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TX · TRUCK-BED OVERHANG LAW

Texas truck-bed overhang law: the 30-second answer.

Texas generally prohibits a load from extending more than four feet beyond a vehicle's rear unless another law permits it. Separately, daylight red flags apply when a load extends more than four feet beyond the vehicle's rear, while specified nighttime lamps and reflectors apply at four feet or more beyond the bed or body.

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Planning information, not legal advice.Official law controls. Check the cited provisions and your exact vehicle, cargo, route and trip before driving.
MEASURE FROM

The standard maximum and daylight flag provision use the vehicle's rear. The nighttime equipment provision measures from the rear of the bed or body.

DAYLIGHT

More than 4 ft beyond the vehicle's rear: red flags at least 12 in square must mark the load extremities and be placed where the lamps would be required.

AFTER DARK

At least 4 ft beyond the bed or body: two rear red lamps, two rear reflectors indicating maximum width and one red lamp on each side indicating maximum overhang.

MAXIMUM / OTHER LIMIT

A load generally may not extend more than 4 ft beyond the vehicle's rear, except as permitted by other law. Listed exceptions and oversize permits require separate review.

The boundary wording matters

Texas uses two different operators: the daylight flag provision says “more than four feet,” but the nighttime equipment provision says “at least four feet.” Exactly 4 ft therefore reaches the nighttime equipment threshold but not the daylight rear-flag threshold.

A visibility marker does not by itself make a setup legal. Maximum projection, total length, securement and exceptions remain separate checks.

Checks the calculator cannot finish for you

  • Confirm the relevant rear reference point for the time of travel.
  • Verify whether another statute, listed load exception or oversize permit applies.
  • Confirm total length, width, securement, vehicle class and route restrictions.

STATE PRESELECTED

Measure the actual setup, then review the rule result.

The calculator keeps unsupported cargo length separate from the legal projection named by the state rule.

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OFFICIAL SOURCES

Rule information was last checked on Aug 16, 2026. Official pages and current law control if this summary differs.

Texas DPS · Extended Loads (Transportation Code § 621.206) ↗Texas Transportation Code § 621.206 ↗Texas Transportation Code § 547.382 ↗