Railroads Get Special Pass to Ignore Truck Driver Hour Limits During Crises
Published Date: 3/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is giving R.J. Corman Railroad Services, Cranemasters, Inc., and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association a 6-month extension to keep driving commercial vehicles beyond usual hour limits during unexpected events. This helps their workers respond quickly without breaking the rules. The new exemption runs from March 4 to September 4, 2025, and the public can share their thoughts by April 9.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Six‑month HOS exemption for two railroad firms
FMCSA provisionally renewed an exemption that lets employees of R.J. Corman Railroad Services and Cranemasters, Inc. temporarily drive commercial motor vehicles beyond normal Hours‑of‑Service limits while responding to unplanned events. The exemption runs from March 4, 2025 through September 4, 2025, and the public comment deadline is April 9, 2025.
Specific temporary HOS extensions and limits
Under the exemption, drivers may extend the 14‑hour duty period to no more than 17 hours, may not exceed 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty, may extend the 60‑ and 70‑hour on‑duty limits by no more than 6 hours, and may not travel more than 300 air miles from their normal work‑reporting location or terminal. Drivers must record time working to restore rail service as on‑duty (not driving) time.
Required fatigue management training before use
Before operating under the exemption, drivers must complete the North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP) Driver Education Module 3 and Driver Sleep Disorders and Management Module 8 (www.nafmp.org).
Scope limited to listed 'unplanned events'
The exemption applies only when employees are driving to the site of an "unplanned event," which the notice defines to include derailments; rail failures or dangerous track conditions; track occupancy lights; electric propulsion disruptions; bridge‑strikes; disabled vehicles on tracks; train collisions; weather‑ and storm‑related events (e.g., fallen trees, snow, extreme cold/heat, rock/mud slides, washouts, earthquakes); and matters concerning national security or public safety, including blocked grade crossings.
Federal preemption of conflicting State rules during exemption
While this exemption is in effect, no State may enforce a law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with the exemption for firms or persons operating under it, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31315(d) and 49 CFR 381.600.
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