Texas (TX) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in Texas.

Legal Dimensions — Texas

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
14'0"
Max Length
59'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
14'1" 16'0" 1 Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 17'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
17'1" 18'0" 1 Front Utility clearance required
Height pole required
18'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Utility clearance required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
59'1" 110'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
110'1" 125'0" 1 Rear
125'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 30'0" 1 Rear
30'1" 50'0" 2 Front + Rear Special approval required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 254,300 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload - requires route analysis
Route survey required
254,301 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Super heavy permit required, detailed engineering analysis
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'1" 14'0" 1 Rear
14'1" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear May require additional escorts on narrow roads

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 17'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
17'1" 18'0" 1 Front Utility clearance required
Height pole required
18'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Utility clearance required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
59'1" 110'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
110'1" 125'0" 1 Rear
125'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 30'0" 1 Rear
30'1" 50'0" 2 Front + Rear Special approval required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 254,300 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload - requires route analysis
Route survey required
254,301 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Super heavy permit required
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Night Travel
Loads under 10' wide, legal height, and under 100' long may travel at night on Interstate only
Weekend Travel
Daylight travel allowed Saturday and Sunday
Holiday Restrictions
No movement after 12:00 PM the day before major holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
Urban Restrictions
None specified statewide

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on escort vehicles only
Flags
Red/orange flags at all extremities of the load
Additional Notes
Signs on escort vehicles: 5'-7' length x 12" height, 'OVERSIZE LOAD' or 'WIDE LOAD'
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Texas Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through Texas?

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