Train Engineers Must Prove English Skills Under New FRA Rule
Published Date: 7/31/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
FRA proposes to amend its regulations governing the qualification and certification of locomotive engineers and conductors to establish English language proficiency as a requirement for a railroad carrier to certify and recertify locomotive engineers and conductors. FRA also proposes that each railroad carrier conducting a triennial examination of skill performance, and an annual operational monitoring observation for locomotive engineers, which are current requirements, conduct those examinations and observations without engaging energy management systems that limit the need for a locomotive engineer to operate the throttle or braking systems. Further, FRA proposes to codify limitations on operations at the southern border, including a 10 route-mile geographic limitation, to ensure domestic training, testing, and certification requirements for Mexican crew members are adequate. In addition, FRA proposes changes to clarify that a locomotive engineer or conductor's territorial qualification is limited to the specific direction of travel traversed during the qualification process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
English Required for Certification
FRA would require English language proficiency (reading, speaking, and writing) as a formal condition to certify or recertify locomotive engineers and conductors; this ELP requirement is tied to President Trump's Executive Order 14224 issued March 1, 2025. FRA says all stages of training, testing, and certification must be in English and carriers are expected to enforce ELP once a final rule is effective.
All Training and Tests Must Be in English
FRA proposes that training, written tests, signage interpretation, and any supervisory clarifications used for certification be conducted in English (including written tests 'in English' and that consults with supervisors occur 'in English'). FRA will publish recommended ELP evaluation procedures in a new appendix.
Skill Tests Must Not Use Energy Management
FRA proposes that triennial skills examinations and annual operational monitoring of locomotive engineers must be performed without engaging energy management systems (EMS) that operate the throttle, unless that EMS is integrated with a critical-safety system such as positive train control (PTC).
Territorial Qualification Is Direction-Specific
FRA would clarify that a locomotive engineer's or conductor's territorial qualification applies only to the specific direction of travel experienced during the qualification move; a person is not qualified in the opposite direction unless they complete and demonstrate knowledge on a qualification ride for that direction.
Southern Border: 10‑Mile Limit and U.S. Certification
FRA proposes that Mexican-domiciled crews may operate no more than 10 route miles into the U.S.; U.S. host carriers must train, test, and certify Mexican-based engineers directly under the carrier's FRA-approved program, or the Mexican crewmember must be English proficient or be accompanied by a U.S. pilot proficient in English and Spanish who is certified as both an engineer and a conductor and qualified on the territory. FRA estimates about 93 Mexican-based crewmembers would be affected by domestic training needs.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17904, National Environmental Policy Act Regulations
FHWA, FRA, and FTA (collectively referred to as the "Agencies") are finalizing the interim final rule (IFR) published on July 3, 2025, which revised the Agencies' National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 implementing regulations in light of the removal of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, the amendments to NEPA included in the section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FR Act) of 2023, known as the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act of 2023, amendments regarding efficient environmental reviews included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, and the Supreme Court decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition. The Agencies provided a 30-day comment period for the public to review and comment on the IFR. This final rule addresses public comments received and finalizes the IFR with minor technical changes.
2026-19031, Safety Advisory 2025-02; Track Is Clear Determination During Shoving or Pushing Movements Across Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Equipped Only With Flashing Lights or Passive Warning Devices (Supplement)
The Federal Railroad Administration is stepping up safety for railroad crews pushing or shoving trains across crossings with just flashing lights or passive warnings. After more accidents, including one death, they’re adding new rules: railroads must hold in-person safety briefings and review training programs. These changes aim to keep workers safer without extra costs or delays.
2026-18981, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on their plan to collect information from the public and railroad companies. They’re checking if the questions they ask are useful, clear, and not too much work. You’ve got until November 16, 2026, to share your ideas before they ask for official approval, and this won’t cost you anything but a few minutes of your time!
2026-18982, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) wants your thoughts on a new info collection plan that helps them do their job better. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment by November 16, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might ask for some time to share your input online.
2026-18986, Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program; Ohio Department of Transportation Audit Report
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now in charge of handling environmental reviews for railroad projects instead of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This change means ODOT must follow strict rules and is responsible for making sure projects meet environmental laws. The FRA is checking ODOT’s work with yearly audits for the next four years, and everyone can comment on the first audit report by October 16, 2026.
2026-17996, Safety Advisory 2026-01; Restricted Speed
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is reminding railroads and their workers to stick to 'restricted speed' rules to keep trains safe. This comes after seven recent accidents where trains didn’t slow down enough, especially in areas with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. Railroads need to double-check their training and testing to make sure everyone can stop trains safely, or else risk more accidents and possible fines.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15602, Amendment of Jet Route J-24 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airways V-244, V-508 and Revocation of Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airway V-255 in the Vicinity of Hays, Kansas.
This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-24 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal (VOR) Airways V-244 and V-508 and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-255 in the vicinity of Hays, Kansas. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Hays, KS, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The VOR portion of this NAVAID is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. The TACAN portion of this NAVAID will be retained.
Next: 2026-15614, Section 898(c) Transition Rule for Allocating Foreign Taxes and Section 960(d)(4) Foreign Tax Credit Disallowance
This document contains proposed regulations that relate to allocating foreign taxes of foreign corporations affected by the repeal of the one-month deferral election and to the disallowance of foreign tax credits on certain distributions of previously taxed earnings and profits. The proposed regulations would affect taxpayers that operate in foreign countries through certain foreign corporations and taxpayers that claim the foreign tax credit.