Motor Carriers

Suspension of Certain Motor Carrier Vehicle Registration, Size, and Weight Requirements under Disaster Declaration Regarding Hurricane Beryl

In accordance with the disaster declaration issued by Acting Governor Dan Patrick on July 5, 2024, including any amendments, the following vehicle registration, size, and weight requirements are suspended, effective July 6, 2024, 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 International Registration Plan (IRP) vehicle registration requirements under Transportation Code Section 502.091 and Title 43, Section 217.56 of the Texas Administrative Code, to the extent the vehicle is not already registered under the IRP and as long as the vehicle is registered in one of the 48 contiguous states of the United States;
• the 72-hour and 144-hour temporary registration permit requirements under Transportation Code Section 502.094 and Title 43, Section 217.40(b)(3) of the Texas Administrative Code, as long as the vehicle is registered in one of the states of the United States; and
• 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, 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 suspensions do 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 Acting 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).

These suspensions remain in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the disaster declaration referenced above expires.

Daniel Avitia, Executive Director
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Visit the Motor Carrier portal for all your TxDMV needs at http://www.TxDMV.gov/motor-carriers.

If you have any questions, please call the toll-free number, 1-800-299-1700 (1-512-872-8090 local).

A copy of Acting Governor Dan Patrick's Disaster Declaration and the TxDMV Notice of Suspension must be carried in the vehicle; links to both are below.

• Acting Governor Patrick's Disaster Declaration
• TxDMV Notice of Suspension

Important Notice Regarding Texas Wildfires

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for Texas counties impacted by wildfires. The Governor's Office has temporarily suspended oversize/overweight permitting requirements for vehicles and loads associated with activities necessary to respond to the disaster. A copy of Gov. Abbott's Disaster Declaration and the TxDMV Notice of Suspension must be carried in the vehicle; links to both are below.

Gov. Abbott has also suspended certain vehicle registration requirements related to Apportioned Registration, also known as the International Registration Plan (IRP), and Temporary Permits for operators of commercial motor vehicles associated with activities necessary to respond to the disaster.

• International Registration Plan (IRP) vehicle registration under Transportation Code, Section 502.091 and 43 TAC 217.56 to the extent the vehicle is not already registered under IRP, as long as the motor vehicle is registered in one of the 48 contiguous states of the United States; and
   
• 72-/144-hour temporary registration permits under Transportation Code, Section 502.094 and 43 TAC 217.40(b)(3), as long as the vehicle is registered in another state of the United States or a state of the United Mexican States.

The suspension only applies to the vehicle registration requirements for operators of commercial vehicles that are providing disaster assistance pursuant to the declarations referenced in Governor Abbott’s proclamation. The suspension does not apply to any other requirement, including any safety requirements. Also, operators are responsible and liable for safely routing their vehicles and obtaining current restrictions and information concerning hazardous road conditions prior to movement.

A copy of Gov. Greg Abbott's Disaster Declaration and the TxDMV Notice of Suspension must be carried in the vehicle; links to both are below.

• Governor Abbott’s Disaster Declaration
• TxDMV Notice of Suspension

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