Texas trucking rules and regulations to ease in wake of Laura

Several trucking rules and regulations have been suspended in Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura in order to help with the delivery of essential supplies. 

Texas Governor Greg Abbot announced Wednesday that the easing of the regulations will “help expedite the delivery of food, water, equipment, medical supplies and other resources to help communities impacted by the storm.”

These waivers were requested by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Suspended rules include oversize and overweight regulations, regulations involving registration and permitted usage for vehicles registered out of state, and time requirements for trucks working on expired registrations:

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;

The International Registration Plan (IRP) vehicle registration under Transportation Code § 502.091 and 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.56, as long as the vehicle is registered in one of the 48 contiguous states of the United States; and

The 72-hour and 144-hour temporary registration permits under Transportation Code § 502.094 and 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.40(b)(3), as long as the vehicle is registered in one of the states of the United States.

Louisiana’s Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Dr. Shawn Wilson waived just one regulation earlier in the week – the 88,000 pound weight limit will not apply to trucks involved in relief from Laura.