TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
5805 N LAMAR BLVD• BOX 4087 • AUSTIN, TEXAS 78773-0001
512/424-2000
www.dps.texas.gov

 
FREEMAN F. MARTIN 
COLONEL
WALT GOODSON 
JASON C. TAYLOR 
LIEUTENANT COLONELS
 
STEVEN P. MACH, CHAIRMAN 
NELDA L. BLAIR
DAN HORD Ill 
LARRY B. LONG
STEVEN H. STODGHILL
 

January 21, 2026

Pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 390.23 and Chapter 644 of the Texas Transportation Code, Colonel Freeman F. Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has declared a local emergency exists which justifies certain exemptions from Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations). Such emergency declaration is in response to severe winter weather conditions in the State of Texas.

Declaration of this emergency provides relief from Title 49, CFR, Part 395.3 (maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles) of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for motor carriers in Texas providing direct assistance to the disaster relief in the State of Texas. This includes, but is not limited to power grid repairs and the delivery of groceries, home heating oils, fuel, propane, and other essential products.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as an exemption from the Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing Requirements of Title 49, CFR, Parts 40 and 382; Commercial Drivers License requirements of Title 49, CFR, Part 383 and Chapter 522 of the Texas Transportation Code; the Financial Responsibility requirements in Title 49, CFR, Part 387 and Chapters 601 and 643 of the Texas Transportation Code; the Hazardous Material Transportation Regulations of Title 49, CFR, Parts 107 (Subpart G), 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, and 180; or the applicable State of Texas size, weight, or traffic safety regulations.

Motor carriers that have an Out-of-Service Order in effect cannot take advantage of the relief from the regulations that this declaration provides under Title 49, CFR, Part 390.23.

Consistent with Title 49, CFR, Part 390.23, the emergency declaration will take effect at 12:01 a.m., January 22, 2026, and will remain in effect for the duration of the emergency (as defined in the Title 49, CFR, Part 390.5) or for five (5) days, ending at 11:59 p.m., January 26, 2026, whichever is less.

Freeman F. Martin 
Colonel