Train Wreck Crews Seek Longer Driving Hours Exemption
Published Date: 6/30/2026
Notice
Summary
Mainline Services, LLC wants special permission to let their workers drive longer hours when fixing train wrecks or clearing tracks after unexpected accidents. This change helps keep trains running safely and on time, even if it means working past normal shifts. The public can share their thoughts by July 30, 2026, before the government decides if the exemption gets approved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Five-year HOS exemption request
Mainline Services, LLC asks for a five-year exemption from certain hours-of-service rules in 49 CFR part 395 — specifically the 14-hour driving window and the 60-hour/7-day and 70-hour/8-day weekly limits — so its drivers can travel to clear derailed or disabled trains and other unplanned rail incidents that occur outside or beyond normal shifts. FMCSA is accepting public comments on this request through July 30, 2026, and will later decide whether to grant or deny the exemption.
Travel-time-only relief and safeguards
Mainline says the requested exemption would apply only to time drivers spend traveling to a job site (not performing restoration work), that on-site restoration time would be recorded as on-duty but not driving time and still count toward daily and weekly duty limits, and that drivers would obtain required rest before operating a commercial motor vehicle on public roads after completing incident work.
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Key Dates
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