Filming on interstates, state highways and farm-to-market roads, including the right of way that often runs several yards past the shoulder, needs TxDOT approval.
Lead time Road agencies typically want at least two weeks' notice, per the Texas Film Commission
| Do you need one? | Filming on interstates, state highways and farm-to-market roads, including the right of way that often runs several yards past the shoulder, needs TxDOT approval. Closing a segment of state highway right of way is authorized through TxDOT's Agreement for Film/Video Production on State Highway Right of Way (form TEA28), under 43 Texas Administrative Code 22.13. A road may fall under up to three agencies (city, county, state); each must approve. |
| Who issues it | Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The Texas Film Commission's production inquiry form routes requests to the right authority. |
| Lead time | Road agencies typically want at least two weeks' notice, per the Texas Film Commission. |
| Insurance | Certificate of insurance on TxDOT Form 1560; limits not stated in the sources reviewed. |
| Street and lane closures | Segment closures on state highways are authorized by the TEA28 agreement. City streets go through the local film office or police; county roads through the sheriff. |
| Also | A TEA 28 request carries four attachments: a description of activities with start and stop dates and times, local authority concurrence where applicable, a traffic control plan where applicable, and a TxDOT Form 1560 certificate of insurance. Requests go to the TxDOT district maintenance office for the area; in the Big Bend region (Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties) that is the El Paso District. Cities note that interstates and frontage roads (Fort Worth) and named state highways (Bastrop) need TxDOT permission even when the rest of a shoot is under a city permit. |
From the official pages: TxDOT Use of Right of Way by Others Manual - Filming/video production on state right of way ↗︎ · Texas Film Commission - Filming on Texas roads ↗︎ · Big Bend Film Commission - TxDOT highway filming permit requirements (PDF) ↗︎. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you shoot. Not legal advice.