PERMIT FOR EXCESS AXLE OR GROSS WEIGHT.

(a) The department may issue a permit that authorizes the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or combination of those vehicles, or a truck-tractor or combination of a truck-tractor and one or more other vehicles:

(1) at an axle weight that is not heavier than the weight equal to the maximum allowable axle weight for the vehicle or combination plus a tolerance allowance of 10 percent of that allowable weight; and

(2) at a gross weight that is not heavier than the weight equal to the maximum allowable gross weight for the vehicle or combination plus a tolerance allowance of five percent.

(b) To qualify for a permit under this section:

(1) the vehicle must be registered under Chapter 502 for the maximum gross weight applicable to the vehicle under Section 621.101, not to exceed 80,000 pounds;

(2) the security requirement of Section 623.012 must be satisfied; and

(3) a base permit fee of $90, any additional fee required by Section 623.0111, and any additional fee set by the board under Section 623.0112 must be paid.

(c) A permit issued under this section:

(1) is valid for one year; and

(2) must be carried in the vehicle for which it is issued.

(d) When the department issues a permit under this section, the department shall issue a sticker to be placed on the front windshield of the vehicle. The department shall design the form of the sticker to aid in the enforcement of weight limits for vehicles.

(e) The sticker must:

(1) indicate the expiration date of the permit; and

(2) be removed from the vehicle when:

(A) the permit for operation of the vehicle expires;

(B) a lease of the vehicle expires; or

(C) the vehicle is sold.

(f) A person commits an offense if the person fails to display the sticker in the manner required by Subsection (d). An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. Section 623.019(g) applies to an offense under this subsection.

(g) A vehicle operating under a permit issued under this section may exceed the maximum allowable gross weight tolerance allowance by not more than five percent, regardless of the weight of any one axle or tandem axle, if no axle or tandem axle exceeds the tolerance permitted by Subsection (a).