(a) The definitions contained in Transportation Code, Chapters 621, 622, and 623 apply to this chapter. In the event of a conflict with this chapter, the definitions contained in Transportation Code, Chapters 621, 622, and 623 control.

(b) The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, will have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Annual permit--A permit that authorizes movement of an oversize and/or overweight load for one year commencing with the effective date.

(2) Applicant--Any person, firm, or corporation requesting a permit.

(3) Axle--The common axis of rotation of one or more wheels whether power-driven or freely rotating, and whether in one or more segments.

(4) Axle group--An assemblage of two or more consecutive axles, with two or more wheels per axle, spaced at least 40 inches from center of axle to center of axle, equipped with a weight-equalizing suspension system that will not allow more than a 10% weight difference between any two axles in the group.

(5) Board--The Board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

(6) Closeout--The procedure used by the department to terminate a permit, issued under Transportation Code, §623.142 or §623.192 that will not be renewed by the applicant.

(7) Complete identification number--A unique and distinguishing number assigned to equipment or a commodity for purposes of identification.

(8) Concrete pump truck--A self-propelled vehicle designed to pump the concrete product from a ready mix truck to the point of construction.

(9) Crane--Any unladen lift equipment motor vehicle designed for the sole purpose of raising, shifting, or lowering heavy weights by means of a projecting, swinging mast with an engine for power on a chassis permanently constructed or assembled for such purpose.

(10) Credit card--A credit card approved by the department.

(11) Daylight--The period beginning one-half hour before sunrise and ending one-half hour after sunset.

(12) Department--The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

(13) Digital signature--An electronic identifier intended by the person using it to have the same force and effect as a manual signature. The digital signature shall be unique to the person using it.

(14) Director--The Executive Director of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or a designee not below the level of division director.

(15) District--One of the 25 geographical areas, managed by a district engineer of the Texas Department of Transportation, in which the Texas Department of Transportation conducts its primary work activities.

(16) District engineer--The chief executive officer in charge of a district of the Texas Department of Transportation.

(17) Electronic identifier--A unique identifier which is distinctive to the person using it, is independently verifiable, is under the sole control of the person using it, and is transmitted in a manner that makes it infeasible to change the data in the communication or digital signature without invalidating the digital signature.

(18) Escort flag vehicle--A vehicle that precedes or follows an oversize or overweight vehicle to facilitate the safe movement of the oversize or overweight vehicle over roads.

(19) Four-axle group--Any four consecutive axles, having at least 40 inches from center of axle to center of axle, whose extreme centers are not more than 192 inches apart and are individually attached to or articulated from, or both, to the vehicle by a weight equalizing suspension system.

(20) Gauge--The transverse spacing distance between tires on an axle, expressed in feet and measured to the nearest inch, from center-of-tire to center-of-tire on an axle equipped with only two tires, or measured to the nearest inch from the center of the dual wheels on one side of the axle to the center of the dual wheels on the opposite side of the axle.

(21) Gross weight--The unladen weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles plus the weight of the load being transported.

(22) Height pole--A device made of a non-conductive material, used to measure the height of overhead obstructions.

(23) Highway maintenance fee--A fee established by Transportation Code, §623.077, based on gross weight, and paid by the permittee when the permit is issued.

(24) Highway use factor--A mileage reduction figure used in the calculation of a permit fee for a permit issued under Transportation Code, §623.142 and §623.192.

(25) Hubometer--A mechanical device attached to an axle on a unit or a crane for recording mileage traveled.

(26) HUD number--A unique number assigned to a manufactured home by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(27) Indirect cost share--A prorated share of administering department activities, other than the direct cost of the activities, including the cost of providing statewide support services.

(28) Load-restricted bridge--A bridge that is restricted by the Texas Department of Transportation, under the provisions of Transportation Code, §621.102, to a weight limit less than the maximum amount allowed by Transportation Code, §621.101.

(29) Load-restricted road--A road that is restricted by the Texas Department of Transportation, under the provisions of Transportation Code, §621.102, to a weight limit less than the maximum amount allowed by Transportation Code, §621.101.

(30) Machinery plate--A license plate issued under Transportation Code, §502.146.

(31) Manufactured home--Manufactured housing, as defined in Occupations Code, Chapter 1201, and industrialized housing and buildings, as defined in Occupations Code, §1202.002, and temporary chassis systems, and returnable undercarriages used for the transportation of manufactured housing and industrialized housing and buildings, and a transportable section which is transported on a chassis system or returnable undercarriage that is constructed so that it cannot, without dismantling or destruction, be transported within legal size limits for motor vehicles.

(32) Motor carrier--A person that controls, operates, or directs the operation of one or more vehicles that transport persons or cargo over a public highway in this state, as defined by Transportation Code, §643.001.

(33) Motor carrier registration (MCR)--The registration issued by the department to motor carriers moving intrastate, under authority of Transportation Code, Chapter 643.

