What the proclamation allows

Iowa's September 10 harvest proclamation temporarily suspends specified registration, permit and fee provisions for divisible overweight loads of soybeans, corn, hay, straw, silage, stover, dry, liquid or gas fertilizer, dry or liquid manure, and distillers grains.

A qualifying load may operate without an overweight permit at up to 90,000 pounds gross weight for the duration of the proclamation. The relief took effect immediately and is scheduled to expire October 10, 2026, unless the Governor terminates or extends it in writing.

Routes and limits that still control

The proclamation applies on Iowa highways but excludes the interstate system. A qualifying vehicle must stay within 12.5% of the applicable axle limits in Iowa's primary or non-primary highway weight tables, may not exceed 20,000 pounds on an axle, and must obey posted road and bridge limits.

This is a temporary permit and weight provision, not a blanket exemption from CDL, vehicle-condition, safe-loading, hours-of-service or other rules. Provisions not specifically suspended in the proclamation remain in effect.

What drivers and dispatchers should check

Before dispatch, confirm that the commodity qualifies, the route avoids the interstate, gross and axle weights remain within the proclamation, and every posted bridge or road limit is observed. A 90,000-pound gross ceiling does not override a lower route-specific limit.

Drivers should keep current proclamation details available and recheck Iowa's official transportation emergency information because the Governor can end or extend the relief in writing.

Primary sources and supporting records

Related CDL practice

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