Winter Storm Fern has caused ice, snow, and freezing temperatures in the South, Plains, Midwest, and Northeast. Several states have declared emergencies and banned trucks to aid in storm relief efforts. Hours of Service waivers are also in place to assist during this crisis.
Updated on Monday, 1/26/26 at 12:45 p.m. ET.
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut
Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut currently have a truck travel ban in place. Tractor-trailers, tandem trucks and special permit trucks are all restricted from traveling on interstate highways.
Updated in Rhode Island: the statewide ban on trucks and trailers has been lifted as of 1/26/26.
Massachusetts ban will stay in effect until noon on Monday.
Texas
The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a declaration that provides relief from Title 49, CFR, Part 395.3 (maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles) for carriers in Texas providing direct assistance to the disaster relief in the state of Texas.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s winter weather state of emergency is effective until Feb. 21. It suspends 49 Code of Federal Regulations 390-399 for carriers providing residential heating fuel, including heating oil, natural gas, and propane.
Georgia
Georgia’s governor declared an emergency which will be in effect through Jan. 29, suspending certain size and weight restrictions, and hours of service (HOS) regulations for relief response.
During the emergency, five-axle trucks can travel with a gross vehicle weight of up to 95,000 pounds, 10′ wide maximum and up to 100′ long.
Tennessee
Under Tennessee’s order, a vehicle may transport a divisible or non-divisible load up to a maximum
gross vehicle weight of 95,000 pounds and a maximum axle weight of 20,000 pounds, except on any bridge or overpass with a lower posted weight limit.
The overall dimensions of a any load shall not exceed 100′ long, 14-4 high on the interstate highway system, except Interstate 55, an 13-6 high on Interstate 55 and any other highway, or 14-6 wide.
Vehicles still must ensure they have proper oversize load signs and flags and escorts as required by Tennessee’s DOT.
North Carolina
The state’s emergency declaration says permits can be issued for commercial vehicles operating on all DOT-designate routs, except those routes designated as light traffic roads, outside of the normal weight, height and length restrictions in the state.
North Carolina’s emergency order is in effect for 14 days, until Feb. 5, and includes a 14-day suspension of HOS rules for carriers providing emergency services such as relief loads, fuel, food and utility equipment.