(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the owner of a vehicle covered by this subchapter with a tandem axle weight heavier than 34,000 pounds shall before operating the vehicle on a public highway of this state file with the department a surety bond subject to the approval of the Texas Department of Transportation in the principal amount set by the Texas Department of Transportation not to exceed $15,000 for each vehicle.
(b) The bond must be conditioned that the owner of the vehicle will pay, within the limits of the bond, to the Texas Department of Transportation any damage to a highway, to a county any damage to a county road, and to a municipality any damage to a municipal street caused by the operation of the vehicle.

(c) Subsection (a) does not apply to a vehicle owned by a municipality or a county.
(d) A copy of the bond shall be:
(1) carried on the vehicle when the vehicle is on a public highway; and
(2) presented to an officer authorized to enforce this chapter on request of the officer.