DMV-1753 Form: Weight Tolerance Permit Bond

DMV-1753 Form – If you operate commercial vehicles in Texas and need to haul divisible commodities slightly over legal axle or gross weight limits, the DMV-1753 Form (officially the Over Axle and Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Bond) is mandatory. This $15,000 surety bond protects Texas counties from road damage and is required before the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) issues an Annual Over Axle/Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit.

In this SEO-optimized guide, we cover everything you need to know: what the form is, who needs it, how to complete and file it, permit application steps, fees, alternatives like an Irrevocable Letter of Credit, and direct download access. All information comes directly from official TxDMV sources as of 2026.

What Is the DMV-1753 Form?

The DMV-1753 Form, revised August 2021 (Rev. 08/21), is the official Over Axle and Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Bond. It is a continuous surety bond in the penal sum of $15,000 that binds the principal (you or your company) and a licensed Texas surety company to pay for any highway damages caused by operating permitted overweight vehicles under Texas Transportation Code §623.011.

Key bond features include:

• Effective indefinitely (no renewal certificate required).
• Surety liability is non-cumulative — maximum payout remains $15,000 regardless of claims.
• Surety can cancel with 30 days’ written notice to TxDMV but remains liable for prior defaults.
• Original signed bond must be filed with TxDMV (electronic copies not accepted).

The form is one page and includes fields for principal details, surety information, execution date, effective date, signatures, and notary acknowledgment where required.

Who Needs the DMV-1753 Weight Tolerance Permit Bond?

You must file Form DMV-1753 (or an approved Irrevocable Letter of Credit) if you apply for an Annual Over Axle/Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit through TxDMV. This permit is specifically for:

• Divisible commodities only (not non-divisible loads).
• Vehicles or combinations exceeding axle weight by up to 10% or gross weight by up to 5% above legal limits.
• Operation on county roads and state-maintained highways (excluding the Interstate Highway System) in the counties you select.

Exceptions and notes:

• Ready-mixed concrete trucks are limited to 69,000 lbs gross weight.
• Vehicles must stay within Texas legal size limits (width, height, length).
• You must provide your USDOT number; TxDMV checks for out-of-service orders via FMCSA.
• The permit is issued in the exact company name tied to your USDOT number.

Motor carriers without operating authority (or those using a $10,000 bond for other permits) cannot use this tolerance permit without the specific $15,000 DMV-1753 bond or equivalent.

Bond Amount and Purpose

• Required amount: $15,000.
• Purpose: To compensate any Texas county for damage to highways under County Commissioners Court jurisdiction caused by your permitted equipment.
• Alternative: An Irrevocable Letter of Credit (Form MCD-LOC01) for the same amount — contact TxDMV for details.

The bond remains on file with TxDMV for the life of your permits and protects counties while allowing you legal operation at slightly higher weights.

How to Obtain and File the DMV-1753 Form?

1. Contact a Texas-licensed surety company or bonding agency that issues TxDMV permit bonds.
2. Provide your company information, USDOT number, and proof of financial responsibility.
3. Pay the premium (typically $100–$200 annually depending on credit and surety).
4. Have the surety complete and sign the original DMV-1753 form.
5. Mail or deliver the original bond to TxDMV Motor Carrier Division (address on the form or application).

Important: An electronic copy will not be accepted — only the original signed document qualifies.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out DMV-1753?

From the official form text:

• Principal section: Enter your full legal name or company name, street/box number, city, state, and ZIP code.
• Surety section: The bonding company fills in its details.
• Bond amount: Pre-printed as $15,000.
• Effective date: Insert the start date (bond is continuous thereafter).
• Signatures:
  • Principal signs with title.
  • Surety signs by Attorney-in-Fact.
• Bond number: For internal use only (surety provides).
• Surety must notify TxDMV and you promptly after any payment.

Full instructions and privacy notice appear on the form itself. Keep a copy for your records.

How to Apply for the Annual Weight Tolerance Permit (After Filing the Bond)?

Once TxDMV confirms your original DMV-1753 bond is on file:

1. Apply online (recommended): Use the Texas Permitting & Routing Optimization System (TxPROS) at txpros.txdmv.gov.
2. Or download and mail Form MCD-1751 (Over Axle and Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Application).
3. Select the counties you need (1–254).
4. Pay the fee during application.
5. Receive your annual permit (valid 1 year).

2026 Fee Structure (base $90 + $5 admin + county fee):

Counties Selected	County Fee	Total Fee
1–5	$175	$270
6–20	$250	$345
21–40	$450	$545
41–60	$625	$720
61–80	$800	$895
81–100	$900	$995
101–254	$1,000	$1,095

Payments accepted: credit/debit cards (with service fee), ACH (online), or check/money order (mail only). No refunds after issuance except for TxDMV errors.

Route Restrictions and Compliance

• Allowed on county roads and state highways in selected counties.
• Not allowed on the Interstate Highway System or load-posted bridges exceeding posted limits.
• You must still obey all other traffic laws and size restrictions.

Download the Official DMV-1753 PDF

Direct download (official TxDMV link):
https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/dmv_1753.pdf

Always use the latest version from the TxDMV website. The form linked above is the current Rev. 08/21 version used in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the DMV-1753 bond required every year?
No — it is continuous and stays on file until canceled by the surety with 30 days’ notice.

Can I use a Letter of Credit instead?
Yes, an Irrevocable Letter of Credit for $15,000 is accepted in place of the bond.

How long does it take to get the bond?
Most reputable sureties issue it same-day or within 24–48 hours after underwriting.

Do I need this bond for single-trip permits?
No — this specific bond is only for the annual tolerance permit.

What if my company has multiple vehicles?
One $15,000 bond covers the company for all vehicles operating under the tolerance permit.

Why You Should Act Now?

Operating without the required DMV-1753 bond and tolerance permit can result in fines, out-of-service orders, and denied permits. Filing the bond is a straightforward one-time step that unlocks legal overweight hauling for an entire year across hundreds of Texas counties.

For questions, contact TxDMV Motor Carrier Division at 800-299-1700 or visit the official forms page.

Ready to get started?
Download the DMV-1753 Form today and secure your bond so you can apply for your annual permit hassle-free.

This guide is for informational purposes only and is based on current TxDMV requirements. Always verify the latest rules directly on txdmv.gov before applying.