Texas Extends Diesel Emergency Relief

Texas is keeping temporary diesel fuel relief in place.

On October 28, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott renewed a statewide disaster declaration because of the ongoing diesel fuel shortage.

The original emergency was declared on September 28.

The renewal keeps existing emergency measures active across all Texas counties.

Under those measures, Texas temporarily allows expanded use of red-dyed diesel on public roads.

The state also allows qualifying trucks hauling fuel, agricultural products, and timber to operate at a gross weight of up to 95,000 pounds without certain state overweight permits.

The original emergency measures also addressed some diesel fuel quality restrictions.

But there is an important detail: the state order does not automatically remove federal fuel taxes or federal trucking requirements.

!What This Means for CDL Drivers

If you haul fuel, crops, or timber in Texas, the temporary rules may allow heavier loads or additional fuel options.

But these exemptions do not apply to every truck or every load.

Drivers should check the conditions before using red-dyed diesel or hauling extra weight.

The October 28 announcement extends existing relief. It does not introduce a completely new set of rules.