MoDOT Increases Weight Allowance for Trucks to Support COVID-19 Response

Also Provides IRP/IFTA Emergency Waiver

JEFFERSON CITY  –  In response to Gov. Mike Parson’s Executive Order 20-02 declaring a state of emergency in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Transportation is allowing for heavier-than-normal truckloads of supplies and equipment to travel on Missouri highways in the direct effort to prevent, contain, mitigate and treat the effects of the COVID-19 virus. This includes shipments of livestock and poultry.



MoDOT is also temporarily suspending all Missouri International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement trip and fuel permit requirements, including fees, for vehicles not currently registered for interstate travel in Missouri during the declared COVID-19 emergency. A copy of the Trip and Fuel waiver document, available at www.modot.org/mcs must be retained in each vehicle operating under this waiver and retained with the records kept by the driver for audit purposes.



Weight Allowance



Under the weight allowance, private and for-hire motor carriers are allowed to haul up to 100,000 pounds as long as their trailers are at least 53-feet long. The allowance remains in effect through April 30.



Here are other provisions of the allowance:

 

  • Motor carriers are limited to transporting supplies and equipment, including livestock and poultry, only within the state of Missouri;
  • Drivers must obey posted bridge weight limits;
  • When crossing a bridge, drivers must restrict the vehicle speed to no more than 30 mph;
  • Travel under this allowance is only allowed state-owned non-interstate highways. Those taking advantage of the weight allowance cannot operate on any portion of the interstate highway system.

Emergency Waiver for IRP and IFTA



The IRP and IFTA waiver shall not be construed to allow any vehicle to operate in Missouri without valid registration and insurance from its base state. Motor carriers or drivers currently subject to a state or federal out-of-service order are not eligible for the relief granted by this notice.



This waiver does not imply or grant an exception to any federal laws administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation or other state laws regarding the reporting, registration or operation of commercial motor vehicles.



This waiver shall remain in effect for the duration of the declared emergency under Missouri Executive Order 20-02.



In addition to the above notices, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency declaration that grants an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for drivers and carriers operating in response to the national emergency. It can be found at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002. Find links to this and other important emergency transport documents at www.modot.org/mcs.



For more information, cal 1-866-831-6277.

 

Districts Involved
Statewide