---
title: Texas Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | TxDMV Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Texas TxDMV oversize permits, Houston/DFW curfew routing, Permian Basin oilfield corridors, and pilot cars across I-10, I-35, and I-20. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Texas Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Texas.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) / TxDOT
- **Portal**: TxDMV TxPROS (Texas Permitting & Routing Optimization System)
- **Regulatory Advisory**: State DOT regulations and permit processing queues are determined by individual state transportation authorities and vary by agency workload. Carriers should verify active route advisories and state requirements prior to movement.

## Legal vs. Routine Permitted Dimensions
- **Legal Width**: 8' 6" | **Max Routine**: 20' 0" (16' on Interstate)
- **Legal Height**: 14' 0" | **Max Routine**: 18' 11"
- **Legal Length**: 59' Semi-Trailer / 65' Overall | **Max Routine**: 125' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 200,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Texas
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" width or 14' 0" height.
- **Overweight (OW) Axle Permits**: Overload cab-cards for heavy machinery and configurations exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW.
- **Multi-Axle Superload Permits**: Specialized filings exceeding Over 200,000, including State DOT and certified partner bridge reviews, route surveys, and police escorts.
- **Annual & Blanket Fleet Permits**: Continuous-operation annual highway authorizations for construction fleets.
- **Temporary Trip & Fuel Permits**: 72-hour IRP vehicle registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials.
- **County, City & Toll Road Clearances**: Municipal authorizations and turnpike clearances.

## Superload Permitting & State Review Protocol
- **Weight Trigger**: Over 200,000 lbs GVW (over 254,000 lbs is Super Heavy)
- **Width Trigger**: Over 20' 0" wide (Over 16' on Interstates)
- **Height Trigger**: Over 18' 11" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 125' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) / TxDOT electronic systems and certified structural engineering partners evaluate axle load distribution across bridge structures upon submission.
- **Route Surveys & Clearances**: Required for extreme heights/widths to verify overhead physical clearances.
- **Utility & Escorts**: Coordinated wire lifts with power utilities and State Police / Highway Patrol escorts.

## Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Requirements
- **Front Escort**: Required over 14' 0" wide; or length > 110' 0"
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 16' 0" wide; or length > 125' 0"; rear overhang > 20' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required over 17' 0" high (lead vehicle with calibrated pole; 2 escorts over 18')
- **Police Escort**: Required for loads exceeding 20' 0" wide or when traversing high-density urban expressways

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Houston Metro (Harris County, I-10, I-45, I-610, Beltway 8, US-59): 6:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
  - Dallas-Fort Worth Metro (I-30, I-35E, I-35W, I-20, I-635, Loop 12): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
  - Austin Metro (I-35, US-183, Loop 1 Mopac): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
  - San Antonio Metro (I-35, I-10, Loop 410, Loop 1604): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - El Paso Metro (I-10, Loop 375): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset), 7 days a week. Night travel permitted on Interstates for loads not exceeding 10' wide, 14' high, and 100' long with proper lighting. Overweight-only can move 24/7.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-10 (Gulf Coast to West Coast)
- I-35 (NAFTA Freight Arterial)
- I-45 (Houston to Dallas)
- I-20 (Permian Basin Energy Corridor)
- I-30 (Dallas to Northeast)
- US-281 / US-77 (Valley / Corpus Christi)

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long does TxDMV take to issue a Texas oversize permit?
Routine single-trip permits submitted through TxPROS are typically issued by the state within 1–3 business hours. Superloads requiring TxDOT structural engineering review require additional state processing time. Alpine expedites your filing immediately upon intake.

### What are the pilot car escort rules in Texas?
Texas requires 1 escort for loads over 14' wide or 110' long, and 2 escorts for loads exceeding 16' wide or 125' long. Loads over 17' high require a front escort with a height pole.

### What is Texas's legal height limit?
Texas allows 14'0" legal height without a permit on all state and federal highways.

### What qualifies as a superload in Texas?
In Texas, loads exceeding 200,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, 20' wide (16' on Interstate), 18'11" high, or 125' long are classified as superloads, requiring TxDOT engineering review.

## Contact & Direct Dispatch
- **Direct Phone**: (918) 607-6547 (CALL: [918-607-6547](tel:9186076547))
- **Email**: [permits@alpinetruck.com](mailto:permits@alpinetruck.com)
- **Online Intake**: [alpinetruckservice.com/permits/texas](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/texas)