Do box trucks have to stop at weigh stations in Texas?

Yes. Under Texas Transportation Code § 621.402, any commercial motor vehicle operating on Texas highways with a GVWR or gross weight of 10,001 lbs or more must enter open Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) weigh stations when signs or flashing lights direct them to do so.

What is the single-axle weight limit for a box truck in Texas?

Under Texas law, the maximum allowable weight on a single axle (including the rear drive dual axle of a standard 26ft box truck) is 20,000 lbs. If a shipper loads heavy cargo towards the rear of the box, you can easily exceed the 20,000-lb axle limit even if the total truck weight is well below 26,000 lbs.

Does Texas DPS use portable scales on box trucks?

Yes. Texas DPS Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers frequently deploy portable wheel-weighers on secondary state highways, frontage roads, and bypass routes around major stationary scale houses.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) • Tex. Transp. Code § 621

Texas Box Truck Weigh Station Rules: DPS Enforcement Guide

Texas is the largest freight transit state in America. Here is the operational breakdown on Texas DPS inspection stations along I-10, I-35, and I-20, rear single-axle limits (20,000 lbs), and roving portable scale enforcement.

By BoxTruckDesk Editorial Team (16–26ft Box Truck Operations & Dispatch)Last updated: November 15, 20268 min read

Informational Disclaimer: Figures, rates, and examples on this page are estimates for educational planning—not legal, tax, accounting, or insurance advice. Operating costs and regulations vary by state, truck spec, and authority history. Verify rules directly with the FMCSA, your state DMV, and a licensed commercial insurance agent.

The Threshold

10,001+ lbs

Texas Transportation Code § 621 enforces the 10k commercial vehicle threshold across all state and federal highways.

Rear Axle Limit

20,000 lbs Max

The rear dual axle has a strict 20,000 lb legal cap. Uneven pallet weight distribution triggers overweight citations.

Bypass Systems

PrePass / Drivewyze

PrePass and Drivewyze transponders are operational at all major permanent Texas DPS inspection sites.

1. Texas Legal Weight Standards for 2-Axle Straight Trucks

Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 621, a standard two-axle 26ft box truck is governed by three separate legal weight ceilings:

Steer Axle Limit

Up to 12,000 lbs

(Rated capacity or tire limit)

Drive Dual Axle Limit

20,000 lbs Max

(Strict statutory ceiling)

Gross Vehicle Limit

25,999 lbs (Non-CDL)

(Cannot exceed GVWR plate)

2. Major Texas Highway Inspection Corridors

I-10 Eastbound & Westbound (Anthony / El Paso)

Major Texas/New Mexico border station. Inspects commercial traffic moving between the West Coast and Texas freight hubs.

I-35 Devine & New Braunfels Scales

High-volume inspection corridors monitoring freight moving north from the Laredo international border towards San Antonio and Dallas.

I-10 Mount Belvieu (Houston Metro East)

Active scale facility monitoring petrochemical and distribution freight traveling between Houston and Louisiana.

I-20 Penwell & Cisco Scales

West Texas freight corridor connecting Dallas-Fort Worth to Midland-Odessa oilfield and cross-country routes.

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