin. Code §219.11(i)(5), (k) and §219.12(b)(7) (amended eff. 7/18/2024).
When more than one size needs an escort
When a load needs an escort for more than one size, Texas requires a front and a rear escort unless TxDOT grants an exception (43 TAC 219.11(k)(5)).
When a permitted load can move
- Standard hours
One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
- Night travel
Night movement is allowed only on interstate highways, for loads at legal height under 10 feet wide and under 100 feet long with legal front and rear overhang. Any other nighttime movement requires an exception granted on a TxDOT route and traffic study.
- Weekend travel
No statewide weekend ban; oversize loads may move Saturday and Sunday in daytime. Local curfews still apply: Bandera bars all oversize and overweight movement all day Saturday and Sunday, and SH153 in Nolan and Taylor Counties is closed to them 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
- Holiday restrictions
Loads over 14 feet wide, 16 feet high, or 110 feet long may not move on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas unless TxDMV grants an exception. Manufactured housing is also barred on Veterans Day, MLK Day and Presidents' Day.
- Urban restrictions
Local curfews apply in many cities and counties, most often 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. weekdays. Austin restricts loads over 12 ft wide or 95 ft long, El Paso the same on or inside LP375, Tarrant County all oversize, and Bandera all oversize 3-9 p.m. weekdays and all day weekends.
Signage Texas expects
- Oversize load sign
Escort vehicles must display an OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD sign, 5 to 7 feet long and 12 to 18 inches high, yellow with black letters 8 to 10 inches high and a brush stroke at least 1.41 inches wide, visible front and rear.
- Flags
12-inch red flags must mark the extremities of any load that extends beyond the vehicle's sides or more than 4 feet beyond its rear. Manufactured housing escort vehicles carry a 16-inch red flag on each of the four corners.
- Beacons
Escort vehicles need two flashing amber lights, one rotating amber beacon at least 8 inches in diameter, or alternating blue and amber lights on the roof. A load extending over 4 feet past the rear needs two red lamps visible at 500 feet plus red reflectors and side lamps.
Texas permit office
The permit office is the authority on every number on this page. Call it, or open the official site, before you rely on a threshold for a load that is close to a line.
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What are the legal limits in Texas without an oversize or overweight permit?
In Texas, the legal limits without an oversize or overweight permit are 8'6" wide, 14'0" high, 59'0" long (semitrailer) and 80,000 lbs gross. Legal overhang is 3'0" front and 4'0" rear. Anything over those figures needs a permit from the Texas permit office before it moves.
When does an oversize load need an escort or pilot car in Texas?
On 2-lane roads in Texas, escorts begin at 14' wide. On multi-lane roads, escorts begin at 14' wide. The first escort tier is "Front escort" at 14' – 16' wide. Every tier on this page quotes its rule and source.
Can oversize loads travel at night, on weekends or on holidays in Texas?
Night travel: Night movement is allowed only on interstate highways, for loads at legal height under 10 feet wide and under 100 feet long with legal front and rear overhang. Any other nighttime movement requires an exception granted on a TxDOT route and traffic study. Weekend travel: No statewide weekend ban; oversize loads may move Saturday and Sunday in daytime. Local curfews still apply: Bandera bars all oversize and overweight movement all day Saturday and Sunday, and SH153 in Nolan and Taylor Counties is closed to them 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Holidays: Loads over 14 feet wide, 16 feet high, or 110 feet long may not move on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas unless TxDMV grants an exception. Manufactured housing is also barred on Veterans Day, MLK Day and Presidents' Day.