1. (a) General.

   1. (1) The requirements stated in §28.11(b)(1) and (2) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures) govern a permit issued under this section.

   2. (2) The following information applies to a single-trip permit issued under Transportation Code, Chapter 623, Subchapter D, for an over dimension load.

      1. (A) The permit fee is $30, and may be issued for an overdimension load that cannot be reasonably dismantled when the department determines that movement may be accomplished without material damage to the highways, bridges, and other appurtenances.

      2. (B) A permitted vehicle must be routed over the most direct route available taking into consideration:

         1. (i) the size and weight of the overdimension load in relation to vertical clearances, width restrictions, and weak or load restricted bridges;
         2. (ii) the geometrics of the roadway in comparison to the overdimension load; and
         3. (iii) sections of highways restricted to specific load sizes and weights due to construction, maintenance, and weather conditions.
      3. (C) When a permit applicant desires a route other than the most direct, more than one permit will be required for the trip.
      4. (D) A permitted vehicle will be allowed return movement of the empty oversize/overweight hauling equipment to the permitted vehicle's point of origin, provided the return movement is completed within the time period stated in the permit.
   3. (3) The permitted vehicle will be restricted to daylight movement only, unless an exception is granted by the MCD. Exceptions will be based on a route and traffic study.
   4. (4) A permitted vehicle operating under a single-trip permit must be registered under Transportation Code, §502.054 or Chapter 502, Subchapters A, D, F, or G, for maximum gross weight as set forth by Transportation Code, Chapter 621, Subchapter B, not exceeding 80,000 pounds total gross weight.
   5. (5) A permitted vehicle that has been granted night movement must have a front and a rear escort vehicle at all times when the permitted vehicle is moving on the state highway system, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.
   6. (6) The maximum size limits for a permit issued under Transportation Code, Chapter 622, Subchapter E and Chapter 623, Subchapters D and E, for weekend or holiday movement is 14 feet wide, or 16 feet high, or 110 feet long; however, the MCD may allow weekend or holiday movement for a specific permitted vehicle with greater size limits based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.

2. (b) Overwidth loads.

   1. (1) An overwidth load must:

      1. (A) travel in the outside traffic lane on multi-lane highways, when the width of the load exceeds 12 feet;
      2. (B) have a front escort vehicle if the width of the load exceeds 14 feet but does not exceed 16 feet when traveling on a two-lane highway, unless an exception is granted by the MCD based on a route and traffic study;
      3. (C) have a rear escort vehicle if the width of the load exceeds 14 feet but does not exceed 16 feet when traveling on a roadway of four or more lanes, unless an exception is granted by the MCD based on a route and traffic study; and
      4. (D) have a front and a rear escort vehicle for all roads, when the width of the load exceeds 16 feet, unless an exception is granted by the MCD based on a route and traffic study.
   2. (2) A permitted vehicle exceeding 16 feet in width will not be routed on the main lanes of a controlled access highway. However, the load may be permitted on the frontage roads when such are available, provided the movement will not pose a safety hazard to other highway users.
   3. (3) The MCD may grant an exception to travel on the main lanes based on a route and traffic study.
   4. (4) An applicant requesting a permit to move an over dimension load exceeding 20 feet overall width will be furnished with a proposed route, which the applicant must physically inspect to determine if the over dimension load can safely negotiate the proposed route, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.
   5. (5) The applicant must notify the MCD in writing whether the over dimension load can or cannot safely negotiate the proposed route. If any section of the proposed route is unacceptable, the applicant shall provide the MCD with an alternate route around the unacceptable section.
   6. (6) When a permit is issued for an overwidth trailer, it will be permitted to move empty to and from the job site.

3. (c) Houses and storage tanks.

   1. (1) Final approval for the issuance of a permit for a house or storage tank exceeding 20 feet in width will reside with each district engineer on the proposed route.

   2. (2) The issuance of a permit for a house exceeding 20 feet in width will depend on:

      1. (A) the amount of inconvenience and hazard to the traveling public, based on traffic volume;
      2. (B) highway geometrics and time of movement; and
      3. (C) the overall width, measured to the nearest inch, of the house includes the eaves or porches.

   3. (3) The issuance of a permit for a storage tank exceeding 20 feet in width will depend on:

      1. (A) the amount of inconvenience and hazard to the traveling public, based on traffic volume;
      2. (B) highway geometrics and time of movement; and
      3. (C) the overall width, measured to the nearest inch, of the storage tank includes valves or other projections.
   4. (4) A tank must be empty.
   5. (5) The proposed route must include the beginning and ending points on a state highway.
   6. (6) A permit will not be issued for a newly constructed house or storage tank that exceeds 32 feet overall width.
   7. (7) A permit will not be issued for an old house or old storage tank that exceeds 40 feet overall width, unless an exception is granted by the MCD based on a route and traffic study.

