Temporary Suspension of Motor Carrier IRP Requirements for COVID-19 Disaster Relief

Commercial Vehicle registration requirements to travel in and through the state of Texas are temporarily suspended by order of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This is to make it faster and easier for operators of commercial vehicles to provide COVID-19 disaster relief assistance.

These suspensions apply to the transportation of supplies, medical equipment, and similar materials that are necessary for preparing for, responding to, and mitigating the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

A commercial motor vehicle qualifies for the temporary suspension of International Registration Plan (IRP) requirements if the vehicle is registered in one of the 48 contiguous states and is not currently registered under IRP. The suspension covers the vehicle registration requirements for operators of commercial motor vehicles that are providing assistance to any state pursuant to the disaster declarations for those states.

Additionally, the requirements to obtain a 72-/144-hour temporary registration permit also are suspended for those commercial motor vehicles that are not eligible for IRP registration.      

These suspensions do not apply to safety and insurance requirements.

No action on your part is required to qualify for the temporary waivers. Instead print and keep the following documentation in the cab of the vehicle, the Governor’s Proclamation and the TxDMV’s Suspension of Size and Weight Requirements. Both are found here: https://www.txdmv.gov/motor-carriers

These suspensions remain in effect until terminated by Governor Abbott or until the March 13, 2020 disaster declaration is lifted or expires.