Tex. Transp. Code Section 621.101
Maximum Weight of Vehicle or Combination


(a)

A vehicle or combination of vehicles may not be operated over or on a public highway or at a port-of-entry between Texas and the United Mexican States if the vehicle or combination has:

(1)

a single axle weight heavier than 20,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances;

(2)

a tandem axle weight heavier than 34,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances;

(3)

an overall gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles heavier than the weight computed using the following formula and rounding the result to the nearest 500 pounds:
W = 500((LN/(N - 1)) + 12N + 36)
where:
“W” is maximum overall gross weight on the group;
“L” is distance in feet between the axles of the group that are the farthest apart; and
“N” is number of axles in the group; or

(4)

tires that carry a weight heavier than the weight specified and marked on the sidewall of the tire, unless the vehicle is being operated under the terms of a special permit.

(b)

Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(3), two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of not more than 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets is 36 feet or more. The overall gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles may not be heavier than 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances, regardless of tire ratings, axle spacing (bridge), and number of axles.

(b-1)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a vehicle that is powered by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas or powered primarily by means of electric battery power may exceed the gross weight limitation under this section for the vehicle by up to 2,000 pounds, provided that the maximum gross weight of the vehicle may not exceed 82,000 pounds.

(c)

This section does not:

(1)

authorize size or weight limits on the national system of interstate and defense highways in this state greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section 127, as amended;

(2)

prohibit the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles that could be lawfully operated on a highway or road of this state on December 16, 1974; or

(3)

apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles that operates exclusively:

(A)

at a private port of entry;

(B)

on private roads associated with the port of entry; and

(C)

across a public highway between private roads associated with the port of entry under a contract under Section 623.052 (Contract Allowing Overweight Vehicle with Commodities or Products to Cross Highway; Surety Bond).
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 601, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 941, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 2001 and Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1227, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 313 (S.B. 619), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 397 (S.B. 1102), Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 475 (H.B. 2319), Sec. 1, eff. June 9, 2017.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 356 (S.B. 1364), Sec. 1, eff. June 2, 2023.

Source: Section 621.101 — Maximum Weight of Vehicle or Combination, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­621.­htm#621.­101 (accessed May 4, 2024).

621.001
Definitions
621.002
Vehicle Registration Receipt for Certain Heavy Vehicles
621.003
Reciprocal Agreement with Another State for Issuance of Permits
621.004
Admissibility of Certificate of Vertical Clearance
621.005
Effect of Increased Limits by United States
621.006
Restricted Operation on Certain Holidays
621.007
Evidence of Violation
621.008
Rulemaking Authority
621.101
Maximum Weight of Vehicle or Combination
621.102
Authority to Set Maximum Weights
621.201
Maximum Width
621.202
Commission’s Authority to Set Maximum Width
621.203
Maximum Length of Motor Vehicle
621.204
Maximum Length of Semitrailer or Trailer
621.205
Maximum Length of Vehicle Combinations
621.206
Maximum Extended Length of Load
621.207
Maximum Height
621.301
County’s Authority to Set Maximum Weights
621.302
Exception to County’s Weight Limitations
621.303
Municipal Regulation of Loads and Equipment
621.304
Restriction on Local Government Authority to Regulate Overweight Vehicles and Loads on State Highway System
621.351
Escrow Account for Prepayment of Permit Fees
621.352
Fees for Permits Issued Under Reciprocal Agreement
621.353
Distribution of Fee for Permit for Excess Weight
621.354
Disposition of Fees for Permit for Movement of Cylindrical Hay Bales
621.355
Distribution of Fees for Registration of Additional Weight
621.356
Form of Payment
621.401
Definition
621.402
Weighing Loaded Vehicle
621.403
Unloading Vehicle if Gross Weight Exceeded
621.404
Unloading Vehicle if Axle Weight Exceeded
621.405
Unloading Exceptions
621.406
Additional Gross Weight Registration
621.407
Forms
621.408
Powers of Weight Enforcement Officers
621.409
Weighing of Loaded Vehicles by Port-of-entry Supervisors, Inspectors, or Weight Enforcement Officers
621.410
Weight Record
621.411
Joint Operation of Certain Fixed-site Facilities
621.501
Failure to Carry or Present Vehicle License Receipt
621.502
Prohibitions on Size and Weight
621.503
Prohibition of Loading More than Size or Weight Limitation
621.504
Bridge or Underpass Clearance
621.506
Offense of Operating or Loading Overweight Vehicle
621.507
General Offense
621.508
Affirmative Defense for Operating Vehicle over Maximum Allowable Weight
621.509
Failure to Maintain Weight Record
621.510
Permit Void
621.511
Name on Permit
621.2061
Exception to Maximum Extended Length of Load: Certain Motor Vehicles
621.4015
Designation by Commissioners Court

Accessed:
May 4, 2024

§ 621.101’s source at texas​.gov