   8. (8) A permit may be issued for the movement of an overweight house provided:

      1. (A) the applicant completes and submits to the MCD a copy of a diagram for moving overweight houses, as shown in Appendix B of this section;
      2. (B) each support beam, parallel to the centerline of the highway, is equipped with an identical number of two axle groups which may be placed directly in line and across from the other corresponding two axle group or may be placed in a staggered offset arrangement to provide for proper weight distribution;
      3. (C) that, when a support beam is equipped with two or more two axle groups, each two axle group is connected to a common mechanical or hydraulic system to insure that each two axle group shares equally in the weight distribution at all times during the movement; and, when the spacing between the two axle groups, measured from the center of the last axle of the front group to the center of the first axle of the following group, is eight feet or more, the front two axle group is equipped for self-steering in a manner that will guide or direct the axle group in turning movements without tire scrubbing or pavement scuffing; and
      4. (D) the department conducts a detailed analysis of each structure on the proposed route and determines the load can be moved without damaging the roads and bridges.
   9. (9) The MCD may waive the requirement that a loading diagram be submitted for the movement of an overweight house, provided the total weight of all axle groups located in the same transverse plane across the house do not exceed the maximum weight limits specified in §28.11(d)(2) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures).

4. (d) Overlength loads.

   1. (1) An overlength permit may be issued to a vehicle or vehicle combination transporting a load that projects more than three feet in front of the foremost portion of the vehicle transporting the load, or when the load projects more than four feet beyond the rearmost portion of the load carrying surface of the vehicle transporting the load.
   2. (2) A single vehicle, such as a motor crane, that has a permanently mounted boom is not considered as having either front or rear overhang as a result of the boom because the boom is an integral part of the vehicle.
   3. (3) When a single vehicle with a permanently attached boom exceeds the maximum legal length of 45 feet, a permit will not be issued if the boom projects more than 25 feet beyond the front bumper of the vehicle, or when the boom projects more than 30 feet beyond the rear bumper of the vehicle, unless an exception is granted by the MCD, based on a route and traffic study.
   4. (4) Maximum permit length for a single vehicle is 75 feet.
   5. (5) A load extending more than 20 feet beyond the rearmost portion of the load carrying surface of the permitted vehicle must have a rear escort, unless an exception is granted by the MCD, based on a route and traffic study.
   6. (6) A load extending more than 20 feet beyond the foremost portion of the permitted vehicle must have a front escort, unless an exception is granted by the MCD, based on a route and traffic study.

   7. (7) A permit will not be issued for an over dimension load with:

      1. (A) more than 25 feet front overhang; or
      2. (B) more than 30 feet rear overhang, unless an exception is granted by the MCD, based on a route and traffic study.

   8. (8) A permitted vehicle exceeding 110 feet overall length, but not exceeding 125 feet overall length must have:

      1. (A) a front escort vehicle when traveling on a two-lane highway; or
      2. (B) a rear escort vehicle when traveling on a multi-lane highway.
   9. (9) An applicant requesting a permit to move an over dimension load exceeding 125 feet overall length will be furnished with a proposed route, which the applicant must physically inspect to determine if the over dimension load can safely negotiate the proposed route, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD. The applicant must notify the MCD in writing whether the over dimension load can or cannot safely negotiate the proposed route. If any section of the proposed route is unacceptable, the applicant shall provide the MCD with an alternate route around the unacceptable section.
   10. (10) A permitted vehicle exceeding 125 feet overall length must have a front and a rear escort vehicle at all times, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.

5. (e) Convoy regulations for overlength loads.

   1. (1) A permitted vehicle that is not overwidth or overheight, and does not exceed 150 feet overall length, may be moved in a convoy consisting of not more than four overlength permitted vehicles. A permitted vehicle that is not overwidth or overheight that exceeds 150 feet, but does not exceed 180 feet overall length, may be moved in a convoy consisting of not more than two overlength permitted vehicles.

   2. (2) Each permitted vehicle in the convoy must:

      1. (A) be spaced at least 1,000 feet but not more than 2,000 feet from any other permitted vehicle in the convoy; and
      2. (B) have a rotating amber beacon or an amber pulsating light, not less than eight inches in diameter, mounted at the rear top of the load being transported.
   3. (3) The convoy must have a front escort vehicle and a rear escort vehicle on all highways at all times.

