ANKENY, Iowa – Updated, April 1, 2019 – In response to flooding emergencies in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, the Iowa Department of Transportation is temporarily waiving some requirements for motor carriers engaged in flood response and recovery activities.

NEW: Motor carriers delivering relief supplies for flood recovery efforts can now obtain free permits to travel on the interstate system with overweight divisible loads. Travel on the interstate system will only be allowed using a permit issued by Iowa DOT, and permits are required for overweight loads greater than 80,000 pounds. Oversize divisible loads continue to be restricted from the interstates.

To expedite disaster relief and recovery in Iowa and Nebraska, some rules related to trip permits required by the International Registration Plan and fuel permits required by the International Fuel Tax Agreement have been temporarily waived for motor carriers transporting equipment, supplies, materials, and storm debris in conjunction with response and recovery efforts in Iowa and Nebraska.

These waivers apply to commercial vehicles traveling in and through the state of Iowa for the purpose of providing direct assistance to disaster areas in the states of Iowa and Nebraska. These waivers are effective immediately and will end on April 24, 2019, in concurrence with the expiration of the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency dated March 25, 2019, as amended.

Additionally, on March 22, 2019, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency in which certain state regulations were waived relating to size and weight permitting requirements for commercial vehicles providing disaster repair and recovery in this state.

For more information on flood resources and recovery efforts, go to https://floods2019.iowa.gov/