Overweight Citations & D.O.T. Violations

"Bridge Law" - DOT Enforcement's Best Friend

The Bridge Law has been around since Congress enacted it in 1975, but Texas CMV enforcement officers have been lax on its enforcement until the last 5-10 years.  Now, officers are using the formula to write multiple overweight citations at one stop.

The formula takes the distance between a group of axles and distinguishes the amount of weight that can be carried by that group of axles over bridges.

This formula is extremely relevant to Rock haulers because the trailers are not 53 feet.  Shorter trailers equals less weight that can be carried over the axle groups.  Most likely a rock hauler can not legally carry the industry standard of 80,000 lbs!

Moreover, the officer can run the formula for axles 1 - 3, or axles 1 - 5, or 2 - 5, etc.  Multiple groups can be checked and each infraction is a possible new citation.  Check your hauling capabilities with the Bridge Calculator listed below. 

Types of DOT Violations We Handle

Including, but not limited to:
  1. Overweight
  2. Tire Tread
  3. False Logbook
  4. Brake Hose Adjustment
  5. No Med Card
  6. Over 11 Hours - Logbook
  7. Unsecured Load
  8. Any Out-of-Service Violation
  9. Any Federal Regulation Violation

Big Revenue in Overweight Tickets

Texas DOT and Commercial Transportation Enforcement Divisions are becoming more, and more aggressive as Counties and Municipalities become more greedy!  The overweight citation is an enormous revenue source because the laws allow the fine to double and triple with prior convictions!

Texas DOT Citations can be fought!  Do not pay the exorbitant fines and court cost.  The Law Office of J. Chance Smith can handle your overweight citations and help minimize the damage to your record and wallet.

You May Not Have Been Overweight!

DOT officers go through training that is suppose to ready them to run the complicated measurement scales, but their training is for mere hours.  Many DOT stops occur on the side of the road, shoulder or access road.  The weigh location must be FLAT.  Any variance in the flatness or solidarity of the weigh location can throw the weight off!

After a Citation - Go To The Scales

Many truck stops are now equipping scale devices to help truck drivers make certain they are operating within the law. If you get pulled over and receive an overweight citation, go to the nearest CAT scales and check your weight.  Remember to get the RECEIPT!  It is Admissible in Court!

Do NOT Just Pay DOT Citations!

Paying DOT citations can end up with later citation's fine amounts being compounded!  Multiple overweight citations on a driver's record can mean the fines increase significantly.

Companies that just pay DOT citations can run the risk of significantly raising their FMCSA score, and thus raise the risk of Federal penalties.


Contact a Texas Defense Attorney
- Justin Chance Smith, Attorney at Law -

If you have concerns about a TX DOT or traffic citation, please contact the Law Office of J. Chance Smith for a consultation on your case.  The Office can help put to rest your concerns about any violation or how it will affect your license, insurance, and job.
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Copyrighted by J. Chance Smith, Attorney at Law – 2018