State of Oregon

Tina Kotek, Governor    

Oregon Department of Transportation
Office of the Director
355 Capitol St, NE MS 11
Salem, OR 97301

June 17, 2026

ATTN: Motor Carriers
RE: Emergency Declaration and Suspension of Certain Motor Carrier Regulations in Response to Wildfire Activity in Oregon

Due to critical statewide fire danger as declared in Governor Kotek’s June 15 declaration of emergency (Executive Order No. 26-10), and pursuant to ORS 823.012, I hereby issue the following emergency waiver. Per 49 CFR 390.23(b), Parts 395.3 and 395.5 (hours of service regulations) shall not apply to a motor carrier or driver operating a commercial motor vehicle so long as the motor carrier or driver is providing direct assistance to this emergency. This waiver is effective immediately and lasts until 6pm PST, July 1, 2026.

Note the following:

Motor carriers or drivers currently subject to an out-of-service order are not eligible for exemption until the order expires or they have met the conditions for its rescission.

This exemption shall not exceed the duration of direct assistance in providing emergency relief.

Nothing contained in this declaration shall be construed as an exemption from the controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements (49 CFR Part 382), the commercial driver’s license requirements (49 CFR Part 383), the financial responsibility (insurance) requirements (49 CFR Part 387), operating authority (49 CFR Part 365) or any other portion of the regulations not specifically identified.

You must comply with all size and weight regulations. Vehicles responding to emergencies are still required to enter open scale facilities when a sign posted before the scale reads "All Trucks Over 20,000# GVWR Next Right”, or with a GVWR of 10,000# or greater without this posted sign, unless they are operating with red warning lights and/or siren.

If stopped, be sure to let enforcement personnel know that you are responding to an emergency. The vehicle may be allowed to proceed and obtain required permits and/or credentials as soon as possible afterwards.

Thank you,

Lisa Sumption
Interim Director, Oregon Department of Transportation

ODOT EW 26-01