AH64ID wrote:
Not the first time someone has said Texas laws do this, and not the first time that CH502 and CH623 have been referenced, but they do NOT state that GVWR or GAWR are part of the limits. The only time GVWR and GAWR are discussed is in definitions, that's it. In fact neither 502 nor 623 even discuss weight limits.
502 does not state that GVWR is used to register a vehicle, it simply says that it may be used. "The weight, net weight, or gross weight of a vehicle, as determined by the department, is the correct weight for registration purposes, regardless of any other purported weight of the vehicle."
623 actually deals with overweight permitting, it's 621 that deals with weight for normal operation.
For 623 to even apply you have to be registered at the max weight allowed by 621.101, which is 20K lbs an axle or tire limits.
The terms manufacturer, GVWR, nor GAWR are located anywhere in CH621.
I'm sure someone will read this who has a registration in Texas for more than door sticker weight.
My Idaho registration is good to 26K lbs, as long as I don't exceed 20K lbs per axle or tire limits (9K/axle).
First off I stated the wrong section. I meant to say 621 not 623. That was my fault. Your post had me questioning myself. So I made a few phone calls, spent a lot of time on hold, but got some good information.
I called the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. According to them no vehicle's GVW can be registered beyond the GVWR that's outlined in the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO). The MCO is surrendered at the time a new vehicle is registered and all this is normally handled by dealers. Once a vehicle is titled, the information is permanent. A vehicle can be registered with a GVW lower than the GVWR, but the local tax assessor determines if that's allowed or not. An MCO maybe required to register a vehicle brought in from out of state. Once again it's up to the tax assessor.
I called the Harris County Tax Assessor, my local assessor, and they gave me the same information. No vehicle is allowed to be registered beyond the manufacturer's GVWR as specified in the MCO. They do allow vehicles to be registered below the GVWR within reason. You can't bring in a Class 8 and say it has a carrying capacity of 500 lbs. The lady I spoke to said they see all types trucks come in for registration everyday. They know when something looks suspicious. Whatever number is set, that's what you're restricted to. If you pay for 9,000 lbs on your 11,000 GVWR truck then you're restricted to 9,000 lbs.
I called the Department of Public Safety (State Troopers). No vehicle, commercial or non-commercial, is allowed to carry any weight beyond the registered GVW. If the vehicle is caught carrying more than registered weight then the operator might receive a citation (locally) or the vehicle can be held until the weight is brought back down to the registered GVW. If a vehicle is caught hauling more weight than the registered GVW, but less than the GVWR of the vehicle then the operator can go to the nearest assessor's office to purchase additional weight and proceed. The additional weight purchased still can't exceed the GVWR of the vehicle.
That's all the information I received. Interpret it how you want. I'm not saying you'll never find a vehicle registered higher than the GVWR, because there's ways to get around everything. I'm just saying how the system is set up. With every vehicle I've owned, the door jamb and title have always matched.
