What the waiver covers
Virginia Executive Order 21 authorized a 30-day waiver beginning October 1 for carriers directly transporting hay for drought relief. The operative VDOT notice says the relief runs through October 30 and includes temporary registration and licensing relief, limited over-width relief on VDOT-controlled roads and FMCSA emergency relief that includes hours of service.
The waiver applies to qualifying hay movements to, through and from Virginia regardless of origin or destination. Relief ends when the carrier or driver stops providing direct assistance, or at the end of the 30-day period, whichever comes first.
Limits drivers still must follow
Normal gross and axle weight limits remain in force. Width exemptions do not apply on interstate highways unless a separate federal exemption covers the movement, and loads may not exceed 12 feet in overall width or 14 feet in overall height under this waiver.
Vehicles exceeding normal legal width or height must still follow applicable Virginia DMV hauling-permit requirements and safety guidelines. The waiver is not blanket relief for unrelated freight, ordinary agricultural hauling or a trip after direct emergency assistance has ended.
What drivers should verify before moving
Drivers and dispatchers should keep the official VDOT waiver available, confirm the load qualifies as direct hay-relief assistance and check the planned route before departure. Out-of-state haulers must comply with other states' rules while outside Virginia.
The state emergency order remains subject to amendment or early rescission. Carriers should check Virginia's official drought-resource and VDOT pages for changes rather than relying on a screenshot or a third-party summary.
Primary sources and supporting records
- Office of the Governor of Virginia: Executive Order 21 — Declaration of Emergency Due to Severe Drought Impacts on Farms and the Necessity of Hay Transportation WaiversPrimary operative order authorizing the 30-day over-width, permit and hours-of-service relief beginning October 1 • Published 2026-09-16 • Checked October 7, 2026 at 7:24 AM
- Virginia Department of Transportation: Waiver for carriers transporting hay for emergency reliefPrimary operative carrier notice establishing covered movements, October 1–30 dates, direct-assistance limit, interstate restriction and 12-foot-by-14-foot maximums • Published 2026-09-16 • Checked October 7, 2026 at 7:24 AM
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Disaster Recovery Resources for Virginia FarmersPrimary current FAQ confirming HOS scope, permit conditions, interstate treatment, continuing weight limits and official driver guidance • Published 2026-10-01 • Checked October 7, 2026 at 7:24 AM
- Land Line: Virginia eases trucking regulations amid hay shortageIndependent trucking-industry discovery and driver-focused context; all operative terms verified against Virginia sources • Published 2026-09-29 • Checked October 7, 2026 at 7:24 AM
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