Texas is the largest state within the continental United States. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that it has the largest paved road system in the USA as well. In fact, it’s estimated that the state has over 700,000 miles of paved lane road.
Overweight truck loads are one of the biggest contributors to road damage. To help enforce that trucks are no over their weight limits, Texas has built one of the largest systems of weigh stations in the country. It’s estimated that the state has around 100 stations in operations today.
Ironically, if you have driven through Texas much, you may have found that it is rare for weigh stations to be open. Due to budget constraints, the state has significantly cut back on staffing at weigh stations. Many stations have limited hours of operations which has made drivers who purposely overload their trucks with cargo to maneuver through the state with no risk of fines or problems.
In recent years, there has been more talk within the state of getting staffing at the weigh stations back to normal levels. If this occurs, it’s important to have a good understanding of the laws regarding the transportation of over sized and overweight loads in the state.
For a complete and up to date list of the requirements and permits needed to transport over sized or overweight loads in the state of Texas, please check out the Texas Department of Safety’s website here. Below is a section from the Texas DPS website regarding the fines that you can expect if you are caught driving an overweight load in their state.
Weight Limit Violations in Texas
Violations of Subchapter: Offenses (TRC 623.019):
- A person who holds a permit issued under Section 623.011 commits an offense if:
- the person:
- operates or directs the operation of the vehicle for which the permit was issued on a public highway or road; and
- criminally negligent with regard to the operation of the vehicle at a weight heavier than the weight limit authorized by Section 623.011; or
- the person operates or directs the operation of the vehicle for which the permit was issued:
- in a county not designated in the person’s application under Section 623.0111; and
- at a weight heavier than a weight limit established under:
- Subchapter E, Chapter 251;
- Chapter 621 or 622; or
- this chapter.
- the person:
- Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d), an offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $150.
- An offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor and, except as provided by Subsection (d), is punishable by a fine according to the following schedules if the offense involves a vehicle:
- having a single axle weight or tandem axle weight that is heavier than the vehicle’s allowable weight:
Pounds Overweight Fine Range Less than 2,500 $100 - $500 2,500 - 5,000 $500 - $1,000 More than 5,000 $1,000 - $2,500 - having a gross weight that is heavier than the vehicle’s allowable gross weight:
Pounds Overweight Fine Range Less than 2,500 $100 - $500 2,500 to 5,000 $500 - $1000 5,001 to 10,000 $1,000 - $2,500 10,001 to 20,000 $2,500 - $5,000 20,001 to 40,000 $5,000 - $7,000 More than 40,000 $7,000 - $10,000
- having a single axle weight or tandem axle weight that is heavier than the vehicle’s allowable weight:
- On conviction of a third offense under Subsection (a), before the first anniversary of the date of a previous conviction under that subsection, the defendant shall be punished by a fine in an amount not to exceed twice the maximum amount specified by Subsection (c).
- A governmental entity collecting a fine under Subsection (c) shall send an amount equal to 50 percent of the fine to the comptroller.
- A justice of the peace has jurisdiction of any offense under this section. A municipal court has jurisdiction of an offense under this section in which the fine does not exceed $500.
- A justice or judge who renders a conviction under this section shall report the conviction to the Department of Public Safety. The Department of Public Safety shall keep a record of each conviction reported under this subsection.
- A fine may not be imposed under this section that exceeds the minimum dollar amount that may be imposed unless the vehicle’s weight was determined by a portable or stationary scale furnished or approved by the Department of Public Safety.
