Motor Carriers

  Suspension of Certain Motor Carrier Vehicle Size and Weight Requirements under Disaster Declaration Regarding Wildfires

In accordance with the disaster declaration issued by Governor Greg Abbott on March 18, 2022, including any amendments, the following vehicle size and weight requirements are suspended, effective March 18, 2022, for operators of commercial vehicles to travel in and through the state of Texas to provide disaster assistance in Texas, subject to the restrictions listed in this notice:

    the oversize and overweight permitting requirements under Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code, for all divisible and non-divisible vehicles and loads.

Examples of disaster assistance include, but are not limited to, vehicles engaged in the transportation of relief workers, food, hay, water, clothing, equipment, medical supplies, materials, fuel, shelter, and other supplies to the disaster area(s), as well as vehicles used to restore utilities and to remove debris from the disaster area(s) listed in the disaster declaration. The suspension does not apply to any requirement not specifically listed in this notice, including safety and insurance requirements. Also, operators are responsible and liable for safely routing their vehicles and obtaining current information concerning hazardous road conditions prior to movement.

The operator of the commercial vehicle must keep the following documentation in the cab of the vehicle and provide the documentation to any Texas peace officer upon request:

1. a copy of this notice; and
2. a copy of the Governor’s disaster declaration, including any applicable amendments and extensions.

The following conditions and exceptions apply to the suspension regarding size and weight permitting requirements:

1. The suspension only applies to vehicles and loads for which the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized by Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code, to issue a permit.
2. The vehicle and any load may only exceed legal weight if the vehicle (including any load) would qualify for an overweight permit under Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code. Except as stated otherwise in this notice, any person who is regulated under Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623 must comply with the applicable weight limits and restrictions under Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code.
3. The vehicle and any load may only exceed legal width, height, and length if the vehicle (including any load) would qualify for an oversize permit for the width, height, or length, as applicable, under Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code. Except as stated otherwise in this notice, any person who is regulated under Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623 must comply with the applicable width, height, and length requirements and restrictions under Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code.
4. All permitting requirements are suspended, except vehicle escort requirements and restrictions on nighttime movement.
5. Operators are responsible for obtaining current restrictions (excluding curfews) prior to movement.
6. Operators may not travel across load-posted bridges when exceeding the posted capacity for gross or axle weights, unless the bridge provides the only public access.
7. Operators moving vehicles and/or loads that are over legal dimension(s) without a permit may use the free Bid Route feature in the Texas Permitting and Routing Optimization System (TxPROS) to obtain a route: >https://TxPROS.TxDMV.gov/.
8. Suspension of permitting requirements does not imply that a road, highway, or bridge can safely accommodate the movement of an oversize or overweight vehicle and load.
9. This suspension notice serves as a permit under Transportation Code Chapters 621 through 623; 23 U.S.C 127(a)(2), 49 U.S.C. 31112(b), and 49 U.S.C. 31113(c).

The suspension remains in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the disaster declaration referenced above expires.

• Governor's Wildfire Disaster Declaration March 18, 2022
• Suspension of Certain Motor Carrier Vehicle Size and Weight Requirements under Disaster Declaration Regarding Wildfires