Texas commercial vehicle weight limits follow the federal Interstate standard of 80,000 lbs gross, 20,000 lbs per single axle, and 34,000 lbs per tandem axle group. The federal bridge formula (23 U.S.C. 127) applies on all routes. No seasonal weight restrictions on Interstate highways. Oversize and overweight permits are available from TX DOT for loads exceeding standard limits. Verify current road-specific postings with the Texas DOT before routing heavy loads.
The federal bridge formula limits the weight on any group of axles based on the distance between the outermost axles in the group. It applies in Texas on all routes where federal standards apply.
W = maximum weight in lbs · L = axle spacing in feet · N = number of axles
Texas OS/OW permits issued by TxDOT. Annual permits available for certain vehicle/load configurations. Superloads (>254,000 lbs or >20' wide) require engineering review and route approval.
Apply for Texas OS/OW Permit →On Texas Interstate highways, the maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 lbs — the federal standard. Texas state highways and FM/RM roads may have lower limits. Overweight permits from TxDOT are required for loads exceeding standard limits.
No. Texas does not impose seasonal spring weight restrictions on Interstate highways. However, Farm-to-Market and Ranch-to-Market roads may have lower year-round limits, and local road weight postings must be observed.
Texas Oversize/Overweight permits are issued by TxDOT. Apply online through the TxDOT permit portal at txdot.gov. Single-trip permits are available for most oversize/overweight loads. Annual permits are available for qualifying routine heavy-haul operations.
The tandem axle weight limit in Texas is 34,000 lbs on Interstate highways — matching the federal standard. Some state routes and FM/RM roads may have lower limits. Texas also allows 42,000 lbs on tridem axle configurations.
Yes. Texas provides weight exemptions for certain agricultural vehicles and equipment. Farm vehicles transporting agricultural commodities may qualify for higher weight allowances on certain routes. Contact TxDOT for specific exemption details.
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Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Texas TX Department of TransportationLast reviewed: 2026-04