6. (f) Overheight loads.

   1. (1) Any permitted vehicle that exceeds 17 feet in height must have a front escort vehicle equipped with a height pole to accurately measure overhead obstructions, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.
   2. (2) Any permitted vehicle exceeding 18 feet in height must have a front and rear escort vehicle, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.
   3. (3) An applicant requesting a permit to move an over dimension load with an overall height of 19 feet or greater will be furnished with a proposed route, which the applicant must physically inspect to determine if the over dimension load can safely negotiate the proposed route, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.
   4. (4) An applicant requesting a permit under paragraph (3) of this subsection must notify the MCD in writing whether the over dimension load can or cannot safely negotiate the proposed route. If any section of the proposed route is unacceptable, the applicant shall provide the MCD with an alternate route around the unacceptable section.

7. (g) Overweight loads.

   1. (1) The maximum weight limits for an overweight permit are specified in §28.11(d) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures).
   2. (2) The applicant shall pay, in addition to the single-trip permit fee of $30, a highway maintenance fee in an amount based on the following weights: GROSS HIGHWAY WEIGHT MAINTENANCE IN POUNDS FEE: 80,001 TO 120,000--$50; 120,001 TO 160,000--$75; 160,001 TO 200,000--$100; 200,001 AND ABOVE--$125.
   3. (3) A permit issued for an overdimension load exceeding 200,000 pounds gross weight will have a total permit fee that includes the single-trip permit fee, the highway maintenance fee, and the vehicle supervision fee (VSF).
   4. (4) A permit may be issued to transport an overdimension load exceeding 200,000 pounds gross weight but not exceeding 254,300 pounds gross weight, provided that the axle weights of the load conform to the axle weight limits and axle spacing requirements as set forth by §28.11(d) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures), regardless of whether the load crosses any bridge, and provided the axle spacing distance is 95 feet or greater, measured from the center of the first axle to the center of the last axle.
   5. (5) For a permit issued under paragraph (4) of this subsection, the permittee will pay the $30 single-trip permit fee, the $125 highway maintenance fee, and the vehicle supervision fee of $35.

   6. (6) A permit may be issued to transport:

      1. (A) an overdimension load exceeding 200,000 pounds gross weight but not exceeding 254,300 pounds gross weight, when the axle weights do not conform to the axle weight limits and axle spacing requirements as set forth by §28.11(d) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures), and provided the load does not cross any bridge; or
      2. (B) an overdimension load that exceeds 254,300 pounds gross weight that does not cross any bridge.
   7. (7) For a permit issued under paragraph (6) of this subsection, the permittee will pay the $30 single-trip permit fee, the $125 highway maintenance fee, and the vehicle supervision fee of $100. If the permittee has additional identical loads that are to be moved over the same route within five days of the movement date of the original permit, the total fee for each additional load will be $30 for the single-trip permit, $125 for the highway maintenance fee, and $35 for the vehicle supervision fee.

   8. (8) A permit may be issued to transport:

      1. (A) an overdimension load that exceeds 200,000 pounds gross weight but does not exceed 254,300 pounds gross weight, when the axle weights do not conform to the axle weight limits and axle spacing requirements as set forth by §28.11(d) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures), and provided the load does cross a bridge;
      2. (B) an overdimension load that exceeds 200,000 pounds gross weight but does not exceed 254,300 pounds gross weight that has an axle spacing distance that is less than 95 feet, measured from the center of the first axle to the center of the last axle, and does cross a bridge; or
      3. (C) an overdimension load that exceeds 254,300 pounds gross weight that does cross a bridge.
   9. (9) For a permit issued under paragraph (8) of this subsection, the permittee will pay the $30 single-trip permit fee, the $125 highway maintenance fee, and the vehicle supervision fee of $800. If the permittee has additional identical loads that are to be moved over the same route within five days of the movement date of the original permit, the total fee for each additional load will be $30 for the single-trip permit, $125 for the highway maintenance fee, and $35 for the vehicle supervision fee.
   10. (10) An applicant applying for a permit to move a load that is required for the fulfillment of a fixed price public works contract that was entered into prior to the effective date of this section, and administered by federal, state, or local governmental entities, will not be required to pay the vehicle supervision fee, provided the applicant presents proof of the contract to the MCD prior to permit issuance.
   11. (11) An applicant applying for a permit to move a concrete beam is not subject to the five day time limit specified in paragraphs (7) and (9) of this subsection provided that the beam is hauled on the same route on equipment with the same number of axles, axle spacings, and axle weights as the original permit request.
   12. (12) An applicant may elect to provide written certification from a registered professional engineer stating that the bridges and culverts on the proposed travel route are capable of sustaining the movement of an overdimension load exceeding 200,000 pounds gross weight; however, such certification must be approved by the department.
   13. (13) When the certification required under paragraph (10) of this subsection is approved, the applicant must pay the single-trip permit fee of $30, the highway maintenance fee of $125, and the vehicle supervision fee of $500. If the permittee has additional identical loads that are to be moved over the same route within five days of the movement date of the original permit, the total fee for each additional load will be $30 for the single-trip permit, $125 for the highway maintenance fee, and $35 for the vehicle supervision fee.
   14. (14) When the department has determined that a permit can be issued for an overdimension load exceeding 200,000 pounds gross weight, the applicant must pay the single-trip permit fee, the highway maintenance fee, and the vehicle supervision fee, by cashier's check, bank money order, or PAC, at the time the permit is issued.
   15. (15) The department will not charge an analysis fee for single and multiple box culverts.