(34) Nighttime--The period beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before sunrise, as defined by Transportation Code, §541.401.

(35) Nondivisible load or vehicle-- (A) Any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would: (i) compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended; (ii) destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or (iii) require more than eight workhours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a nondivisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of workhours required to dismantle the load. (B) Emergency response vehicles, including those loaded with salt, sand, chemicals or a combination thereof, with or without a plow or blade attached in front, and being used for the purpose of spreading the material on highways that are or may become slick or icy. (C) Casks designed for the transport of spent nuclear materials (D) Military vehicles transporting marked military equipment or materiel.

(36) Oil field rig-up truck--An unladen vehicle with an overweight single steering axle, equipped with a winch and set of gin poles used for lifting, erecting, and moving oil well equipment and machinery.

(37) Oil well servicing unit--An oil well clean-out unit, oil well drilling unit, or oil well swabbing unit, which is mobile equipment, either self-propelled or trailer-mounted, constructed as a machine used solely for cleaning-out, drilling, servicing, or swabbing oil wells, and consisting in general of, but not limited to, a mast, an engine for power, a draw works, and a chassis permanently constructed or assembled for this purpose.

(38) One trip registration--Temporary vehicle registration issued under Transportation Code, §502.095.

(39) Overdimension load--A vehicle, combination of vehicles, or vehicle and its load that exceeds maximum legal width, height, length, overhang, or weight as set forth by Transportation Code, Chapter 621, Subchapters B and C.

(40) Overhang--The portion of a load extending beyond the front or rear of a vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(41) Overheight--A vehicle or load that exceeds the maximum height specified in Transportation Code, §621.207.

(42) Overlength--A vehicle, combination of vehicles, or a vehicle or vehicle combination and its load that exceed(s) the maximum length specified in Transportation Code, §§621.203, 621.204, 621.205, and 621.206.

(43) Oversize load--A vehicle, combination of vehicles, or a vehicle or vehicle combination and its load that exceed(s) maximum legal width, height, length, or overhang, as set forth by Transportation Code, Chapter 621, Subchapter C.

(44) Overweight--A vehicle, combination of vehicles, or a vehicle or vehicle combination and its load that exceed(s) the maximum weight specified in Transportation Code, §621.101.

(45) Overwidth--A vehicle or load that exceeds the maximum width specified in Transportation Code, §621.201.

(46) Permit--Authority for the movement of an oversize and/or overweight vehicle, combination of vehicles, or a vehicle or vehicle combination and its load, issued by the department under Transportation Code, Chapter 623.

(47) Permit officer--An employee of the department who is authorized to issue an oversize/overweight permit.

(48) Permit plate--A license plate issued under Transportation Code, §502.146, to a crane or an oil well servicing vehicle.

(49) Permitted vehicle--A vehicle, combination of vehicles, or vehicle and its load operating under the provisions of a permit.

(50) Permittee--Any person, firm, or corporation that is issued an oversize/overweight permit by the department.

(51) Pipe box--A container specifically constructed to safely transport and handle oil field drill pipe and drill collars.

(52) Portable building compatible cargo--Cargo, other than a portable building unit, that is manufactured, assembled, or distributed by a portable building unit manufacturer and is transported in combination with a portable building unit.

(53) Portable building unit--The pre-fabricated structural and other components incorporated and delivered by the manufacturer as a complete inspected unit with a distinct serial number whether in fully assembled, partially assembled, or kit (unassembled) configuration when loaded for transport.

(54) Principal--The person, firm, or corporation that is insured by a surety bond company.

(55) Roll stability support safety system--An electronic system that monitors vehicle dynamics and estimates the stability of a vehicle based on its mass and velocity, and actively adjusts vehicle systems including the throttle and/or brake(s) to maintain stability when a rollover risk is detected.

(56) Shipper's certificate of weight--A form approved by the department in which the shipper certifies to the maximum weight of the shipment being transported.

(57) Single axle--An assembly of two or more wheels whose centers are in one transverse vertical plane or may be included between two parallel transverse planes 40 inches apart extending across the full width of the vehicle.

(58) Single-trip permit--A permit issued for an overdimension load for a single continuous movement over a specific route for an amount of time necessary to make the movement.

(59) State highway--A highway or road under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Transportation.

(60) State highway system--A network of roads and highways as defined by Transportation Code, §221.001.

(61) Surety bond--An agreement issued by a surety bond company to a principal that pledges to compensate the Texas Department of Transportation for any damage that might be sustained to the highways and bridges by virtue of the operation of the equipment for which a permit was issued. A surety bond is effective the day it is issued and expires at the end of the state fiscal year, which is August 31st. For example, if you obtain a surety bond on August 30th, it will expire the next day at midnight.

(62) Tare weight--The empty weight of any vehicle transporting an overdimension load.

(63) Temporary vehicle registration--A 72-hour temporary vehicle registration, 144-hour temporary vehicle registration, or one-trip registration.

Cont'd...