Texas Administrative Code › Title 43 - TRANSPORTATION › Part 1 - TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Chapter 28 - OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT VEHICLES AND LOADS › Subchapter A - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 28.2 - Definitions

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter,
					 will have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
					 otherwise.
(1) Axle--The common axis
				  of rotation of one or more wheels whether power-driven or freely rotating, and
				  whether in one or more segments.
(2) 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.
(3)
				  Commission--The Texas Transportation Commission.
(4) Daylight--The period beginning one-half
				  hour before sunrise and ending one-half hour after sunset.
(5) Department--The Texas Department of
				  Transportation.
(6) 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.
(7) Gross weight--The unladen weight of a
				  vehicle or combination of vehicles plus the weight of the load being
				  transported.
(8) 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.
(9) Overweight--An
				  overdimension load that exceeds the maximum weight specified in Transportation
				  Code, §
										621.101.
(10) Permitted vehicle--A vehicle,
				  combination of vehicles, or vehicle and its load operating under the provisions
				  of a permit.
(11) Permittee--Any
				  person, firm, or corporation that is issued an oversize/overweight permit or
				  temporary vehicle registration by the MCD.
(12) 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.
(13)
				  State highway--A highway or road under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department
				  of Transportation.
(14) State
				  highway system--A network of roads and highways as defined by Transportation
				  Code, §
										221.001.
(15) Surety bond--An agreement issued by a
				  surety bond company to a principal that pledges to compensate the department
				  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.
(16) Three-axle group--Any three consecutive
				  axles, having at least 40 inches from center of axle to center of axle, whose
				  extreme centers are not more than 144 inches apart, and are individually
				  attached to or articulated from, or both, to the vehicle by a weight equalizing
				  suspension system.
(17) Trunnion
				  axle--Two individual axles mounted in the same transverse plane, with four
				  tires on each axle, that are connected to a pivoting wrist pin that allows each
				  individual axle to oscillate in a vertical plane to provide for constant and
				  equal weight distribution on each individual axle at all times during
				  movement.
(18) Two-axle group--Any
				  two consecutive axles whose centers are at least 40 inches but not more than 96
				  inches apart and are individually attached to or articulated from, or both, to
				  the vehicle by a weight equalizing suspension system.
(19) Vehicle--Every device in or by which any
				  person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway,
				  except devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.