   16. (16) An applicant requesting a permit to move an over dimension load that exceeds 254,300 pounds gross weight, or the weight limits in §28.11(d) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures), must submit the following information to the MCD to determine if the permit can be issued:

       1. (A) a detailed loading diagram which indicates the number of axles, the number of tires on each axle, the tire size on each axle, the distance between each axle, the tare and gross weight on each axle, the transverse spacing of each set of dual wheels, the distance between each set of dual wheels, the load's center of gravity, the distance from the center of gravity to the center of the front bolster, the distance from the center of gravity to the center of the rear bolster, the distance from the center of the front bolster to the center of the fifth wheel of the truck, the distance from the center of the rear bolster to the center of the closest axle, and any other measurements as may be needed to verify that the weight of the overdimension load is adequately distributed among the various axle groups in the amounts indicated by the loading diagram; and
       2. (B) a map indicating the exact beginning and ending points relative to a state highway.
   17. (17) The MCD will select a tentative route based on the physical size of the over dimension load excluding the weight. The tentative route must be investigated by the applicant, and the MCD must be advised, in writing, that the route is capable of accommodating the over dimension load.
   18. (18) Upon receipt of the applicant's written notification, the department will conduct a detailed structural analysis of the bridges on the proposed route based on the applicant's proposed loading diagram, or the applicant may elect to provide written certification from a registered professional engineer stating that the bridges and culverts on the proposed travel route are capable of sustaining the movement of the overdimension load. The certification must be approved by the department before the permit will be issued.

   19. (19) A permit may be issued for the movement of oversize and overweight self-propelled earth moving equipment under the following guidelines.

       1. (A) The weight per inch of tire width must not exceed 650 pounds.
       2. (B) The rim diameter of each wheel must be a minimum of 25 inches.
       3. (C) The maximum weight per axle must not exceed 45,000 pounds.
       4. (D) The minimum spacing between axles, measured from center of axle to center of axle, must not be less than 12 feet.
       5. (E) The equipment must be moved empty.
       6. (F) The equipment must be licensed with a machinery license plate or a one trip registration.
       7. (G) The route will not include any controlled access highway, unless an exception is granted based on a route and traffic study conducted by the MCD.

8. (h) Drill pipe and drill collars hauled in a pipe box.

   1. (1) A vehicle or combination of vehicles may be issued a permit under Transportation Code, §623.071, to haul drill pipe and drill collars in a pipe box.
   2. (2) The maximum width must not exceed nine feet.
   3. (3) The axle weight limits must not exceed the maximum weight limits as specified in §28.11(d)(3) of this title (relating to Permit Issuance Requirements and Procedures).
   4. (4) The height and length must not exceed the legal limits as specified in Transportation Code, Chapter 621, Subchapter B.
   5. (5) The permit will be issued for a single-trip only, and the fee will be $30.
   6. (6) The permit is valid only for travel on any farm-to-market and ranch-to-market road, and such road will be specified on the permit; however, the permitted vehicle will not be allowed to cross any load restricted bridge.
   7. (7) Movement will be restricted to daylight hours only.
   8. (8) A surety bond is required prior to issuance of the permit.
9. (i) Diagram for moving overweight houses. The following Appendix B indicates the type of diagram that is to be completed by the permit applicant for moving an overweight house. All measurements must be stated to the nearest inch.

Source Note:The provisions of this §28.12 adopted to be effective October 13, 1994, 19 TexReg 7810; amended to be effective January 8, 1998, 23 TexReg 155.